The Cincinnati Bearcats and Iowa State Cyclones are set to meet in Week 11 of the 2026 college football season. The game will take place at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, IA, with kickoff scheduled for Saturday, November 14, at 12:00 PM. Fans can catch the action live on TNT. Cincinnati enters the game with a 5-4 record, having struggled on the road this season with an 0-3 away record. The Bearcats are coming off a loss to Houston, where they fell short despite a strong showing with 30 first downs. With a conference record of 2-4, they are looking to turn things around against a fellow Big 12 opponent. Iowa State holds a 4-5 overall record, demonstrating a strong performance at home with a 4-1 record at Jack Trice Stadium. In their last home game, the Cyclones secured a high-scoring victory over Oklahoma State. Both teams share a conference record of 2-4, making this a pivotal contest for Big 12 standings.

Iowa State vs Cincinnati At a Glance (Week 11)

  • Game Date: Saturday, November 14, 2026 at 12:00 PM (Afternoon Game)
  • Venue: Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, IA — Outdoor Field
  • TV Channel: TNT
  • Current Odds: Iowa State is favored with a moneyline of -154
  • Cincinnati's Season Record: 5-4 overall, 0-3 on the road
  • Iowa State's Home Record: 4-1

Can the Iowa State Cyclones Rebound at Home Against the Bearcats?

Offensive Overview

The Iowa State Cyclones have had a challenging 2026 season offensively, ranking 99th in passing yards with a total of 1803. Their rushing game, however, has been more effective, ranking 39th with 1630 yards. This dual approach will be critical as they prepare to face the Cincinnati Bearcats at home.

Quarterback Jaylen Raynor has been at the forefront, throwing for 1672 yards and 12 touchdowns. With a decent offensive line, Raynor's ability to execute plays and adapt under pressure will be key in securing a win.

Defensive Struggles

Iowa State's defense has been less than stellar, giving up 260 points this season, ranking 121st nationally. Despite these struggles, they have managed to secure 12 sacks and 3 interceptions, indicating potential for disruption.

The defense will need to step up against the Bearcats, focusing on maintaining pressure and forcing turnovers to keep the opposition in check. Their ability to recover fumbles, where they rank 5th nationally with 7 recoveries, could also play a significant role in the game's outcome.

Recent Performance

The Cyclones have had a mixed performance in their recent games, with a 2-3 record in their last five outings. Their most recent game saw them fall to the Baylor Bears 42-31, despite gaining more first downs and yards.

Notably, Iowa State's offensive performance in their home win against Oklahoma State, scoring 51 points, is a testament to their capability when everything clicks. Replicating that performance will be essential against Cincinnati.

Key Players to Watch

Aiden Flora, Iowa State's leading rusher, has been impressive, amassing 1119 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns. His ability to break through defenses will be crucial in establishing a ground game presence.

On the receiving end, Jamal Polite Jr. and Omari Hayes provide reliable targets, combining for over 595 receiving yards this season. Their chemistry with Raynor could be pivotal in exploiting Cincinnati's secondary.

Betting Trends

  • SU - As Favorite: Last 5 Games (2025–2026) → 5-0 (100.0%)
  • SU - Home Games: Last 19 Games (2024–2026) → 15-4 (78.9%)
  • O/U - Home Games: Last 4 Games (2026) → 4-0 (100.0%)
  • SU - After Loss: Last 5 Games (2025–2026) → 4-1 (80.0%)

Cincinnati Bearcats Prepare for Iowa State Cyclones Showdown

Quarterback Leadership

The Cincinnati Bearcats are led by quarterback JC French IV, who has been a consistent presence under center. With 243 passing attempts and 1990 yards this season, French IV has thrown 15 touchdowns against 3 interceptions. His performance will be pivotal as the Bearcats look to improve their offensive output.

Ground Game Dynamics

Running back Cole Tabb has been a significant contributor on the ground for the Bearcats, with 812 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns across nine games. However, Tabb's status is uncertain due to an undisclosed injury, which could impact Cincinnati's rushing attack.

Gi'Bran Payne and Zylan Perry provide depth at the running back position, with 556 and 180 rushing yards respectively. Their ability to step up in Tabb's potential absence could be crucial for Cincinnati's ground game.

Receiving Corps Overview

Wide receiver JV Gibson leads the team with 39 receptions and 515 receiving yards. Unfortunately, Gibson is listed as questionable, which may affect the passing game. Malachi Henry and Isaiah Johnson are next in line, with 16 and 28 receptions respectively, offering alternative targets for French IV.

Defense and Key Statistics

Cincinnati's defense has been effective at pressuring quarterbacks, ranking 19th nationally with 18 sacks this season. Additionally, their secondary has been opportunistic, recording six interceptions, which ranks them 7th in the nation.

Despite these strengths, the Bearcats have allowed 265 points against them, ranking 125th, indicating a need for improvement in reducing opponent scoring opportunities.

Injury Impact

Injuries have been a concern for Cincinnati, with key players such as Ty Goodwill out for the season and several others listed as questionable. The status of these players could play a crucial role in the Bearcats' ability to compete effectively against Iowa State.

Betting Trends

  • As Underdogs, Cincinnati has seen the over hit in 7 of their last 10 games.
  • In games with totals of 50 or more, the over is 5-2 in their last 7 games.
  • After a loss, they are 3-1 against the spread in their last 4 games.
  • Overall, the Bearcats are 12-8 straight up in their last 20 games.

Iowa State vs Cincinnati Week 11 Prediction: Iowa State -3

The Cincinnati Bearcats have struggled on the road this season, as evidenced by their 0-3 road record. Although their offense has been strong, ranking 31st in points scored, they have not been able to translate that success when traveling. Facing Iowa State in Ames presents another challenging road environment.

Iowa State has proven to be formidable at home, boasting a 4-1 record at Jack Trice Stadium. The Cyclones are coming off a disappointing loss to Baylor but have consistently bounced back strong, with a record of 4-1 after losses over the past two seasons. The home field advantage and their resilience make them a good pick against the spread.

While Cincinnati's defense has been effective at forcing turnovers, their high points allowed ranking (125th) is concerning. This gives Iowa State's offense opportunities to exploit Cincinnati's defensive weaknesses, especially with the Cyclones' home crowd support. This dynamic sets up favorably for Iowa State to cover the spread.

Given Iowa State's strong home performance and Cincinnati's road woes, the Cyclones should secure a win by more than the three-point spread. A projected final score of Iowa State 35 - Cincinnati 28 supports the pick of Iowa State -3.

  • Iowa State vs Cincinnati Prediction: Iowa State -3
  • Iowa State vs Cincinnati Score: Iowa State 35 - Cincinnati 28

Disclaimer: Knup Predictions are for entertainment and informational purposes only. Must be 21+ where applicable. Please gamble responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

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