The Iowa State Cyclones and the Cincinnati Bearcats meet in week 7 college football action from Nippert Stadium on Saturday.

Cyclones Get Back To .500

The Iowa State Cyclones managed to get their record back to .500 thanks to a 27-14 win over TCU last time out. Rocco Becht has thrown for 1,223 yards, 10 touchdowns and 5 interceptions on 60% passing while Eli Sanders has a team-high 211 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. Abu Sama III and Cartevious Norton each have 150+ rushing yards this season. Jaylin Noel has a team0high 31 grabs for 284 yards and 2 touchdowns while Jayden Higgins has 266 receiving yards and a team-high 3 touchdowns. Two more Cyclones have 100+ receiving yards as well on the year. On defense, Beau Freyler has a team-high 45 total tackles as well as 3 interceptions while Jeremiah Cooper has a team-high 4 interceptions. As a team, Iowa State has 10 sacks and 10 interceptions this season.

Iowa State Cyclones Team Facts

• Iowa State has lost each of its last eight road games against conference opponents.
• Iowa State has failed to cover the spread in seven of its last eight road games against conference opponents.
• Iowa State has lost the first half in each of its last seven road games against conference opponents.
• Each of Iowa State’s last 10 games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.

Cincinnati Drops Third Straight

The Cincinnati Bearcats come into this game losers of three straight games after a 35-27 loss to BYU last time out. Emory Jones has thrown for 1,226 yards, 10 touchdowns and 6 interceptions on 62.1% passing while also rushing for 280 yards and 3 scores. Corey Kiner leads Cincinnati in rushing with 405 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns while Xzavier Henderson has a team-high 30 receptions for 414 yards and Braden Smith has chipped in 270 receiving yards as well. Two more Bearcats have 100+ receiving yards as well on the year. On defense, Dorian Jones has a team-high 29 total tackles while Bryon Threats has a pair of interceptions and Dontay Corleone and Eric Phillips each have a pair of sacks.

Cincinnati Bearcats Team Facts

• Cincinnati has won 29 of its last 30 games against non-AP-ranked teams at Nippert Stadium.
• Cincinnati has failed to cover the spread in each of its last six October games against non-AP-ranked teams.
• Cincinnati has won the first half in 15 of its last 18 home games against conference opponents.
• Cincinnati has won the first quarter in 10 of its last 13 home games against conference opponents.
• Each of Cincinnati’s last six October games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.

Chris’ Pick

I’m looking at Cincinnati here. I don’t love how the Bearcats have looked in recent weeks, but they’re the better team on both sides of the football and while Iowa State’s had some more positive performances in recent weeks, I’m not sure I’m ready to buy into those performances long term. I just think this is a spot where I’d prefer to back the more trustworthy team at home and for me that’s Cincinnati.