Iowa State and Miami will play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl on Saturday after the Cyclones and Hurricanes were serious College Football Playoff contenders late in the season. Iowa State lost to Arizona State in the Big XII Championship Game. Miami lost to Syracuse in the regular season finale denying them an ACC Title Game berth.
Iowa State is 10-3 with losses to Texas Tech and Kansas during the regular season. Miami enters the Pop-Tart Bowl with a 10-2 record with their other loss to Georgia Tech. Neither Iowa State nor Miami has a win over a team in the final 2024 College Football Rankings.
How Miami offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson calls plays versus Iowa State is something to watch. Miami is second nationally averaging 359.3 passing yards per game. Iowa State is third nationally averaging 161.7 passing YPG. Miami should be able to run successfully versus Iowa State.
Iowa State is 103rd nationally allowing 179.15 rushing YPG. Miami is 44th nationally allowing 179.0 rushing YPG. Miami should have success on the ground allowing them to set up Cam Ward and the passing game. Miami had a far more prolific offense this season, while the Iowa State pass defense was also elite.
Miami versus Iowa State Pop-Tarts Bowl How to Watch
Iowa State versus Miami in the Pop-Tarts Bowl will kickoff at 3:30 ET on ABC with Play-by-Play by Tom Hart, the analyst is former Vanderbilt quarterback Jordan Rodgers and sideline reports from former Auburn center Cole Cubelic.
Miami versus Iowa State FanDuel odds
Miami is a 3.5-point favorite over Iowa State per the FanDuel odds. Iowa State is plus 138 and Miami is minus 166. The Pop-Tarts Bowl over/under is 55.5. The over is minus 114 and the under is minus 106.
Miami versus Iowa State Pop-Tarts Bowl injuries and opt-outs
Ten players from Miami and nine from Iowa State are in the transfer portal and will not play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. Wide receiver Isaiah Horton is the biggest loss for Miami. TeamRankings.Com lists five Iowa State players as injured of suspended aside from the transfer portal and one from Miami.
Miami versus Iowa State series history
Iowa State and Miami are playing for the first time in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. Miami is playing a Big XII team for the first time since a 37-34 loss to Oklahoma State in the 2020 Cheez-It Bowl which is now the Pop-Tarts Bowl under new sponsorship. Iowa State is playing an ACC team for the first since losing 20-13 to Clemson in the 2021 Cheez-It Bowl.