The Iowa State Cyclones on the road this weekend at the TCU Horned Frogs. The Cyclones are coming off four straight loses and looking to try and get back on track this weekend. See what the CycloneFanatic staff thinks how the Cyclones will do against the Horned Frogs.
Chris Williams (5-4)
I just don’t see this going well for Iowa State. TCU is as healthy as it has been all season, has really good wide receiver, a really good quarterback and the Cyclones can’t put it in the end zone. My hope is the Cyclones can keep it close, get to a bye week and win their last two to go 7-5. TCU 38, Iowa State 24
Rob Gray (6-3)
The Cyclones are in deep danger of experiencing their third five-game losing streak in the Matt Campbell era, and the litany of mistakes that have marred the previous four setbacks must vanish if they’re to have a chance against the Horned Frogs in Fort Worth. ISU improves and plays cleaner football but can’t contain TCU quarterback Josh Hoover in the passing game. Horned Frogs score the winning touchdown in the closing minutes. TCU 38, Iowa State 31
Jake Brend (4-5)
While it wouldn’t shock me if this was the week a Matt Campbell coached team got off the mat when no one expected them to, I don’t think it’s very likely.
At this point, Iowa State doesn’t have the guys to hold up against an explosive TCU offense with the best receiving core they’ve seen all season. If the Cyclones want to have a shot, they NEED to score at least 35. With what I’ve seen in the last month, I don’t trust the execution enough to expect that. TCU 41, Iowa State 23
Jackson Pence (5-4)
What an odd season Iowa State has stumbled upon. Losing four straight games is not ideal for a program that just doesn’t hit lulls like this. I don’t like the spot for ISU. TCU is as healthy as they have been and still playing for a chance at the Big 12 title game. Josh Hoover is a really good quarterback, and I don’t think Iowa State has the horses on defense to slow down a high-powered Horned Frogs offense.
I really hope Rocco Becht goes out and plays like the guy we saw all of last year and the first five games this season. I still think he is a great quarterback, he just might be having some confidence problems. We all know he can do it, because we have seen it. If the offense went out and scored 40 points, it wouldn’t shock me, but it will be up to Rocco to get this thing turned around. TCU 43, Iowa State 33
Jacqueline Cordova (5-4)
Alright Fanatics, Iowa State Cyclones vs. the TCU Horned Frogs. A showdown down South. Yours truly will be in Ft. Worth for the first time and I am pumped! I am going to soak up the energy and capture every beat of the action. ISU rolls into Frog territory knowing they’re the underdog. When teams travel and get overlooked, magic happens. At least that’s what the tiny little voice in my head is saying. But here’s the reality: TCU is playing at home, likely fitter and ready to strike. While I’m rooting for Cyclone magic, the smart money says the Frogs hop away victorious. I’m betting against the Cyclones for the first time this season. TCU 27, Iowa State 20
Jeff Woody (5-4)
What I see from this ISU team is flat-out exhaustion. And can you blame them? Here’s the rundown of their season so far.
•Ireland for a rivalry game
•home opener
•Big Noon CyHawk
•Survive 110° Jonesboro
•Arizona coming off a bye (look great!…But you lose both 1st-Team All-Big 12 DBs, a safety, and literally every kicker on the roster)
•Cincy (hard opponent, a little tired)
•Colorado (flat, very tired, dud)
•BYU (use every bit of energy but run out of it in the 3rd Q)
•ASU (running on fumes)
•TCU
•much needed bye
So what are we going to get from this ISU team now? Players need to make plays. You don’t get out of slumps by doing the status quo. And it needs to start with the passing game. Rocco needs to be better. The wideouts need to be better. You’re playing a great team in a hard environment, but I think you get a spurt of energy knowing a bye comes next week. ISU wins a shootout and Rocco gets right. Iowa State 38, TCU 34
Derek Duke (5-4)
How wrong can one man possibly be? Whatever the limit is, I am certainly pushing it with my record this season. Between the injuries and the product on the field right now, it feels like Iowa State is limping into this game.
TCU’s defense isn’t great but the one thing they have done well is stopping the run which is the best part of Iowa State’s offense right now. The one area where TCU is vulnerable defensively is through the air which is where the Cyclones have struggled between the play of Rocco Becht and the receivers. I also don’t feel great about-facing Josh Hoover and the weapons he has around him.
The good news is that I will be in Fort Worth for this one so maybe that will help but I am sorry Iowa State fans; I just can’t pick them to win on Saturday. As the great Michael Scott once said “Fool me once, strike one. But fool me twice… strike three!” TCU 34, Iowa State 28
