Not only will Iowa beat Iowa State, but they will do so easily. Every objective source claims the Hawkeyes are superior — Las Vegas favors Iowa by at least seven, and ESPN, The Associated Press and USA Today all praise the Iowa City boys as a top-eight team (none rank Iowa State in their top 25), and even ISU coach Dan McCarney admits his squad will “have to be the most improved team in America,” if they are to hang with Iowa on Saturday.

Illinois State probably agrees. The Division I-AA team gave the Cyclones fits in their opener before they escaped with a 32-21 win. In contrast, the Hawkeyes rolled over an admittedly terrible but still Division I-A Ball State team to the tune of 56-0, despite pulling most of their starters early in the second quarter. Those starters included all-Big 10 quarterback and Heisman candidate Drew Tate, the conference’s leading returning receivers in Ed Hinkel and Clinton Solomon and a deep and experienced offensive line. And that was just on offense.

Of course, the Hawkeyes aren’t without their question marks — most observers reasonably question the all-new defensive line. But if the Cyclones couldn’t run the ball against the meager Redbirds (41 rushes for 92 yards), how do they expect to do so against Iowa, whose new front four are backed by linebackers Chad Greenway and Abdul Hodge, probably the best duo in the nation?

Iowa State’s Bret Meyer has matured as a quarterback, and he’s got an excellent group of wideouts to throw to, so maybe he’ll be able to move the Cyclones through the air. Right?

Doubtful. Previously suspended Iowa cornerback Antwan Allen will make his return Saturday and he and fellow cover man Jovon Johnson collectively own 289 career tackles, 22 interceptions and 46 pass breakups. The Cyclones’ receiving trio of Todd Blythe, Jon Davis and Austin Flynn are a capable bunch, but they’ll only be able to hurt the Hawkeyes if Meyer locks onto his targets, which he didn’t do last Saturday. The Redbirds couldn’t take advantage of it, but the Iowa secondary will.

The most improved area of the Cyclones’ team since their 17-10 loss to Iowa last September has to be their special teams. Senior Tony Yelk looks like he’ll finally be the antidote to McCarney’s kicking woes, and punter Troy Blankenship has improved as well. Unfortunately for Iowa State, Iowa has some good special teams players of its own. Honorable mention all-Big 10 kicker Kyle Schlicher returns, and the Hawkeyes are among the nation’s best at blocking kicks.

I can hear Cyclone fans now, convincing themselves that though all of the above may be true, this will be “Iowa State’s Superbowl” — that McCarney’s bunch will be so pumped up they might actually pull the upset. Well, I have news for you — the game means something to the Hawkeyes, as well. Not only is this the real opener for a team that had to play a patsy a week ago, not only is the mythical “state championship” on the line, but a possible national championship berth may be, as well.

The Cyclones will fight admirably, but the Hawkeyes have more playmakers, more experience, national title hopes as motivation and the best coach in America.

The pick: Iowa 27, Iowa State 13.