Cincinnati Bearcats vs Iowa State Cyclones Matchup

Check out our free Cincinnati Bearcats vs Iowa State Cyclones pick and preview for this CFB week 12 game in Ames. See who we like to win and cover the spread in this week 12 CFB matchup.

The Iowa State Cyclones are the -8.5 point favorites as they host the Cincinnati Bearcats in a week 12 matchup at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames. Kick-off is set for 8:00 ET, and the game can be seen on FOX. The over/under line is currently 53.5 points. The money line odds have Iowa State at -332 and Cincinnati at +261. Iowa State comes in with a 7-2 record, while Cincinnati is 5-4 on the season.

Bearcats vs. Cyclones Matchup At A Glance

Sport: CFB
Teams: Cincinnati Bearcats at Iowa State Cyclones
Where: Ames at Jack Trice Stadium
Date: Saturday, November 16th
Betting Odds IOWAST -8.5, CIN +261 | IOWAST -332 O/U 53.5

Bearcats Preview:

Cincinnati enters Week 12 with a 5-4 record, ranked 43rd in our power rankings. They have a 77.8% chance of becoming bowl-eligible. The Bearcats are 2-2 on the road and 2-2 at home this season.

Against the spread, Cincinnati is 4-3-1, with a +6.3 average scoring margin. They’ve been favored in five games, going 3-2 ATS as the favorite.

Their over/under record stands at 2-5-1, with games averaging 50.8 points. This week’s line is 53.5, while their average over/under line has been 54.7 points.

Bearcats Offense Breakdown

Cincinnati’s passing game has been the focal point of their offense, ranking 27th in completions and averaging 268 yards per game. They are 19th in completion percentage, connecting on 66.2% of their throws, and they are 49th in scoring, with 28.6 points per game. Heading into week 12, we have them ranked 21st in our offensive power rankings.

Brendan Sorsby has thrown for 2,387 yards, with a passer rating of 101, and he has 16 touchdowns to 5 interceptions. Corey Kiner leads the rushing attack with 783 yards, averaging 5 yards per carry. Xzavier Henderson has 617 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns on 50 catches.

Bearcats Team Defense

Despite allowing 31 points in their recent 31-24 loss to West Virginia, Cincinnati's defense gave up just 249 total yards, including 93 rushing yards on 27 attempts and 156 passing yards. They also forced an interception during the game.

On the season, Cincinnati's defense ranks 36th nationally, allowing 22.2 points per game. Opponents have averaged 155.1 rushing yards and 231.1 passing yards per game, with a 62.1% completion rate and a passer rating of 95.7.

Cyclones Preview:

Cincinnati enters Week 12 with a 5-4 record, ranked 43rd in our power rankings. They have a 77.8% chance of becoming bowl-eligible. The Bearcats are 2-2 on the road and 2-2 at home this season.

Against the spread, Cincinnati is 4-3-1, with a +6.3 average scoring margin. They’ve been favored in five games, going 3-2 ATS as the favorite.

Their over/under record stands at 2-5-1, with games averaging 50.8 points. This week’s line is 53.5, while their average over/under line has been 54.7 points.

Cyclones Offense Breakdown

Heading into week 12, Iowa State’s offense is averaging 31.1 points per game, placing them 37th nationally. They are ranked 41st in our offensive power rankings. Quarterback Rocco Becht has thrown for 2,394 yards, leading the passing game, and the Cyclones are 30th in passing yards per game with 271.4. Becht has 16 touchdowns and seven interceptions, with a passer rating of 97.

Jaylin Noel is the top receiver, with 892 yards and five touchdowns on 51 catches. On the ground, Iowa State averages 168.2 rushing yards per game. Carson Hansen leads the rushing attack with 492 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 5 yards per carry.

Cyclones Team Defense

Despite a rough outing against Kansas, where Iowa State’s defense allowed 45 points and 535 total yards, they still rank 15th nationally, giving up just 18.8 points per game. Kansas managed 240 rushing yards and 295 passing yards in the game.

Opposing quarterbacks have a passer rating of just 53.9 against Iowa State, the fourth-lowest in the country, completing only 50.3% of their passes. However, the Cyclones are 131st in rushing defense, allowing 177.7 yards per game on the ground.

Bearcats vs Cyclones Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

Across their five previous road games, Cincinnati has an ATS mark of 2-2-1. Their straight up record in these matchups was 2-3 while averaging 26 points per game.
Through their last ten home games, Iowa State has an ATS record of just 7-3. However, their overall record was 7-3 while averaging 27 points per game.
Going back to their previous five games as the underdog, Cincinnati has an ATS mark of 1-3-1 while going 1-4 straight up.
Against the spread, the Iowa State Cyclones have put together of 2-3 in their last five games as the betting favorite. In these same games, they went 3-2 straight up.