5 Reason's ISU Beats Iowa !! !!!

I don't know if you have heard - we have a big game against Iowa on Saturday.   Both teams are ranked in the top 15, and ESPN Game Day is coming to town.   I believe there are many reasons to be optimistic for the Cyclones Saturday.   

1. UNI scored first and ISU fell behind 0-7.   This is Matt Campbell coached team trait.   We have frequently played from behind in the Campbell era.   However, Matt Campbell teams don't panic and find a way to slowly and methodically pick away at the opponent like a Turkey Vulture.   I've heard Turkey Vultures and Cy The Cardinal prefer a good Hawkeye for dinner.  I predict that the Hawkeyes score first and the Cyclones still win the game. 

2. The Iowa State Defense against UNI looked good but not great.   In the first quarter there were three shoe string tackles that if they slipped would have ended in touchdowns but they didn't and Iowa State won the game.   During the final 5 minutes of the game when UNI was forced to push and press, it never felt like we were going to lose the game, and UNI wasn't able to move the ball with any consistency.   In close games and I predict that the Iowa State v. Iowa game will be close, defense plays a big part in the win or loss.   The Iowa State defense comes strong the whole game, for an ISU win.  

3. The Iowa State kicking game looked the best it has ever looked.   Punting, Field Goal Kicking and Kickoff kicking all looked good.   All three of those positions were manned by three different individuals, which also means we have options.   Why do I care about the kicking game.   Well close games are often won and lost by the special teams unit.   Louisiana beat ISU last year when they returned a punt and a kickoff for touchdowns and Iowa State lost 31-14.  This weekend Notre Dame beat Florida State in Overtime.  Florida State missed their kick and Notre Dame made theirs for the win 41-38 OT.   I predict Iowa State wins with a crucial kick. 

4. Purdy and Hall don't have to look great and/or carry the team.   For once we have enough offensive weapons that we don't need one super star to carry us.   Gone are the days when Troy Davis or Seneca Wallace had to carry us.  Spreading the ball around gives us options and a much deeper playbook.   This favors Iowa State again in close games.   I predict someone not named Purdy, Hall, or Kolar has a big game for the Cyclone win.   

5. Charlie Kolar, sat out during the UNI game, and should be back against the Hawkeyes.   Kolar is a Preseason All American Tight End and he was sorely missed.   There was only one pass to the Tight End position against UNI.  He will be back against the Hawkeyes, and plays a big part in helping the Cyclones secure the win against the Chicken Hawks.   Kolar will help create mismatches that were a big part of the Iowa State Offense late in the year last year. 

***  Even if the Cyclones lose the game on Saturday to Iowa our season is NOT lost.   I'm not saying that Iowa will win, but if they do.  The chance of getting into the BCS championship is definitely Gone, Kaput - forget about it.   But, let's be honest our real shot of getting into the BCS is the same odds as getting struck by lightning during an Iowa State Home Game.   We could lose to Iowa, Oklahoma twice or Iowa, Oklahoma, and someone else and end up 9-3 and still have our best season ever.   So Iowa State needs to play fast aggressive and swing for the fences.   This Commissioner is predicting an Iowa State Win.  The last meeting of the Cy/Hawk series in 2019, Iowa Won 18-17 Iowa State hasn't won since 2014.   But, the last three games have been won by Iowa by a total combined spread of 14 points.   These are close games, and I expect another nail bitter on Saturday.   You heard it here first Iowa State will prevail.   We are basically the same team - ball control and limit turnovers.   But, I give the nod to Iowa State because of our multiple offensive weapons and depth/experience.   

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