Oct 3, 2020; Ames, Iowa, USA; Iowa State running back Breece Hall (28) breaks open a run for the go ahead touchdown during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium. Iowa State would go on to defeat Oklahoma 37-30. Mandatory Credit: Brian Powers-USA TODAY Sports
Chris Williams, Publisher – Iowa State 30, Oklahoma 28
I think it’s a total toss-up. Iowa State deserves to be in this game. Iowa State proved in the season that it belongs at the big boy’s table by being the only one-loss team in the league. Oklahoma is a lot better than it was in early October. So are the Cyclones. You guys know my rule. If I’m undecided and think it can go either way, I lean with the good guys on a last second field goal to slay demons of the past.
Jared Stansbury, Managing Editor – Iowa State 34, Oklahoma 27
I’ve done all the analyzing I can this week. Let’s bring a trophy back to Ames. Play ball.
Rob Gray, Senior Writer – Iowa State 34, Oklahoma 31 (2OT)
You didn’t think I’d call for anything less than overtime, did you? Why not two? The Cyclones pull through.
Jay Jordan, Football Analyst – Iowa State 34, Oklahoma 24
Simple, I think Iowa State has progressed just as much as OU and that OU has had very little game action in the last month. Iowa State won by overcoming its own self-inflicted wounds. They do it again without the wounds.
Jeff Woody, Football Analyst – Iowa State 33, Oklahoma 25
Iowa State earned an outright first-place finish in the conference; won the head-to-head matchup earlier this season; won their last 5 straight games by an average margin of 24 points; has the offensive player of the year, defensive player of the year, coach of the year, offensive newcomer of the year, first-team all-conference quarterback, 9 total first-team selections to OU’s 3, the entire defensive line two-deep receiving votes; AND STILL is a 4.5+ point underdog.
Don’t think the players don’t know that. Individual honors are one thing, but this team doesn’t really care. After getting down early, the Cyclones get a TD late to make a classic of a game to make a bigger margin difference than the game plays.
Kevin Fitzpatrick, Contributor – Oklahoma 42, Iowa State 17
*winks at camera and turns on megaphone* There is no way this Iowa State team can beat a much-improved Oklahoma! Have you seen how much OU has improved since the beginning of the year? Iowa State lost to LOUISIANA for cryin’ out loud! There has never been a greater insult to humanity than ranking the Cyclones at No. 6 in the College Football Playoff rankings! Matt Campbell already has his sights set on other programs and his foot is halfway out the door! Sustained success in Ames is impossible! BOOMER!
Kirk Haaland, Contributor – Iowa State 30, Oklahoma 27
Honestly, I don’t know what will happen. For me and many fans I think we’re just happy to be here but I know that line of thinking is completely insulting to the guys in the locker room. The reality of the situation is that the coaches and players can line up and match Oklahoma’s size, talent, ability, and scheme without a second thought. The Oklahoma running game will look a bit different than the first matchup, Spencer Rattler has no doubt grown as a player, and the Oklahoma defense appears to be improved but a win is still well within reach for the Cyclones. This team didn’t come this far for me to predict a loss now.
