Good Cop

By Noah Rohlfing

It’s not going to happen this year. I just don’t see it.

Northern Iowa expects to be really good this year. The Panthers have a solid team with a lot of experience and a lot of offensive starters returning from the team that beat Iowa State last year. But it won’t matter this time around.

Iowa State’s offense is going to be good this year. It has to be for them to have any chance of making a bowl game. Jacob Park and Allen Lazard may lead that unit, but the running back depth the Cyclones possess will be just as crucial.

Mike Warren and David Montgomery should be able to get yards against a UNI defense that is missing Karter Schult from last year, even with four new starters on the offensive line.

The defense might have more issues. A young defensive line that will likely not be at its best until the middle of the season could be gashed by a veteran UNI offensive line.

However, this is also the same UNI offense that finished 76th in the FCS in passing yards per game last year and 78th in total yards per game, only averaging 361.4 yards per outing. This is an offense that should be easy to handle if the Cyclones can win the line of scrimmage.

I doubt this will be an easy game for the Cyclones, but they’ll score enough points to start the season off with a comfortable win.

Prediction:

ISU 38, UNI 24

Bad Cop

By Garrett Kroeger

Classes have started and Iowa State football is just one day away from kicking off its season against University of Northern Iowa.

Students and faculty members have all been saying, ‘I want the Cyclones to beat those dang Panthers this weekend.’ But I am here to halt the brakes. 

Here is a history lesson for you Iowa State fans.

Out of the past four seasons, the Cyclones have opened against a FCS opponent (UNI in 2013, 2015 and 2016 and North Dakota State in 2014). All winnable games in the minds of Iowa State fans.

However, the Cyclones only won one of those matchups (UNI in 2015) and the rest they have let slip through their fingers. The 2017 matchup will be no different.

The Panthers love to run the ball. Last season in their 25-20 win over Iowa State, UNI ran the ball for 232 yards and two touchdowns. Now, the Panthers have lost their two top rushers from last year.

UNI coach Mark Farley knows how to produce running back after running back. That should scare Iowa State because the Cyclones’ front seven is unexperienced.

Iowa State brought in some talented guys to boost its front seven this offseason like Matt Leo, Ray Lima and Kamilo Tongamoa. Lima will be the only one of those players starting and coach Matt Campbell said he does not expect Tongamoa to play.

UNI may be seen as the little brother in the eyes of some Iowa State fans, however, they are easily capable of defeating the cardinal and gold this Saturday. 

Prepare for disappointment once again Iowa State fans. It is going to be another long season in Ames.

Prediction:

UNI 24 | ISU 21