Iowa State Cyclones (10-3) vs. Miami Hurricanes (10-2)
Iowa State Cyclones vs. Miami Hurricanes December 28 2024 – A conference matchup of the highest order awaits fans as the Iowa State Cyclones and the Miami Hurricanes lock horns in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. It will be a battle of two teams that have won 10 games this season, with the Cyclones having a 10-3 record as compared to the Hurricanes, who are slightly ahead on 10-2. It will be Iowa State’s chance to make amends after losing the championship game to Arizona State. This game will be very exciting to watch as the two have equal winning records and lots of talent on the roster enabling them to battle it out on even terms.
Iowa State Cyclones vs. Miami Hurricanes December 28 2024 Game Info
| When: | Saturday, December 28, 2024, at 3:30 PM ET |
| Where: | Camping World Stadium |
| TV: | ABC |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Iowa State Cyclones vs. Miami Hurricanes Betting Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| Iowa State Cyclones | +150 | +3.5 | Over 56.5 (-110) |
| Miami Hurricanes | -175 | -3.5 | Under 56.5 (-110) |
The Hurricanes are 3.5 point favorites which shows their offensive approach as well as having a better overall season Iowa State’s record as an underdog and having covered in 4 out of their last 5 matches makes them an attractive pick as well. On the other hand the total has been set at 56.5 which would indicate that a spread of points may have been employed, in a more high scoring game, with the over owing to Miami’s penchant for such games being more favored.
Rocco Becht QB vs. Cam Ward QB
Rocco Becht has proven over the course of the season that he can be a steady hand for Iowa State after passing for 3,235 yards and 22 touchdowns. His 59.3% completion rate is quite surprising, given that the 1,183 receiving yards amassed by Jayden Higgins has enabled the Cyclones to perform well offensively. Looking ahead, how well Becht remains calm in the pocket will be important against an aggressive Miami defense.
In contrast, Miami’s Cam Ward had one of the best seasons in recent history with 4,123 passing yards and 36 touchdowns to his name. His deep throws in the direction of Xavier Restrepo are a key reason why he still remains dangerous. On the other hand, facing 22 sacks means Ward has received a lot of pressure, something that Iowa State can exploit and slow him down.
Cyclones’ Late-Season Performance
Iowa State has shown resilience in recent weeks, clinching three of their last five matches including a gutsy 29-21 win against Kansas State. The same can be said of Carson Hansen who has made headlines with his 670 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns while Higgins makes a good receiver too. The combination of the Cyclones’ ground game and aggressive defense should be enough for them to keep up with Miami.
Hurricanes’ Explosive Offense
Miami’s offensive prowess has been remarkable throughout the season, as epitomized in their 53-31 thrashing of Duke. Martinez’s 823 rushing yards supplement Ward’s throws while Restrepo’s 1127 receiving yards with 11 touchdowns serves as a constant deep threat. The occasional breakdowns should not detract from the all round efficiency that the hurricanes have shown in dominating some of the best teams in the league.
Iowa State Cyclones Betting Trends
The Cyclones are 10-3 SU in their last 13 games but have struggled ATS in December (1-7 in their last eight games). However, their 4-1 ATS record when playing as underdogs suggests they thrive in high-stakes matchups. Their ability to perform on Saturdays (11-3 SU) also adds to their appeal for this game.
Miami Hurricanes Betting Trends
Miami’s 10-2 SU record underscores their consistency, but they’ve struggled ATS in December (1-7 in their last eight games). The over has hit in 11 of their last 15 games, reflecting their offensive explosiveness. They’ve excelled on Saturdays, winning nine of their last 11, making them a formidable opponent.
Iowa State Cyclones vs. Miami Hurricanes Betting Previews
This match will be interesting, as two of the best-rounded teams clash. Iowa State, considering their underdog mentality and the +3.5 spread, should be an interesting pick owing to the strength of their offense. Still, Ward might be an important piece in the game missing if the Canes make it to the first quarter scoreline.
The bet for an over on the 56.5 total points is tantalizing as both teams can score plenty of points and play free flowing games. Other alternative betting options that could provide value are passing yards for Ward and receiving totals for Restrepo. The result of the match might depend largely on the number of turn overs and scores in the red zone.
Score Prediction: Miami Hurricanes 31, Iowa State Cyclones 27.
