Good Cop: Ford Griffith
Coming off a 34-17 win over Cincinnati a week ago, Iowa State has a chance to reach nine wins when it takes on a struggling Utah team.
Using a two-headed offensive attack against the Bearcats helped the Cyclones reach 30 points for the fifth time this season and was a great way to end a two-game skid.
Redshirt sophomore quarterback Rocco Becht threw for 234 yards and a touchdown, the lone touchdown thrown to redshirt senior tight end Stevo Klotz, his first of the season. Redshirt sophomore tight end Gabe Burkle caught six passes for 73 yards.
With some newfound success from the tight ends, Iowa State will be able to utilize the more diverse air attack in the final two games of the season. With wide receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel leading the receiving attack, the tight ends may be able to attract more attention and give them single coverage.
As for the rushing attack, sophomore Abu Sama III rattled off 52 yards of his own, including a touchdown, while Becht averaged nearly seven yards per carry on seven attempts. Establishing the run game to open up the aerial attack will be key against a Utes team that allows 317 yards per game.
On the defensive side of the ball, Iowa State should be able to force a few turnovers, especially interceptions, as true freshman Isaac Wilson, brother of NFL quarterback Zach Wilson, has thrown 11 interceptions compared to only 10 touchdowns.
Iowa State is tied for ninth in the country with 14 interceptions from the defense, and this will be the second-best secondary regarding interceptions that Wilson has faced.
With only two games left for Iowa State and a slim chance to insert itself into the Big 12 championship game, its only option is to win out. The Cyclones don’t quite control their own destiny, but if a few other things happen and they win out, they could sneak in.
That being said, head coach Matt Campbell will send his team out there with the mentality that this is their last chance, and I do not think anything will be left on the table. Whether it is taking shots downfield or tapping into the trick plays, the Cyclones will do anything they can to win this game.
Score Prediction: No. 22 Iowa State 28, Utah 14
Bad Cop: Kayde Sheaffer
With early season predictions casting success for Utah during its season, the hope still solidifies as the Utes take on the No. 22 Cyclones in hopes of ending their six-game losing drought, similar to Iowa State’s 34-17 victory against Cincinnati after two consecutive losses.
There is no doubt that this game is predicted for the Cyclones to take home a victory, however, that’s what we said about their game against UCF. Iowa State barely won with a close call of 38-35, which saw a lot of struggles in the Cyclone offense time and time again throughout that game and this season.
So, it’s all going to come down to see if the offense can make a clean cut against the Utes’ defense. Utah’s defense currently leads the Big 12 in first and third down defense, along with ranking second in red zone defense and total defense, with a projection of 317.2 yards per game.
With Utah in the spot where they need to win two more games to meet bowl game eligibility. Its players will have more fight in them which can turn out to be a dangerous game for the Cyclones.
Utah has a strong group of linebackers in addition to its defensive build, such as junior Lander Barton and senior Karene Reid who are both top prospects for the 2025 NFL Draft. Both have multiple years of starting experience and high tackling ability, with Barton marking 64 tackles this season and Reid, who is known for his low missed tackle rate, as he has managed 36 tackles so far this season.
In addition to Utah’s linebackers, the team has strong depth in various defensive positions as its defensive line is led by senior defensive tackle Junior Tafuna, who has managed 26 tackles this season, eight of which are unassisted and one interception.
Despite having overcome lots of struggles this season, such as losing their star quarterback Cameron Rising and tight end Brant Kuithe, both to season-ending injuries, along with having consistent struggles offensively, the Utes have proven time and time again that they still have a lot of fight left in them and hope to finish their season strong.
Score Prediction: Utah 27, No. 22 Iowa State 24
