Iowa State vs BYU head-to-head: position-by-position star ratings, experience, and composite grades on CFB Matchup. They meet Week 6, Friday, October 9, 2026.
The Breakdown
#15 BYU edges Iowa State 62-60, essentially a coin flip; the Cyclones' veteran-built roster carries zero blue chips.
When Iowa State has the ball: 3★ receivers, all three first-year transfers, face BYU's 3.5★ secondary — the game's clearest mismatch.
When BYU has the ball: Tiger Bachmeier headlines 3.3★ receivers against Iowa State's 3★ secondary averaging 3.5 years — slight edge.
Swing factor: Jaylen Raynor's three college seasons versus Bear Bachmeier's one; both 3★, but Raynor's seen far more.
X-factor: Friday in Provo, Week 6: Iowa State travels into BYU's home crowd for a standalone spotlight.