Iowa State Faces Uphill Battle Against Undefeated No. 8 BYU
Despite being a 10-point underdog, Iowa State aims to spoil BYU's undefeated season and upcoming matchup against Notre Dame.
BYU, ranked No. 8 nationally, faces a potentially tricky matchup at home against Iowa State on Friday night. The Cougars (4-0) are coming off a narrow victory over TCU and face a critical contest against No. 3 Notre Dame just eight days later.
This schedule placement, combined with key injuries, presents an opportunity for Iowa State to play spoiler. The Cougars will be without star running back LJ Martin and linebacker Isaiah Glasker. Martin's absence is expected to place more offensive responsibility on quarterback Bear Bachmeier, who has shown inconsistency this season and struggled in BYU's last outing.
BYU is a 10-point favorite in the Big 12 clash. While Iowa State (2-2) has shown flaws, their offense is averaging 6.1 yards per play. The Cyclones' ability to move the ball could exploit BYU's defense, especially with the Cougars' offensive limitations due to injuries. Playing at LaVell Edwards Stadium is a challenge, but the double-digit spread offers value on an underdog facing a favored team that has not yet hit its stride.
