Iowa vs. Iowa State live stream, where to watch, TV channel, odds, spread, prediction, pick

No. 21 Iowa vs. Iowa State is a beautiful rivalry. Fans have already started calling each other names on social media, and have probably been doing so since the 2023 season ended. The Cy-Hawk Trophy the two teams are playing for is sponsored by Iowa Corn. That's perfect. It's reliable in an era when few things related to college football are worth it. That doesn't need to change.

Although Iowa has historically dominated the series, leading 47-23 over the years, Iowa State has made it closer of late. The Cyclones won a 10-7 slugfest in 2022, ending a six-game losing streak against their in-state rival. Iowa reclaimed the throne last season, earning its eighth win in the last 10 Cy Hawks games, but the margins are getting smaller. Six games in that span have been decided by just one possession. And Iowa State won the last time this game was played in Iowa City two years ago.

In fact, all three of the Cyclones' victories in the series have come on Iowa's home soil, which may bode well for Iowa State as it looks to make a splash in the Big 12 this year. Additionally, neither team has scored more than 30 points since Iowa won a thrilling 44-41 overtime thriller in 2017.

How to watch Iowa vs Iowa State live

Date: Saturday, September 7 | Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Kinnick Stadium – Iowa City, Iowa

TV: CBS | Live stream: CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App (free)

Streaming on Paramount+ with Showtime (free trial)

Iowa vs. Iowa State: What you need to know

Iowa’s offense could be back: It was a small sample size against an inferior team, but Iowa's offense appeared to have improved in Week 1 — at least after a slow first half. The Hawkeyes scored 30 points in the second half of a 40-0 victory over Illinois State and threw three touchdowns in a single game for the first time since 2021. They had their best yardage total since 2019. Freshman wide receiver Reece Vander Zee had two touchdowns, more than any Iowa wideout has had in a single season since 2022. Iowa State offers much stiffer competition, but it was a good debut for new offensive coordinator Tim Lester.

Rocco Becht enters the big stage: This won't be Becht's first Cy Hawk game, but it certainly could be the biggest. Maybe it's the overall quality of quarterbacks in the Big 12, but Becht has largely flown under the radar despite his great first 14 games as Iowa State's starter. He was the 2023 Big 12 Freshman of the Year after completing 231 passes for 3,120 yards and 23 touchdowns — all freshman records at ISU. He kept the momentum going in the 2024 season opener against North Dakota, completing 20 of his 26 passes for 267 yards and two touchdowns. A great performance against Iowa would definitely open some eyes.

Don’t forget the defense: It would be disrespectful to Iowa State if we didn't at least put the spotlight on defense. Both Iowa and Iowa State pride themselves on their ability to smother an opponent. The Hawkeyes finished in the top five nationally in both total defense and scoring defense last season, while the Cyclones ranked in the top three in the Big 12 in both categories. The two allowed a total of three points and 484 yards of offense in their respective 2024 season openers, albeit against FCS opponents.

Iowa vs. Iowa State Prediction, Tips

On paper, these two teams seem pretty evenly matched, but Iowa has one glaring advantage: the running game. Hawkeyes backs Kaleb Johnson and Kamari Moulton combined for 185 yards in the Week 1 win over Southern Illinois. Iowa State allowed 174 yards against North Dakota while rushing for just 86 yards. Iowa also has a strong secondary that should be able to at least limit the Cyclones' passing attack and take some of the explosiveness away from receivers like Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins. As long as the Hawkeyes can avoid glaring mistakes, they have a good chance of winning a close game. Selection: Iowa -3 (-115)

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