ISU was 3 point Dawgs to KSU and won by 3 (should have been 10). We were 15.5 point favorites to USD and won by 48 (should have been 55). We are 3 point favorites to TOE. I think we win it. I hope we score early and often in first half and make them adjust to it, then run heavy in the second half. I do not believe TOE is better than KSU, and I think home give us 3 more points than what we should have scored against KSU. iSU 28, TOE 16.
***Iowa Pregame Thread***
- Thread starter BigJCy
- Start date
I think more than anything, I really like where it feels like the team is mentally.
Iowa is more much more likely to do poorly against the betting line. Since 2023 when Rocco became ISU quarterback, Iowa State is 17th in the nation against the spread. Iowa is 93rd. More importantly, Iowa has not had a win against a ranked opponent since October of 2021. Hopefully they can't right that ship this week.
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They've played pretty clean football through two games. If that continues ISU is a tough out by anybody on the schedule. I just have been around long enough to know that some crazy stuff happens in the CyHawk game.
Oh I totally agree with that too. I’m not comfortable or confident. There will no doubt be some weird call, some super strange play on a twice tipped ball, a trick play no one saw coming or a blocked kick. Death, taxes and weird Cyhawk games.
This game regularly comes down to who wins the turnover battle.
Iowa State has a 3 year starter at QB who is playing as well as anyone in the country right now. Both RBs have dozens of starts and hundreds of carries under their belt. The passing game runs through our experienced and sure handed tight ends.
Iowa has a first year transfer QB who will be playing his first major P5 defense on the road in a rivalry game. Thats a tall task. Their first string running back is likely out. Their likely starter at running back has very limited game action. Their #1 receiver is out and their receiving room is unproven.
I like our odds of winning the turnover battle.
Special teams MUST.BE.CLEAN!
Brent Blum also noted Iowa has only gained more than 300 yards in this game once I believe since 2017. With a first year starter at QB in the biggest game of his career, without his #1 receiver, and a backup RB, I just don't think this is the year that offense has a huge day on our defense.
Iowa State has a 3 year starter at QB who is playing as well as anyone in the country right now. Both RBs have dozens of starts and hundreds of carries under their belt. The passing game runs through our experienced and sure handed tight ends.
Iowa has a first year transfer QB who will be playing his first major P5 defense on the road in a rivalry game. Thats a tall task. Their first string running back is likely out. Their likely starter at running back has very limited game action. Their #1 receiver is out and their receiving room is unproven.
I like our odds of winning the turnover battle.
Special teams MUST.BE.CLEAN!
Brent Blum also noted Iowa has only gained more than 300 yards in this game once I believe since 2017. With a first year starter at QB in the biggest game of his career, without his #1 receiver, and a backup RB, I just don't think this is the year that offense has a huge day on our defense.
If we cross the 20 pt threshold, I would be surprised if we lost.
I wonder if we will see a bit of the 4 down lineman that was talked about last year and again this year. Williams and Blum talked about it causing some problems when KState came out with it in Ireland. If they have no passing game it could be enough to throw off the run game and allow us to get some early 3 & outs.
Turnover yes, but also-
CMC finally figured out that special teams matter.
ISU doesnt give those 100 yards back in "hidden yardage" via punts and KOs and more.
We couldn’t have rolled out a more vanilla defensive game plan on Saturday.
This team has a much stronger offensive identity though. We are going to attack Iowa’s back 7 from the jump on Saturday and I don’t think they will have an answer.
He only has Oklahoma - Michigan. Nobody else has it. And Nicky has to keep an eye on him, because he’s making us a lot of money.
I love seeing any win in the CyHawk game but also like the holistic/long game for how a season can go.
To the point about the team's apparent mental state, imo that feels like something going back to last season, and I wouldn't be surprised if it comes from Rocco's leadership and how he leads moving forward no matter the situation.
This is the logical analysis, and if was 2 teams I didn't care about, this is exactly what I would be thinking.
But its awful hard to deal in logic with the rivalry, knowing how KF will pull out all the stops to turn it into a rock fight, and how guys get tight and make mistakes.
I know a student at Iowa State who is pretty convinced Rocco is making $4 million this year.
