Overview

• Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CT (12 p.m. ET) at Nippert Stadium on ESPN2.
• Iowa State enters 5-0 and ranked No. 14 with a defense allowing 14.2 points per game, but starting corners Jontez Williams and Jeremiah Cooper are out for the season.
• Cincinnati is 3-1 with QB Brendan Sorsby coming off 388 passing yards and two touchdowns at Kansas, as top target Cyrus Allen logged 11 catches for 128 yards and two scores.
• Cyclones QB Rocco Becht has opened 2025 at 65.8% for 1,103 yards with seven touchdowns and two interceptions, frequently featuring tight ends Benjamin Brahmer and Gabe Burkle.
• The Bearcats' defense under Tyson Veidt runs a 3-3-5 zone, nose tackle Dontay Corleone is not expected to play, and sportsbooks list Cincinnati as a 1.5-point favorite.