Iowa State vs. BYU Prediction: Week 6 Odds, Picks & Best Bet
My best Iowa State vs. BYU prediction focuses on how the absence of No. 8 BYU star running back LJ Martin will make this a much closer game than many expect. BYU's offense struggled in his absence last week and now faces a defense allowing just 21.2 points per game.
BYU is favored by 10.5 ahead of tonight's 10:15 p.m. game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah. The game will air on ESPN and stream on ESPN Unlimited.
Iowa State vs. BYU picks & predictions
See all of our experts' college football picks for Week 6 based on the latest college football odds.
| Pick | Bet size |
|---|---|
| ATS: Iowa State +10.5 (-112 via DraftKings) | 2 units to win 1.79 units |
| O/U: Under 46.5 (-112 via DraftKings) | 1.5 units to win 1.34 units |
Total wagered: 3.5 units | Max profit: +3.13 units
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Iowa State vs. BYU prediction & best bet
Check out all of our college football predictions for more analysis across this week's slate.
Iowa State +10.5 (-112 via DraftKings)
With Martin missing this game, I'm seriously concerned about BYU's offense. Martin is averaging 7.8 yards per carry this season, and he racked up 35 carries for 274 yards against Arizona and Colorado State.
BYU enters this game with the 16th-most productive rushing attack, but without Martin, the offense is likely to run through the Cougars' 114th-ranked passing attack. That's bad news when facing the 26th-best pass defense in the nation.
Last week, after Martin suffered his injury, no other running back picked up the slack for BYU. While quarterback Bear Bachmeier ran 15 times for 66 yards and two touchdowns, the rest of the team rushed 19 times for just 75 yards. Those 3.9 yards per carry are nowhere near the 6.08 that BYU is averaging this season.
📡 SBR Edge: Iowa State flourishing in the red zone
Iowa State has converted all 16 of its red zone attempts this season, scoring touchdowns on 11 of those trips. BYU has only allowed nine red zone opportunities, but opponents have scored touchdowns seven times.
Iowa State's offense has found a rhythm
Iowa State is averaging 33.6 points per game, which is tied for the 53rd-most in the nation. While BYU is allowing just 14.3 points per game, Iowa State has already faced Utah's third-ranked scoring defense and Iowa's ninth-ranked scoring defense. Against Utah, Iowa State scored 17, in what was a one-score game until just under three minutes remaining, and against Iowa, Iowa State scored 13 in a three-point loss.
Against its three other opponents, Iowa State has scored at least 38, including 45 last week against West Virginia. While Iowa State won't score nearly that many points this week, this is still an offense that has faced some of the best defenses in the nation and is still averaging 6.24 yards per play. That's tied for 51st in the country.
Score prediction: BYU 20, Iowa State 17
Live Iowa State vs. BYU odds
Iowa State vs. BYU opening odds
- Moneyline: Iowa State +320 | BYU -410
- Spread: Iowa State +14.5 (-110) | BYU -14.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: Over 50.5 (-110) | Under 50.5 (-110)
How to watch Iowa State vs. BYU: Week 6
- Date: Friday, Oct. 9
- Kickoff: 10:15 p.m. ET
- Location: LaVell Edwards Stadium (Provo, Utah)
- TV: ESPN
- Streaming: ESPN Unlimited
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