Nov 9, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Iowa State Cyclones running back Carson Hansen (26) runs into the end zone for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Kansas Jayhawks at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images
Iowa State returns to Jack Trice Stadium to face Cincinnati Saturday in its penultimate home game of the 2024 regular season. Here are our staff’s picks.
Chris Williams (6-3)
Feels like a last stand for Matt Campbell’s team, which entered the season with the goal of winning a Big 12 championship. The injuries seem insurmountable on defense. I’m banking on the offense carrying Iowa State to a big win and keeping its title hopes alive. Iowa State 34, Cincinnati 28.
Rob Gray (6-3)
Cincinnati at Iowa State – The Bearcats feature a dynamic dual-threat quarterback in Brendan Sossby and two productive tailbacks in Corey Kiner and Evan Pryor. They’re strong up front on defense, but somewhat vulnerable in the secondary, which will put Cyclone offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser’s playcalling on center stage. If ISU’s offense can control the game, a comfortable win awaits. If not, this could go down to the wire. Iowa State 31, Cincinnati 20
Connor Ferguson (7-2)
It’s put up or shut up time for Iowa State, and as CW has mentioned a couple of times this week, Matt Campbell teams seem to do really well with their backs against the wall – guess it’s one of those Iowa State things. I think the Cyclone offense can move the ball Saturday, hopefully for them, should Ben Brahmer return. Iowa State 30, Cincinnati 27
Jeff Woody (7-2)
Iowa State *needs* to be able to run the ball to win. This defense, especially at linebacker, is so thin that you cannot allow Cincinnati to have a zillion drives, or they will capitalize on some mistakes. I think Sama and Hansen have big games this week and they are able to do that, but it’s not a blowout or a comfy win. Iowa State 31, Cincinnati 24
Grant Mahoney (8-1)
We’re gonna see what this ISU team is made of this week. There’s still a lot left to play for this year. Will Heacock bust out a new noticeable wrinkle in the defense? I sure hope so! Will Jaylin get at least 109 yards to to make him the 7th WR in ISU history to have a 1,000 yard season? I think he will. I think we see Brahmer back and the offense clicks en route to an 8-point ISU victory. Iowa State 31, Cincinnati 23
Jackson Pence (7-2)
This is a fascinating matchup for Iowa State. After last week’s disappointing loss to Kansas, what does Iowa State do going forward regarding all injuries. I have no clue. That’s what makes this game so fascinating. Will they tweak their defensive scheme a little bit? Will the offense go full shootout mode? No one knows. But regarding the injuries, it can’t get any worse right? Rocco Becht and the offense are going to have to win these games for Iowa State down the stretch. I’m not over the defense by any means, especially since they are the No. 1 defense in the Big 12, but there is only so much they can do with all the injuries piling up. I don’t think the defense will play anywhere close to the way it did last week, but I think they will give up some points to this Bearcat offense. The Cyclones get the win, but it’s a lot closer than we as fans want. Iowa State 41, Cincinnati 38
