Iowa State vs BYU Prediction, Odds, Best Bets - Week 6
No. 10 BYU hosted Iowa State as 10.5-point favorites in a late Friday night Big 12 showdown. The editorial pick was BYU.
The Matchup
No. 10 BYU hosts Iowa State as 10.5-point favorites in the late Friday night window at LaVell Edwards Stadium, and the number reflected a legitimate class gap. The Cougars at 4-0, averaging 34.6 points per game, were unbeaten and ranked in the AP top 10 - playing at home, at altitude, at night, in one of the most distinctive environments in college football.
Iowa State at 3-3 was a .500 team walking into a hornet's nest. Friday night games in Provo have a way of getting away from visitors: the crowd, the elevation, and BYU's precision offense combine to turn competitive games into comfortable wins.
Key Factors
First, the environment: LaVell Edwards Stadium at night is worth more than the standard three points, especially for a visiting team already struggling at 3-3. Second, BYU's efficiency at 34.6 PPG against Iowa State's inconsistency - the Cyclones' .500 record says they are exactly average, and average teams do not cover double digits on the road against top-10 opponents.
Third, the game script: BYU's offense is built to build leads, and Iowa State playing from behind on the road at altitude is a recipe for the margin to grow in the second half. The 10.5 points account for all of this and still feel short.
BYU -10.5. The Cougars at 4-0 and ranked No. 10 in the AP poll were the clearly superior team, playing at home in one of the most difficult environments in college football. Iowa State at 3-3 had no business staying within double digits in Provo on a Friday night - .500 teams do not go on the road against top-10 opponents and hang around.
BYU's 34.6 PPG offense against an average Cyclone defense, with altitude, crowd noise, and the late kickoff all working against the visitors, was a recipe for a comfortable cover. The Cougars handled business.
Game information
| DATE | Friday (10/9) |
|---|---|
| START TIME | 10:15 PM ET |
| HOW TO WATCH | ESPN |
| VENUE | LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo |
| SPREAD | BYU -10.5 |
| TOTAL | 46.5 |
| MONEYLINE | BYU -450 |
More picks this week
Every pick is published with its line before the game. Odds via consensus sportsbooks at time of writing and move constantly. Must be 21+. If gambling is a problem, call or text 1-800-GAMBLER.