Jackson Miller’s Picks: 

Iowa +3.5

If Iowa is good at one thing, it’s losing close games to ranked teams. I believe that same trend happens here, with Vanderbilt taking the ReliaQuest Bowl victory by a score of 23-20. 

The Hawkeyes can keep it close as we’ve seen all year, with four losses coming by a combined 15 points. Iowa can compete for most of this game, but I believe Diego Pavia will make just enough plays to keep the Hawkeyes at bay. 

This game should be one for the ages, with most of each team’s roster expected to play. Expect some fireworks (or cannons, since it’s at Raymond James Stadium).

Under 46.5

As my score prediction shows, the total from this game will be 43, putting this one under the total of 46.5. Both defenses will come to play, keeping the scoring in the low 20s. 

All four of Iowa’s ranked matchups this season have been at or under 47 points, with the 26-21 loss to USC being the highest scoring game.

The Hawkeyes can put up points, but they haven’t proven they can against ranked foes, so I don’t think that trend changes against the Commodores in Tampa. 

Lock of the Week: Texas A&M -3.5

Texas A&M is so talented offensively, and I don’t think Miami can overcome that. The Hurricanes do have Rueben Bain coming off the edge, but Marcel Reed’s scrambling ability should diminish that threat. I think the Aggies take this one by at least a touchdown. 

Brad Schultz’s (20-15-1, $2,100) Picks: 

Iowa +3.5 

We’ve seen this script before. Iowa goes up against a ranked team, competes hard for 60 minutes, but falls short in the final seconds. 

That has been the defining theme of the 2025 Iowa Hawkeyes, but I think Iowa flips the script in Tampa. While the prestige of bowl games is no longer the same, the Hawkeyes are used to playing on a stage like this. Vanderbilt is not. 

Star quarterback Diego Pavia deserves all of the accolades he is getting, but if there’s one man that can stop him, it’s Phil Parker. Iowa’s game plan will be focused on keeping Pavia in the pocket as much as possible, and I see the Hawks forcing some turnovers. 

Give me Iowa to not only cover this spread, but secure an outright win to finish this season on a high note. 

Over 46.5 

This is one of the largest totals that I’ve seen for a Hawkeye game this year, but I think there’s going to be some points in this one. While I do think Iowa can slow Pavia down, it’s not going to completely stop him. 

Vanderbilt’s offense posted 39.4 points per game this year, while the Hawkeyes have collected a respectable 28.9 points per contest. If you go by the average totals of both teams, you’ve got a final score that surpasses this total by a mile. 

Obviously I’m not going to completely base my prediction on that, but the bottom line here is that these offenses are capable of putting up points. It’s going to take some time for both defenses to adjust to their opposing offenses, so I see a higher-scoring affair in Tampa. 

Lock of the Week: Hawaii -1.5 

Most people don’t realize it, but Hawaiians love their football. When Hawaii is good, the people will show up, and coach Timmy Chang has done a good job bringing life to the Pineapple State. I trust the Rainbow Warriors to win a home game against a California team without its head coach.