The BYU Cougars and Iowa State Cyclones will meet in a huge Big 12 matchup on Saturday afternoon. The Cougars come into this game undefeated on the season and will try to stay that way after a tough road test against the Cyclones. Here, I break down this big game in the Big 12 and make my BYU vs Iowa State prediction from Ames.
Our BYU vs Iowa State Pick
- Pick: Iowa State -2.5
- Confidence: ★★★★☆
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: BYU Cougars vs Iowa State Cyclones
- Date & Time: Saturday, October 25, 2025, 3:30 p.m. ET
- Venue: Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, Iowa
- Broadcast: FOX
Key Storylines
- BYU’s Unbeaten Streak: The Cougars enter the game with a perfect 7-0 record, including a 4-0 mark in Big 12 play. Their most recent victory was a 24-21 win over Utah, highlighted by a late touchdown run from quarterback Bear Bachmeier and a strong defensive performance led by sophomore safety Faletau Satuala.
- Iowa State’s Recent Struggles: The Cyclones have lost two consecutive road games to Cincinnati and Colorado. Despite a strong start to the season, they are looking to rebound at home, where they remain unbeaten.
- Quarterback Matchup: BYU’s Bear Bachmeier has thrown for 1,386 yards, nine touchdowns, and three interceptions. He also contributed a touchdown on the ground to help his team get a win in last week’s Holy War. Iowa State’s Rocco Becht has passed for 1,622 yards, nine touchdowns, and three interceptions. He has also added seven rushing touchdowns for his team.
Betting Trends & H2H
- BYU’s Betting Performance: The Cougars are 5-2 against the spread this season. BYU is 3-4 on their over/unders for the season.
- Iowa State’s Betting Performance: The Cyclones have a 3-3-1 record against the spread. Iowa State has gone 3-4 on their over/unders as well.
- Recent Head-to-Head: Iowa State has won the last five matchups between these two teams, including a 45-13 victory in November 2023.
BYU vs Iowa State Model Projection
Score Projection: BYU 25 – Iowa State 31
Win Probability: BYU 43%, Iowa State 57%
Final Thoughts
This game features a compelling matchup between BYU’s high-powered offense and Iowa State’s defense. While the Cyclones have struggled in recent outings, their home-field advantage and strong defensive front could pose challenges for the Cougars. I think that this game is the perfect opportunity to bet against BYU. Expect the Cougars’ undefeated start to the season to come to an end and for the Cyclones to cover the spread as favorites on their home turf.
