Iowa State Cyclones Football
2025: Quietly Excellent (Again)
2025 Record: 10-3 (7-2 Big 12) | AP Ranking: #15 | Bowl: Pop-Tarts Bowl vs. Miami
Iowa State does not get enough credit. I’ve been saying this for years. Nobody listens. — Mike
It’s true. They’re good every year and nobody talks about them. — Jake
Quick Facts
| Location | Ames, Iowa |
| Stadium | Jack Trice Stadium (61,500) |
| Head Coach | Matt Campbell (10th season) |
| Colors | Cardinal & Gold |
| Mascot | Cy the Cardinal |
| Conference Titles | 0 Big 12 |
Traditions: Jack Trice Stadium is named after the only Black athlete to die from injuries sustained in a college football game (1923) — heavy history, but honored well. “Cyclone Weather” when the team runs out, the “ISU” chant, loyal small-town fan base that travels well.
Mike & Jake’s Take
🛋️ Mike’s Take (Oklahoma State Fan)
Matt Campbell is the most underrated coach in college football. I’ll die on this hill.
Iowa State has no business being as good as they are. They’re in Ames, Iowa. The recruiting base is minimal. They’re competing against programs with three times their resources. And yet, every single year, they’re in the mix.
The 2025 team was classic Campbell. Physical, disciplined, well-coached. The defense is suffocating — they don’t give up big plays, they force you to execute on long drives, and they create turnovers when it matters. The offense isn’t flashy, but it’s efficient.
Rocco Becht developed into a legitimately good quarterback. Patient, doesn’t force throws, makes the right read. The running game is physical and consistent.
10-3 with this roster is incredible coaching. Campbell has turned down bigger jobs multiple times to stay in Ames. The man loves what he’s building. I respect the hell out of it. Check where they landed in our current standings.
Confidence Level: Perennial contender until Campbell leaves
🍺 Jake’s Take (Texas Tech Fan)
Iowa State is the team I never want to play.
They’re not flashy. They don’t have five-star recruits. They don’t have a Heisman candidate (usually). But every single time you play them, you know it’s going to be a fight. A physical, annoying, frustrating fight.
Tech played them in October. We won 24-21. It felt like we lost. They controlled the clock, dominated time of possession, and made us earn every single yard. I was exhausted just watching it.
Campbell’s defense is elite. I went back and watched the tape (yes, I watch film sometimes, Mike doesn’t have a monopoly on that) and their linebacker play is ridiculous. They read the play before it develops. They’re always in the right position.
10-3 is a great season. They probably deserved to be in the championship game conversation. But that’s Iowa State — always good, never quite at the top, and always dangerous. Our Recliner vs Barstool system had them as appointment TV all year.
Confidence Level: Never bet against Campbell in November
2025 Betting Trends
| Stat | Record | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Against the Spread (ATS) | 8-5 | 61.5% |
| Over/Under | 4-9 U | 30.8% |
| Home ATS | 5-1 | 83.3% |
| Road ATS | 3-4 | 42.9% |
| As Favorite ATS | 6-3 | 66.7% |
| As Underdog ATS | 2-2 | 50.0% |
Mike’s Betting Notes: The under is your friend. Iowa State games go under 70% of the time. The defense suppresses scoring, the offense controls clock, and totals just don’t hit. If you’re betting ISU, default to under. More trends in our Big 12 Betting Guide.
Jake’s Betting Notes: Home ATS is insane — 5-1. Jack Trice in November is brutal for visiting teams. Cold, loud, hostile. Take Iowa State at home unless there’s a really good reason not to.
Key Players (2025)
Rocco Becht — QB
224-of-341 (65.7%) | 2,687 yards | 21 TD | 7 INT | 147.8 rating
The Florida transfer became exactly what Campbell needed — a game manager who doesn’t turn it over. Seven interceptions is excellent in a conference full of aggressive defenses.
Caleb Bacon — LB
112 tackles | 11.5 TFL | 5 sacks | 2 INT | 1 TD
The defensive leader and heartbeat of Campbell’s system. Bacon is everywhere — sideline to sideline, always around the ball. First-team All-Big 12.
Carson Hansen — RB
201 carries | 1,087 yards | 5.4 YPC | 9 TD
Physical, patient, consistent. Hansen doesn’t break long runs often, but he converts third-and-shorts and keeps the chains moving.
Rivals & Key Matchups
Kansas State — Farmageddon. Two physical programs, two great coaches, games are always close and brutal. K-State won 24-21 this year.
Iowa (Non-conference) — The Cy-Hawk Trophy. In-state bragging rights. Iowa State won this year for the first time in a while.
Baylor — Underrated rivalry. Both programs are physical and disciplined. Games are slugfests.
More
- Big 12 Betting Guide — Everything you need before placing a bet on any conference game
- The Recliner vs The Barstool — How we rate games (and why we never agree)
- New Fan’s Guide to Big 12 Football — Just getting into the conference? Start here
- Current Standings | This Week’s Schedule
- Our Predictions Archive — Full transparency on every pick we’ve made