September 8, 2012; Iowa City, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclone players Jake Knott (20) , Jeff Woody (32) and David Inving (87) carry the Cy-Hawk off the field after the beating the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. Iowa State defeated Iowa 9-6. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
It’s Cy-Hawk week, and the Cyclone Fanatic staff is giving their picks for this Saturday’s game between Iowa State and North Dakota (2:30 p.m. CBS).
Chris Williams (1-0)
I had Iowa State winning this game going into the season, but the injury situation has me spooked. The Cyclones have it in them to win this one on the road. But I know the Ferentz staff is going to see the hole in Iowa State’s defense. Nobody is better at winning ugly than Iowa. You have to give the edge to the home team. Iowa 20, Iowa State 17.
Rob Gray (1-0)
Iowa State’s top receivers, Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, will be a problem for Iowa’s secondary, but a third (and possibly fourth) good option for quarterback Rocco Becht must emerge for him to put up big numbers. Running the ball will likely be difficult and the Hawkeyes’ balanced offense should tax a Cyclone defense that’s depleted at linebacker. Points — as always — will be at a premium, and home field (despite ISU’s recent success at Kinnick) tips the scales. Iowa 20, Iowa State 17
Connor Ferguson (1-0)
Iowa State hasn’t had much success in this series during the past decade, but I don’t believe they’ve had a quarterback as prepped to win in this series than Rocco Becht has shown in the last handful of games he’s played. The Cyclone offense is able to move the ball and avoids turnovers, but there will still be some weird play or series that changes this game. Iowa State 18, Iowa 11
Jeff Woody (1-0)
This is strength (Iowa D) vs strength (Iowa State O) and question mark (Iowa State D) vs question mark (Iowa O). Can Iowa State *not* shoot themselves in the foot to take advantage of this fairly even matchup? I say yes. Rocco has a day and ISU wins an all-timer. Iowa State 26, Iowa 20
Grant Mahoney (1-0)
I didn’t get much from either teams first game, other than Jaylin Noel, Jayden Higgins, and Rocco Becht are DAWGS and Iowa fans started booing their offense after the first few 3 and out drives of their game. I think ISU leads 14-9 at half, Iowa scores on one of their first drives to open the second half to go up 16-14. No one scores again until Kyle “cash money” Konrardy hammers home a 52 yarder as the clock expires, giving the clones a 17-16 victory in an all timer, returning the CyHawk trophy to its rightful home. Iowa State 17, Iowa 16
Jackson Pence (1-0)
This is such a tough game to pick. I’d be lying to you all if I said I’m not leaning towards Iowa more than what I was three weeks ago. I’m not totally confident in Iowa State’s defense, specifically against the run with all the injuries. But I am confident in Rocco Becht and the passing game. His ability to stretch the field is what will win Iowa State this game. Higgins, Noel, and company will have to find the holes in Iowa’s elite defense to keep drives alive. If the Cyclones can avoid turning the ball over and the traditional special teams mishaps in this game, Iowa State can pick up their second Cy-Hawk win in the last three seasons.
