Cincinnati (5-4, 3-3 Big 12) heads to Iowa State (7-2, 4-2) for a crucial matchup on Saturday at 8 p.m. EST, with the game broadcasted on Fox.
The current betting line from BetMGM gives Iowa State an 8.5-point edge. In the all-time series, Iowa State holds a slight advantage, having won the only previous meeting.
Both teams are seeking to end two-game losing streaks, with Cincinnati aiming for a victory to secure bowl eligibility for the first time under head coach Scott Satterfield, who is in his second year. Meanwhile, Iowa State looks to help ninth-year coach Matt Campbell secure an eighth win for the fourth consecutive season. Another loss would significantly dim their chances in the Big 12 conference race.
A key area to watch will be the confrontation between Iowa State’s defense and Cincinnati’s offense. The Cyclones have been prominent within Big 12 defenses since 2020; however, this season has not been as strong. They allowed a season-high of 532 yards in last week’s loss to Kansas and have had difficulty stopping opponents’ running games. Cincinnati’s running game, led by Corey Kiner and Evan Pryor, has been solid. Additionally, Brendan Sorsby ranks as the third-highest rated passer in the Big 12, bringing further challenges to the Iowa State defensive scheme.
There are notable players to keep an eye on during the game. For Cincinnati, Sorsby will attempt to bounce back after struggling in last week’s 31-24 home defeat against West Virginia, where he had three turnovers, including a pick-six. He averages just below 270 passing yards per game and is also known for his ability to run.
On the Iowa State side, wide receiver Jaylin Noel is on the verge of reaching the 1,000-yard mark this season and boasts an average of 99.2 yards per game—ranking second in the Big 12. He had an impressive performance last week, catching eight passes for a career-high 167 yards and two touchdowns in the loss to Kansas.
Some interesting facts leading into the contest include that a victory for Iowa State would mark Campbell’s fourth season with at least eight wins. In addition, Pryor has recorded four touchdowns of over 50 yards, with three of those exceeding 60 yards, making him tied for the most in the Big 12. Bearcats linebacker Jared Bartlett currently ranks second in the conference with 6.5 sacks. In last year’s sole meeting, Iowa State triumphed over Cincinnati 30-10, where Jayden Higgins excelled with six receptions totaling 172 yards. ISU running back Carson Hansen has also been a standout lately, amassing six touchdowns in his last four matches. Moreover, ISU defensive back Ta’Shawn James recorded a personal-best of 10 tackles against Kansas, despite entering that game with just 12 tackles across his first two years.
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