Nov 16, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes defensive tackle Tawfiq Thomas (95) dives at Utah Utes quarterback Isaac Wilson (11) in the second half at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Iowa State returns to the field on Utah’s Senior night to take on the Utes in the penultimate game of the regular season (6:30 p.m. FOX). Here are our staff’s picks.
Chris Williams (7-3)
Doesn’t this feel a little bit like the K-State game last year for Iowa State? The Cyclones appeared to hit rock bottom against Kansas and should be on an incline after last week’s win over Cincinnati. Utah is one of the worst rushing teams in college football, which is good for the Cyclones who struggle to defend it. Meanwhile, Colorado was able to pass all over the Utes last week. Iowa State 24, Utah 17.
Rob Gray (7-3)
Iowa State vs. Utah – If the Cyclones can stop the run, a path to 9-2 swiftly materializes. If they can’t, this is a four-quarter game, and ISU fans could end up disappointed. Expect the Cyclones’ defensive coordinator, Jon Heacock, to have a few tricks up his sleeve as his unit gets healthier and plays on the road for the last time this season. Quarterback Rocco Becht shines, wide receiver Jaylin Noel surpasses the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his career, and ISU escapes Salt Lake City with a win. Iowa State 27, Utah 17
Connor Ferguson (8-2)
Iowa State takes care of business this week against a hampered Utah team. Isaac Wilson gets pressured and tends to misfire on throws as the defense figures him out in this one. I was going to predict the score closer when I saw Utah’s helmets they’re rolling out, but Iowa State one-upped them with the script Cyclone logo returning. Iowa State 26, Utah 11
Jeff Woody (8-2)
Iowa State is the better team for the second week in a row. What that means is turnovers and time of possession make a HUGE difference. Based on Utah’s capacity for turnovers in their last 4 games, Iowa State wins both of those metrics and the game in a way that feels very similar to the Wear Virginia game earlier this year. Iowa State 27, Utah 14
Grant Mahoney (9-1)
Big game for both teams. Utah needs this to keep their bowl hopes alive and to send the seniors out with a win. ISU needs this to keep their CFP hopes alive. Utah will run the ball against ISU but I think they’ll get down early and be forced to throw and the turnovers will start to mount for them. Utah’s defense is decent but I think Rocco and the boys are cooking at the right time. I like the Clones in this one. Iowa State 27, Utah 20
Jackson Pence (8-2)
Everything is still on the table for this Cyclone team. Of course they need some bounces to go their way, but they aren’t impossible. The important thing is, they need to win and I love this matchup for Iowa State. Utah has been one of the more disappointing Big 12 teams this season, but they haven’t given up on the season. They are still very good defensively, they just can’t put points on the board on offense. Utes quarterback Issac Wilson is a true freshman and has not had the greatest year. Look for the Cyclones to go all out on stopping the run and force Wilson to throw against their talented secondary. I think the Iowa State offense will take its lumps easy in the game, but find a way to win down the stretch. Iowa State 24, Utah 20
