Nov. 14, 2024 — Iowa State’s defense lines up against Cincinnati at Jack Trice Stadium in
Ames. The Cyclones contained the Bearcats’ offense and earned a 34–17 victory
in the Big 12 matchup. (Jacqueline Cordova)
Iowa State is 5-0 for the second straight year but that undefeated record will be put to
the test this weekend as the Cincinnati Bearcats welcome the No. 14 Iowa State
Cyclones to town. Our staff weighs in with their predictions for Saturday’s game against
the Bearcats.
Chris Williams (5-0)
In terms of data, every indicator in the world, points to Cincinnati “upsetting” Iowa State
here. Iowa State is a top 15 team on the road at an unranked team and is an underdog.
Auto bet on the home team. Until you look closer at the Cincinnati defense. I don’t know
exactly what to expect from Iowa State’s secondary, but I do think that Rocco Becht
and Taylor Mouser will have their way. Iowa State 34, Cincinnati 30
Rob Gray (5-0)
Expect plenty of points to be scored in this one, as the Cyclones face their first game
without their top two and pro-caliber cornerbacks, Jeremiah Cooper and Jontez
Williams. Both suffered season-ending ACL injuries in the past week, and a half and
ISU must find a way to prepare its depleted secondary to stop potent Bearcats
quarterback Brendan Sorsby.
Cincinnati’s passing offense is elite at 288.0 yards per game — and Sorsby added 100
yards to that average in last week’s last-minute comeback win at Kansas. The
Cyclones, meanwhile, feature several playmakers at quarterback Rocco Becht’s
disposal, including transfer receiver Chase Sowell, who amassed 146 receiving yards
on four catches in last week’s win over Arizona. Iowa State 35, Cincinnati 31
Jake Brend (4-1)
This game is a lot tougher than I thought it’d be heading into the season. Most of that is Cincy’s explosion on offense. I wasn’t sure about their transfer wide receivers but they’re legit and have helped elevate Brendan Sorsby to another level. Another reason
this game is tougher is because of no Jontez Williams or Jeremiah Cooper. No matter how you cut it, Iowa State’s defense is worse off without those two.
Because of all that above, I think Cincinnati scores some points. However, I think
Rocco Becht goes out and scores more points. Chase Sowell’s breakout continues
which opens up the seams for Ben Brahmer and Gabe Burkle as Rocco plays one of
the best games of his career. They’ll need all of it, too. On to 6-0. Iowa State 37,
Cincinnati 33
Jackson Pence (4-1)
This will be the toughest test to date for the Cyclones so far this season. It’s definitely
not ideal that the Cyclones are down two of their four most important players on the
defensive side of the ball in Jontez Williams and Jeremiah Cooper. But I have a lot of
faith in guys like Tre Bell and Quentin Taylor to fill in and play well enough to win
games in the Big 12 for the Cyclones.
This game will be won or lost by who plays better at quarterback and I have more faith
in Rocco Becht making crucial, crunch time plays more than I do Brendan Sorsby. I
also think Iowa State has better weapons than Cincinnati as well, especially at tight end in Ben Brahmer and Gabe Burkle. Give me the Cyclones against a Cincinnati defense that is borderline terrible (by the numbers). Iowa State 40, Cincinnati 30
Jacqueline Cordova (5-0)
This is one of those games where we’ll really see how Iowa State handles adversity.
A ranked (and undefeated) Iowa State against an unranked Cincinnati on their home
turf, and all the big heads are saying this is looking more favorable for Cinci (lol)
Of course, losing both Jontez Williams and Jeremiah Cooper is massive, you don’t
just replace two cornerbacks of that caliber overnight. But, Iowa State has been here
before and managed just fine. Cincinnati is going to test Iowa State for sure.
But I keep coming back to the fact that Iowa State has Rocco Becht, who
is poise and confident week after week. Add in Chase Sowell’s breakout,
plus tight ends Ben Brahmer and Gabe Burkle (!)…I think the
Cyclones still have enough firepower to win a high-scoring game on the road.
I’m begging the Clones to not snap my perfect streak here.
Iowa State 36, Cincinnati 32
Jeff Woody (5-0)
This game for Iowa State, to me, hinges on two things: Iowa State’s ability to run the
ball and its ability to make Brendan Sorsby uncomfortable. For the former, Dontay
Corleone’s availability and effectiveness is a giant question mark. With him in and
rolling, their linebackers, Jack Dingle and Jake Golday, can play extremely fast and
free, making this defense actually pretty good.
But if he’s not able to play, or Iowa State can make him ineffective, the Cyclones can
keep Sorsby off the field with sustained, physical drives. And the running game for
Cincinnati is still inconsistent, so making Sorsby uncomfortable—either with pressure or
weird looks—can go a long way towards containing an explosive offense. I do believe
Iowa State does at least one of those well enough to win—and my trust is largely
because of Rocco Becht’s competitive excellence. But it’ll be another fun one in one of
my favorite stadiums that I’ve ever been to. Iowa State 31, Cincinnati 27
Derek Duke (4-1)
This trip to Cincinnati will be the toughest environment Iowa State will play in up to this
point, but the good news is that it’s an early kickoff. I know a lot of people are raving
about Cincinnati’s offense and don’t get me wrong, they are good, but they aren’t what
everyone is making them out to be. What great defense have they faced this season
where they put up a ton of points? The answer is none.
Losing both top cornerbacks isn’t ideal for Iowa State in this matchup, but I do believe the Cyclones will win the battle up front. Plus, while Cincinnati may have a good offense, their defense doesn’t scare me at all. Kansas did whatever they wanted to them just a week ago. In a close game like this, I trust a guy like Rocco Becht a whole lot more than I do with a guy like Brendan Sorsby.
Iowa State 31, Cincinnati 24
