Iowa State Cyclones vs. Miami Hurricanes 12/28/24 – Iowa State Cyclones (10-3) will be going up against the Miami Hurricanes (10-2) in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. The duel is expected to be fast and action-filled filled considering both sides have well-executed offenses. Miami is coming into this game looking to turn things around after an unexpected defeat from Syracuse, while Iowa State wants to bounce back and redeem themselves with a date on Arizona State in their conference championship. Expect a thrilling game as both sides look to redeem themselves.
Iowa State Cyclones vs. Miami Hurricanes 12/28/24
| When: | Saturday, December 28, 2024, at 3:30 PM ET |
|---|---|
| Where: | Camping World Stadium |
| TV: | ABC |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cyclones | +3.5 | Over 56.5 (-110) | +150 |  |
| Hurricanes | -3.5 | Under 56.5 (-110) | -175 | |
| ||||
Game 14
🌪️🚨🌪️ pic.twitter.com/TVhl7a9NfS
— Iowa State Football (@CycloneFB) December 23, 2024
The Hurricanes come in regarded as 3.5-point favorites, but their 1-7 ATS record for the last month of the calendar year raises eyebrows on whether they have what it takes to cover. Iowa State, on the other hand, has thrived as an underdog with a record of 4-1 ATS in their last five games in this role. The totals posted at 56.5 reflect the chances of offensive onslaughts from each team. Given the recent trend of Miami scoring high totals in matchups against Big 12 teams, bettors might stay on the over in this one.
Rocco Becht QB vs. Cam Ward QB
In Rocco Becht, Iowa State has a reliable quarterback who has passed for 3,235 yards with 22 touchdowns. His decent passing rating of 137 and his skill to distribute the ball have greatly assisted in the success of the Cyclones. On the downside, he threw nine interceptions and was tossed around the field 14 times throughout the season, leaving room for improvement under pressure. Iowa State’s fortunes in the offensive part of the field rely heavily on his ability to stay calm under the Miami pass rush.
As for Cam Ward, he has shown tremendous form for Miami as he racked up 4,123 passing yards with 36 touchdowns while throwing only seven interceptions. In college football today, none of the quarterbacks have a better than Ward, who is currently boasting a 171.1 passer rating and 67.4% completion rate. His strength lies in his ability to throw long passes and quick attacks on the foe’s defense to capitalize on openings. Nonetheless, Miami needs to improve its offensive line as Ward has been sacked 22 times this season.
Cyclones’ Balanced Offense a Key to Victory
Iowa State’s offense is built on a good mix of multi-faceted parts of the game, as Carson Hansen’s 670 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns helped create a decent running game while Jayden Higgins came in as a leading receiver with 1,183 yards and nine touchdown receptions. While Iowa State’s most recent victories over Utah and Kansas State proved the team had poise, they did have a poise loss against Arizona State, which left some offensive frailties to be questioned.
Hurricanes Lean on Explosive Playmakers
While Cam Ward is vital in the offense mechanisms of Miami, many factors make them a threat. For instance, Damien Martinez has a total of 823 yards on the ground and 9 touchdowns, which gives the Hurricanes room for a multi-dimensional offense. Speaking of multi-dimensional, Xavier Restrepo has gained 1127 yards with 11 touchdown passes, which presents other teams with a difficult scenario. The dominance Miami had against both Florida State and Duke shows how much potential they hold, however, losses encountered against Syracuse and Georgia Tech can be an eye sore.
Trends
Iowa State Cyclones Betting Trends
Cyclones are 2-5 ATS in their last seven games.
Iowa State is 10-3 SU in their last 13 games.
Cyclones are 4-1 ATS in their last five games as an underdog.
Miami Hurricanes Betting Trends
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Miami’s last 15 games.
Miami is 10-2 SU in their last 12 games.
Miami is 1-7 ATS in their last eight December games.
Iowa State Cyclones vs. Miami Hurricanes Betting Prediction
Miami’s dynamic offense is what gives them the advantage, however, their inability to cover the spread most of the time, particularly in December, makes Iowa State an enticing choice at +3.5. The Iowa State Cyclones are also an interesting team to back as they have an effective offensive unit, and as a team, they have been winning games as underdogs.
In terms of prop bets, Iowa State has shown that tough quarterbacks can break yards, so considering Cam Ward to go over his passing yards total is sensible. Furthermore, if both teams are attacking their opponents effectively, the line of 56.5 points is a bet worth exploring.
Score Prediction: Miami Hurricanes 34, Iowa State Cyclones 31.
Hilbert Mayer
Sports Writer
Hilbert Mayer is a professional sports writer, betting analyst, and content strategist with over 15 years of experience in the sports industry. Before focusing on sports betting analysis and handicapping, Hilbert worked as a sports writer for various news outlets, covering everything from game recaps to in-depth matchup features. Today, he specializes in MLB, NFL, March Madness, and UFC betting, combining his journalistic background with deep statistical expertise and real-world betting insights. His proven track record, sharp reads, and ability to break down complex matchups make him a trusted voice among both casual bettors and seasoned sharps.
Published on: December 28, 2024
Last updated: March 31, 2025