Every week during the year, Brian Mozey, Aaron Marner, Jack MacDonald and a special guest make their predictions for the Iowa State football game. Here are their predictions for the Cyclones’ week two game against Iowa on ESPN2.

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Brian Mozey, Sports Editor (1-0)

Winner: Iowa

Score: 27-14

The biggest matchup from this Cy-Hawk game will be between the rushing attack from Iowa and the front seven of the Iowa State defensive side. In the end, Iowa will win that matchup and take home the trophy to Iowa City. 

The Cyclone defense showed signs of improvement with a solid linebacker core, but the front line still needs to grow. Iowa will see this weakness and attack all game long with its one-two punch with a dual running back system. 

If Iowa decides to throw the ball more often, it could become a closer game as Iowa State has a strong secondary. The Hawkeyes will test this in the beginning of the game, but rely on the running game late in the first quarter. 

Aaron Marner, Assistant Sports Editor (1-0)

Winner: Iowa State

Score: 27-21

This year’s edition of the Cy-Hawk battle is going to be pretty simple.

Since the start of the 2015 season, when the Hawkeyes score first, they are 19-1. When their opponent scores first, the Hawkeyes are just 2-6.

Simply put, the first team to score Saturday is probably going to win.

Nate Stanley, the Iowa quarterback, had just eight completed passes last week for 125 yards. He also had three fumbles and an interception.

If Iowa State gets out to an early lead, the Iowa offense won’t be able to come back. Give me the Cyclones in a close game.

Jack MacDonald, Assistant Sports Editor (1-0)

Winner: Iowa State 

Score: 31-28

Without a doubt, this year’s Cy-Hawk game is going to be a shootout. You have an Iowa State offense that showed you how high-powered they are once they come alive and an Iowa offense that can run the ball down your throat. 

Iowa may pose a threat to the front seven of Iowa State just like Northern Iowa was able to expose them at times on Saturday, but if Jacob Park can figure out a way to get the ball to Allen Lazard, then the Cyclones walk out of Jack Trice Stadium with the Cy-Hawk trophy. 

Allen Lazard will be the difference maker. The senior has 235 receiving yards against the Hawkeyes and a few more could win the game for Iowa State. 

Emily Barske, Editor-In-Chief

Winner: Iowa State 

Score: 35-27

For the most part, the Cy-Hawk game is always a toss-up. Home-field advantage is almost non-existent in the series. But revenge is. The Cyclones have something to prove this year. And some of the seniors, especially Allen Lazard, won’t go out without a good fight. 

If the Cyclones are going to come out on top, though, they’ll have to put up a better offensive game than they did against UNI. And if Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz’s run-run-pass traditional offense means anything still, Iowa State’s defense will need to come into the game well conditioned.

If the Cyclones can make that happen, Ferentz will be chomping his gum more furiously than ever.