For no good reason

[Wundershozen]

I got us winning 27-21. Don't ask why/how ...no one knows how when it comes down to Hawkeye football.

I guess if anything it's because we shouldn't win and these are the games we always surprise.

 

[Fryowa]

This game is gonna be fought through the air by ISU. If the Hawks secondary doesn't get things figured out this week it's gonna be a problem.

 

[NorthKCHawk]

Other than the one brain fart drive that Iowa always seems to give up in the first half, the defense, including the secondary, was dominant against a very weak opponent on Saturday.

ISU was a bit sloppy against KState, but part of that was weather and field conditions. They have a good QB, OL, and some receivers. Iowa State will try not to play this game in a phone booth. To win, I think Iowa has to force turnovers early and shake Rocco's confidence so that they have to play more conservatively. We can win this game like 21-17. We don't win a track meet, and if Rocco's gets in rythym we will be in trouble.

 

[Fryowa]

Other than the one brain fart drive that Iowa always seems to give up in the first half, the defense, including the secondary, was dominant against a very weak opponent on Saturday.

ISU was a bit sloppy against KState, but part of that was weather and field conditions. They have a good QB, OL, and some receivers. Iowa State will try not to play this game in a phone booth. To win, I think Iowa has to force turnovers early and shake Rocco's confidence so that they have to play more conservatively. We can win this game like 21-17. We don't win a track meet, and if Rocco's gets in rythym we will be in trouble.

This is going to sound sarcastic but it isn't, our punter is a huge difference maker.

Being able to pin teams deep when things aren't going well gives a cushion to be able to figure out whatever isn't going well.

 

[kicker22]

We know they're going to be looking to attack us through the air and we keep hearing about whether or not our secondary can rise up to the challenge, but the flipside that I'm not hearing a whole lot about is whether or not they can stop our running game. So much focus was put on our passing game last week that looked far from polished, but the dominance of our oline and our running game IMO stood out more then I anticipated, albeit against a weaker opponent. That said K State looked far from a world beater last week and ISU did exactly what they were supposed to against a weaker opponent. I'm just not sure after two games how good OSU really is or convinced that they're any better then we are. I think it's going to be another slugfest that could very easily end another one score game or come down to a final possession.

 

[NorthKCHawk]

This is going to sound sarcastic but it isn't, our punter is a huge difference maker.

Being able to pin teams deep when things aren't going well gives a cushion to be able to figure out whatever isn't going well.

This is a great point. Our punter and punt returner are a decided advantage for Iowa. If ISU is starting drives insider their 20, they will play conservatively and any turnovers will be killers. Turnovers and field position can dictate play calling and confidence. A lot. Iowa State does not want to play a field position game with Iowa. They lose that game. They need to move the ball and score early and often.

 

[haydensly]

This game is gonna be fought through the air by ISU. If the Hawks secondary doesn't get things figured out this week it's gonna be a problem.

IMO this will be a deciding factor in the game. Can we stop them on third and long? Can we limit big pass plays? A side note but related, can we get some sacks/hits on Becht and make him uncomfortable?

The defensive side isn't being talked about a lot but it should be. I'm not sold on the secondary yet. I hope they can show up and do well.

 

[mro1978]

i'd say isu by 20 until i saw the las vegas spread

 

[Hay Man]

I think we'll need multiple turnovers and a handful of sacks in order to win this game. I just don't feel confident in our defensive backfield and the pressure up front is going to be a must to help them out.

 

[Garandx]

Iowa state by at least 17

 

[kicker22]

While it might feel that this may get out of hand lets remember the nature of the rivalry. Games are generally incredibly close and come down to the wire. Sure there's the occasional blowout, but fact is we've had what looked to be great teams get beat by weaker ISU teams and we've done the same thing to them. Its the nature of the beast and generally its a nail biter. Not sure why this feels any different.

The way I see it is they're the ranked team playing at home. The pressure should be on them because of the expectations and perception that we're weak after week one. Could be detrimental if either team goes in thinking cake walk. And last I knew ISU hasn't exactly been protecting their home field in this series lately.

 

[NorthKCHawk]

Iowa state by at least 17

Come on. They are not that good and we are not that bad. Although there was a slow start, Iowa handled its business against a crap opponent in workmanlike fashion. The Clowns barely beat a team on a nuetral site that damn near just lost to an FCS team at home. Vegas didn't build all those big building in the desert without knowing how to set a line. This game is a coin flip. Like it usually is.

 

[trj]

This game is gonna be fought through the air by ISU. If the Hawks secondary doesn't get things figured out this week it's gonna be a problem.

IMO, Lee/Hall will hold up and will be okay. This is about the Iowa linebackers/safeties against their running backs and tight ends in the passing game. It is about the chess match between Mouser(ISU OC) and Phil Parker. If Mouser can nail 3,4,5 matchups with their runningbacks and tight ends against Iowa’s linebackers and safeties…they will win.

If the linebackers hold up and Lutmer/Entringer/Nwankpa have a good day…Iowa will win.

 

[Garandx]

Come on. They are not that good and we are not that bad. Although there was a slow start, Iowa handled its business against a crap opponent in workmanlike fashion. The Clowns barely beat a team on a nuetral site that damn near just lost to an FCS team at home. Vegas didn't build all those big building in the desert without knowing how to set a line. This game is a coin flip. Like it usually is.

With another bum at QB who couldn't put up 50 yards on a BAD fcs team. Iowa didn't handle buisness. Handling buisness is what ISU did to south Dakota.

 

[thedukeofearl]

Iowa state by at least 17

Damn, it is gonna be close till the final whistle or this....

 

[eyekwah]

Fox Sports "The No. 16 Iowa State Cyclones (2-0) and the Iowa Hawkeyes (1-0) hit the field to try to take home the Cy-Hawk Trophy on Saturday, September 6, 2025 at Jack Trice Stadium. The Cyclones are 3-point favorites. The total is 41.5 points for this game"

Personally, this game sucks every year. Same old Ship High In Transport TV viewing. Outside of Iowa who really cares? Being the positive person I am the Iowa offense is now including some QB options to run or pass. That alone changes how ISU has to play defense. Maybe, but maybe the flaming Cys won't play 8 players within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage. On the intuitive side North Dakota State trampled Kansas State for 35 points and Iowa State could mildly score 21 against that vaunted KState defense. I love trying to transpose the past to the future so I bring attention to anything that might be helpful for the snarly fans that have no hope for an Iowa win.

According to Gemini Big Ten Referees will officiate the game. It good to know that the substandard Big 12 referees will not affect the game officiated by the stellar Big Ten Officials. It will be a close game and the intellectual prowess of the players on both sides won't matter in this new pay for play dynamic.

 

[kicker22]

With another bum at QB who couldn't put up 50 yards on a BAD fcs team. Iowa didn't handle buisness. Handling buisness is what ISU did to south Dakota.

Didn't handle business? Not being that guy, but did you actually watch the game? Albany had one drive all day. So what if we were trailing at one point. We absolutely dominated them on the ground and the TOP battle. We damn near had the ball 38 minutes and put up 320 on the ground. Yeah our passing game struggled, but lets be honest. If we don't get off to a slow start and they score their TD in the 4th quarter instead of early, no one is complaining saying they didn't handle business. The game was never in doubt and I'm sorry but they took care of business. You honestly sound bitter because we didn't cover the spread. It's Iowa rarely is it pretty, but that game was never in question.

 

[Wundershozen]

As NKCHawk said, Vegas knows...that being said upsets happen all the time. That's what makes it fun! You just never know what'll happen.

All that being said it does seem Iowa struggles to cover as favorites but does well as underdogs. I'm pretty sure I saw something last year showing Iowa as one of the top teams in the country at beating the spread as underdogs or something like that. Y'all have the Googles....

 

[NorthKCHawk]

Didn't handle business? Not being that guy, but did you actually watch the game? Albany had one drive all day. So what if we were trailing at one point. We absolutely dominated them on the ground and the TOP battle. We damn near had the ball 38 minutes and put up 320 on the ground. Yeah our passing game struggled, but lets be honest. If we don't get off to a slow start and they score their TD in the 4th quarter instead of early, no one is complaining saying they didn't handle business. The game was never in doubt and I'm sorry but they took care of business. You honestly sound bitter because we didn't cover the spread. It's Iowa rarely is it pretty, but that game was never in question.

Stop making good points with facts and statistics. Anyone who watched the first quarter of that game knows that Iowa did not handle business, nothing has changed, MG is just the same as the other QBs the last 5 years, and KF calls all the plays and the game has passed him by. Iowa State by at least 17....

 

[NorthKCHawk]

As NKCHawk said, Vegas knows...that being said upsets happen all the time. That's what makes it fun! You just never know what'll happen.

All that being said it does seem Iowa struggles to cover as favorites but does well as underdogs. I'm pretty sure I saw something last year showing Iowa as one of the top teams in the country at beating the spread as underdogs or something like that. Y'all have the Googles....

This. Iowa State may blow Iowa out. Iowa may blow the Clowns out. History would say it will be a fun game and close. Either way, I am not speaking to my Cyclone graduate brother this week. He is dead to me for 6 days every year!!!