The Cy-Hawk Series is back this weekend—the biggest rivalry in college football! Okay, fine… maybe it only feels that way if you’re an Iowa or Iowa State fan, but trust me, in the state of Iowa this game is everything.
Full disclosure: I’m an Iowa grad who willingly subjects myself to the worst offense in college football every Saturday. It’s brutal. But pain aside, I promise to give you an unbiased look at this matchup.
Before we get any further, check out the latest odds at the best online sportsbooks. Plus, you’ve still got some time to add more futures to your portfolio so be sure to check out our Power Four Conference Previews below.
Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Iowa State Cyclones NCAA Football Insights
Matchup Information – Iowa vs. Iowa State – September 6
- Venue & Location: Jack Trice Stadium (Ames, IA)
- Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
- Kick Off: 12:00 p.m. Eastern
- Broadcast: Fox
Iowa vs. Iowa State Betting Odds
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Spread
- Iowa +3.5 (-109)
- Iowa State -3.5 (-111)
Moneyline
- Iowa +149
- Iowa State -170
Total
- Over 40.5 (-130)
- Under 40.5 (+110)
Iowa vs. Iowa State NCAA Football Picks and Predictions
Best Bet: Iowa +3.5 (-109) BetOnline
This Saturday in Ames, the Cy-Hawk Game kicks off, pitting unranked Hawkeyes (1–0) against a No. 16 Iowa State squad (2–0) that’s looking for a home win. The Cyclones have struggled in this series when played at Jack Trice Stadium.
For starters, Iowa is 22-8 all-time in Ames and has won the last six games against Iowa State in Ames. That’s not a huge surprise, considering the road team in this series has also won the previous five games. Last season, the Hawkeyes were up 13-0 at the half at home before allowing the Cyclones to climb back in in the second half. Iowa State drilled a 54-yard game-winning field goal with seconds left on the clock to win the game.That was a huge win for Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell, yet he’s still looking for his first Cy-Hawk win as a head coach in Ames.
Cyclones’ Strong Start
Iowa State is off to a solid start at 2-0, and the momentum feels real. The Cyclones opened the year with a gritty win over Kansas State in Dublin, then returned home and steamrolled South Dakota 55-7 in Week 1. Quarterback Rocco Becht came into the season with a ton of hype, and so far, he’s delivered. Through two games, he’s piled up 461 passing yards, five touchdowns, and—maybe most importantly—zero interceptions.
What’s really interesting is how the Cyclones have adjusted after losing some serious talent to the NFL Draft. Tight ends Gabe Burkle and Benjamin Brahmer have filled that void nicely, stepping up as reliable options in the passing game. Their presence will be key on Saturday if Iowa State wants to keep the Cy-Hawk trophy in Ames. Iowa’s defense, especially its linebackers, is one of the most physical units in the country, and getting production in the middle of the field won’t come easy. The good news for Becht? Iowa’s secondary doesn’t have the same experience or depth as the front seven, which could leave room for some downfield shots.
Big Questions for the Hawkeyes
Now, let’s talk Iowa. To be blunt, new quarterback Mark Gronowski’s debut wasn’t exactly a confidence booster. He managed just 44 passing yards, and the Hawkeyes finished with a grand total of 48 through the air. Classic Iowa football, right?
Where the Hawkeyes do hold an edge is in the trenches. They gashed Albany for over 300 rushing yards in Week 1, and that physical ground game is their best shot at controlling the pace against Iowa State. If the offensive line can establish itself early and keep leaning on the Cyclones’ defense, Iowa has a legitimate chance to grind out an upset.
Nobody expects the Hawkeyes’ offense to suddenly look flashy or explosive, but that’s not their identity anyway. This is a program built on defense, field position, and letting special teams swing momentum. In a rivalry game that always seems to tilt toward the ugly and low-scoring, that formula might be enough to give Iowa a real shot.
Prediction: Iowa Covers +3.5
If there’s one thing history tells us, it’s that this series is almost always close. Eleven of the last 13 meetings between these two have been decided by 10 points or fewer, and low-scoring slugfests have been the rule, not the exception. Iowa State has the more polished quarterback right now, but Iowa’s defense and running game give them the tools to make this a four-quarter fight.
I don’t expect Iowa’s offense to magically transform, but I do think they’ll do just enough to hang tight. Give me the Hawkeyes to cover at +3.5 in a game that feels destined to come down to a late possession.
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