Good Cop: Ford Griffith
Despite the Cyclones dropping last year’s game against the Hawkeyes, Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell has pieced together a skilled and experienced team that looks to prove itself this weekend in Iowa City.
The Cyclones won the last matchup in Iowa City 10-7 in a rainy matchup, and they look to make it two straight in Kinnick Stadium against their in-state foes.
Iowa State took care of business in week one against North Dakota with a 21-3 win. Quarterback Rocco Becht was very efficient, throwing the ball 267 yards with a 77% completion rate.
On the defensive end, defensive back Jontez Williams led the way with 11 tackles, including one tackle for loss.
The receiving core of Jaylin Noel, Jayden Higgins and Benjamin Brahmer will be too much for the Iowa secondary. Noel and Higgins each hauled in a touchdown in week one and together they accounted for 13 receptions. Those three were Becht’s top targets a year ago, and I expect nothing to change heading into week two against the Hawkeyes.
On the opposite side of the ball, Iowa State has put together a very strong secondary following the departure of T.J. Tampa to the Baltimore Ravens. Defensive backs Myles Purchase and Beau Freyler each have 26 career starts and anchor the secondary. Iowa had a few big runs a year ago that really opened up its offense, which tends to underperform, and the Cyclone secondary will prevent any runs from getting past the third level this year.
Overall, I think it will be a dogfight just like any other year, but I think the Iowa State offense under Taylor Mouser will give the Hawkeyes looks that they haven’t seen before from the Cyclones. The Iowa State defense will continue to play with a bend, don’t break mentality and they will leave Iowa City with a win.
Score Prediction: Iowa State 24, Iowa 13
Bad Cop: Kayde Sheaffer
Iowa State appeared strong against North Dakota in the season opener, however, the long-awaited Cy-Hawk game will put the Cyclones to the test.
During Iowa State’s season opener against North Dakota, the Cyclones came up on top, securing a 21-3 victory. Although their win against the Fighting Hawks was supposed to be promising, the game caused Iowa State to show some weaknesses which can ultimately harm them during the Cy-Hawk matchup.
In last week’s game, the Cyclones only managed to get 80 rushing yards while North Dakota secured 174. This can be deemed problematic during the Cy-Hawk game as the Hawkeyes’ defense has always been a big hurdle for Iowa State when trying to nail a win. In the 2023 game, the Cyclones had a total of 87 rushing yards compared to Iowa’s significantly higher 112.
The Hawkeyes’ defense has shown also to be strongly improving since last year. After the 40-0 win against Illinois State, and holding the longest active streak nationally of allowing fewer than 400 yards in 29 consecutive games, Iowa’s defense will pose a significant challenge for the Cyclones.
The return of Iowa’s quarterback, Cade McNamara, will also throw the Cyclones in for a whirlwind. Already leading his team to a victory after his injury last season, McNamara has shown his full potential after scoring three touchdowns and completing 21 out of 31 passes for 251 yards, which is the most by a Hawkeye quarterback since 2021.
Not only will McNamara feel the pressure of this upcoming game, but Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht will as well. In the 2023 game, Becht completed 50% of his passes and threw a pick-six. Although Becht has thoroughly improved, having an ending season total of 63.5% completed passes the high expectations and the pressure may be too much for him to handle.
I think based on Iowa’s track record, the Cyclones will not be able to put up enough points with the Hawkeyes’ defense, ultimately costing them the game.
Score Prediction: Iowa 24, Iowa State 21
