Good Cop 

By Noah Rohlfing

Kansas was an easy one. I’ll have my work cut out for me this week. 

After a 45-0 rain-drenched glorified scrimmage, it’s off to Lubbock to play Texas Tech.

Before the season started, I would have said that Iowa State would have an easy time of it this weekend. But there’s nothing that looks easy about playing Texas Tech this year. 

The Red Raiders (best read in Chris Berman’s voice) are 4-2, and while they are 1-2 in the Big 12 so far, those losses have been to No. 10 Oklahoma State and West Virginia, and it could easily be argued that Tech should have won both of those. 

Senior quarterback and Iowa transfer Nic Shimonek has played wonderfully for Texas Tech, completing 70.1 percent of his passes for 2,134 yards and 18 touchdowns. The Tech offense is running smoothly and tearing defenses apart.

But that doesn’t mean I’m down on the Cyclones’ chances. 

Kyle Kempt has done exactly what you want a backup quarterback thrust into a starting job to do: manage the game and not turn the ball over. His steady play has allowed the transcendent David Montgomery to have two straight big games and lead the Cyclones’ attack. 

On the defensive side of the ball, the Cyclones’ three-man front and improved secondary held the Jayhawks to less than 100 total yards deep into the fourth quarter. I know that’s not going to happen against the Red Raiders, but there’s plenty of reason to think that the Cyclones can at least contain the Tech passing game.

Having said all that, there’s only one way this goes. My prediction streak will continue and the Cyclones will move to 5-2 (5-2!) on the season, inching closer to bowl eligibility. 

Prediction:

ISU 41 | TTU 37

Bad Cop

By Garrett Kroeger

OK, I was obviously wrong about the Kansas game. How would I have known that the Iowa State Cyclones were going to defeat the Jayhawks 45-0? However, I digress.

This Saturday, Iowa State looks to extend its 4-2 record to 5-2 when it travels to Lubbock to face the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

Now, the Red Raiders are nothing like the Jayhawks. I mean, they are actually good at football.

On the year, Texas Tech is 4-2 overall and 1-2 in the Big 12. While they are on the wrong side of the conference standings, one could argue that the Red Raiders could have beaten No. 10 Oklahoma State and West Virginia if given another shot.

Tech is known as an offensive powerhouse. Its quarterback Nic Shimonek has played outstanding, completing 70.1 percent of his passes for 2,134 yards and 18 touchdowns. Plus, he is a former Iowa Hawkeye signal caller and everyone knows Iowa gunslingers tear up Iowa State’s defense. So, expect Shimonek to put up crazy numbers this Saturday.

While I expect Shimonek and the Texas Tech offense to run wild on Iowa State come this Saturday, the Cyclones have struggled playing in Lubbock. The only time Iowa State has won at Tech was back in 2011. I don’t see that changing anytime soon.

Chalk this one up as an “L” for the Cyclones.

Prediction:

TTU 42 | ISU 38