Iowa State Cyclones is 3-4 on the season, 2-4-1 against the spread, and holds a power rating of +3.9. Iowa State Cyclones is 3-4 on the season, with no single factor standing out strongly in the current data. The Iowa State Cyclones host Oklahoma State next in Week 9.
In Week 8 of 2026 the Iowa State Cyclones Power Rating of +3.9 is 3.9 points above the FBS average according to Blue Chip Analytics. Iowa State Cyclones have logged 4,446 miles of travel so far, out of a season total of 8,255 miles, ranking 53rd heaviest in the FBS.
Jaylen Raynor QB, Aiden Flora RB, Cameron Pettaway RB, Dominic Overby WR, Omari Hayes WR, Cody Jackson WR, Jake Taylor OL, Colin Amick OL, Braden Smith OL
Zaimir Hawk DL, Jace J. Gilbert DL, Carson Willich LB, David Coffey CB, Drew Surges S, Sullivan Schlimgen LB, Max Baloun DL, Isaac Terrell DL, Malaki Ta'ase DL, Duhron Goodman S, Trillion Sorrell CB
Kyle Konrardy K, Ethan Gurney P
| After | Record | ATS | O/U |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 0 | 1-0 | 1-0 | 0-1 |
| Week 1 | 2-0 | 2-0 | 1-1 |
| Week 2 | 3-0 | 3-0 | 1-1 |
| Week 3 | 4-0 | 3-1 | 1-2 |
| Week 5 | 5-0 | 4-1 | 2-2 |
| Week 6 | 5-1 | 4-2 | 3-2 |
| Week 7 | 5-2 | 4-3 | 3-3 |
| Week 9 | 5-3 | 4-4 | 4-3 |
| Week 10 | 5-4 | 4-5 | 4-4 |
| Week 11 | 6-4 | 5-5 | 4-5 |
| Week 13 | 7-4 | 6-5 | 4-6 |
| Week 14 | 8-4 | 6-6 | 4-7 |
A season record is a record, not a forecast. Blue Chip Analytics' own research finds that beating the closing line repeats at close to zero from one season to the next - see most underrated and overrated teams. Read the table as what happened, not as what is likely to happen next.
Opened +5.2 in the preseason and finished +3.9 after week 8, a move of -1.2 points. High +7.3 (week 4), low +3.9 (week 8).
PreW8
SP+ is an independent opponent-adjusted efficiency rating, one of the systems blended into the Blue Chip Analytics power rating rather than a Blue Chip Analytics number itself. Defensive SP+ measures points allowed, so a lower figure is a better defence - the rank beside it already accounts for that.
Source spread is how far apart the independent rating systems are on this team, not a margin of error on our own number. A wide spread means the models disagree, which is itself worth knowing.
The measured and applied home field advantage agree to within 0.8 points here, so smoothing changes little for this venue.
| Opponent | Met | Record | ATS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southeast Missouri State | 1 | 1-0 | 0-1 |
| Iowa | 9 | 3-6 | 5-4 |
| Utah | 1 | 1-0 | 0-1 |
| West Virginia | 8 | 5-3 | 5-3 |
| BYU | 2 | 1-1 | 1-1 |
| Arizona | 1 | 1-0 | 1-0 |
| Oklahoma State | 9 | 4-5 | 4-4-1 |
| Baylor | 9 | 5-4 | 4-5 |
| Cincinnati | 3 | 2-1 | 2-1 |
| UCF | 1 | 1-0 | 0-1 |
| Kansas State | 10 | 6-4 | 7-2-1 |
No meeting on record since 2016: Bowling Green.
Week 08,255 mi total
| Week | Opponent | Distance | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 0 | - | Bye | |
| Week 1 | Southeast Missouri State | Home | 0 mi |
| Week 2 | Iowa | 110 mi | 221 mi |
| Week 3 | Bowling Green | Home | 221 mi |
| Week 4 | Utah | Home | 221 mi |
| Week 5 | West Virginia | Home | 221 mi |
| Week 6 | BYU | 946 mi | 2,113 mi |
| Week 7 | - | Bye | |
| Week 8 | Arizona | 1,167 mi | 4,446 mi |
| Week 9 | Oklahoma State | Home | 4,446 mi |
| Week 10 | Baylor | 746 mi | 5,938 mi |
| Week 11 | Cincinnati | Home | 5,938 mi |
| Week 12 | UCF | 1,159 mi | 8,255 mi |
| Week 13 | Kansas State | Home | 8,255 mi |
| Week 14 | - | Bye | |
| Week 15 | - | Bye | |
| Week 16 | - | Bye | |
| Postseason | - | Bye | |
Iowa State entered 2026 with a new head coach in Jimmy Rogers, who took over after Matt Campbell left for Penn State, and a roster that was almost completely turned over. More than 50 players exited via the transfer portal, including 16 starters, and 24 followed Campbell to Penn State. Rogers brought in over 45 transfers, making this one of the most overhauled teams in the country. The result is a team still searching for an identity through six games, sitting at 3-3 overall and 1-2 in Big 12 play.
Running back Aiden Flora, a former walk-on who was put on scholarship in January, has been the offense's most consistent and explosive weapon. He ran for a career-high 194 yards (179 in the first half) and returned a punt 66 yards for a touchdown in a 55-7 win over Bowling Green, then topped that with 212 rushing yards and three touchdowns plus two halfback touchdown passes in a 45-42 win over West Virginia. His five-touchdown performance against the Mountaineers included the game-winning 2-yard run with 1:57 left. Flora's versatility as a runner, receiver, and passer gives Iowa State a dynamic threat that defenses must account for on every snap.
Quarterback Jaylen Raynor, a transfer from Arkansas State with 33 career starts, has shown flashes but has not yet consistently stretched defenses. He threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more in the opener against Southeast Missouri State, but completed only 8 of 16 passes for 184 yards. Against Iowa and Utah, the passing game was largely conservative, and in a 24-10 loss at BYU, Raynor managed just 98 yards through the air as the offense totaled only 200 yards, its lowest output since 2018. The rebuilt offensive line, featuring transfers Jake Taylor, Colin Amick, and Braden Smith, has struggled to open running lanes against quality fronts, forcing Raynor into obvious passing situations. For the offense to reach its ceiling, Raynor must become more of a playmaker and the line must prove it can hold up against Big 12 defenses.
The Cyclones' defense, coordinated by Jesse Bobbit, has been dominant against lesser competition. They held Southeast Missouri State to 209 total yards and 67 rushing yards, forced three takeaways, and recorded six sacks, including three from Isaac Terrell in his debut. Against winless Bowling Green, they allowed just seven points. However, against the two competent Power Four offenses they have faced, the results were mixed: Iowa scored only 16 points but moved the ball enough to win, while Utah put up 31 points and 412 total yards in Ames. BYU then racked up 506 total yards in a 24-10 win. The transfer-heavy front seven, which includes returnees like Zaimir Hawk, Jace J. Gilbert, and Carson Willich, must prove it can hold up against the better offenses on the schedule.
Kicker Kyle Konrardy is one of the nation's best, and the return game is among the most dangerous in the country. Cameron Pettaway, a transfer from Bowling Green, led the nation in kickoff return average in 2025 and already has a 100-yard kick return for a touchdown against his former team. Aiden Flora averaged 26.1 yards per punt return last season with a touchdown and added a 66-yard punt return score against the Falcons. In a season where the offense has been inconsistent, special teams have consistently provided hidden yardage and scoring chances, and they will remain a key advantage in close games down the stretch.
Iowa State Cyclones is 2-4-1 against the spread in the 2026 season, covering 33% of games.
Iowa State Cyclones holds a Blue Chip Analytics power rating of +3.9, representing their expected point margin against an average FBS team on a neutral field.
Iowa State Cyclones's home field advantage rating is 2.9 points, the venue adjustment Blue Chip Analytics applies for games at their home stadium.
Iowa State Cyclones's consensus regular-season win total for 2026 is 4.5 wins, priced at -160 over and +130 under. This is the betting market's expectation, not a Blue Chip Analytics projection.
Iowa State Cyclones travels 8,255 miles in the 2026 season, ranking 53rd heaviest in the FBS.
Cumulative travel distance counts both the outbound and return journey for every away game. For example, if a team travels 374 miles to play an away game, Blue Chip Analytics counts 748 miles (374 miles there, 374 miles back) toward the cumulative total. Home games and bye weeks add zero miles. The per-week Distance column shows the one-way distance only, as the return trip happens after the game is played.
Iowa State Cyclones: 3-4 overall, 2-4-1 ATS, power rating +3.9 (2026 records).
