West Virginia at Iowa State - 2026 Matchup Preview

West Virginia Mountaineers at Iowa State Cyclones

Saturday, October 3rd 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Jack Trice Stadium - Ames, IA (Big 12)

Mountaineers (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Rich Rodriguez (64 - 34)
Avg Score : 22 - 31 (21 - 34 on Road)
Record Prediction: 5 - 7 (#71)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 2) (Good: 4) (Avg: 3) (Bad: 2)

ISU 3rd straight Home Game
ISU is playing their 5th straight game
WVU is playing their 5th straight game
Our Line: Iowa State -9.5 (SP+ ISU -17)
Projected Score: WVU: 21 - ISU: 30 (51)
ISU Win prob: 79% | Cover: 55%
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: 6.9 - 5.1 (#49)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 4) (Avg: 3) (Bad: 3)

Matchup
Schedules
WVU Players
ISU Players
Stats
Run/Pass
Ratings
Scoring
History

West Virginia's 2026 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 9/5	West Virginia vs Coastal Carolina	-17
Sat 9/12	West Virginia vs UT Martin	-24
Sat 9/19	West Virginia vs Virginia	+8.5
Sat 9/26	West Virginia vs Oklahoma State	-5.5
Sat 10/3	West Virginia at Iowa State	+9.5
Sat 10/10	West Virginia vs Arizona	+6.5
Sat 10/17	West Virginia vs Cincinnati	-0
Sat 10/24	West Virginia at TCU	+11.5
	BYE WEEK
Sat 11/7	West Virginia at Texas Tech	+29.5
Sat 11/14	West Virginia vs Kansas	+1
Sat 11/21	West Virginia vs Houston	+5
Sat 11/28	West Virginia at Utah	+20

Total: Elite: 2, Good: 4, Avg 3, Bad 1, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 2, Good: 4, Avg 3, Bad 1, Poor 1
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for West Virginia's Schedule

Iowa State's 2026 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 9/5	Iowa State vs Southeast Missouri State	-31
Sat 9/12	Iowa State at Iowa	+12
Sat 9/19	Iowa State vs Bowling Green	-22.5
Sat 9/26	Iowa State vs Utah	+8
Sat 10/3	Iowa State vs West Virginia	-9.5
Sat 10/10	Iowa State at BYU	+12.5
	BYE WEEK
Sat 10/24	Iowa State at Arizona	+4.5
Sat 10/31	Iowa State vs Oklahoma State	-12.5
Sat 11/7	Iowa State at Baylor	-0.5
Sat 11/14	Iowa State vs Cincinnati	-7
Sat 11/21	Iowa State at UCF	-0.5
Sat 11/28	Iowa State vs Kansas State	-2

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 4, Avg 3, Bad 2, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 4, Avg 3, Bad 2, Poor 1
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Iowa State's Schedule

Important Stats (2025)

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
WVU	#118 (.07)	37% (121)	21.8	39% (113)	2.66 (118)	161	34% (130)	189	3.53 (86)	#63 (.16)	40% (54)	30.8	39% (36)	43% (80)	3.9 (91)	56	1.5	1.7
ISU	#60 (.19)	45% (43)	27.4	46% (45)	3 (59)	174	44% (43)	221	3.54 (85)	#32 (.09)	39% (43)	20.2	40% (42)	40% (53)	3.06 (20)	40	1.2	1.5

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
WVU		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0
ISU		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0

Overall Stats 2025

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
WVU Offense	12	21.8	20.8	36.8%	3.53	1.5	19	350	161	189	3.7	57%	42%	39%	34%	16%	.07
ISU Defense	12	20.2	18.8	39.4%	3.06	1.5	-	-	-	-	-	47%	50%	40%	40%	17%	.09

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
WVU Defense	12	30.8	33.5	40.5%	3.9	1.7	-	-	-	-	-	49%	49%	39%	43%	18%	.16
ISU Offense	12	27.4	32.3	44.7%	3.54	1.2	21	396	174	221	4.4	54%	45%	46%	44%	15%	.19

Additional Stats 2025

Teams	Games	Possession Time	1st Downs PG	3rd Down %	4th Down %	Penalties PG	Penalty Yds PG	Off TO PG	Def TO PG	TFL PG	Sacks PG	D/ST TDs	Avg Field Pos
West Virginia	12	26:18	18.8	30%	45%	5.8	56	1.5	1.7	6.7	2.4	1	28.3
Iowa State	12	31:34	21.1	40%	68%	4.6	40	1.2	1.5	5	1.1	1	29.9

Run Game Stats (2026)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
WVU Offense	12	57% (20)	39% (113)	43.6	160.7	3.7	22 (36)	-.02 (126)	2.66 (118)	62% (121)	10% (103)	0.89 (101)
ISU Defense	12	47% (42)	40% (42)	-	-	-	-	.01 (17)	2.79 (49)	70% (56)	10% (65)	0.83 (11)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
WVU Defense	12	49% (60)	39% (36)	-	-	-	-	.02 (25)	2.42 (8)	73% (80)	12% (12)	0.95 (64)
ISU Offense	12	54% (35)	46% (45)	39.8	174.2	4.4	23 (30)	.15 (48)	3 (59)	69% (90)	8% (36)	0.93 (82)

Pass Game Stats (2026)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
WVU Offense	12	42% (116)	34% (130)	16	27.3	188.9	6.9	11.8	10 (128)	11 (88)	.2 (99)	1.7 (24)	30% (53)	26% (116)	.21 (99)	6% (55)	2.1 (52)
ISU Defense	12	50% (92)	40% (53)	-	-	-	-	-	-	11 (38)	.24 (67)	1.6 (74)	33% (45)	29% (62)	.23 (47)	7% (28)	1.7 (3)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
WVU Defense	12	49% (82)	43% (80)	-	-	-	-	-	-	11 (22)	.33 (104)	1.7 (125)	34% (27)	33% (112)	.42 (121)	6% (69)	2.1 (110)
ISU Offense	12	45% (101)	44% (43)	17.5	28.8	221.4	7.7	12.7	16 (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: 7.47 #49
West Virginia's Offense Rating: 14.78 #59
West Virginia's Defense Rating: 12.31 #45
2026 Talent Rating: 926.00 #27
Blue Chip Ratio: 3% #64
West Virginia's 2026 Expected Record: 5.0 - 7.0
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 824
Average Power Five Talent: 910.69
Average FBS Talent: 728.9

Power Ratings Matchup
West Virginia: 7.47 Iowa State: 9.84

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

Iowa State's Power Ratings
Iowa State's Power Rating: 9.84 #57
Iowa State's Offense Rating: 11.71 #79
Iowa State's Defense Rating: 11.93 #42
2026 Talent Rating: 752.00 #68
Blue Chip Ratio: 0 #103
Iowa State's 2026 Expected Record: 6.9 - 5.1
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 824
Average Power Five Talent: 910.69
Average FBS Talent: 728.9

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

Year	Date	Home	Score	Away	Score	Spread	Cover	Total	O/U
2024	10/12	West Virginia	16	Iowa State	28	Iowa State -3	Iowa State	54.0	Under
2022	11/05	Iowa State	31	West Virginia	14	Iowa State -6.5	Iowa State	49.5	Under
2021	10/30	West Virginia	38	Iowa State	31	Iowa State -7.5	West Virginia	49.0	Over
2020	12/05	Iowa State	42	West Virginia	6	Iowa State -5.5	Iowa State	47.5	Over
2019	10/12	West Virginia	14	Iowa State	38	Iowa State -9	Iowa State	55.0	Under
2018	10/13	Iowa State	30	West Virginia	14	West Virginia -4	Iowa State	54.5	Under
2017	11/04	West Virginia	20	Iowa State	16	West Virginia -3.5	West Virginia	59.5	Under
2016	11/26	Iowa State	19	West Virginia	49	West Virginia -9	West Virginia	60.5	Over
2015	11/28	West Virginia	30	Iowa State	6	West Virginia -13.5	West Virginia	57.5	Under
2014	11/29	Iowa State	24	West Virginia	37	West Virginia -13	NA	0
2013	11/30	West Virginia	44	Iowa State	52	West Virginia -7.5	Iowa State	0
2012	11/23	Iowa State	24	West Virginia	31

Team	Wins	Covers	O/U
Iowa State	6	6	3 Overs
West Virginia	6	4	6 Unders

	Wins	Covers	Favs	Dogs
Home Teams	6 - 6	6 - 4	4 - 1	2 - 3
Road Teams	6 - 6	4 - 6	3 - 2	1 - 4

(#49) WVU at (#57) ISU

Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCat	WVU	ISU
Net PPPPPP	NR	NR
Power RatePwr	#49	#57
SP+SP+	#93	#33
Perf GradeGrade	NR	NR
OffenseOff	NR	NR
DefenseDef	NR	NR
Spec TeamsST	NR	NR
TalentTal	#27	#68
Blue ChipsBC%	#64	#103

West Virginia Notes(2/17) Vibes: Eers love RichRod, portals provide hope
(1/29) 2nd year staff brought in 80 new players
(1/29) QB Fox back, Hawkins (OU) in to challenge QB1
(1/29) RB Cam Cook brings 1.6K yds & 16 TDs. Huge add
(1/29) WR adds are OK, not great. 6 Fr need to contribute
(1/29) OL 4 portal starters added. #2 most exp'd OLine
(1/29) DL is thin and lacks dudes. Glaring weakness
(1/29) LB added 3 portal starters + 3 more w good exp
(1/29) DBs same. Added exp but G5 avg players.
(1/29) Should improve TY but limited ceiling w this talent
West Virginia Injury Report

Iowa State Notes(2/17) Vibes: OK for a team w new staff, 70 new players
(2/10) 13 portal starters tops in CFB, 13 exp'd depth too
(2/9) OC Roehl recently NFL, was NDSU's OC for 4 yrs
(2/9) HC Rogers at Wazzu for 1 year, SDSU previously
(2/9) QB Raynor (Ark St) decent, mobile, must limit TOs
(2/9) RBs are pretty green and young. Unclear
(2/9) WR built by 5 portals, most G5. Hayes (Tul) good
(2/9) OL 10 portals. Most exp'd are G5s. TBD
(2/9) Def 24 portals. DBs look good. Need more info
Iowa State Injury Report

West Virginia on Offense

Run heavy Offense 57%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat	WVU Off	ISU Def
PPPOffPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	NR	NR
SuccessSuc	#121	#43
ExplosiveExp	#79	#51
PPAPPA	#118	#32
PowerPwr	#59	#42
SP+SP+	#102	#25
Pts POPPO	#86	#20
HavocHav	#80	#46

West Virginia Run Game

Run heavy Offense 57%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat	WVU Off	ISU Def
Run GameRun	NR	NR
Run SuccessRSuc	#113	#42
Run ExplRExp	#101	#11
PPAExp	#126	#17
Run BlockR Blk	NR	-
OL YdsOLY	#118	#49
Stuff RateStuff	#104	#36
TackleTak	-	NR

West Virginia Pass Game

Run heavy Offense 57%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat	WVU Off	ISU Def
Pass GamePass	NR	NR
Pass SuccessPSuc	#130	#53
Pass ExplPExl	#24	#74
PPAExp	#99	#67
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk	NR	NR
F7 HavocF7	#103	#65
DB HavocDB	#55	#28

Iowa State on Offense

Balanced offense, Pass: 45%, Run: 54%
CategoryCat	ISU Off	WVU Def
PPPDefPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	NR	NR
SuccessSuc	#43	#54
ExplosiveExp	#92	#125
PPAPPA	#60	#63
PowerPwr	#79	#45
SP+SP+	#63	#91
Pts POPPO	#85	#91
HavocHav	#54	#26

Iowa State Run Game

Balanced offense, Pass: 45%, Run: 54%
CategoryCat	ISU Off	WVU Def
Run GameRun	NR	NR
Run SuccessRSuc	#45	#36
Run ExplRExp	#82	#64
PPAExp	#48	#25
Run BlockR Blk	NR	-
OL YdsOLY	#59	#8
Stuff RateStuff	#57	#18
TackleTak	-	NR

Iowa State Pass Game

Balanced offense, Pass: 45%, Run: 54%
CategoryCat	ISU Off	WVU Def
Pass GamePass	NR	NR
Pass SuccessPSuc	#43	#80
Pass ExplPExl	#55	#125
PPAExp	#52	#104
Pass Block/RushP Blk	NR	NR
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 second season)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Scotty Fox Jr.	101	170	59%	1276	7	6	7.5
Michael Hawkins Jr. (Tr)	15	27	56%	167	3	0	6.2

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Cam Cook (Tr)	296	1666	16	5.6	73
Scotty Fox Jr.	84	201	3	2.4	59
Michael Hawkins Jr. (Tr)	15	58	1	3.9	27
Armoni Weaver	1	29	0	29.0	29

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
DJ Epps (Tr)	46	498	5	10.8	48
John Neider (Tr)	27	422	2	15.6	45
Cam Cook (Tr)	30	286	0	9.5	54
Josh Sapp (Tr)	11	150	0	13.6	32

View West Virginia's Full Roster

WVU's DC Zac Alley (in his second season)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Tyler Stolsky (Tr)	86	2	1	1	2
Kamari Wilson (Tr)	78	7	1	1	4
Andrew Powdrell (Tr)	63	2	0	2	5
Jaire Rawlison (Tr)	52	2	1	0	6

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Ezekiel Durham-Campbell (Tr)	40	8	6	8	1
David Afogho (Tr)	37	4	3	6	1
Harper Holloman (Tr)	39	6	2	6	4
Jason Hall (Tr)	13	2	1	0	0

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Jaire Rawlison (Tr)	52	2	1	0	6
Andrew Powdrell (Tr)	63	2	0	2	5
Harper Holloman (Tr)	39	6	2	6	4

ISU's OC Tyler Roehl (in his first season)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Jaylen Raynor (Tr)	332	500	66%	3364	19	11	6.7
Zane Flores (Tr)	155	262	59%	1454	3	7	5.5

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Jaylen Raynor (Tr)	154	428	7	2.8	42
Cameron Pettaway (Tr)	72	365	0	5.1	34
Zane Flores (Tr)	52	117	2	2.3	27
Salahadin Allah (Tr)	19	71	0	3.7	16

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Cody Jackson (Tr)	53	799	6	15.1	60
Omari Hayes (Tr)	39	515	1	13.2	42
Tyler Fortenberry (Tr)	32	294	2	9.2	28
Carter Pabst (Tr)	9	168	1	18.7	43

View Iowa State's Full Roster

ISU's DC Jesse Bobbit (in his first season)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Malcolm Jones (Tr)	51	5	3	1	0
Sullivan Schlimgen (Tr)	49	2	0	1	0
Braden Awls (Tr)	48	7	1	0	4
Key'on Washington	37	2	1	0	3

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Isaac Terrell (Tr)	28	12	7	6	1
Malcolm Jones (Tr)	51	5	3	1	0
Malaki Ta'ase (Tr)	17	4	3	3	2
Bryson Lamb (Tr)	25	4	2	3	2

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Braden Awls (Tr)	48	7	1	0	4
Key'on Washington	37	2	1	0	3
Seth Johnson (Tr)	7	0	0	1	2