Cyclones open as two-point favorite in 2019 Cy-Hawk game

Sep 9, 2017; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones defensive end JaQuan Bailey (19) pressures Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Nathan Stanley (4) at Jack Trice Stadium. The Hawkeyes won 44-41 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

For the first time in 19 years, Iowa State is favored in the Cy-Hawk game — at least for now.

CG Sportsbook released its opening lines for select college football games on Wednesday and the Cyclones are considered a two-point favorite over the rival Hawkeyes with 108 days left until the two teams square off in Jack Trice Stadium on Sept. 14.

Assuming the line does not move drastically by the time the two teams kickoff, it will be the first time the Cyclones enter the game as the favorite since 2000, according to our Kirk Haaland. Iowa State won that game 24-14 in Iowa City, the third win in a stretch of five straight from 1998 to 2002.

Iowa has won four-straight games in the series, the longest such winning streak since Iowa State’s aforementioned five-straight. The Hawkeyes won last season’s game in Iowa City 13-3 while the 2017 game in Ames finished 44-41 in overtime.

The game will be one of the biggest of the early-season college football slate and will likely be a candidate to host ESPN’s College Gameday. According to the folks in Vegas, it is also currently considered to be the first time Matt Campbell will beat the hated Team Out East.

Jared Stansbury

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Jared a native of Clarinda, Iowa, started as the Cyclone Fanatic intern in August 2013, primarily working as a videographer until starting on the women’s basketball beat prior to the 2014-15 season. Upon earning his Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Iowa State in May 2016, Jared was hired as the site’s full-time staff writer, taking over as the primary day-to-day reporter on football and men’s basketball. He was elevated to the position of managing editor in January 2020. He is a regular contributor on 1460 KXNO in Des Moines and makes regular guest appearances on radio stations across the Midwest. Jared resides in Ankeny with his four-year-old puggle, Lolo.

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