The 11th-ranked BYU Cougars will try to remain perfect on the season, but they’ll have to do it against a team they’ve never beaten when they visit the Iowa State Cyclones.
Tied atop the Big 12 with Cincinnati at 4-0, my BYU vs. Iowa State predictions like the Cougars to cover as road underdogs.
I explain further with my college football picks for Saturday, October 25.
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BYU vs Iowa State prediction
BYU vs Iowa State best bet: BYU +2.5 (-104)
These teams haven’t played since 2023, when the Iowa State Cyclones whipped the BYU Cougars 45-13, and a lot has changed since then.
The Cougars bring a Top-10 run game into Jack Trice Stadium, churning out 232.9 yards per contest, part of an offense that ranks inside the nation’s Top 40 in yards per game.
LJ Martin’s 774 rush yards are fourth in college football, while QB Bear Bachmeier has eight rushing scores to go along with 1,386 yards passing and nine TDs.
Iowa State hasn’t been great on defense, dropping two straight Big 12 contests before getting a much-needed bye to try and get right.
In its 38-30 loss to Cincinnati, the Bearcats ran wild, piling 260 yards and three TDs.
Most recently, the Colorado Buffaloes dinged the Cyclones in the air and on the ground in a 24-17 win.
The Cyclones allowed Kaidon Salter to throw for 255 yards and two scores, while surrendering 140 rushing yards and a score.
BYU can defend, allowing 24 points or less in all but one game this season. They rank second in the Big 12 in scoring, allowing 15.6 points per game, while ranking inside the Top 4 in both rush and pass yards against.
The Cougars can win outright on the road, and getting those 2.5 points is simply gravy.
BYU vs Iowa State same-game parlay
Cougars running back LJ Martin has been getting more comfortable finding the end zone. After one rushing TD over BYU’s first four games, he’s now scored three times in the last three games.
Iowa State has allowed seven rushing scores on the year, but four have come in the last two games.
Cyclones RB Carson Hansen has been out since the second half of the Cincinnati game with a concussion, but it looks like he’ll be ready for Saturday.
Before going down, he was coming off his two highest carry games of the year, and topped his line of 53.5 rush yards both times. I expect him to get fed early and often against the Cougars.
BYU vs Iowa State SGP
- BYU +2.5
- LJ Martin anytime touchdown
- Carson Hansen Over 53.5 rushing yards
Our deep-ball SGP: Bear is Back-meier
Bear Bachmeier has gone Under his 180.5 passing line three times in his last four, but he should find more passing opportunities against the Cyclones, who have allowed four straight 200-yard passers.
After five TD passes through the first two games of the season, Iowa State QB Rocco Becht has thrown four in the ensuing five, passing for 2+ just once.
It won’t get easier against BYU, which has allowed just six passing scores all season.
BYU vs Iowa State SGP
- BYU +2.5
- LJ Martin anytime touchdown
- Carson Hansen Over 53.5 rushing yards
- Bear Bachmeier Over 180.5 passing yards
- Rocco Becht Under 1.5 TD passes
BYU vs Iowa State odds
- Spread: BYU +2.5 (-104) | Iowa State -2.5 (-118)
- Moneyline: BYU +120 | Iowa State -142
- Over/Under: Over 48.5 (-115) | Under 48.5 (-105)
BYU vs Iowa State trend to know
The Cyclones have failed to cover the spread in 10 of their last 11 games against Top 15-ranked teams. Find more college football betting trends for BYU vs Iowa State.
How to watch BYU vs Iowa State
| Location | Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA |
| Date | Saturday, October 25, 2025 |
| Kickoff | 3:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | FOX |
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Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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