The October 11, 2025 showdown between the Iowa State Cyclones and the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field brings together two programs on very different paths, yet both with plenty to prove in the heart of Big 12 play. Iowa State enters unbeaten at 5–0, playing its most balanced football under head coach Matt Campbell in years, while Colorado sits at 2–3, still searching for rhythm and defensive stability under its new leadership and first-year starting quarterback Kaidon Salter. The Cyclones have built their success on execution and discipline, averaging 31.6 points per game while allowing just 14.2, a combination that has made them one of the most efficient two-way teams in the conference. Quarterback Rocco Becht has emerged as a confident, steady hand, orchestrating an offense that marries controlled passing with an opportunistic ground game. Becht has thrown for over 1,100 yards with minimal turnovers, spreading the ball across a deep group of receivers led by Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, while running backs Abu Sama III and Eli Sanders have combined for more than 700 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns behind a line that has steadily improved at opening interior lanes. The Cyclones’ offensive approach is methodical, built to sustain drives and wear down opponents rather than rely on explosive plays, though they have shown they can strike quickly when defenses overcommit. On the other side, Iowa State’s defense continues to be its calling card. Coordinator Jon Heacock’s 3-3-5 scheme remains one of the most adaptable in college football, thriving on gap integrity, disguised pressures, and disciplined tackling. Linebacker Caleb Bacon has been a breakout star, leading a front seven that has made life miserable for opposing quarterbacks, while cornerback Jeremiah Cooper anchors a secondary that has allowed very few completions over 20 yards this season.

That defense will be tested against a Colorado offense that, while inconsistent, has started to find flashes of identity under Salter, the transfer from Liberty. Salter brings dual-threat athleticism and an aggressive downfield mindset that has given the Buffaloes big-play potential, averaging nearly six yards per play despite frequent breakdowns in pass protection. Wide receivers Travis Hunter and Jimmy Horn Jr. provide legitimate threats on the perimeter, and running back Alton McCaskill IV offers a reliable check-down option out of the backfield. For Colorado to compete, they’ll need their offensive line to protect Salter better than it has all season and sustain drives long enough to keep Iowa State’s offense off the field. Defensively, the Buffaloes have struggled, surrendering over 25 points per game and showing vulnerability against physical rushing attacks, which could spell trouble against Iowa State’s downhill running scheme. Colorado’s defensive front, led by Shane Cokes and linebacker LaVonta Bentley, will need to generate pressure without sacrificing gap control, while the secondary must tackle cleanly against Iowa State’s short passing game. The altitude in Boulder may provide a minor conditioning edge for the home team, but Iowa State’s depth and discipline should mitigate that advantage. Expect the Cyclones to play their usual brand of football—efficient, physical, and turnover-averse—forcing Colorado to execute consistently rather than rely on splash plays. If Becht can stay clean, the running game remains effective, and the defense limits Salter’s improvisation, Iowa State has the makeup to control this contest from start to finish. Colorado, meanwhile, will need an early spark—perhaps a turnover or special teams play—to shift momentum and keep the home crowd engaged. Ultimately, this matchup is a test of stability versus volatility: Iowa State’s structure and discipline against Colorado’s explosiveness and unpredictability, with the Cyclones’ balance giving them a clear edge in a game that could serve as a defining moment for both teams’ seasons.