The Cincinnati Bearcats take on the Iowa State Cyclones in week 5 of the college football season on Oct. 4, 2025, at Nippert Stadium.
These teams last faced off on November 14, 2024, where the Cyclones would go to win 34-17. In the game, Brendan Sorsby only passed for 66 yards, going 10/18 on passing attempts. However, he ran for 143 yards and a touchdown, a season high in rushing yards. Rocco Becht, the starter for the Cyclones last season and this upcoming season passed for 234 yards and 2 touchdowns completing 24 of his 33 passing attempts.
The Cyclones will look a lot different offensively this upcoming season, losing their top two receivers to the NFL draft. Jayden Higgins got picked in the second round and Jaylin Noel third round, both by the Houston Texans.
The Cyclones are retaining Becht and starting running back Abu Sama III to keep the backfield intact, but several offensive linemen are leaving via the NFL Draft, Transfer Portal or being signed as an undrafted free agent.
The Cyclones did a solid job out of the portal this offseason, bringing in the 8 commits and addressing some position groups that need work through the portal.
They added wide receivers Chase Sowell from East Carolina and Xavier Townsend from UCF which will address the losses from last season. They also brough in two unproven offesive tackles who could both play a major role next season.
The Cyclones' defense took a big hit as well, they lost their top two safeties, a three-year starter at cornerback, plus a starting defensive linemen and safety.
They added three edge rushers and a cornerback via the portal, which should give them some help, as well as having two linebackers come from injury. However, all of these players are unproven and unknown what kind of impact they will make to the defense.
The Cyclones went 11-2 overall last season and 7-2 in the conference, losing in the conference championship to Arizona State. The Cyclones are most likely going to take a step back from last season, but you can never count out a team coached by Matt Campbell.
The Bearcats have a great chance of winning this game with Iowa State's roster changes this offseason, bringing in a lot of unproven prospects. They could be looking at a 5-0 record at this point in the season with none of their opponents being head and shoulders better than them so far.