Colorado Buffaloes vs Iowa State Cyclones Prediction, Odds and Picks for Today, 01/29/26

This matchup is less about X’s and O’s and more about market psychology. Everyone agrees Iowa State is the superior team — that’s precisely why the price becomes inflated. The Cyclones carry national respect, an undefeated home record, and recent dominance in the series, having won 8 of the last 10 against Colorado. Those credentials create automatic trust from bettors, and that trust gets baked directly into the spread. When a team checks every confidence box, you’re often paying for reputation as much as performance.

That’s where Colorado’s value emerges. The Buffaloes don’t have the same brand power, but they’re capable enough to compete and structured enough to avoid being overwhelmed. This is also a classic scheduling spot where Iowa State could have one eye on a looming rivalry game with Kansas State. Even a slight dip in urgency or focus can flatten margin late, especially if the favorite builds an early lead and rotates deeper into the bench. Colorado just needs to remain within striking distance. Between the possibility of a look-ahead spot and the built-in premium on the Cyclones, the backdoor becomes very real. In a game where the number reflects perception more than separation, Colorado offers multiple paths to cash.

Colorado vs Iowa State prediction: Colorado Buffaloes +17.5 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable to +17.

If you’re looking for a new sportsbook for March Madness, we recommend checking out Fanatics Sportsbook. New users can get $100 FanCash bet matches on their first 10 wagers! Join Fanatics Sportsbook, where you can bet on our Colorado vs Iowa State predictions.