STAFF PICKS: Camping World Bowl

Nov 30, 2019; Stanford, CA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish tight end Cole Kmet (84) warms-up on the field before the game against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Williams, Publisher – Iowa State 27, Notre Dame 24

I think that people really need to realize why a 10-2 Notre Dame team is only a 3.5 point favorite in this game. Because despite Iowa State’s somewhat disappointing 7-5 campaign, this is still a very strong football team. The analytics say so and I believe the numbers. I trust that the defense will hold up fine in this one. To me, it will come down to running the football and Brock Purdy’s ability to be agile in the pocket. I think that the month off did him a lot of good and I’m picking the Cyclones in one of the biggest wins in program history.

Jared Stansbury, Staff Writer – Iowa State 31, Notre Dame 30

I have gone back and forth on this game the entire week. When I arrived in Orlando, my mind had pretty squarely set on the Cyclones losing some sort of heartbreaking fashion. As the week progress, I started to feel better and better about Iowa State’s chances, as happens with almost every game. But, this feeling was largely built on the look in the eyes of Iowa State’s players. I can tell they are locked into the task at hand and they look determined to prove themselves on a national stage. They do so in an absolute classic that will be remembered in Cyclone lore.

Rob Gray, Senior Writer – Notre Dame 27, Iowa State 24

The Fighting Irish are legit top-15 in all phases and the Cyclones have been **almost** elite for huge chunks of games against good to great competition. Problem is nearly every close game has swung the wrong way from an ISU perspective and I expect Notre Dame to continue exploiting that season-long trend. 

Jay Jordan, Football Analyst – Notre Dame 31, Iowa State 23

This game is important. Every game is for ND because of who they are and their independence. For, ISU, it is an opportunity to make a statement on a large national stage. It matters.  The teams are far more even than one would expect, but I think ND has an edge with their QB mobility.

Jeff Woody, Football Analyst – Iowa State 33, Notre Dame 24

Notre Dame’s ability to run the ball scares the hell out of me. Iowa State’s inability to stop the run against their last 2 opponents, however, scares me more. But bowl games are weird and it comes down to who wants to actually be there more. Notre Dame absolutely feels like they are better than this and shouldn’t be playing Idaho State in the Winnebago Bowl, so I feel like they’re going to come out with a bit of malaise. Iowa State’s other option was Memphis, so this is AWESOME. Motivation matters. 

Kevin Fitzpatrick, Contributor – Iowa State 27, Notre Dame 20

The 2017 and 2018 seasons under Matt Campbell featured signature wins. 2017 was Oklahoma, 2018 was West Virginia. Has there really been a signature win yet in 2019? The Texas game is the closest thing, but that isn’t on the level of the prior two I mentioned. So I’m guessing this year’s signature win comes in the bowl game over one of the best college football programs of all time. 

Kirk Haaland, Stats Nerd – Iowa State 23, Notre Dame 21

I still think Iowa State has a very good football team but the strength of the Irish offense and Iowa State’s defensive performance against the run the last time we saw them has me concerned. I do feel that the motivation is on ISU’s side which is always crucial in bowl games.