Iowa State Cyclones vs BYU Cougars Prediction, 10/9/2026 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Iowa State Cyclones vs BYU Cougars

Date: Friday, October 9, 2026

Location: LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, UT

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Cougars (-11.0)

Total/Over-Under: 48.5

The Iowa State Cyclones (3-2) are on their way to LaVell Edwards Stadium on Friday, October 9, 2026 where they will try to defeat the BYU Cougars (4-0). BYU opens this game as 11-point favorites from oddsmakers. The over/under comes in at 48.5.

The Iowa State Cyclones come into this game with a record of 3-2 for this year. In their last game, the Cyclones played against the West Virginia Mountaineers and notched a win by a score of 45-42. The Iowa State Cyclones ended up rushing 47 different times and accounted for 265 yds, which earned them an average of 5.6 yds per attempt. In all, they ran 76 plays which converted into 577 yds. Iowa State surrendered 11 completions on 23 attempts for 227 yards, and a completion rate of 47.8%. When it came to stopping the run, the Cyclones conceded 291 yds on 40 attempts, which averages out to 7.3 yds per run allowed.

The Cyclones have attained 1,958 total yards for the season. When it comes to getting the ball in the endzone, Iowa State has amassed 8 touchdowns through the air and 11 rushing touchdowns. They have turned the football over 5 different times. Iowa State has accumulated 101 1st downs as a team, and they have committed 26 infractions for 255 yards. Offensively they average 197.4 yards in the run game which ranks them 38th in the country. Concerning scoring, the Iowa State Cyclones are sitting at 33.6 points per outing.

The Cyclones are sitting in 52nd in college football concerning their opponents scoring, giving up 21.2 points per contest. They are giving up an average of 4.2 yards per running attempt and 149.2 yards on the ground per game this season. In total, they have given up 746 running yards through 5 outings. Concerning yards through the air, the Cyclones have allowed 862 yards which ranks them 42nd in the nation. They have allowed 172.4 yards per outing via the pass as well as giving up a completion percentage of 61.3%. For the year, they have allowed 321.6 yards per outing which has them ranked 48th in the country. They have conceded 5 touchdowns via the pass in addition to 8 touchdowns on the ground.

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The Cougars head into this matchup 4-0 for this season. The last time they took the field, the Cougars went home victorious with a score of 17-10 when they faced the TCU Horned Frogs. BYU rushed for 4.1 yds per carry, totaling 154 yds on 38 attempts. The Cougars finished the game with 216 yards while they ran 62 plays (3.5 yards per play). The Cougars secondary allowed a completion percentage of 72.0%, relinquishing 187 yds on 18 out of 25 passing. BYU allowed 30 attempts on the ground for 72 yds (2.4 yds per rush).

The BYU Cougars maintain an average of 415.3 yards per game, which ranks them 55th in Division 1. The BYU offense has compiled 219 penalty yds on 27 infractions, which has them sitting 94th in Division 1 in terms of helping out the opposition. They average 235.5 rushing yards per game and have toted the ball for 942 yards for the year. They have tossed 2 picks while conceding no fumbles and they have earned 82 1st downs. When it comes to this team's ability to score points, the Cougars rank 29th in Division 1 by tallying 37.3 points per game. For the year thus far, the Cougars have thrown for 719 yards through the air as well as holding an average of 179.8 passing yards per outing, giving them a rank of 114th in college football.

BYU has surrendered a total of 300 yards rushing (75.0 yards per game) as well as 3 touchdowns via the rush on the season. They have allowed 4 touchdowns through the air and 193.0 yards/game, which puts them in 47th in Division 1. In total, they have surrendered 57 points. They have compiled 1 fumble recovered and 6 picks on the year. The Cougars defense has been on the field for 238 plays, which ranks them 8th in D-1. The Cougars are surrendering 14.3 points per game, which has them ranked 17th in Division 1.

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

Josh's Pick: Take the Cougars -11.0

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