West Virginia at Iowa State - 2026 Matchup Preview
West Virginia logo West Virginia Mountaineers at Iowa State CyclonesIowa State logo
Saturday, October 3rd 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Jack Trice Stadium - Ames, IA

 
Mountaineers (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Rich Rodriguez (64 - 34)
Avg Score : 22 - 31 (21 - 34 on Road)
Record Prediction: 4 - 8 (#96)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
ISU 3rd straight Home Game
ISU is playing their 5th straight game
WVU is playing their 5th straight game
Our Line: Iowa State -9  (SP+ ISU -17)
Projected Score: WVU: 21 - ISU: 30 (51)
ISU Win prob: 74% | Cover: 48%
WVU Travel: 733 miles, 1 hrs ahead
Cyclones (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Jimmy Rogers (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 27 - 20 (32 - 19 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 8 - 4 (#53)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
West Virginia's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 West Virginia vs Coastal Carolina-18
Sat 9/12 West Virginia vs UT Martin-21
Sat 9/19 West Virginia vs Virginia+8
Sat 9/26 West Virginia vs Oklahoma State-8.5
Sat 10/3 West Virginia at Iowa State+9
Sat 10/10 West Virginia vs Arizona+8
Sat 10/17 West Virginia vs Cincinnati+3.5
Sat 10/24 West Virginia at TCU+13
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/7 West Virginia at Texas Tech+31.5
Sat 11/14 West Virginia vs Kansas+1.5
Sat 11/21 West Virginia vs Houston+6.5
Sat 11/28 West Virginia at Utah+21.5

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for West Virginia's Schedule
Iowa State's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Iowa State vs Southeast Missouri State-28
Sat 9/12 Iowa State at Iowa+12
Sat 9/19 Iowa State vs Bowling Green-21
Sat 9/26 Iowa State vs Utah+10
Sat 10/3 Iowa State vs West Virginia-9
Sat 10/10 Iowa State at BYU+13.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/24 Iowa State at Arizona+6.5
Sat 10/31 Iowa State vs Oklahoma State-15
Sat 11/7 Iowa State at Baylor+0.5
Sat 11/14 Iowa State vs Cincinnati-3
Sat 11/21 Iowa State at UCF-4
Sat 11/28 Iowa State vs Kansas State-0.5

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Iowa State's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
WVU#118 (.07)37% (121)21.839% (113)2.66 (118)16134% (130)1893.53 (86)#63 (.16)40% (54)30.839% (36)43% (80)3.9 (91)561.51.7
ISU#60 (.19)45% (43)27.446% (45)3 (59)17444% (43)2213.54 (85)#32 (.09)39% (43)20.240% (42)40% (53)3.06 (20)401.21.5
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
WVU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
ISU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
WVU Offense1221.820.836.8%3.531.5193501611893.757%42%39%34%16%.07
ISU Defense1220.218.839.4%3.061.5 - - - - - 47%50%40%40%17%.09
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
WVU Defense1230.833.540.5%3.91.7 - - - - - 49%49%39%43%18%.16
ISU Offense1227.432.344.7%3.541.2213961742214.454%45%46%44%15%.19

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
West Virginia1226:1818.830%45%5.8561.51.76.72.4128.3
Iowa State1231:3421.140%68%4.6401.21.551.1129.9
Run Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
WVU Offense1257% (20)39% (113)43.6160.73.722 (36)-.02 (126)2.66 (118)62% (121)10% (103)0.89 (101)
ISU Defense1247% (42)40% (42) - - - - .01 (17)2.79 (49)70% (56)10% (65)0.83 (11)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
WVU Defense1249% (60)39% (36) - - - - .02 (25)2.42 (8)73% (80)12% (12)0.95 (64)
ISU Offense1254% (35)46% (45)39.8174.24.423 (30).15 (48)3 (59)69% (90)8% (36)0.93 (82)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
WVU Offense1242% (116)34% (130)1627.3188.96.911.810 (128)11 (88).2 (99)1.7 (24)30% (53)26% (116).21 (99)6% (55)2.1 (52)
ISU Defense1250% (92)40% (53) - - - - - - 11 (38).24 (67)1.6 (74)33% (45)29% (62).23 (47)7% (28)1.7 (3)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
WVU Defense1249% (82)43% (80) - - - - - - 11 (22).33 (104)1.7 (125)34% (27)33% (112).42 (121)6% (69)2.1 (110)
ISU Offense1245% (101)44% (43)17.528.8221.47.712.716 (86)9 (20).29 (52)1.6 (55)30% (48)31% (68).21 (100)6% (81)2.1 (42)

West Virginia's Power Ratings
West Virginia's Power Rating: 2.11  #56
West Virginia's Offense Rating: 10.34  #69
West Virginia's Defense Rating: 13.23  #40
2026 Talent Rating: 902.00  #26
Blue Chip Ratio: 4%  #56
West Virginia's 2026 Expected Record: 4.0 - 8.0
West Virginia's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -6.8  #93
West Virginia's Offense SP+ Rating: 22.8  #102
West Virginia's Defense SP+ Rating: 30.0  #91

Average Talent
Average Big 12 Talent Rating is 796.63
Average Power Five Talent: 883.28
Average FBS Talent: 705.75

Power Ratings Matchup
West Virginia: 2.11   Iowa State: 6.8

SP+ Ratings Matchup
West Virginia: -6.8   Iowa State: 9.9




Iowa State's Power Ratings
Iowa State's Power Rating: 6.8  #64
Iowa State's Offense Rating: 8.25  #83
Iowa State's Defense Rating: 14.55  #51
2026 Talent Rating: 722.00  #70
Blue Chip Ratio: 3  #65
Iowa State's 2026 Expected Record: 8.0 - 4.0
Iowa State's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 9.9  #33
Iowa State's Offense SP+ Rating: 28.1  #63
Iowa State's Defense SP+ Rating: 19.5  #25

Average Talent
Average Big 12 Talent Rating is 796.63
Average Power Five Talent: 883.28
Average FBS Talent: 705.75


West Virginia Scoring
Offense: 21.8 PPG
Offense on Road: 20.8
Defense: 30.8 PPG
Defense on Road: 33.5

West Virginia's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Iowa State 30
West Virginia 21

Projected Total Points: 51
Iowa State Scoring
Offense: 27.4 PPG
Offense at Home: 32.3
Defense: 20.2 PPG
Defense at Home: 18.8

Iowa State's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202410/12West Virginia16Iowa State28Iowa State -3Iowa State54.0Under
202211/05Iowa State31West Virginia14Iowa State -6.5Iowa State49.5Under
202110/30West Virginia38Iowa State31Iowa State -7.5West Virginia49.0Over
202012/05Iowa State42West Virginia6Iowa State -5.5Iowa State47.5Over
201910/12West Virginia14Iowa State38Iowa State -9Iowa State55.0Under
201810/13Iowa State30West Virginia14West Virginia -4Iowa State54.5Under
201711/04West Virginia20Iowa State16West Virginia -3.5West Virginia59.5Under
201611/26Iowa State19West Virginia49West Virginia -9West Virginia60.5Over
201511/28West Virginia30Iowa State6West Virginia -13.5West Virginia57.5Under
201411/29Iowa State24West Virginia37West Virginia -13NA0
201311/30West Virginia44Iowa State52West Virginia -7.5Iowa State0
201211/23Iowa State24West Virginia31
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Iowa State663 Overs
West Virginia646 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams6 - 66 - 44 - 12 - 3
Road Teams6 - 64 - 63 - 21 - 4

(#56) WVU at (#64) ISU
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatWVUISU
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #56 #64
SP+SP+ #93 #33
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #26 #70
Blue ChipsBC% #56 #65
West Virginia on Offense
Run heavy Offense 57%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat
WVU OffISU Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #121 #43
ExplosiveExp #79 #51
PPAPPA #118 #32
PowerPwr #69 #51
SP+SP+ #102 #25
Pts POPPO #86 #20
HavocHav #80 #46
West Virginia Run Game
Run heavy Offense 57%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat
WVU OffISU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #113 #42
Run ExplRExp #101 #11
PPAExp #126 #17
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #118 #49
Stuff RateStuff #104 #36
TackleTak - NR
West Virginia Pass Game
Run heavy Offense 57%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat
WVU OffISU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #130 #53
Pass ExplPExl #24 #74
PPAExp #99 #67
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #103 #65
DB HavocDB #55 #28
Iowa State on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 45%, Run: 54%
CategoryCatISU OffWVU Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #43 #54
ExplosiveExp #92 #125
PPAPPA #60 #63
PowerPwr #83 #40
SP+SP+ #63 #91
Pts POPPO #85 #91
HavocHav #54 #26
Iowa State Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 45%, Run: 54%
CategoryCat
ISU OffWVU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #45 #36
Run ExplRExp #82 #64
PPAExp #48 #25
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #59 #8
Stuff RateStuff #57 #18
TackleTak - NR
Iowa State Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 45%, Run: 54%
CategoryCatISU OffWVU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #43 #80
Pass ExplPExl #55 #125
PPAExp #52 #104
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #36 #12
DB HavocDB #81 #69
Program Comparison
ISU 5 Year Profile: Consistent Average P4
'26 Profile: Remains Average P4

WVU 5 Year Profile: Declining Top G5
'26 Profile: Down to Average G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Jack Trice Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
Iowa State beat West Virginia in 2024 (28-16)

  
WVU's OC Rich Rodriguez (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Scotty Fox Jr.10117059%1276767.5
Michael Hawkins Jr. (Tr)152756%167306.2
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Cam Cook (Tr)2961666165.673
Scotty Fox Jr.8420132.459
Michael Hawkins Jr. (Tr)155813.927
Armoni Weaver129029.029
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
DJ Epps (Tr)46498510.848
John Neider (Tr)27422215.645
Cam Cook (Tr)3028609.554
Josh Sapp (Tr)11150013.632

View West Virginia's Full Roster

WVU's DC Zac Alley (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Tyler Stolsky (Tr)862112
Kamari Wilson (Tr)787114
Fred Perry7810323
Andrew Powdrell (Tr)632025
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Fred Perry7810323
David Afogho (Tr)374361
Harper Holloman (Tr)396264
Tyler Stolsky (Tr)862112
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jaire Rawlison (Tr)522106
Andrew Powdrell (Tr)632025
Harper Holloman (Tr)396264

ISU's OC Tyler Roehl (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Jaylen Raynor (Tr)33250066%336419116.7
Zane Flores (Tr)15526259%1454375.5
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Jaylen Raynor (Tr)15442872.842
Cameron Pettaway (Tr)7236505.134
Zane Flores (Tr)5211722.327
Salahadin Allah (Tr)197103.716
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Cody Jackson (Tr)53799615.160
Omari Hayes (Tr)39515113.242
Tyler Fortenberry (Tr)3229429.228
Carter Pabst (Tr)9168118.743

View Iowa State's Full Roster

ISU's DC Jesse Bobbit (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Malcolm Jones (Tr)515310
Sullivan Schlimgen (Tr)492010
Braden Awls (Tr)487104
Key'on Washington372103
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Isaac Terrell (Tr)2812761
Malcolm Jones (Tr)515310
Malaki Ta'ase (Tr)174332
Bryson Lamb (Tr)254232
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Braden Awls (Tr)487104
Key'on Washington372103
Seth Johnson (Tr)70012