Big 12 foes meet when the Cincinnati Bearcats (3-1) and the No. 14 Iowa State Cyclones (5-0) square off on Saturday, October 4, 2025 at Nippert Stadium.

The Cyclones are underdogs, but by less than a field goal (+1.5), versus the Bearcats (with an over/under of 55.5 points).

Keep reading for our betting preview for this this game between the Bearcats and the Cyclones, and uncover all of our expert predictions here, too!

Cincinnati vs. Iowa State betting lines

• Spread favorite: Bearcats (-1.5)
• Moneyline: Bearcats (-118), Cyclones (-101)
• Total: 55.5 points
• TV Channel: ESPN2
• Live Stream: Fubo

Cincinnati vs. Iowa State betting info and stats

Cincinnati has three wins against the spread this season (3-1-0). Cincinnati has covered the spread once this season when favored by at least 1.5 points. Cincinnati won the one game it played as the moneyline favorite this season. Iowa State has a 3-1-1 record against the spread so far this season. When Iowa State is an underdog of 1.5 points or more, it has always covered the spread (1-0 ATS). This is the second game this year Iowa State is an underdog on the moneyline. The Cyclones won the first one.

Cincinnati vs. Iowa State recent stats and trends

Cincinnati Bearcats

Iowa State Cyclones

• Iowa State is 1-1-1 against the spread over its last three games, and has a 3-0 straight-up record in those matchups.
• The final combined score of the last three Iowa State games surpassed the set total once.
• Iowa State’s last three outings have ended with an average of 49.0 points scored. That’s 6.5 fewer points than this contest’s over/under.

Cincinnati vs. Iowa State key players

Cincinnati Bearcats

• Brendan Sorsby has been a dual threat for Cincinnati so far this season. He has 1,043 passing yards, completing 69.2% of his passes and recording 10 touchdown passes and one interception this season. He’s rushed for 227 yards (56.8 ypg) on 35 carries with four rushing touchdowns.
• Tawee Walker has been handed the ball 42 times this year and racked up 224 yards (56.0 per game) with three touchdowns.
• Cyrus Allen has hauled in 23 receptions for 273 yards (68.3 yards per game) to lead the team so far this season. He’s found the end zone five times as a receiver.
• Caleb Goodie has grabbed 13 passes while averaging 62.8 yards per game and scoring one touchdown.
• Jeff Caldwell’s 12 grabs have turned into 199 yards and one touchdown.
• Brian Simms III has 2.0 sacks to lead the team, and also has 2.0 TFL and 10 tackles.
• Cincinnati’s leading tackler, Jake Golday, has 33 tackles, 2.0 TFL, and two sacks this year.

Iowa State Cyclones

• Rocco Becht has 1,103 passing yards, or 220.6 per game, so far this season. He has completed 65.8% of his passes and has collected seven touchdowns with two interceptions.
• Carson Hansen has run the ball 73 times for 315 yards, with two touchdowns. He’s also tacked on 10 catches for 77 yards.
• Abu Sama III has rushed for 208 yards on 50 carries with two touchdowns.
• Brett Eskildsen has totaled 10 catches this season and his team-high yardage total sits at 216 (43.2 yards per game). He’s been targeted 16 times and has one touchdown.
• Chase Sowell has caught eight passes and compiled 178 receiving yards (35.6 per game).
• Gabe Burkle has racked up 168 reciving yards (42.0 ypg) and one touchdown this season.
• Tamatoa McDonough has 2.0 sacks to lead the team, and also has 2.0 TFL and nine tackles.
• Marcus Neal, Iowa State’s leading tackler, has 30 tackles, 5.0 TFL, and one sack this year.
• Jamison Patton has picked off a team-high two passes. He also has 25 tackles and two passes defended to his name.