Bowling Green Falcons vs Iowa State Cyclones Prediction, 9/19/2026 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Bowling Green Falcons vs Iowa State Cyclones

Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026

Location: Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, IA

TV: ESPN+

Odds/Point Spread: Cyclones (-23.5)

Total/Over-Under: 44.5

Jack Trice Stadium is where the Iowa State Cyclones (1-1) will try to defeat the Bowling Green Falcons (0-2) on Saturday, September 19, 2026. Iowa State opens as 23.5-point favorites. The total is 44.5.

The Bowling Green Falcons head into this matchup 0-2 for this year. The last time they took the field, the Falcons played the Nebraska Cornhuskers and went home with a loss by a final score of 56-7. In all, they had 48 plays which gave them a total of 169 yds. The Bowling Green Falcons ended up running the ball 32 different times and recorded 85 yds, earning them an average of 2.7 yards per carry. In the running game, the Falcons gave up 264 yds on 34 tries, which calculates to 7.8 yds per run surrendered. Bowling Green surrendered 26 pass completions on 32 tries for a total of 282 yards, and a completion percentage of 81.3%.

Regarding putting points on the board, the Bowling Green Falcons hold an average of 10.0 PPG. As a unit they average 94.5 yards on the ground which ranks them 126th in D-1. The Falcons have earned 535 total yards for this campaign. In terms of getting in the endzone, Bowling Green has earned 1 touchdown through the air and 1 touchdown on the ground. Bowling Green has accumulated 30 first downs offensively, and they have been flagged for 15 penalties for 114 yds. They have given the ball to the opposition 4 times.

In terms of yards via the pass, the Falcons have given up 488 yds which ranks them 104th in the country. They are giving up 244.0 yards per game through the air in addition to allowing a completion percentage of 75.0%. For the season, they have surrendered 505.0 yards per contest putting them at 135th in the country. They have yielded 7 touchdowns via the pass as well as 2 touchdowns pounding the rock. They are allowing an average of 7.8 yards per rushing attempt and 261.0 yards on the ground per game so far this year. For the season, they have given up 522 running yards through 2 outings. The Falcons rank 132nd in college football regarding team defense, allowing 38.0 PPG.

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The Cyclones come into this matchup with a record of 1-1 this year. In their last game, the Cyclones took a loss by a score of 16-13 when they played the Iowa Hawkeyes. The Cyclones finished the game with 255 yards while running 53 plays (4.8 yards per play). Iowa State ran for 4.1 yds per attempt, finishing the contest with 138 yds on 34 carries. Iowa State conceded 29 running attempts for 93 yards (3.2 yds per rush). The Cyclones secondary conceded a completion rate of 70.0%, relinquishing 191 yds on 21 out of 30 through the air.

Regarding their ability to score points, the Cyclones currently rank 91st in the country by scoring 25.5 points per contest. The Iowa State Cyclones maintain an average of 279.0 yards per outing, which ranks them 130th in the nation. The Iowa State offense has compiled 85 penalty yds on 10 violations, which has them sitting 106th in the country in terms of making mistakes. They have thrown no picks while surrendering 1 fumble and they have been able to obtain 24 first downs. Over the course of the season to this point, the Cyclones have a total of 312 passing yards along with an average of 156.0 passing yards per contest, which ranks 123rd in college football. They maintain an average of 123.0 yards per game via the rush and have toted the ball for 246 yards in total.

The Cyclones are giving up 13.0 PPG, which has them ranked 33rd in the nation. Iowa State has given up a total of 160 yards rushing (80.0 yards/game) and 2 touchdowns on the ground for the year. They have given up no TD's from the passing game as well as 166.5 yards per game, which has them sitting 44th in the country. The Cyclones defense has been on the field for 126 plays, which is 61st in D-1. Their defense has earned 2 fumbles and 1 pick on the season.

Who will win tonight's Falcons/Cyclones college football game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take the Falcons +23.5

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