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USA Today
5 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
What are the odds Iowa football goes undefeated in 2025?
What are the odds Iowa football goes undefeated in 2025? Could the 2025 season have some magic in store for the Iowa Hawkeyes? Is it possible that they could run the table and go undefeated given their slate? It isn't necessarily the most likely, but based on the odds, crazier things have happened. The Hawkeyes are the beneficiaries of getting seven of their 12 games at home inside Kinnick Stadium, two of which appear to be their most difficult games on paper. At home this year, in order, Iowa gets UAlbany, UMass, Indiana, Penn State, Minnesota, Oregon, and Michigan State. The matchups against Penn State and Oregon, two teams that made the 2024 College Football Playoff, are their toughest tests. While the slate has just five road trips, the Week 2 trip takes Iowa to Iowa State for an early-season battle. The road slate, in order, takes Iowa to Iowa State, Rutgers, Wisconsin, USC, and Nebraska. So, can Iowa run the table and go undefeated? According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Hawkeyes have the eighth-best odds to go undefeated, with odds of +6500. At the top of the odds are the usual players in the Big Ten and national championship landscape. Ohio State (+400), Oregon (+440), and Penn State (+490) are the most likely to run the table with their regular-season slates. Michigan sits with +1100 odds, and the upstart Illinois Fighting Illini, who many view as a sleeper, have +2800 odds to go undefeated. Rounding out the list before Iowa is Nebraska with +4000 odds and USC at +4800. Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Riley on X: @rileydonald7
USA Today
6 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Ranking the Big Ten's top 10 conference games in 2025
Ranking the Big Ten's top 10 conference games in 2025 The addition of four West Coast schools has put more emphasis on the "Big" and less emphasis on the "Ten," and it's also resulted in an increased strength of schedule for most teams within one of the nation's premier conferences. In the first season with 18 teams, the Big Ten included its fair share of marquee matchups, and 2025 looks to deliver the same amount, if not more, of premium matchups. While many traditional rivalries remain, there are many new battles between unfamiliar opponents, making for interesting clashes throughout the fall. Here's a look at the top 10 conference games for the Big Ten in 2025. No. 10: Michigan vs. Washington, Oct. 18 Though both teams proved disappointing in 2024 relative to expectations, it was only two seasons ago the Wolverines and Huskies met in the national championship game, in which Michigan came out victorious. Both teams have undergone significant changes since then, both on the rosters and coaching staffs, but this game should provide some high-level play between two proud programs. Both teams are excited about what their young quarterbacks can be in their first seasons at the helm, and last year's matchup provides added fuel after Washington pulled the upset. No. 9: Illinois vs. USC, Sept. 27 The two haven't clashed since 2008, and both programs enter 2025 with soaring expectations. Illinois is coming off its first 10-win season since 2001 and returns quarterback Luke Altmyer, while USC has stacked talented recruiting classes and is looking to rebound from a 7-6 campaign last season. This battle features a clash of styles, with the Fighting Illini expected to be a physical, hard-nosed squad while the Trojans will likely bring a high-powered explosive offense to Champaign. Oh, and both teams believe they can be dark-horse College Football Playoff contenders. No. 8: Iowa vs. Oregon, Nov. 8 Iowa's conference schedule saw an increase in strength last season, something that will continue in 2025. As part of the Hawkeyes' slate, they'll host reigning Big Ten champion Oregon is what's sure to be a raucous Kinnick Stadium environment. Though the Ducks seem like the better team on paper, Iowa has pulled an upset or two over top-10 teams at home, and they'll have a couple of opportunities in the fall. This game also has a chance to be a ranked matchup, if Iowa can return to form. No. 7: Iowa vs. Penn State, Nov. 1 These programs have developed lots of bad blood in recent seasons, including several tightly contested matchups with major implications. Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz is 10-9 against Penn State, while James Franklin holds a 5-2 record against the Hawkeyes. Four of the last six matchups have been decided by one score, including Penn State's walk-off touchdown in 2017 and the infamous 2021 game in which Sean Clifford went down with injury as Iowa came from behind in a top-five matchup. This year's edition comes in Hawkeye territory, and both teams may be ranked when the Nittany Lions come to town. No. 6: Illinois vs. Ohio State, Oct. 11 Though it's not typically considered one of the Big Ten's major rivalries, these two programs have met more than most throughout their histories, with the Buckeyes holding a sizable 68-30-4 all-time advantage. Despite the lopsided history, this year's meeting could prove closer than many are expecting. The Fighting Illini are coming off a 10-win season, including a bowl victory over South Carolina, and are returning lots of production. Illinois has been known to pull an upset or two under head coach Bret Bielema, beating Michigan, Penn State and Iowa in recent seasons. Though Memorial Stadium isn't exactly an intimidating environment, getting the game at home doesn't hurt either. No. 5: USC vs. Michigan, Oct. 11 These two blue bloods have had several major clashes over the years, often coming with postseason implications. Michigan came out on top last year in a back-and-forth 27-24 battle, and this year's meeting figures to be another tight one. Both teams are hoping to rebound and compete for a playoff appearance in 2025, and a win in this matchup would serve as a resume booster, while a loss may be a knockout blow. Also, the uniform clash will be magical. No. 4: Oregon vs. USC, Nov. 22 In a battle of the two premier Pacific programs, the Ducks will host the Trojans in what's turned into a fierce rivalry. The blue blood will visit the new blood in a battle of elite offenses, with two young but talented head coaches looking to earn a marquee win in 2025. The Ducks figure to be the favorite on paper, but they lose a majority of their produuction from last year's conference championship team. If this game turns into a shootout, it could result in one of the best matchups of the year. No. 3: Michigan vs. Ohio State, Nov. 29 Viewed by many as the best rivalry game in the nation, and referred to simply as "The Game," fireworks are all but guaranteed when these squads clash on the gridiron. Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore now boasts a 2-0 record against the Buckeyes, while Ohio State's Ryan Day has fallen to just 1-4 against The Team Up North. Fresh off a national championship, Ohio State is hoping to snap its losing skid, but it'll have to do so in enemy territory. This game will likely be a ranked matchup, and could be a top-10 battle. No. 2: Penn State vs. Oregon, Sept. 27 Though they don't have a long and storied history, the Nittany Lions and Ducks battled for the Big Ten crown last season, which resulted a one-score thriller. When the dust settled in Indianapolis, Oregon came away with a conference title in its first season in the Big Ten. Penn State will look for revenge when it welcomes the Ducks for their first White Out experience, something Washington witnessed for the first time last season and struggled to handle. Additionally, both teams should be ranked in the top 10 and will serve as each other's first major test of the season. The star power on the field could result in a similar game to last year's matchup. No. 1: Ohio State vs. Penn State, Nov. 1 Ohio State and Penn State are the top teams in the conference and among the top four nationally in odds to win the national championship heading into 2025. They've had some close clashes in recent years, with six one-score games during James Franklin's tenure, including each of the last two years. The Buckeyes have consistently come out on top, winning 12 of the last 13 clashes between the two, but this year's Nittany Lion squad appears to be the best in years, at least on paper. Ohio State sent 14 players to the NFL this offseason, including four first-round picks, while Penn State retained several key players including Drew Allar, Nick Singleton, Kaytron Allen and Dani Dennis-Sutton. If the Nittany Lions are going to snap their losing streak, 2025 feels like the year to do it, but doing so in The Horseshoe won't be easy. Regardless, this projects as a top-five matchup and will feature two of the most talented rosters in the sport.
USA Today
6 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Recruiting insiders pick who they think 2026 star safety Joey O'Brien will commit to
Recruiting insiders pick who they think 2026 star safety Joey O'Brien will commit to The day has come to find out if Notre Dame football will be adding another elite prospect to its 2026 recruiting class, as Pennsylvania 4-star safety Joey O'Brien will make his commitment later today at 7:15 p.m. ET. The 6-foot, 3-inch and 185-pound star will be picking either Penn State, Oregon, Clemson or the Irish, and whoever wins out on his recruitment will be getting one of the nation's best. O'Brien is currently ranked as the No. 65 overall prospect in the cycle according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings. Many recruiting insiders have weighed in on who they believe O'Brien will pick, and starting off with 247Sports where there are two predictions, both having him selecting Notre Dame. It's not just Irish insiders making the pick, as Austin Hannon, a Tigers reporter, also picked the Irish on Wednesday. Over at On3, they also like the Irish's chances, as 91.4% of their predictions have the Blue and Gold winning out. Their data is gathered from insiders, social sentiment, historical data and more. Finally, looking at what Rivals thinks happens with O'Brien, they also like Notre Dame's chances, with every one of its FutureCast's going in favor of the Irish. At one point Richard O'Leary has picked the Nittany Lions, but changed his mind and switched over to the Irish. Just by looking at the major three recruiting outlets, it very much looks like Notre Dame will be landing a star safety in O'Brien later today.
USA Today
19 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Notre Dame football offers 2027 Penn State wide receiver commit Khalil Taylor
Notre Dame football offers 2027 Penn State wide receiver commit Khalil Taylor There is a rivalry brewing between Notre Dame and Penn State, and it doesn't just stem from the Irish's College Football Playoff semifinal victory. In the off-season, Notre Dame took the Nittany Lions running backs coach Ja'Juan Seider at the same position, and have been working on recruits like safety Joey O'Brien and cornerback Khary Adams. They've also have had success in landing Pennsylvania offensive tackle Grayson McKeogh on Wednesday. Then on Thursday, the Irish put their hat into the ring for 2027 Penn State commit Khalil Taylor, a 2027 wide receiver. The 5-foot, 11-inch and 180-pounder committed to PSU at the end of March, but that isn't stopping Notre Dame from trying to flip him. Taylor is ranked as the No. 72 overall player in his class by the 247Sports Composite, showing that he's one of the best in the cycle. With the momentum that the Irish have recruiting the state of Pennsylvania, McKeogh and Tyler Merrill committed in the 2026 class, you can't discount Notre Dame from potentially flipping Taylor. This is a recruitment to watch, especially if he makes it to South Bend in the near future.
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
USC football countdown to kickoff continues—Zach Banner in focus
USC football countdown to kickoff continues—Zach Banner in focus The countdown to USC's 2025 football season is officially on! The Trojans kick off their new campaign 73 days from today. You need something to help you while away the days and hours in the spring and summer. This is one way to do so. In this new series, countdown to kickoff, we will be counting down the days by highlighting a notable Trojan who wore each number. Today, we take a look at former USC offensive lineman Zach Banner. Position: Offensive line Years played at USC: 2012-2016 Career highlights: Banner redshirted his first year at USC in 2012 and missed the majority of the 2013 season with a hip injury. As a redshirt sophomore in 2014, he won USC's starting right tackle job, a role that he would hold down for the next three years. In both 2015 and 2016, Banner was named first-team All-Pac-12. During his 2016 redshirt senior season, Banner served as a team captain and helped lead the Trojans to a Rose Bowl victory over Penn State. After USC: The Indianapolis Colts selected Banner in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft. However, he was waived prior to the team's first game of the season. The following day, Banner was claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Browns, with whom he would spend his rookie year. After being released by the Browns, and a brief stint with the Carolina Panthers, Banner signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, for whom he would play from 2018-2021. He was released by Pittsburgh in 2022. After nearly three years out of football, Banner signed with the UFL's Houston Roughnecks this past March.
