The Arizona Wildcats travel to Ames, IA, to play the Iowa State Cyclones in Week 5 of the 2025 Regular Season. Arizona enters the game with a perfect 3-0 record, having secured all their wins at home. They will look to extend their unbeaten run at Jack Trice Stadium, an outdoor field venue known for its lively atmosphere.
Iowa State, ranked #14 in the AP Poll and #13 in the Coaches Poll, boasts a 4-0 record this season. With three of those wins occurring at home, the Cyclones will aim to maintain their momentum against a fellow Big 12 conference team. Their recent victory against Arkansas State by a score of 24-16 demonstrates their ability to perform under pressure.
Broadcast on ESPN at 7:00 PM, this game promises to be an exciting encounter for fans. The odds favor Iowa State with a moneyline of -225, and the spread stands at -5.5. With both teams undefeated in conference play, this matchup will be pivotal in shaping the Big 12 standings.
Iowa State vs Arizona At a Glance
- Game Time: Saturday, September 27, 2025, at 7:00 PM
- Venue: Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, IA — Outdoor Field
- Broadcast: ESPN
- Arizona Wildcats Record: 3-0 this season
- Iowa State Cyclones Record: 4-0 this season
- Game Odds: Iowa State favored with a spread of -5.5
Iowa State Cyclones Prepare for an Exciting Matchup
Team Overview
The Iowa State Cyclones are entering the season with a solid offensive lineup. The team has scored 119 points so far, placing them 40th in scoring. Their passing game has generated 888 yards, ranking 61st nationally.
Rushing has also been a strength, with 648 yards on the ground, positioning them at 54th. They have consistently managed to secure first downs, totaling 81, which is the 28th best in the nation.
Defensive Strength
Defensively, Iowa State has been effective, conceding only 57 points, ranking them 33rd. Their defense has been particularly aggressive with 8 sacks, placing them 10th. The team also ranks 5th in interceptions with 4 and 4th in fumbles recovered with 2.
Such defensive prowess has been critical in their recent victories, making them a formidable unit. The Cyclones’ ability to pressure the quarterback and create turnovers has been key to their defensive success.
Recent Performance
The Cyclones started their season with a dominant 55-7 win against South Dakota Coyotes. In their most recent game, they managed a close 24-16 victory over Arkansas State Red Wolves.
Their ability to win close games, as shown in their 16-13 victory over Iowa Hawkeyes, demonstrates their resilience and strategic gameplay. These performances showcase their capacity to adapt and excel against diverse opponents.
Key Players
Quarterback Rocco Becht has been instrumental, throwing for 860 yards and 7 touchdowns. His performance has been complemented by the running game, with Abu Sama III and Carson Hansen contributing significantly with 182 and 252 rushing yards, respectively.
In the receiving corps, Brett Eskildsen and Xavier Townsend have been key targets, accumulating 162 and 142 receiving yards. Tight end Benjamin Brahmer has also been impactful, with 109 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns.
Betting Trends
- 15-3 in the last 18 games (83.3%) overall.
- 12-2 after a win (85.7%).
- 9-1 in home games (90.0%).
- 13-3 as favorites (81.2%).
- 9-2 in away games (81.8%).
Arizona Wildcats Ready to Challenge in Upcoming Game
Offensive Performance
The Arizona Wildcats have scored a total of 111 points this season, placing them 45th in the nation. Their passing game has accumulated 745 yards, which ranks them at 90th. On the ground, they have rushed for 573 yards, ranking 73rd, showing a balanced offensive approach.
In their last season, Arizona scored 261 points, placing them 89th in scoring. They had significant success through the air with 2975 passing yards, ranking 53rd. However, their ground game struggled, ranking 121st with 1284 rushing yards.
Defensive Strength
The Wildcats’ defense has been a standout, allowing just 26 points this season, ranking them 6th. They have also recorded 8 sacks, putting them 10th in the nation. Their ability to create turnovers is highlighted by 5 interceptions, ranking 6th, and recovering 3 fumbles, ranking 3rd.
Last season, their defense allowed 381 points, placing them at 123rd. They managed to record 20 sacks and 8 interceptions, ranking 30th and 9th, respectively. Their ability to recover fumbles ranked them 8th with 8 recoveries.
Recent Games Recap
The Wildcats are coming off a close 23-17 victory over Kansas State, demonstrating resilience and defensive prowess. Earlier, they dominated Weber State with a 48-3 win, showcasing their offensive capabilities. Their season opener against Hawaii resulted in a convincing 40-6 victory, highlighting both their offensive and defensive strengths.
Key Players to Watch
Quarterback Noah Fifita has been instrumental, throwing for 712 yards and 6 touchdowns without any interceptions. Running back Ismail Mahdi leads the ground attack with 263 rushing yards and 1 touchdown. Wide receiver Javin Whatley has been a key target, with 237 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns.
On special teams, kicker Michael Salgado-Medina has been reliable, making 7 field goals and 12 extra points. Tight end Sam Olson adds depth to the receiving corps with 27 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Arizona Wildcats Betting Trends
- SU – As Favorite: 13-3 (81.2%) in last 16 games
- SU – All Games: 3-0 (100.0%) in 2025
- ATS – All Games: 3-0 (100.0%) in 2025
- ATS – As Favorite: 3-0 (100.0%) in last 3 games
- SU – Home Games: 3-0 (100.0%) in 2025
- O/U – Away Games: 3-0 (100.0%) in last 3 games
- O/U – As Underdog: 4-1 (80.0%) in last 5 games
- ATS – After Loss: 15-9 (62.5%) in last 24 games
Iowa State vs Arizona Prediction: Iowa State -5.5
In week 5 of the 2025 regular season, the Iowa State Cyclones, ranked #14 in the AP Poll, will host the Arizona Wildcats at Jack Trice Stadium. Iowa State, coming off a strong 24-16 victory over Arkansas State, enters the game as a 5.5-point favorite. Their impressive track record at home, boasting a 9-1 record over their last 10 games, suggests they are well-equipped to cover the spread against Arizona.
Arizona has started the season 3-0; however, all games have been at home, leaving questions about their performance on the road. Their defense has been excellent, ranking 6th in points against, which might challenge Iowa State’s offense. Yet, Iowa State’s balanced attack, ranked 40th in points for, should find enough success to manage Arizona’s defensive strength.
Iowa State’s impressive home performance and ability to win as favorites, highlighted by their 13-3 record in such scenarios, further strengthens their position to cover the spread. Although Arizona’s defense has been stellar, the Cyclones’ experience and home advantage will likely prove too challenging for the Wildcats to overcome on their first road trip.
Considering Iowa State’s home dominance and Arizona’s lack of road experience, Iowa State is projected to secure a victory and cover the spread. Expect the Cyclones to utilize their home-field advantage effectively, leading to a final score of Iowa State 28 – Arizona 20.
- Iowa State vs Arizona Prediction: Iowa State -5.5
- Iowa State vs Arizona Score: Iowa State 28 – Arizona 20
