West Virginia Mountaineers vs Iowa State Cyclones Prediction, 10/3/2026 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: West Virginia Mountaineers vs Iowa State Cyclones

Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026

Location: Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, IA

TV: TNT

Odds/Point Spread: Cyclones (-3.5)

Total/Over-Under: 51.5

The West Virginia Mountaineers (3-1) are traveling to Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, October 3, 2026 where they will meet the Iowa State Cyclones (2-2). Iowa State opens this game as 3.5-point favorites. The over/under has been set at 51.5.

The West Virginia Mountaineers head into this game 3-1 for this season. In their last matchup, the Mountaineers played against the Oklahoma State Cowboys and went home with a loss by a final score of 41-24. On the ground, the Mountaineers conceded 220 yards on 41 attempts, which calculates to 5.4 yds per run surrendered. West Virginia gave up 20 completions on 27 attempts for a total of 389 yards, and a completion rate of 74.1%. In all, they ran 88 plays which gave them 467 yards. The West Virginia Mountaineers rushed the ball a total of 66 times and tallied 335 yards, which had them averaging 5.1 yds per attempt.

The Mountaineers have racked up 1,842 total yards over the course of this season. In terms of getting in the endzone, West Virginia has earned 6 passing touchdowns and 13 touchdowns via the ground. They have surrendered the ball 3 times. West Virginia has recorded 91 first downs as an offense, and they have been called for 19 penalties for 143 yds. As a unit they're averaging 294.8 yards rushing which is 4th in Division 1. When talking about putting the ball in the endzone, the West Virginia Mountaineers are sitting at 36.3 points per contest.

Concerning passing yards, the Mountaineers have conceded 1,129 yds which ranks them 131st in D-1. They have given up 282.3 yards per contest through the air as well as allowing a completion percentage of 64.6%. During this campaign, they are allowing 426.5 yards/game putting them at 123rd in the nation. They have surrendered 8 touchdowns by air as well as 3 touchdowns via the ground game. They are allowing an average of 4.1 yards per run and 144.3 yards on the ground per contest for the season. During the season, they have given up 577 yards via the ground game in 4 games. The Mountaineers are ranked 87th in the nation regarding the opposition scoring, allowing 24.8 PPG.

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The Cyclones step onto the field holding a record of 2-2 for this season. When they last stepped on the gridiron, the Cyclones took a defeat with a final score of 31-17 when they played the Utah Utes. The Cyclones finished the game with a total of 316 yards while they ran 73 plays (4.3 yards per play). Iowa State ran the ball for 3.4 yards per tote, totaling 111 yds on 33 carries. Iowa State surrendered 33 attempts on the ground for 205 yds (6.2 yds per carry). The Cyclones secondary gave up a completion rate of 66.7%, relinquishing 206 yards on 18 out of 27 passing.

Concerning their scoring prowess, the Cyclones are ranked 70th in Division 1 with 30.8 points per game. The Iowa State Cyclones have an average of 345.3 yards/game, which is good for 110th in the nation. The Iowa State offense has totaled 195 yards of penalties on 19 infractions, which ranks them 121st in Division 1 in terms of making mistakes. They have tossed 3 picks while conceding 1 fumble and they have been able to record 72 first downs. For the season thus far, the Cyclones have compiled 659 passing yards as well as an average of 164.8 passing yards per contest, which ranks 119th in college football. They average 180.5 yards per game on the ground and have toted the ball for 722 yards for the season.

Iowa State has surrendered a total of 455 yards on the ground (113.8 yards per game) as well as 4 touchdowns via the rush on the campaign. They have conceded 3 touchdowns through the air in addition to 158.8 yards per game, which puts them in 16th in the country. This year, they have conceded 64 pts. Their defense has earned 3 fumbles and 2 interceptions on the campaign. The Cyclones defense has taken the field for 238 plays, which has them ranked 39th in college football. The Cyclones are giving up 16.0 PPG, which has them ranked 30th in the country.

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

Josh's Pick: Take the Cyclones -3.5

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