Iowa State vs Iowa Prediction 9/12/2026 Today’s College Football Picks

In this article we will formulate an Iowa State vs Iowa prediction for this College Football game on Saturday, September 12th at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this Week 2 matchup. 

Iowa State Cyclones Betting Preview

The Iowa State Cyclones are 1-0 this season after they defeated SEMO by a score of 38-10 last week. Iowa State led 28-7 at halftime, but they only scored 10 points in the second half in the win. The Cyclones out gained SEMO by a total of 303-209, went 4-10 on third downs, and won the turnover battle by a total of 3-1 in the game. Jaylen Raynor threw for 184 yards and two touchdowns, while Dominic Overby caught two passes for 85 yards. Aiden Flora rushed seven times for 45 yards and one score in the win. 

Last season, Iowa State went 8-4 (5-4) and they finished tied for seventh in the Big 12 standings. Iowa State started the season with a 24-21 win over Kansas State and defeated South Dakota 55-7 after that. The Cyclones won their first five games and their last three games of the season, but did not go to a bowl game due to the roster overhaul. Iowa State scored 27.4 points per game in 2025, while they allowed 20.2 points against per game on defense. 

Iowa Hawkeyes Betting Preview

The Iowa Hawkeyes are 1-0 this year after they defeated Northern Illinois by a score of 40-0 last week. Iowa led 33-0 at halftime, but failed to score any offensive points in the second half, as the lone score was on a punt return. The Hawkeyes out gained NIU by a total of 507-120, went 6-14 on third downs, and won the turnover battle by a total of 2-1 in the game. Hank Brown threw for 129 yards and one touchdown, while Tony Diaz caught seven passes for 84 yards and one score. Kamari Moulton rushed 11 times for 183 yards and two touchdowns in the win. 

Last year, Iowa went 9-4 (6-3) and they finished sixth in the Big Ten standings. Iowa started the season with a 34-7 win over Albany, but lost to Iowa State 16-13 in their second game. The Hawkeyes only lost Big Ten games to Indiana, USC, and Oregon, and they defeated Vanderbilt by a score of 34-27 in the ReliaQuest Bowl. Iowa scored 29.3 points per game in 2025, while they allowed 16.1 points against per game on defense. 

Why the Iowa Hawkeyes will win

• Iowa has won each of its last 11 home games against non-AP-ranked teams.
• Iowa has covered the spread in each of its last four September games as a favorite.
• Iowa State has failed to cover the spread in each of its last three games against non-conference opponents.
• Iowa State has lost the first half in 15 of its last 17 games against AP-ranked teams.

Why the Iowa State Cyclones will win

• Iowa State has won each of its last seven games in September.
• The underdog has covered the spread in six of Iowa State’s last seven games.

Total Points Facts

• Seven of Iowa’s last eight September games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.
• Each of Iowa State’s last five games have gone UNDER the total points line.

Iowa Hawkeyes Player Prop Facts

• Heading into Week 2, Xavier Williams ranks T1st amongst qualified players for catch rate (100.0%) this season.

Iowa State Cyclones Player Prop Facts

• Heading into Week 2, Easton Miller ranks T1st amongst qualified players for catch rate (100.0%) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• Iowa ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q2 opponent points per game this season (0.0).
• Iowa ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q3 opponent points per game this season (0.0).
• Iowa State ranks T1st among FBS teams for red zone percentage this season (100.0).
• Iowa State ranks 128th among FBS teams for time of possession per game this season (23:08).

Iowa State vs Iowa Prediction 

Iowa dominated NIU in the first half of last week’s game, but they didn’t score on offense in the second half and I am still not sold on their QB situation. Iowa State didn’t play great against SEMO and this will be their first true test with the new roster. The Cyclones have a lot of question marks coming into this game and I don’t think they will move the ball very well. This rivalry is almost always close, but I think this is a year that Iowa could win big.

David Racey's Pick: Iowa -14