Iowa vs.
Iowa · Northern IllinoisIowa vs. Northern Illinois Prediction, Odds, Pick For College Football Week 1. Ferentz has yet to name a starting quarterback, with Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski still competing for the job.
Both quarterbacks are expected to play in the season opener, giving Ferentz and the Hawkeyes an opportunity to evaluate the two options in game action. Northern Illinois, meanwhile, is looking to bounce back after a 3-9 season in 2025.
The Huskies enter their first year in the Mountain West with interim head coach Rob Harley leading a significantly revamped roster. With no returning starters on defense and only four on offense, Harley will bring an inexperienced group into Kinnick Stadium for the season opener.
Let’s take a look at the odds for Iowa vs. NIU at DraftKings Sportsbook as of Sept. 5. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners.
KEY POINTS
- The No. 22 Iowa Hawkeyes will host the Northern Illinois Huskies on Saturday in a Week 1 college football matchup on Big Ten Network.
- Kirk Ferentz enters his 28th season as Iowa's head coach looking to add to his 209 career wins, the most by a head coach in Big Ten history.
- The No. 22 Hawkeyes will open their season at home against a Northern Illinois team beginning its first year in the Mountain West Conference.
- From FOX Sports Research: Iowa has built a reputation for boring, low-scoring, physical football, and with two new quarterbacks in the mix, don't expect that to change in Week 1.