The Iowa Hawkeyes will travel to Jack Trice Stadium to take on the Iowa State Cyclones in Week 2 of the 2025 College Football Regular Season. This game is set to kick off at 12:00 PM on Saturday, September 6, 2025, and will be broadcast on FOX. The outdoor setting in Ames, IA, promises an exciting environment for college football fans.
Heading into this contest, the Iowa Hawkeyes hold a 1-0 record after a decisive 34-7 victory over Albany Great Danes. Despite a strong home performance, the Hawkeyes are yet to play on the road this season. Representing the Big Ten Conference, Iowa aims to build upon their early success.
The Iowa State Cyclones enter the game ranked #16 in the AP Poll and #18 in the Coaches Poll with a 2-0 record. After defeating both South Dakota Coyotes and Kansas State Wildcats at home, the Cyclones have demonstrated their ability to perform under pressure. As members of the Big 12 Conference, they will look to leverage their current momentum against their in-state rivals.
Iowa State vs Iowa At a Glance
- Venue: Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, IA
- Game Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025 at 12:00 PM
- TV Channel: FOX
- Iowa Hawkeyes Record: 1-0 this season
- Iowa State Cyclones Record: 2-0 this season
- Game Odds: Iowa State -161, Iowa +135 (Moneyline)
Iowa State Cyclones Aim to Continue Offensive Surge Against Arkansas State
Offensive Performance
Iowa State’s offense has been a powerhouse early in the 2025 season, ranking 2nd in points scored with 79. Their passing game has been especially effective, with a 4th place ranking in passing yards at 489. This strong offensive start is crucial as they look to maintain momentum against Arkansas State.
On the ground, Iowa State has also shown efficiency, rushing for 355 yards, placing them 7th in the nation. This balanced attack is supported by their ability to move the chains, ranking 3rd in first downs with 47. Such a dynamic offense can present a significant challenge for the Arkansas State defense.
Defensive Strengths
Defensively, Iowa State has demonstrated an ability to pressure quarterbacks, ranking 6th in sacks with 2. Their secondary has been opportunistic, securing 2 interceptions, good for 3rd in the nation. This combination of pressure and playmaking in the secondary makes them a formidable defensive unit.
Additionally, the Cyclones are effective at forcing turnovers, recovering 2 fumbles to rank 2nd nationally. Their defense will need to continue this level of performance to disrupt Arkansas State’s offensive rhythm. Maintaining this defensive intensity could be key to their success on the road.
Recent Game Recap
In their recent outing against South Dakota, Iowa State dominated with a 55-7 victory, showcasing their offensive firepower. They managed to secure 28 first downs and control the game on both sides of the ball. This comprehensive victory sets a strong tone as they head into their next contest.
Their earlier game against Kansas State was more closely contested, ending in a 24-21 win. This test of resilience early in the season may benefit them as they prepare to handle various game scenarios. Such experiences could prove invaluable in their upcoming road game.
Key Players to Watch
Quarterback Rocco Becht has been a standout, leading the team with 461 passing yards and 5 touchdowns, with no interceptions so far. This efficient play is a crucial factor in the Cyclones’ offensive success. On the ground, running back Dylan Lee has contributed significantly, rushing for 81 yards and a touchdown.
Wide receiver Brett Eskildsen is another player to watch, leading the receiving corps with 123 yards and a touchdown. Tight end Benjamin Brahmer has also been effective, making 9 receptions for 88 yards and 2 touchdowns. These key players form the backbone of Iowa State’s potent offensive strategy.
Betting Trends
- SU All Games: 2-0 (100.0%)
- ATS All Games: 2-0 (100.0%)
- O/U All Games: 1-1 (50.0%)
- SU as Favorite: 1-0 (100.0%)
- SU as Underdog: 1-0 (100.0%)
- ATS in Home Games: 2-0 (100.0%)
- O/U as Favorite: 1-0 (100.0%)
Iowa Hawkeyes Eye Victory in Upcoming Game
Offensive Overview
The Iowa Hawkeyes come into the 2025 season with a solid offensive record, ranking 25th nationally with 34 points for. Their rushing game stands out, ranking 12th with 310 rushing yards, which suggests a strong ground attack that could pose challenges for opponents.
In contrast, their passing game seems to lag, ranking 136th with only 48 passing yards. This discrepancy between rushing and passing may influence their strategy in upcoming games.
Defensive Strength
Defensively, the Hawkeyes are a formidable force, ranking 4th in points against with only 7 points conceded. Their ability to pressure the quarterback is evident, with 2 sacks placing them 6th in the nation.
However, their defense hasn’t forced interceptions or recovered fumbles yet, ranking 1st and 4th respectively, which indicates room for improvement in creating turnovers.
Key Players
Mark Gronowski leads the Hawkeyes as quarterback, throwing for 44 passing yards and 1 touchdown in their season opener. Xavier Williams, a running back, impressed with 122 rushing yards and a touchdown, highlighting the team’s ground game.
On the receiving end, Kaden Wetjen made a notable impact with 1 reception for 2 yards and a touchdown, while Drew Stevens contributed 2 field goals and 4 extra points, showcasing the team’s special teams capability.
Injury Concerns
The Hawkeyes face some injury challenges with key players like Jarriett Buie and Kamari Moulton uncertain to play due to undisclosed injuries. Reece Vander Zee and Bryce George are confirmed out, impacting the team’s depth.
Managing these injuries will be crucial for maintaining their performance levels in upcoming games, especially against strong opponents.
Upcoming Challenges
Looking ahead, the Hawkeyes are set to play away against Iowa State Cyclones at Jack Trice Stadium. This game will test their away game resilience and ability to overcome injury setbacks.
The following weeks include home and away games against Massachusetts Minutemen and Rutgers Scarlet Knights, providing opportunities to build on their early-season form.
Team Betting Trends
- The Hawkeyes have a solid record in games where they have a strong rushing performance.
- They tend to perform well in low-scoring games, leveraging their defensive strengths.
- Games with significant passing yardage have been less favorable for the Hawkeyes.
Iowa State vs Iowa Prediction: Iowa State -3.0
The Iowa State Cyclones are off to an impressive start in the 2025 season with a 2-0 record, both wins occurring at home. Their offense has been a powerhouse, ranking 2nd in points scored and 4th in passing yards, showcasing their capability to dominate games. The Cyclones’ consistent performance at Jack Trice Stadium makes them a solid pick to cover the -3.0 spread against the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Iowa’s defense is strong, ranking 4th in points against, yet their offensive struggles, especially in passing, could be their downfall. With only 48 passing yards ranked 136th, Iowa might find it challenging to keep up with Iowa State’s high-scoring offense. Iowa’s lack of explosive plays could hinder their ability to cover the spread in a road game.
Historically, Iowa State has performed well against the spread, being 2-0 ATS this season and maintaining a strong presence in home games. This trend suggests that the Cyclones are more than capable of covering the -3.0 spread against their in-state rivals. Given their recent success and home advantage, Iowa State seems poised to secure a victory by more than three points.
Taking into account Iowa State’s offensive efficiency and home-field strength, the Cyclones are projected to win with a score of 27-20. This margin supports the pick of Iowa State to cover the -3.0 spread.
- Iowa State vs Iowa Prediction: Iowa State -3.0
- Iowa State vs Iowa Score: Iowa State 27 – Iowa 20
