Aaron Marner

Sports Editor

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Iowa 17, Iowa State 16

I really can’t imagine a scenario where this game gets out of hand for either team.

Iowa State’s defense is good enough to keep the scoring down, and Iowa’s defense hasn’t been bad for probably 20 years.

This is probably one of the first times in my lifetime where Iowa State might actually have the talent advantage over Iowa, but I still have a tough time thinking the Cyclones can win one at Kinnick — especially since the Hawkeyes won convincingly in week one while Iowa State is entering the Cy-Hawk game without a game’s worth of experience.

It wouldn’t surprise me at all if Iowa State won this game. David Montgomery carved the Hawkeyes’ defense a year ago and Iowa’s linebackers are inexperienced. If Montgomery gets going early and the Cyclone defense can put together a few stops, it wouldn’t shock me to see Iowa State take a 14-point lead into halftime and cruise to a 1-0 start to the season.

I just don’t think it breaks down that way, though. Give me Iowa on the final possession to win a low-scoring ballgame.

Noah Rohlfing

Assistant Sports Editor

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Iowa 28, Iowa State 24

*Cue booing from the Daily’s readership*

Hear me out here. Iowa State is an improved team from the past Cy-Hawk beatings of yore, and will certainly make this game a much closer contest than the 2016 contest was. Saturday’s game will be a back-and-forth affair, no doubt.

Here’s the thing, though: Iowa State feels like they’re one year away.

The Cyclones should be good this season, but there is a lot to deal with from the Hawkeyes on both sides of the ball. Iowa State’s defensive line is a menace, but so is Iowa’s. Every. Single. Year. This year projects to be no different, with Parker Hesse, Anthony Nelson, Matt Nelson and co. all making their presence known in week one against Northern Illinois.

Iowa State’s inexperienced (for the most part) offensive line is going to struggle. Kempt and Butler will connect for a touchdown or two and David Montgomery will still do his thing, but as the game rolls on Iowa will take control of the line of scrimmage.

A last-minute touchdown wins it for the Hawkeyes.

Trevor Holbrook

Assistant Sports Editor

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Iowa 16, Iowa State 10

This year marks a unique Cy-Hawk matchup. The talk around Ames has been the soggy weather that canceled Iowa State’s opener and carried into this week. The lack of a game played in Ames last weekend provides a unique angle.

On one hand, Iowa has little film on the Cyclones this year, but on the other hand, Iowa State has no film to work out the kinks. Personally, I think this favors the Hawkeyes. Iowa State returns a handful of key contributors from last year, so not a ton should change personal-wise. But the Cyclones reshuffled the offensive line and will plug in new pieces on defense. The offensive line, a key to this game, lost an opportunity to build chemistry in the opener.

I predict Iowa’s defensive line to overpower Iowa State’s offensive line for most the game, creating a tough day for junior running back David Montgomery. On the flip side, Iowa’s offense will do just enough to score on Iowa State’s solid defense, providing a handful of field goal chances for the Hawkeyes.

Alex Connor

Editor-in-chief

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Iowa State 28, Iowa 21

Cyclones, as you may know, it’s Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk week. And here’s the thing, I know absolutely nothing about football except the basics.

Oh, and that Iowa State is going to win.