Good Cop: Nick Mensen
After a 43-21 drubbing against Baylor on a special whiteout night, No. 11 Iowa State is preparing for a road trip to West Virginia.
The Cyclones are 5-0 for the first time since 1980 and remain one of two undefeated teams left in the Big 12. They’ll look to improve upon their record in a very tough road test against the Mountaineers.
Iowa State has won its last five conference road games, three of which at night. Saturday’s test against West Virginia will also be a night kickoff at 7 p.m. CT.
The Mountaineers come into this match with a 3-2 record, with losses to undefeated teams No. 4 Penn State and No. 22 Pitt.
Last weekend, West Virginia took down Oklahoma State on the road 38-14. The Mountaineers put up 558 total yards, 31 first downs and had no turnovers. West Virginia averages 33 points per game on offense and 38 in their last four games.
However, Iowa State’s defense, even with the absence of key defensive players, remains one of the stingiest defenses in the country, with eight interceptions and three recovered fumbles.
With that in mind, expect the Cyclones defense to be the difference-maker in this game. I think they’ll still allow the Mountaineers to score the most points that Iowa State has allowed all season, but they’ll still hold West Virginia’s offense in the low to mid-20s, as Iowa State’s offense will prevail late in the fourth quarter.
Final score prediction: No. 11 Iowa State 31, West Virginia 24
Bad Cop: Stephen Schwartz
The Iowa State Cyclones have hit a remarkable milestone, starting 5-0 for the first time since 1980. Both offensively and defensively, the team has transformed into a true powerhouse.
However, their next test against the West Virginia Mountaineers could be a serious threat to their perfect season.
Despite West Virginia’s rocky start opening the season 1-2, the Mountaineers are catching fire at the right time. Sure, they were steamrolled by No. 4 Penn State in week one and fell short in a close game against No. 22 Pittsburgh in week three.
But since then, they’ve rebounded with back-to-back wins against Big 12 opponents Kansas and Oklahoma State, and they enter this matchup with a dangerous amount of momentum.
In its last two games, the West Virginia offense has been on a tear, averaging over 250 rushing yards per game.
Quarterback Garrett Greene has been a dual threat, not only with his arm but also with his legs, racking up at least 85 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground in each of the last two weeks. Greene is complemented by the running back duo of Jahiem White and CJ Donaldson Jr., who shredded Oklahoma State’s defense for a combined 235 yards on 39 carries.
Let’s not forget where this game is being played—Morgantown. This is no neutral ground. West Virginia will have home-field advantage and the Mountaineers will relish the role of underdog as they eye a potential upset over No. 11 Iowa State. The crowd will be rowdy, and the pressure on the Cyclones will be immense.
Here’s the blunt reality: if Iowa State can’t figure out how to shut down West Virginia’s run game, it’s going to be a long, painful night. The Mountaineers will control the clock, wear down the defense and leave the Cyclones scrambling to keep up. Add the hostile atmosphere, and Iowa State’s perfect season could be hanging by a thread.
A loss here wouldn’t just be a blemish on an otherwise stellar season. It could derail Iowa State’s hopes for a Big 12 Championship appearance and send them tumbling out of the AP Top 25.
The stakes couldn’t be higher, and the Cyclones need to be ready. Otherwise, they may find themselves on the wrong end of an upset that stings for weeks to come.
Score Prediction: West Virginia 31, No. 11 Iowa State 24
