Iowa State returns to Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 14, to face Cincinnati in a Big 12 matchup that could decide whether either team reaches a bowl game this season.
Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. Central Time in Ames, where the Cyclones have been nearly unbeatable this fall. Iowa State sits at 4-5 overall but owns a 4-1 record at home, with the only loss in Ames coming against undefeated Utah, according to Yahoo Sports.
What's at Stake for Iowa State
Big 12 media picked the Cyclones to finish last in the league before the season began, and Matt Campbell's crew has spent the fall proving the prognosticators wrong. Iowa State needs to win two of its final three games to reach bowl eligibility.
The home field has been the difference. Utah rolled to a 24-3 halftime lead in Ames and won 31-17, but every other visitor has left with a loss. West Virginia fell 45-42 at Jack Trice Stadium, and then-No. 24 Oklahoma State got tripped up 51-49 in one of the wildest shootouts of the Big 12 season.
Cincinnati's Rushing Attack Poses a Threat
The Bearcats arrive at 5-4, one win shy of bowl eligibility after a 4-0 start that included handing No. 10 Texas Tech its only loss of the season. Since then, Cincinnati has dropped games to No. 2 Utah and No. 14 Houston, and the schedule has been brutal throughout. According to University of Cincinnati Athletics, the Bearcats have played the third-toughest schedule in the country to date, with opponents sporting a .685 winning percentage.
What Cincinnati does best is run the football. The Bearcats rank second in the Big 12 and tenth nationally in rushing at 221.9 yards per game, a ground game that Cyclone Fanatic identifies as the biggest reason Saturday's visitor remains dangerous despite the two-game skid.
Sports Illustrated described the Cincinnati offense as „boring“ but effective, built on establishing the run, making simple plays and hitting open receivers at short distances. It is not pretty football, Sports Illustrated noted, but it has gotten the job done, including the win over Texas Tech.
Raynor and Flora Give Cyclones Their Own Weapons
Iowa State quarterback Jaylen Raynor is not putting up the numbers he posted at Arkansas State last year, when he threw for 3,361 yards, but he has delivered in the big home wins over West Virginia and Oklahoma State. He has also contributed 337 yards on the ground.
The breakout star of the Cyclones' season is running back Aiden Flora. The 6-foot, 195-pound back barely saw the field against Cincinnati the past two seasons, but he has exploded for 1,156 rushing yards this year. He ran for 212 yards and threw two touchdown passes against West Virginia, then followed it up with 221 yards and two scores in the upset of Oklahoma State.
„When he hits the edge of the defense, he's going to go,“ Cincinnati coach Scott Satterfield said of Flora, according to Yahoo Sports. „This kid's one of the faster running backs in the country.“
„If he gets a little bit of space, he's going to have big, chunk gains,“ Satterfield added. „You have to have enough guys around the box to hold that run game down, or it'll be a long day.“
Injuries Could Shape the Bearcats' Lineup
Cincinnati limps into Ames after losing key offensive players in last week's game at Houston. Running back Cole Tabb left in the third quarter, and wide receiver JV Gibson was removed by stretcher just before the Bearcats tied the Cougars.
„The young guys are going to have to step up and play a little bit,“ Cincinnati quarterback JC French IV said.
Satterfield said Elijah Jones could see more work if Gibson cannot go, and Larenzo Fenner could move to the outside. Tabb and center Taran Tyo practiced during the week, offering some hope for a patched-up offense. French has been efficient under center all season, throwing just three interceptions, per Cyclone Fanatic.
A Series That Has Gone Back and Forth
Saturday marks the fourth meeting between the programs, with Iowa State holding a 2-1 edge. The Cyclones won 30-10 in Satterfield's first season as Cincinnati coach, then took the 2024 meeting 34-17 after holding Bearcats quarterback Brendan Sorsby to 66 yards passing.
Last season, Cincinnati turned the tables with its best win of the year, knocking off No. 14 Iowa State 38-30.
FAQ
What time does Iowa State play Cincinnati on Saturday?
Kickoff is 11 a.m. Central Time on Saturday, Nov. 14, at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames.
Why does this game matter for bowl eligibility?
Cincinnati needs one more win to reach six victories and bowl eligibility. Iowa State needs to win two of its final three games to reach a bowl after being picked to finish last in the Big 12 preseason media poll.
How good is Iowa State at home this season?
The Cyclones are 4-1 at Jack Trice Stadium, with the only home loss coming against undefeated Utah, 31-17.