Iowa Hawkeyes @ Iowa State Cyclones Player Props, Picks and Predictions - 9/6/2025 12:00 PM EDT

We have your Iowa Hawkeyes @ Iowa State Cyclones prop betting and game preview needs covered as the Iowa Hawkeyes hit the road to face the Iowa State Cyclones.

Iowa Hawkeyes @ Iowa State Cyclones Pick

Best Moneyline Odds: Iowa State -136 BetRivers, Iowa +118 Fanduel
Best Spread Odds: Iowa State -2.5 (-112) BetRivers, Iowa +2.5 (+100) Fanduel
Best Total Odds: Over 43.5 (-110) Fanduel, Under 43.5 (-110) Fanduel

Game Info

Date: 2025-09-06
Time: 12:00 PM EDT
Location: Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, Iowa
TV: CBS/Paramount+

Iowa Hawkeyes @ Iowa State Cyclones Preview

The Cy-Hawk rivalry is set to ignite as the Iowa Hawkeyes travel to Ames to face the Iowa State Cyclones. Both teams enter this highly anticipated matchup with 1-0 records, having secured dominant victories in their season openers. The Iowa Hawkeyes are coming off a commanding 40-0 shutout win against Illinois State. Their defense, a perennial strength, lived up to its reputation, holding the Redbirds scoreless. Defensive lineman Aaron Graves was a force, recording three sacks, while Jermari Harris added an interception. On offense, running back Kaleb Johnson showcased his explosiveness with 119 rushing yards and two touchdowns, averaging 10.8 yards per carry. Quarterback Cade McNamara completed 67.7% of his passes for 251 yards and three touchdowns, with Reece Vander Zee catching five passes for 66 yards and two scores. Despite the strong finish, Iowa's offense had a slow start against Illinois State, scoring only six points in the first half, which could be a point of concern against a tougher opponent.

The Iowa State Cyclones also started their season strong, dispatching FCS No. 5 South Dakota with a 55-7 victory, including a remarkable 48 unanswered points. They also secured a significant 24-21 win over No. 17 Kansas State in Week Zero. Quarterback Rocco Becht was highly efficient against South Dakota, completing 19 of 20 passes (95% completion rate) for 267 yards and two touchdowns. His top targets, Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins, were instrumental, with Noel grabbing 8 receptions for 135 yards and a touchdown, and Higgins adding 5 receptions for 75 yards and a score. The Cyclones return 19 starters and are ranked 41st nationally in returning production, leading to optimism that they could "explode" this year. Their defense, led by coordinator Jon Heacock and strong defensive backs like Myles Purchase and Malik Verdun, is expected to be formidable.

Historic Head-to-Head Stats and Analysis

This Saturday marks the 71st meeting in the storied Cy-Hawk Series. Historically, the Iowa Hawkeyes hold a significant advantage, leading the all-time series 47-23. In recent years, Iowa has maintained a firm grip on the rivalry, winning seven of the last eight meetings and eight of the last ten dating back to 2013. This includes a 20-13 victory for the Hawkeyes last season in Ames.

Looking at the last three head-to-head matchups, Iowa holds a 2-1 record against Iowa State, and has also performed well against the spread, going 2-1 ATS in those games. Interestingly, the total has yet to go over in these last three contests, reflecting the typically low-scoring nature of this rivalry. Over these three games, Iowa has outscored Iowa State 54-40.

Despite Iowa's recent dominance, Iowa State's last three wins in the series have all come when they've hosted the game in Iowa City (2022, 2014, and 2012). However, the Cyclones have struggled at home against the Hawkeyes, losing six straight games at Jack Trice Stadium. All six of Iowa State's victories against Iowa since 2005 have been decided by three points or less, highlighting the tight nature of their wins. Furthermore, ten of the last twelve meetings between these two teams have been decided by fewer than ten points, indicating a consistently close rivalry.

Pick: Iowa State Cyclones +2.5

Given the historical trends and current team dynamics, taking the Iowa State Cyclones +2.5 points is a compelling pick. The Cy-Hawk rivalry is notorious for close contests, with the last six meetings decided by single digits and ten of the last twelve by fewer than ten points. This suggests that even if Iowa wins, it's likely to be a tight game, making the 2.5-point spread valuable for the home underdog.

Iowa State enters this game with significant momentum, not only from their dominant win over South Dakota but also from a crucial Week Zero victory against a ranked Kansas State team. Quarterback Rocco Becht's high completion rate and the Cyclones' talented receiving corps indicate an offense capable of moving the ball. Head coach Matt Campbell's impressive 31-16 record against the spread as an underdog of three or more points further supports this pick, demonstrating his team's ability to perform above expectations in challenging situations. While Iowa's defense is elite, their offense showed some early struggles against an FCS opponent, which could be exploited by Iowa State's returning defensive talent. This game is expected to be a hard-fought, low-scoring affair, making the points crucial.

Top Player Prop Picks

Kaleb Johnson (Iowa) - Rushing Yards

Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson had an outstanding performance in the Hawkeyes' season opener, rushing for 119 yards and two touchdowns on just 11 carries, averaging an impressive 10.8 yards per attempt. He has previously demonstrated his big-play ability, including a 187-yard, two-score game. Johnson's role as a primary offensive weapon for Iowa, especially with the team's emphasis on the run game, makes him a strong candidate for an "over" on his rushing yards prop if the line is set conservatively.

Rocco Becht (Iowa State) - Passing Yards

Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht displayed exceptional accuracy and efficiency in his last outing, completing 19 of 20 passes (a 95% completion rate) for 267 yards and two touchdowns. Becht also maintained a solid 4-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio last season. With a talented and experienced receiving corps, including Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins, Becht has the weapons to put up significant passing yardage. If a passing yards prop line is offered, his recent form suggests he could exceed expectations.

Jaylin Noel (Iowa State) - Receiving Yards

Wide receiver Jaylin Noel was a key contributor to Iowa State's offensive success in their opener, hauling in 8 receptions for 135 yards and a touchdown. He was the team's leading receiver last season with 66 receptions and ranks fifth all-time in career receptions for Iowa State. Noel's ability to generate big plays, as evidenced by a 54-yard pass to start a previous game, makes him a dynamic threat. Should a receiving yards prop line be available, Noel's consistent production and big-play potential make him a player to watch for an "over" bet.