Good Cop

By Noah Rohlfing

Just call them the Giant Killers. My goodness, the Cyclones are on a roll. It’s like they know I pick them to win every week. 

I’ll only take a small piece of credit though, because the Cyclone defense is the main reason this team is No. 14 in the country.

Whether it’s for their ability to force turnovers or, as they did against TCU, take advantage of some very poor decisions by Kenny Hill and Sonny Cumbie (like not running the ball in the red zone, for instance), Iowa State’s defensive unit is solid. 

Against a great defensive team in TCU, cracks began to show in the offense. Kempt made a few bad throws that TCU failed to capitalize on, and he’ll need to be careful this week. 

So let’s talk about this week’s game. West Virginia is a classic Dana Holgorsen team this year. There’s a great offense there, but the defense is, well, yeah. The Mountaineers give up a smooth 204.6 rushing yards per game, good for 106th in the country. That puts them right behind renowned programs such as Old Dominion and Utah State. Yikes. 

In summation, the Cyclones should look to get David Montgomery going early on.

Defensively, the Cyclones need to key in on David Sills V. The junior receiver has been incredible this year, with 15 touchdowns in eight games. The former USC quarterback commit has enjoyed a career renaissance, and Kamari Cotton-Moya and friends will be very wary of him, I suspect.

Will Grier is in a festive mood, giving away turnovers like it’s already Christmas. Not great. If Iowa State can force Grier into making tough decisions, then a couple of easy turnovers might come their way. 

I’m all in on Iowa State this weekend. 

Prediction:

ISU 24 | WVU 22

Bad Cop

By Garrett Kroeger 

OK, I was wrong again. I mean, who would have thought that the Iowa State Cyclones would be No. 14 in the nation, bowl eligible before the end of October and tied for first in the Big 12? No one, that’s who.

Now, all you Iowa State fans can be all excited about the season. It’s not often when the Cyclones go bowling. However, expectations will finally fall back to reality this weekend when the Cardinal and Gold take on the West Virginia Mountaineers.

I have heard how students on campus go around saying that this West Virginia game should be an easy win for Iowa State. All I can think is, ‘what type of college football have you been watching this year?’

Don’t get me wrong, this season is special. But the Mountaineers have one of the best quarterback-wide receiver combos in Will Grier and David Sills V.

On the year, Grier has completed 63.8 percent of his passes for 2,752 yards and 28 touchdowns. While some may not think that’s overly impressive, Grier has one of the juiciest arms in all of college football.

For Sills, he has been impressive. In fact, he is one of the best receivers in the nation this year. On the season, Sills has 49 catches for 781 yards and 15 TOUCHDOWNS! Iowa State has yet to face a duo like Grier and Sills, that’s for sure.

Now, West Virginia’s defense isn’t overly impressive. But Iowa State quarterback Kyle Kempt threw some iffy passes against the TCU Horned Frogs. So, I also like the Mountaineers’ defense versus the Cyclones’ offense.

I expect this one to barn burner and to see Iowa State drop to 6-3 on the year.

Prediction:

WVU 48 | ISU 42