Chris Williams, Publisher – Iowa State 27, ULM 14
If the forecast was to be 80 and sunny, I’d pick Iowa State to cover the 18.5 point spread here. But it isn’t and field conditions will likely deteriorate as the game goes in, which should neutralize any advantage Iowa State might have when it comes to speed and athleticism. On the same conversation, speed is ULM’s strength. Iowa State should be able to push this team around up front. I expect a comfortable win for the Cyclones but not a blowout by any means.
Jared Stansbury, Staff Writer – Iowa State 31, ULM 17
With the way the weather is supposed to be, I have a hard time seeing this game being a true blowout, but it will still be a comfortable win.
Brent Blum, Contributor – Iowa State 41, ULM 17
People may look at this after close games against UNI and Iowa and think Iowa State is in for another dog-fight. The difference here is ULM is abysmal against the run. ULM is allowing over 5.3 yards per carry, one of the worst marks in the country. If a team can’t stop the run, nothing else really matters. Expect Iowa State to put up some points and control the clock.
Rob Gray, Senior Writer – Iowa State 35, ULM 17
Coach Campbell says the Warhawks’ defense can create “havoc” and it certainly can. I don’t think it will Saturday, though. Weather is (as always, it seems) the wild card here, but expect ISU’s defense to be stout as usual as the offense churns up a couple more explosive plays while largely cleaning up execution issues.
Jeff Woody, Football Analyst – Iowa State 38, ULM 10
Okay. I tried picking them straight up. Then I tried the reverse jinx. APPARENTLY my picks on a fan site have nothing to do with the outcome of the game. Maybe if I wear the same socks as the UNI game they’ll pull out a W. On second thought, after 3 overtimes one week and a three-hour delay the next, that’s not actually “good luck.”
The difference between larger schools and smaller schools usually resides in the quality and depth of the big fellas. Iowa State has actually shown that that might be a strength of this team on each side, or at least not a liability like it has been in the past. I think 19 is a lot with how (probably) sloppy it’s going to be again, but 1) YOLO and 2) this is going to be a comfortable win with time to get 1 of the 4 redshirt games in to see the new kids.
Jay Jordan, Football Analyst – Iowa State 41, ULM 17
I have picked big wins and been completely wrong. Honestly, I think this team needs a big win here. There are either big problems or the silver lining is revealed. Offense is the focus and the offensive line improvement gives a chance for that to get done. Big win if the field is in better shape.
Kevin Fitzpatrick, Contributor – Iowa State 28, ULM 10
I could see this game being fairly close in the first half before the Cyclones pull away a bit in the second. Crossing my fingers for good weather but my prediction reflects the possibility of another wet one.
Kirk Haaland, Contributor – Iowa State 34, ULM 13
Weather is stupid but, *fingers crossed*.
I think ISU continues to play well like they have for 85-90% of snaps the first two games but this week the defense finishes on potential big plays and the offense will keep methodical drives alive to convert to points more efficiently.
