mankatofreepress
Iowa State (3-3) will visit No. 25 Arizona (5-1) on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 7:30 p.m. EDT in a Big 12 Conference showdown. The Wildcats opened as 10.5-point favorites, and the game will be broadcast on ESPN2.
Arizona enters with a 2-4 record against the spread, while Iowa State is 2-3-1. The Wildcats' offense has been prolific, averaging 456.5 total yards per game (21st in FBS), including 306.7 passing yards (10th) and 149.8 rushing yards (82nd). They score 35.7 points per game (29th). Defensively, Arizona allows 330.5 yards per game (43rd), with 214.2 passing yards (74th) and 116.3 rushing yards (38th), while giving up 19.0 points per game (32nd).
Iowa State's offense has struggled to move the ball consistently, ranking 94th in total offense at 359.7 yards per game. The Cyclones average 178.2 passing yards (118th) and 181.5 rushing yards (47th), scoring 29.7 points per game (68th). On defense, Iowa State surrenders 352.3 yards per game (66th), including 198.5 passing yards (53rd) and 153.8 rushing yards (91st), and allows 21.7 points per game (50th).
The Cyclones have been efficient in the red zone, scoring on all of their trips (100.0%), which leads the FBS. However, they rank 127th in third-down conversion rate at 31.0%. Arizona has struggled with turnovers, posting a -3 margin (99th in FBS), while Iowa State boasts a +3 margin (34th).
Key Players to Watch
Arizona's offense is led by quarterback Noah Fifita, who has thrown for 1,756 yards with 16 touchdowns and 4 interceptions, completing 73.3% of his passes. Running back Kedrick Reescano has rushed for 262 yards on 72 carries and 4 touchdowns, while wide receiver Isaiah Mizell has 359 receiving yards on 19 catches and 4 touchdowns.
For Iowa State, quarterback Jaylen Raynor has passed for 1,001 yards with 7 touchdowns and 4 interceptions, completing 57.4% of his attempts. Running back Aiden Flora has been a bright spot, rushing for 680 yards on 90 carries and 6 touchdowns. Receiver Dominic Overby has 212 yards on 10 catches and 1 touchdown.
Recent Performance
Arizona is coming off a 52-31 victory over West Virginia on Oct. 10. Fifita completed 16 of 23 passes for 341 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. Antwan Roberts added 63 rushing yards on seven carries and a score, while Mizell hauled in six passes for 183 yards and two touchdowns.
Iowa State suffered a 24-10 loss to BYU on Oct. 9. Raynor completed 16 of 29 passes for 98 yards and one touchdown without an interception. Flora rushed for 86 yards on 17 carries and added two receptions for -1 yard. Tyler Claiborne caught three passes for 31 yards.
Up Next
Arizona will travel to face No. 8 Texas Tech on Oct. 31, while Iowa State will host Oklahoma State on the same day.
Originally reported by mankatofreepress.