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Matchup preview

Iowa State vs Iowa

Iowa State visit Iowa in Week 2. The model favors Iowa by 13.9. Win probability, the tale of the tape, and the all-time series, all from real data.

Win probability
20%
80%

Model win probability from SP+ ratings + home-field edge.

The read
Model analysis · August 26 · refreshed weekly

SP+ rates Iowa at 14.6 (22nd) and Iowa State at -0.4 (69th), a 15-point ratings gap that projects Iowa by 17.4 and gives the home side an 85% win probability. The market is more restrained: Iowa -11.5 implies a 76% win, leaving almost six points and nine probability points between model and price. Unit ranks back Iowa across the board, with the defense 16th and offense 35th against an Iowa State offense ranked 96th and defense 47th.

Series and recent form temper that confidence. Iowa leads 7-4 all time, but Iowa State took the last meeting 16-13 in 2025, a low-scoring result that fits the tight 41.5 total. Season simulations still separate the programs: Iowa projects 7.6 wins with an 18% Playoff chance and 1.1% title odds against a market-implied 0.8%, while Iowa State projects 5.5 wins, a 1.2% Playoff chance and no title equity. The model and market agree on the winner and disagree only on the size of the edge.

Model likes Iowa well beyond the market number, but the 2025 upset and a 41.5 total argue for caution laying the points.

Matchup odds
Consensus line · 3 books
Spread
IOWA -14
Total (O/U)
42.5
Favorite
IOWA
Moneyline win probability (implied from the spread)
Iowa
80%

Real consensus line across 3 sportsbooks. Spread and total are the current market number; the win probabilities are implied from the spread.

Matchup odds price history
The market to win this game · daily prices, colored by the favorite
Iowa State1%-14 ptsvsIowa99%+14 pts
0%25%50%75%100%Iowa State favoredIowa favoredAug 26Aug 30Sep 3Sep 7Sep 11Sep 13

Real daily prices from the market to win this game, shown as Iowa State's win price; Iowa's is 100 minus it (the same market's other side). Above the 50% line Iowa State is favored, below it Iowa is, and each candle takes the favored team's color. Kalshi shows open-high-low-close candles (filled body closed up, hollow closed down). As of Sep 23.

Tale of the tape
Percentile vs FBS · 2025 stats, 2026 SP+
#52SP+SP+: Bill Connelly's tempo- and opponent-adjusted efficiency rating, expressed in points above average.#18
#35FPIFPI: ESPN's Football Power Index, an overall measure of team strength.#18
1629EloElo: a rating that rises or falls after each game based on the result and the quality of the opponent.1937
-Title oddsDe-vigged consensus probability to win the national title, averaged across the prediction markets we track.0.8%
Iowa StateIowasolid = better, faded = trailing
What these metrics mean
SP+. SP+: Bill Connelly's tempo- and opponent-adjusted efficiency rating, expressed in points above average.
FPI. FPI: ESPN's Football Power Index, an overall measure of team strength.
Elo. Elo: a rating that rises or falls after each game based on the result and the quality of the opponent.
Title odds. De-vigged consensus probability to win the national title, averaged across the prediction markets we track.
Off PPA. PPA (Predicted Points Added): the average point value each play adds. Higher is better for offense, lower for defense.
Success. Success rate: the share of plays that stay on schedule (roughly 50% of needed yards on 1st down, 70% on 2nd, 100% on 3rd/4th). Higher is better.
Explosive. Explosiveness: the average value of a team's successful plays, i.e. how big its good plays are when they hit.
Yards/game. Total yards gained per game.
Success allowed. How often the defense allows an on-schedule play (enough yards for the down). Lower is better.
Havoc. Havoc rate: the share of plays where the defense makes a tackle for loss, forced fumble, interception, or pass breakup.
Yards allowed. Total yards allowed per game. Lower is better.
Efficiency profile
Percentile vs FBS · 2025
Recent series
Iowa lead 7-4
Iowa State have won the last 2
20152025
Head to head
Every meeting in our records
2025
16-13
Iowa State
at Iowa State
2024
20-19
Iowa State
at Iowa
2023
20-13
Iowa
at Iowa State
2022
10-7
Iowa State
at Iowa
2021
27-17
Iowa
at Iowa State
2019
18-17
Iowa
at Iowa State
2018
13-3
Iowa
at Iowa
2017
44-41
Iowa
at Iowa State
2016
42-3
Iowa
at Iowa
2015
31-17
Iowa
at Iowa State
2014
20-17
Iowa State
at Iowa
More Week 2 matchups
Model previews for the rest of the slate
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How do I trade the Iowa State vs Iowa game?

Kalshi lists winner markets for college football games. Sign up with code FADE (trade $25, get up to $500), open the Iowa State vs Iowa market when it posts, and buy YES on your side; the price in cents equals the market's implied win probability. You can sell before kickoff or settlement at the current price.

When do Iowa State and Iowa play?

Week 2 of 2026, on Sep 12, 2026 at Iowa.

Who is favored?

The model projects Iowa by 13.9 (80% win probability), from SP+ ratings.

What is the all-time series?

Iowa lead 7-4 over the meetings in our records.

Full schedule → · Both teams' playoff odds, from 10,000 simulations →

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