BYU Cougars vs. Iowa State Cyclones Picks and Prediction for Saturday, October 25, 2025
Use Code WWWC Week 9 of the college football season rolls on with a battle of Big 12 squads looking to continue strong starts as the #11 BYU Cougars travel to take on the Iowa State Cyclones Saturday afternoon and we have you covered with our BYU vs. Iowa State prediction. BYU edged #23 Utah 24-21 at home in the latest chapter of the Holy War last Saturday, winning outright as a 4.5-point underdog. Iowa State comes off a bye last week. The Cyclones were downed by Colorado 24-17 on the road on October 11 in their previous game, losing outright as a three-point favorite. In the all-time series between the teams as FBS opponents, the Cyclones have won all five meetings, including a 45-13 road win in the most recent matchup on November 11, 2023. Read more about this BYU vs. Iowa State prediction! Don’t get penalized! Increase your bankroll with our NCAAF Betting Picks!
Cougars Looking to Remain Unbeaten
BYU won a back-and-forth game with #23 Utah in the latest chapter of the Holy War, remaining unbeaten on the season. The Cougars improved to 7-0 overall and are tied with Cincinnati atop the Big 12 with a 4-0 mark in conference play. Against Utah, BYU led 10-7 at the half and after three quarters, only to trail 14-10 in the opening minute of the fourth quarter. The Cougars rallied, scoring 14 unanswered points to take a 24-14 edge with 4:22 remaining, and hung on for the victory. BYU was outgained 470-368 in total offense, gave up 24 first downs while recording 22 but held a 31:07 to 28:53 advantage in time of possession. The Cougars forced a pair of turnovers while not committing any in the victory.
The Cougars enter this week 97th in the nation in passing offense with an average of 203.9 yards per game through the air. BYU is 10th in rushing offense as they put up 232.9 yards per contest on the ground. The Cougars are 30th in the FBS in scoring offense as they put up 35.6 points a night this season. BYU is 14th in scoring defense as they allow an average of 15.6 points per game. Bear Bachmeier has hit 104 of 166 passes for 1,386 yards with nine touchdowns and three interceptions while ranking second on the team with 359 yards plus eight scores on the ground. McCae Hillstead is four of five for 33 yards while adding 26 yards on the ground, while Treyson Bourget (one of two, eight yards, 21 rush yards) has seen limited action. LJ Martin leads the running backs as he has 127 carries for 774 yards and four scores. Cody Hagan (seven carries, 101 yards, two TD), Parker Kingston (12 carries, 66 yards, two TD), Sione Moa (17 carries, 90 yards, TD) and Jovesa Damuni (11 carries, 61 yards) all have seen some work in the ground game. Chase Roberts is second on the team with 24 catches for 463 yards and four scores this season. Tight end Carsen Ryan (18 grabs, 247 yards, two TD) and Parker Kingston (27 catches, 383 yards, two TD) are each over 200 receiving yards on the year. Will Ferrin has hit all 28 extra point attempts and 13 of 16 field goal attempts with a long of 56 on the year.
Running backs Moa (undisclosed) and Enoch Nawahine (undisclosed) are both questionable here.
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Iowa State Trying to Rebound
Iowa State suffered their second straight loss as they were beaten by Colorado in their previous game. The Cyclones fell to 5-2 overall and 2-2 in Big 12 play on the season as they come back off the bye looking for momentum. Against Colorado, Iowa State trailed 7-0 after the opening quarter, led 10-7 at the half and trailed 21-17 after three quarters. The Cyclones couldn’t score again and wound up going down in defeat. Iowa State held a 441-395 edge in total offense, picked up 22 first downs while allowing 16 and was edged 30:03 to 29:57 in time of possession. Iowa State committed the game’s lone turnover in the loss.
For the year, the Cyclones are 60th in the nation in passing offense with 242.1 yards per game. The Cyclones are 59th in rushing offense as they grind out 163.9 yards per contest on the ground. Iowa State is 67th in the FBS in scoring offense by putting up 29.3 points per game. The Cyclones stand 28th in the country in scoring defense by allowing 19 points per contest. Rocco Becht is 127 of 201 passing for 1,622 yards with nine touchdowns and three interceptions while adding 91 yards plus seven scores on the ground. Alex Manske (four of five, 28 yards, 31 rush yards, TD) and Connor Moberly (zero of one, 29 rush yards) are next on the depth chart. The Cyclones have a three-headed ground attack with Abu Sama III (92 carries, 481 yards, four TD) and Carson Hansen (79 carries, 348 yards, two TD) and Dylan Lee (18 carries, 109 yards, TD), all effective when they get the ball. Benjamin Brahmer leads the team with 24 receptions for 242 yards and three scores from the tight end spot. Brett Eskildsen (20 catches, 334 yards, two TD), Chase Sowell (15 grabs, 261 yards, TD), Xavier Townsend (16 receptions, 219 yards) and tight end Gabe Burkle (17 catches, 222 yards, TD) are each over 200 receiving yards this season. Kyle Konrardy is eight of nine on extra point attempts and seven of nine field goal attempts with a long of 63 this season. Chase Smith is 12 of 12 on extra point attempts and two of three on field goal attempts with a long of 38.
Hansen (concussion) and Konrardy (undisclosed) are key names to monitor on the injury report. After missing the last couple of games, Hansen is expected to return here.
BYU vs. Iowa State Prediction
Spread Pick for BYU vs. Iowa State
- BYU +3 (4 units)
While Iowa State is at home, where they are 3-0 on the season, the fact remains that they come in off back-to-back losses to Cincinnati and Colorado. The Cyclones sputtered in those contests, giving up 38 points to the Bearcats and 24 to the Buffaloes. BYU is unbeaten, though they have won three of their games by six points or less entering this game. The Cougars dropped Colorado in Boulder by three points in late September, while Iowa State lost by seven against that same Buffaloes squad. BYU has been solid all season and their defense is good at forcing turnovers, recording a dozen takeaways on the year. Take the points and BYU as the Cougars keep the Cyclones sliding.
Over/Under Pick for BYU vs. Iowa State
- Under 49.5 (4 units)
BYU enters this game having stayed under the number in four of their seven games this year. Two of their three road games stayed under the total. The Cougars have surrendered at least 21 points in each of their last four games but they should be able to run the ball, which will allow them to control time of possession. Iowa State has stayed under the number in four of its seven games on the season. The Cyclones kept their first five opponents to 21 points or less before giving up 38 to Cincinnati and 24 to Colorado. Both teams have been pretty solid defensively and that should make for tougher sledding for the offenses. Somewhere in the 24 to 27 point range should be enough to secure a win here, so take the under in this contest.
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