Utah vs Iowa State Prediction, Pick, College Football Odds for Saturday, September 26

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The Utah Utes take on the Iowa State Cyclones in Ames, Iowa. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX.

Utah is favored by -8 points on the spread with a moneyline of -350. The total is set at 48.5 points.

Here’s my Utah vs. Iowa State prediction and college football pick for Saturday, September 26, 2026.

My Iowa State vs. Utah best bet is on the Cyclones to cover the spread. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.

Utah vs Iowa State Odds

• Utah vs Iowa State point spread: Utah -8 (-110), Iowa State +8 (-110)
• Utah vs Iowa State over/under: 48.5 (-108o / -115u)
• Utah vs Iowa State moneyline: Utah -350, Iowa State +270

Utah enters Week 4 in line with where many probably expected them to be. Undefeated, nationally ranked, and among the core group of contenders in the Big 12.

The Utes handled Idaho, Arkansas, and Utah State by a combined score of 142-24 in non-conference play, and have looked like one of the league’s most complete teams through the first three weeks.

Offensively, things start with quarterback Devon Dampier, who has completed 71.6% of his passes for 690 yards, seven touchdowns, and one interception while adding 114 rushing yards and two scores on the ground.

Braden Pegan has been Dampier’s top target to this point with 15 catches for 235 yards and three touchdowns, while running back Wayshawn Parker leads the team with 154 rushing yards and three trips to the end zone.

The Utes rank 26th nationally in Offensive Success Rate and have avoided the early-season mistakes that many teams fall victim to.

That being said, they are about to go up at least one weight class on Saturday when they face the ISU defense, and it will be the first road test of the year in a historically very difficult environment to play in.

Morgan Scalley’s team has taken over on the defensive end and has playmakers across the unit.

Safety Nate Ritchie leads the team with 15 tackles, while linebackers Elijah Elliss, Johnathan Hall, and Cyrus Polu have combined for 37 tackles and 3.5 sacks.

This defense plays with confidence and looks to create disruptions regardless of the opponent.

It’s been a really promising start to the year for Utah, but I view Saturday’s matchup as the first real indicator of just how good this team is.

Most would have projected Iowa State to be 2-1 to begin the year, losing to Iowa and beating two lesser opponents at home.

Looking deeper than just the record, the Cyclones are one of the bigger surprises for me in the Big 12 so far.

Iowa State easily could have won that game against Iowa in Week 2, and responded last week with total domination of Bowling Green.

When Matt Campbell departed late in the cycle for Penn State and took a bunch of players with him, it felt like ISU would struggle to reach a bowl game in 2026.

Jimmy Rogers has significantly shifted the mood in just three games, and as a result, I’d expect Jack Trice Stadium to be absolutely rocking on Saturday.

The offense remains a work in progress. The Cyclones rank outside the top 100 nationally in Offensive Success Rate, and consistency has been difficult to find.

QB Jaylen Raynor has shown flashes and has already tossed 4 TD passes while running for two; RB Aiden Flora is explosive and has been turning some heads, currently averaging 8.6 YPC.

If this offense can take care of the football and pick its spots to take chances down the field, there are paths to points against a sound but not invincible Utes defense.

First-year defensive coordinator Jesse Bobbit has quickly put his stamp on the program, and the early returns have been outstanding.

Iowa State ranks 18th nationally in Defensive Success Rate, fourth in Points per Opportunity Allowed, and second in Passing Downs Success Rate Allowed.

LB Sullivan Schlimgen leads the team with 23 tackles, and edge rusher Isaac Terrell has already recorded three sacks.

This is a disciplined group that excels in passing situations, limits scoring opportunities, and has consistently forced opponents to work for every point.

For a program expected to take a step backward after a coaching change, the defensive performance thus far has been very encouraging.

Do we think the gap between these two teams is large enough to justify Utah laying more than a touchdown on the road?

I surely don’t think so.

Utah is rightfully favored and the overall better football team, but Iowa State is not the rebuilding project that many expected.

The Clones will be able to shorten this game, limit Utah’s scoring opportunities, and play the game on their terms.

The home field advantage that Jack Trice will provide cannot be overstated, particularly given the fact that this will be Utah’s first road trip of the season.

I give Iowa State a very real chance of pulling off the outright upset in this one, so I will absolutely be playing them as a home dog of eight points in what should be a really fun and physical football game in Ames.

Pick: Iowa State +8

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