by Rod Pearson
Monday, Oct 06, 2025
Game Time: 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, October 11, 2025
Venue: Folsom Field, Boulder, CO
Where to Watch: ESPN
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: ISU -3.5, Colorado +3.5; Over/Under: 52.5 points
Bet365: Point Spread: ISU -3.5, Colorado +3.5; Over/Under: 52 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: ISU -3.5, Colorado +3.5; Over/Under: 51.5 points
Season Record
Iowa State Cyclones: 5-1 (2-1) (5th place, Big 12)
Colorado Buffaloes: 2-4 (0-3) (14th place, Big 12)
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Recent Form
Iowa State Cyclones: lost their last game on the road against the Cincinnati Bearcats 38-30.
Colorado Buffaloes: lost their last game on the road against the TCU Horned Frogs 35-21.
Iowa State Cyclones vs Colorado Buffaloes Preview and Analysis
Iowa State is entering this game with a 5-1 record overall and they have a 2-1 record in their conference games too. They are 3-0 in their home games, 1-1 in their road games, and they are also 1-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be on the road for this game. They lost their last game against Cincinnati 38-30. Rocco Becht was the starting QB and he completed 30/48 passes for 314 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Abu Sama III led the team in rushing yards with 96. Brett Eskildsen led the receivers with 105 receiving yards on 8 receptions and 1 TD. Ta'Shawn James led the defense in that game with 4 solo tackles and 5 assisted tackles while no one on the defense recorded a sack for them. No one on the defense came away with an interception for them in that one.
Colorado is entering this game with a 2-4 record overall and they have a 0-3 record in their conference games too. They are 2-2 in their home games, 0-2 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at home for this game. They lost their last game against TCU 35-21. Kaidon Salter was the starting QB and he completed 18/29 passes for 217 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. Dallan Hayden led the team in rushing yards with 61. Omarion Miller led the receivers with 89 receiving yards on 6 receptions and 2 TDs. DJ McKinney led the defense in that game with 7 solo tackles and 0 assisted tackles while Keaten Wade and London Merritt each led the defense in sacks with 1. No one on the defense came away with an interception for them in that one.
Iowa State vs Colorado Prediction
The current betting odds have Iowa State listed as a 3.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Iowa State has looked really good in their games this season with their 5-1 record overall and their 2-1 conference record which has them right in the middle of the Big 12. They are off their first loss of the season, losing on the road to Cincinnati 38-30, but they are still one of the best teams in the Big 12 this year and they were making their way back in that game. They are going to be looking to bounce back after that loss and they should be able to beat up on this struggling opponent. Meanwhile, Colorado hasn't looked great in their games this season with their 2-4 record overall and their 0-3 conference record which has them right near the bottom of the Big 12. They have struggled against Big 12 opponents all season and they don't really have a chance at the conference with 3 losses already. Their goal this year will likely be bowl eligibility, but they lost a lot of talent from that good team last season and they are going to be one of the worst teams in the conference this year. They have looked better at home this year, but their offense has been a big issue and they won't be able to keep up with the points that Iowa State can score. Iowa State will be looking to bounce back and keep their season alive as a contender in the Big 12. The best way to place a bet here is on Iowa State to cover the spread in this game.
Iowa State Colorado Prediction: Our NCAAF Pick for Saturday, October 11, 2025 (3:30 pm ET start time) is Iowa State 27 Colorado 13.
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NCAAF Betting Trends
Iowa State Cyclones: 5-2 ATS as a favorite of 3.5 to 10 points. 5-1 ATS off a loss against a conference rival. 4-1 ATS when playing against a bad team (Win Pct. 25% to 40%). 61-41 UNDER as a favorite. 26-19 UNDER as a favorite of 3.5 to 10 points. 35-21 UNDER after allowing 37 points or more last game.
Colorado Buffaloes: 37-53 ATS vs. good passing teams averaging 8 or more passing yards/att. 39-65 ATS when playing against a top-level team (Win Pct. > 75%). 48-79 ATS in October games. 7-4 UNDER off a loss against a conference rival. 9-4 UNDER after 1 or more consecutive straight up losses.
Key Injuries
Iowa State Cyclones: J. Cooper (CB) Questionable - Undisclosed. D. Malone (WR) Questionable - Undisclosed. J. Gilbert (DL) Questionable - Undisclosed. K. Konrardy (K) Questionable - Undisclosed. E. Lemos (CB) Questionable - Undisclosed. V. Benetti (TE) Questionable - Undisclosed. W. Tompkins (OG) Questionable - Undisclosed. D. Jackson (WR) Questionable - Undisclosed. K. Cummings-Coleman (CB) Questionable - Undisclosed. M. Parkes (WR) Questionable - Undisclosed. J. Jackson (RB) Questionable - Undisclosed. C. Brown (WR) Questionable - Undisclosed. C. Smith (CB) Questionable - Undisclosed. K. Brookins (WR) Questionable - Undisclosed. D. Hasert (OG) Questionable - Undisclosed. J. Williams (CB) Out - Undisclosed.
Colorado Buffaloes: C. Westbrook (WR) Questionable - Undisclosed. T. Thomas (DL) Questionable - Undisclosed. D. Taylor (RB) Questionable - Undisclosed. S. Smalls (TE) Questionable - Undisclosed. S. Price (RB) Questionable - Undisclosed. S. Okunlola (DL) Questionable - Undisclosed. G. Lightfoot (DL) Questionable - Undisclosed. N. King (CB) Questionable - Undisclosed. R. Johnson (CB) Questionable - Undisclosed. P. Houston (OT) Questionable - Undisclosed. J. Hestera (WR) Questionable - Undisclosed. I. Hardge (WR) Questionable - Undisclosed. T. Coleman (DL) Questionable - Undisclosed. K. Carpenter (CB) Questionable - Undisclosed. T. Brown (OG) Questionable - Undisclosed. T. Branch (S) Questionable - Undisclosed. A. Barnes Jr. (DL) Questionable - Undisclosed.
Notable Quotes
"We’re not flinching. We feel we have some really good football players and they will only get better. They got a chance to show up today and did some really good things.” - Matt Campbell after his team’s loss against Cincinnati in their last game.
“Truly disappointing. It's one thing to lose. Then it’s another thing to feel like you beat yourselves. We were beaten in Houston. These other games, we had opportunity, ample opportunity to win the games.” - Deion Sanders after his team’s loss against TCU in their last game.
Starting Lineups
Iowa State Cyclones
WR Sowell, Chase
WR Eskildsen, Brett
WR Townsend, Xavier
TE Burkle, Gabe
TE Brahmer, Benjamin
QB Becht, Rocco
RB Hansen, Carson
Colorado Buffaloes
WR Williams, Joseph
WR Brown, Sincere
WR Miller, Dre'lon
TE Atkins, Zach
QB Salter, Kaidon
RB Welch, Micah
Statistical Leaders
Iowa State Cyclones
Passing: Rocco Becht (1,417)
Rushing: Carson Hansen (348)
Receiving: Brett Eskildsen (321)
Touchdowns: Rocco Becht (7)
Colorado Buffaloes
Passing: Kaidon Salter (901)
Rushing: Micah Welch (250)
Receiving: Omarion Miller (289)
Touchdowns: Kaidon Salter (5)
Coaches:
Iowa State Cyclones: Matt Campbell (10th season)
Colorado Buffaloes: Deion Sanders (3rd season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
