The Iowa State Cyclones and the Ohio Bobcats meet Saturday in college football action from Peden Stadium. Iowa State is fresh off a game versus Iowa. In that matchup the Cyclones lost by a touchdown. As for Ohio, their last matchup was against Florida Atlantic. The Bobcats would go on to win by seven. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.

Iowa State Cyclones 

The Cyclones didn’t have too many difficulties versus Northern Iowa in their opener matchup back on September 2. Iowa State jumped out to a 30-3 lead by the fourth quarter and eventually won 30-9. Rocco Becht put up 113 yards with two scores in that one, and Benjamin Brahmer led the receivers with a 36-yard touchdown catch. 

In the Iowa game, Iowa State was down 20-3 going into the fourth quarter. The Cyclones put up some cosmetic points late and pulled to a 20-13 loss. Becht had 203 yards passing this time with a TD and a pick. Jayden Higgins was the leading receiver on eight catches, 95 yards and a score. 

Iowa State Cyclones Team Facts

Iowa State has lost each of its last four games as a road favorite.
Iowa State has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four games as a road favorite.
Iowa State has won the first half in each of its last three games against opponents from the Mid-American Conference.
Each of Iowa State’s last seven games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.

Ohio Bobcats 

Over on the Ohio side, they’ve got three games in the can already. The first was a 20-13 loss to San Diego State back on August 26. Ohio was down 10-6 at halftime in that one and never got any closer. Game two against LIU went better: a 27-10 victory for the Bobcats. Ohio’s Sieh Bangura led the rush in that one with 19 carries for 109 yards. 

Last weekend versus Florida Atlantic, the Bobcats took a 10-7 deficit into the locker room. Ohio outscored the Owls 10-0 from there and won it 17-10. Kurtis Rourke had 203 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. O’Shaan Allison had 80 rush yards with a score, and Mason Williams caught two balls for 46 yards to lead the receivers. 

Ohio Bobcats Team Facts

Ohio has won each of its last seven games at Peden Stadium.
Ohio has failed to cover the spread in 12 of its last 14 games against non-conference opponents.
Ohio has lost the first half in eight of its last 10 games against non-conference opponents.
Ohio has won the first quarter in three of its last four games against non-conference opponents at Peden Stadium.
Six of Ohio’s last seven games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

Ohio was one of only five FBS teams to win 4+ games when trailing after Q1 last season.
Ohio was one of only 11 FBS teams to remain undefeated in home games last season (6-0) (min. 8 games).
Iowa State ranked 11th among FBS teams for H2 points allowed per game last season (8.3).
Iowa State ranked 15th among FBS teams for Q4 points allowed per game last season (4.6).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’m going to stick with Iowa State, but it’s going to take a pretty good effort to get it done here. The Cyclones posted a nice-looking win over Northern Iowa in their opener, but there were certainly some areas for improvement. Iowa State posted just 116 passing yards, 11 first downs and a 2-of-11 rate on third-down conversions in that one—not to mention nine penalties for 81 yards. Still, the result was a W and that’s all that really counts. In game two against Iowa, the Cyclones really didn’t get it going until late, but overall the stats were favorable. Iowa State finished with 290 yards (203 passing) and 19 first downs but averaged just 3.9 yards per play as they spun their wheels offense. This should be an easier matchup for the Cyclones and I think they’ll perform better.