Sep 1, 2018; Iowa City, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Nate Stanley (4) hands the ball off to running back Ivory Kelly-Martin (21) against the Northern Illinois Huskies during the second quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Each Friday the Cyclone Fanatic staff will release their predictions for the upcoming Iowa State football game.
Chris Williams – Iowa State 27, iowa 24
I’d be a liar if I said that I’m not leaning more towards Iowa compared to what I felt two weeks ago. The cancellation of last week’s game is a big advantage for Iowa, in my opinion. I’ll stick with my guns though and take Iowa State because that’s where I’ve leaned for the majority of the summer.
Jared Stansbury – iowa state 24, iowa 21
There is not much I’m certain of heading into this game, but I’m pretty certain we won’t see another 44-41 shootout. I think this game will be owned by the defenses and I see it coming down to the last few possessions. In the end, I see a kicker being the hero. I guess we will see what Connor Assassley is made of right off the bat.
Brent Blum – iowa state 21, iowa 13
This will be a slugfest, which means turnovers and play-makers are the difference. Iowa State’s defense is especially difficult to navigate without speed on the outside to counter. I think the Cyclones force Stanley into a few bad decisions and the Cyclone offense grinds out enough with Montgomery and the short passing game.
rob gray – iowa state 21, iowa 20
Both defensive lines should dominate, making big plays — and points on the board — hard to come by. David Montgomery bounces off would-be tacklers, as usual, to provide just enough traction in the run game for the Cyclones. ISU finds a way to eke out one more big play than the home team (maybe a circus catch and run from Hakeem Butler?) and strides out of Kinnick Stadium with a draining and hard-earned win.
jay jordan – iowa state 20, iowa 16
Neither quarterback is likely to have much time to throw the ball. Stanley may have slightly more. Neither club is likely to find a steady running game at their disposal. Though, Iowa will have a slightly better chance of that. Kempt is the better QB at getting the ball out of his hands quickly. Therefore, it shapes up as a defensive battle where a play maker will have to make a play. Iowa State has more of those and a better delivery system. In a tight, physical contest, Iowa State flips the line and scores a huge road win.
jeff woody – iowa state 24, iowa 20
I think this is a really good test for the two of the most unknown parts of the team: linebacker and offensive line. Iowa’s strengths are their ability to run the ball and their defensive line. I think ISU gets up early but Iowa claws back to make this an extremely stressful win for the ‘Clones.
kirk haaland – iowa 23, iowa state 19
Heading into the Cy-Hawk game is usually done with minimal information and a whole lot of guessing and that has never been truer than this year since it will be Iowa State’s first game. I suspect the Cyclones will have some struggles moving the ball on the ground and have an uncomfortable need for the kicking game to come through on offense. On defense, the question for me will be if ISU sticks with the 3-3-5 stack, or even tries to against run-heavy Iowa, or if they’ll run a 4-2-5 or 4-3 in an effort to stop the run and match up with their dynamic tight ends.
kevin fitzpatrick – iowa 27, iowa state 13
I’ll take the bullet. We can’t have everyone pick the Cyclones or else it will spell certain doom. The Iowa lines prove to be the difference and the Iowa State offense sputters while trying to shake off some rust it would have gotten rid of during the South Dakota State game.
