Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
GAMEDAY EXPERIENCE
CYCLONES ON NATIONAL STAGE WITH ESPN SHOW COMING TO TOWN
Keys for Iowa State
Start fast: Iowa State fans are ready for success and Jack Trice Stadium will be rocking with ESPN GameDay in town. It’s a showcase game for the Cyclones and a quick start keeps the crowd engaged. Iowa State managed just three points in the first half against Northern Iowa. The offense must create reasons for the fans to stay excited or risk losing the momentum to Iowa. An early deficit is the worst-case scenario considering Iowa State’s offense struggled to score in Week 1.
Don’t play tight: This is a big game for Iowa State. GameDay is in town and Iowa remains the top rivalry for the Cyclones. Head coach Matt Campbell can’t
let the moment get too big for his football team. Iowa State needs to trust quarterback Brock Purdy to loosen up the Iowa secondary early in the game.
Keys for Iowa
Weather the storm: Iowa State will be jacked at kickoff. Iowa knows this, and just like a boxing match, Iowa must find a way to stick out the first quarter and remain within striking range as the crowd tires. LSU did exactly this against Texas last week in Austin when the Longhorns hosted GameDay. This becomes a football game between two programs familiar with each other once the initial adrenaline wears off for Iowa State.
No turnovers: Iowa State loses to Northern Iowa if it weren’t for a tremendous defense. Iowa should feel good about stopping the Cyclones unless the offense gives up short fields. Iowa must force Iowa State to prove it can drive the ball consistently.
Prediction
Iowa State 24, Iowa 17:
The near loss to Northern Iowa in Week 1 could become a blessing in disguise if it focused the Cyclones heading into the program’s biggest rivalry game of the season. The Cyclones were off last week, allowing quarterback Purdy and the offensive staff to iron out the mistakes.