College football analyst predicts disaster for Oregon at Iowa 

The Oregon Ducks are 7-1 and ranked No. 9 in the nation. Head coach Dan Lanning must feel confident that he has a team capable not only of qualifying for the College Football Playoff but also of making a deep run.

The problem for the Ducks is that they face a surprisingly tough opponent this weekend: the No. 20 Iowa Hawkeyes (6-2).

On paper, the Ducks should be favored. That said, college football analyst and commentator Kirk Herbstreit thinks there's something about a mid-November game in Iowa City that makes this a risky matchup for Lanning's team.

“I’m telling you. We all love Dan Lanning. We all love the Ducks and their potential. But, there’s just something about certain teams at Iowa when you go to November,” Herbstreit said in a recent appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show." (h/t On3) “The only blessing they have is — it’s not a night game, right? If it were a night game, it’d be a given it’d be a loss."

Herbstreit would be betting against the Ducks if this were a night kickoff at Kinnick Stadium, but a 3:30 p.m. ET start time isn't much different in November. By the time the second half begins, it will be dark outside, and Kinnick will be rocking.

The Hawkeyes have long been able to "muck things up" when high-flying teams come to town, which head coach Kirk Ferentz has always preached. He wants to control the line of scrimmage and make the other team get down in the mud with the Hawks.

Therefore, Herbstreit predicts that some "Kinnick magic" might occur this weekend.

Kirk Herbstreit predicts Iowa will put up fight vs. Oregon

"And I’m telling you, Iowa is just going to be typical Iowa. It’s gonna be ugly. It’s gonna be like 15-12. You’re going to wonder, ‘How the hell did we get 15-12?’ But, that’s the fun with Iowa. We don’t know how we got to 15-12."

Iowa is an intriguing team in 2025. They've won three straight games against Wisconsin, Penn State and Minnesota, but they've also lost to No. 16 Iowa State and No. 11 Indiana.

However, Hawkeyes quarterback Mark Gronowski is a scoring threat, especially on the ground. Iowa is averaging an impressive 31.1 points per game, while Oregon is averaging 41.3. Still, if the game gets physical and Iowa slows it down, Herbstreit believes the Hawkeyes could make a big statement in the CFP. Either way, it won't be easy for the Ducks.

“Right in the mix, especially if they win that game,” Herbstreit said. “No longer winning with punting and defense. … I’m telling you, just be careful. At the very least, [Oregon] is either gonna escape, or they’re gonna lose. That’s what’s gonna happen," he said.