Iowa State Cyclones vs Iowa Hawkeyes Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 09/12/2026

Game Time: 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, September 12, 2026

Venue:  Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA 

Where to Watch:  NBC

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  ISU +14, Iowa -14; Over/Under:  40.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  ISU +14, Iowa -14; Over/Under:  40.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  ISU +14, Iowa -14; Over/Under:  40.5 points

Iowa State Cyclones:  1-0 (0-0) (1st place, Big 12)

Iowa Hawkeyes:  1-0 (0-0) (2nd place, Big Ten)

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Iowa State Cyclones:  won their last game at home against the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks 38-10.

Iowa Hawkeyes:  won their last game at home against the Northern Illinois Huskies 40-0. 

Iowa State is entering this game with a 1-0 record overall and they have a 0-0 record in their conference games too. They are 1-0 in their home games, 0-0 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be on the road for this game. They won their last game against SEMO 38-10. Jaylen Raynor was the starting QB and he completed 8/16 passes for 184 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Aiden Flora led the team in rushing yards with 45 and 1 TD. Dominic Overby led the receivers with 85 receiving yards on 2 receptions. Sullivan Schlimgen led the defense in that game with 9 tackles while Isaac Terrell led the defense in sacks with 3. Beni Ngoyi came away with the only interception for them in that one.

 

 

 

Iowa is entering this game with a 1-0 record overall and they have a 0-0 record in their conference games too. They are 1-0 in their home games, 0-0 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 won their last game against Northern Illinois 40-0. Hank Brown was the starting QB and he completed 12/20 passes for 129 passing yards, 1 touchdown, and 0 interceptions. Kamari Moulton led the team in rushing yards with 183 and 2 TDs. Tony Diaz led the receivers with 84 receiving yards on 7 receptions and 1 TD. Cam Buffington led the defense in that game with 6 tackles while Joseph Anderson led the defense in sacks with 1.5. Deshaun Lee came away with the only interception for them in that one.

The current betting odds have Iowa listed as a 14 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Iowa has a 1-0 record overall this season and they destroyed a group of 6 team in week 1. NIU was making their debut as a new Pac-12 team this season, but they really let the conference down in a 40-0 loss. Iowa got up right away and never looked back with their defense not giving NIU anything to work with. Iowa usually does have a top defense in the nation and they showed that in week 1 with their shutout win. Offense has never been a strength of theirs, especially with their passing game, but they were really efficient through the air in that first game. They always have a great running game though and that hasn't changed with Moulton putting up big numbers in their opener. Meanwhile, Iowa State has a 1-0 record overall this season and they beat up on a team from the FCS in week 1. They beat SEMO 38-10, but the offense didn't look great in that one and the team has made a lot of changes this season. They lost their head coach late after last season as he took the Penn State job and a lot of the team with him. Their entire starting lineup is basically made up of transfers and Jimmy Rogers still doesn't have a ton of experience as a head coach at this level. Iowa State is definitely going to have some growing pains this year with all the changes and even though Iowa wasn't really tested in week 1, they looked like a top 25 team in the nation. Iowa State managed to squeak this game out 16-13 last year, but this is a great opportunity for Iowa to get their revenge with Iowa State going through some turmoil now. The best way to place a bet here is on iowa to cover the spread in this game. 

Iowa State Iowa Prediction:  Our NCAAF Pick for Saturday, September 12, 2026 (7:30 pm ET start time) is Iowa 30 Iowa State 7.

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Iowa State Cyclones: 3-6 ATS off a home win. 4-8 ATS after playing a game at home. 18-7 UNDER against Big 10 conference opponents. 36-25 UNDER after scoring 37 points or more last game.

Iowa Hawkeyes: 15-8 ATS against FBS division opponents. 9-5 ATS in home lined games. 10-5 ATS when the total is between 35.5 and 42 points. 21-8 UNDER against Big 12 conference opponents. 30-12 UNDER off a home blowout win by 28 points or more.

Iowa State Cyclones:  A. Flora (RB) Questionable - Undisclosed. J. Bailey (WR) Out - Undisclosed.

Iowa Hawkeyes:  L. Phillips Jr. (RB) Out - Ankle.

"It's not just any ordinary game. There's an intensity to it. It will come down to focus and being able to handle adversity more than anything." - Jimmy Rogers on coaching his 1st Cy-Hawk.

“He just looked faster, quicker, more confident than I’ve seen him, and he’s an experienced football player. That’s the best we’ve seen him, so that’s part of maturity and development.” - Kirk Ferentz on Kamari Moulton after his team’s win against NIU in their last game. 

WR Boyd, Evan

WR Jackson, Cody

WR Hayes, Omari

TE Fortenberry, Tyler

QB Raynor, Jaylen

RB Flora, Aiden

WR Vander Zee, Reece 

WR Diaz, Tony

WR James, Evan

TE Vonnahme, DJ

QB Brown, Hank

RB Moulton, Kamari

Passing: Cutter Boley (387)

Rushing: Kyson Brown (80)

Receiving: Reed Harris (137)

Touchdowns: Reed Harris (2)

Passing: Hank Brown (129)

Rushing: Kamari Moulton (183)

Receiving: Tony Diaz (84)

Touchdowns: Kamari Moulton (2)

Coaches:

Iowa State Cyclones: Jimmy Rogers (1st season)

Iowa Hawkeyes: Kirk Ferentz (28th season)