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Iowa State vs. Iowa Prediction: Week 2 Odds, Picks & Best Bet

Our Iowa State vs. Iowa prediction for Week 2 includes our best bet, projected score, and the latest odds for Saturday's matchup.

Matt MacKay

Last Updated: September 12, 2026 10:12 AM EDT • 3 minute read

Pictured: Iowa Hawkeyes running back Kamari Moulton (28) runs as he is featured in our Iowa State vs. Iowa prediction. Photo by Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

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The Cy-Hawk Series finds Iowa State facing its first FBS opponent in the post-Matt Campbell era, meaning I've got my Iowa State vs. Iowa prediction. The Cyclones have won three of the last four head-to-head matchups against the Hawkeyes,

No. 21 Iowa enters tonight's rivalry game as a -14.5 betting favorite at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa, ahead of a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff (NBC).

🏈 Iowa State vs. Iowa picks & predictions

See all of our experts' college football picks for Week 2 based on the latest college football odds.

Pick	Bet size
Iowa State +14.5 (-122 via FanDuel)	1.22 units
Under 42.0 (-132 via bet365)	1.32 units

Total wagered: 2.54 units | Max profit: +2.0 units

💰 Iowa State vs. Iowa prediction & best bet

Check out all of our college football predictions for more analysis across this week's slate.

Under 42.0 (-132 via bet365)

Iowa State and Iowa define college football grit. These teams have been built to play smash mouth defense and it showed up in both of their Week 1 wins.

Iowa State played FCS opponent SE Missouri State but still impressed, allowing just 1.5 YPC during a 38-10 win. This included 3 forced turnovers and under 150 passing yards.

Iowa shut out Northern Illinois at home last Saturday. The Hawkeyes defense looks like it hasn't skipped a beat, finishing 2025 ranked 8th in points allowed per game (16.1) under long-time head coach Kirk Ferentz.

The last four head-to-head matchups in the Cy-Hawk Series have gone Under 42.0 points. I don't expect this trend to change tonight, especially with two offenses that want to establish the run and win the time of possession battle. This will result in a fast clock and difficulty finding the end zone.

Since opening, lines have bounced between 41.5 and 40.5. On bet365, we're getting a 42.0, so let's lay the juice and bet Under 42.0 at -132 odds.

📡 SBR Edge: The Hawkeye State

Seven of Iowa State's previous eight games against Iowa opponents have gone under the total points line.

Hawkeyes' stout defense brings the Cy-Hawk Trophy back to Kinnick Stadium

Iowa is undoubtedly ready to avenge back-to-back losses to Iowa State. The Hawkeyes benefit from playing at home at Kinnick Stadium, despite going 0-2 against the Cyclones during their last two outings in Iowa City.

Iowa has the best player on the field in this game. RB Kamari Moulton is a stud, finishing Week 1 with 183 scrimmage yards, 2 touchdowns, and a ridiculous 16.6 YPC. Iowa State's offense is starting 10 transfers under first-year head coach Jimmy Rogers. It's going to be a tough time moving the football against an elite Hawkeyes defense with a ton of continuity and confidence.

The Cy-Hawk Trophy returns to Kinnick Stadium with Iowa's defense leading the way, recording a 24-13 win on Saturday night.

Score prediction: Iowa 24, Iowa State 13

📊 Iowa State vs. Iowa odds

See the latest college football odds for every Week 2 matchup.

Iowa State vs. Iowa opening odds

• Moneyline: Iowa State +485 | Iowa -625

• Spread: Iowa State +11.5 (-115) | Iowa -11.5 (-105)

• Over/Under: Over 41.5 (-102) | Under 41.5 (-118)

📺 How to watch Iowa State vs. Iowa: Week 2

Date: Saturday, Sept. 12
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Kinnick Stadium (Iowa City, Iowa)
TV: NBC

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Written by:
Matt MacKay

Matt MacKay has handicapped golf, the NFL, NCAAF, and NHL since joining the sports betting industry as a writer in 2020. He’s worked for several prominent sites, recently expanding his coverage to include sports betting news and the regulatory industry. Bringing a background in communications and writing, earning a Masters Degree in Organizational Communication from Ohio University, Matt has co-hosted a fantasy football and sports betting podcast, while continuously refining his handicapping methods. This includes identifying recent trends, head-to-head statistics, and comparing individual and team strengths and weaknesses to accurately predict the outcome in certain betting markets before a game or event. He’s a daily bettor and tends to wager on FanDuel, with DraftKings and Hard Rock Bet as preferred sports betting app alternatives. An avid researcher, writer, editor, and podcaster, Matt is eager to dig into matchups to offer readers and subscribers value on his picks. He’s a big proponent of building bankroll by avoiding poor betting habits and tendencies, like chasing losses, placing too many wagers, and managing bankroll. His worst beats to date both came on two separate NFL parlays, losing due to Tyreek Hill and A.J. Brown dropping passes. NRFIs have quickly become one of Matt’s favorite betting markets, recently diving into MLB game props.