Good Cop

By Noah Rohlfing

This one is gonna hurt my soul.

I know Kansas State like I know the back of my hand. Both parents are graduates, and so are multiple family members on my father’s side. Kansas State is part of my family. Kansas State hasn’t lost to Iowa State since 2007.

So let me tell you why they’re going to lose to Iowa State Saturday.

The Iowa State defense only has to worry about two key Wildcats: Quarterback Skylar Thompson and wideout Byron Pringle. Thompson had four total touchdowns against Okie State last week, and all three of his touchdown passes were to Pringle. If the ‘Clones can shut them down, it could be curtains for the Wildcats.

On the offensive side of the ball, it sounds like Kyle Kempt will be starting instead of Zeb Noland, but as long as Allen Lazard is still alive that won’t matter too much. The Wildcats are *not* good on defense and rarely have a pulse outside of the red zone, so the Cyclones should gobble up yards and first downs.

The question is, then, how will their red zone offense fare? The Wildcats are 26th in the country in red zone defense, and the Cyclones’ attack has looked dreadful at times (see: West Virginia).

The X-factor in Iowa State’s favor is K-State offensive coordinator Dana Dimel. His second-half play calling is often predictable if not downright atrocious (the Oklahoma game), and the solid defense Jon Heacock has put together won’t break a sweat even if the Cyclones are behind.

The Wildcats will build a lead, get “Dimel’d”, and the ‘Clones will build momentum and pull through in the fourth. As a bonus, Joel Lanning will get a thoughtful handwritten letter from Bill Snyder days after.

Prediction:

ISU 32 | KSU 27

Bad Cop

By Garrett Kroeger

The Iowa State Cyclones hit the road for the final game of the season as they take on the Kansas State Wildcats. And since the match-up is down in the Little Apple, I’m ready to take you Cardinal and Gold fans down memory lane.

The year is 2015. It’s head coach Paul Rhoads’ last season in Ames. The Cyclones had the win in the bag down in Manhattan, Kansas, and all they had to do was kneel several times to end the game. But, Iowa State couldn’t do that. It decided to run more offense.

The Cyclones blew a 35-14 halftime lead, and 35-21 lead heading into the fourth quarter. 

Iowa State had a 35-28 lead with 1:31 remaining in the game. But Rhoads opted not to have then quarterback Joel Lanning kneel. Due that strategy, Lanning handed the ball to then running back Mike Warren, who fumbled and the Wildcats would then score the tying touchdown several plays later. Then once again, Rhoads didn’t have Lanning kneel. And the now linebacker would cough the ball up, and Kansas State would drive down to kick the game winning field goal. Kansas State 38, Iowa State 35.

Now, whenever Iowa State and Kansas State play one another, it’s a weird game. Just like the memory lane I just took you all down on. That’s because the Wildcats’ coach Bill Snyder is a wizard and a vampire. He just somehow works his magic against the Cyclones to pull off weird victories. Come Saturday, I expect Snyder to use his magic once again and extend Kansas State’s win streak over Iowa State.

Prediction: 

KSU 38 | ISU 35