Hawkeyes Mic: Hawkeyes – Cyclones Prognostications (09/13/19)

The Hawkeyes Mic picks are in for the Iowa – Iowa State game. It’s a split decision this week – unlike the first two .  Check them out – see if you agree or disagree.

Scott Dochterman – Iowa 17-13:

Both teams have outstanding defenses, but Iowa’s defensive line has a chance to take away elements of ISU’s RPO game. I think Iowa wins a tight one.

TheAthletic.com; @ScottDochterman on Twitter

Steve Batterson – Iowa State 17-14:

Despite what I’ve seen on the field so far this season and where I have these teams rated on my ballot for the Associated Press poll this week, I’m sticking with my initial preseason feeling and going with the home team.

The Cyclones have made significant progress under Matt Campbell and like many of the games in this series, I expect it to be competitive and a rather ugly, hard-hitting contest.

Don’t be surprised if something unexpected decides this one, perhaps a defensive score or a special teams play.

The Quad City Times; @SBatt79 on Twitter

John Bohnenkamp – Iowa 24-19:

We have two games of a sample size for Iowa, one game (plus three overtimes) for Iowa State.

I have a lot of questions about Iowa State’s offense, but I also have questions about Iowa’s defense with the injuries on the back end. Plus, the Cyclones have had a week off to figure out their issues.

I think this is a low-scoring game, but I think Iowa’s offense has the answers for the win.

HawkeyesMic.com; @JohnBohnenkamp on Twitter

Brendan Stiles – Iowa State 20-17:

The Cyclones have had two weeks to prepare and I think this particular Cy-Hawk game is going to have more of an impact on their season since Iowa still has a gauntlet left in B1G play.

If the Hawkeyes are going to prove me wrong, I believe they need to jump on Iowa State early and create feelings of doubts in their minds. The longer Iowa State is able to hang around, the more likely it is that I see the Cyclones prevailing in this contest.

@TheBStiles on Twitter

John Patchett – Iowa 24-17:

These games are almost always hard to predict – and recently most have been very close. Just when you think one team is an obvious choice to win, the other squad jumps up and bites them. But since I have to make a choice…

I’m going with the Hawkeyes here for a few reasons. Iowa has played two games to ISU’s one. Iowa’s Defense is slightly better than Iowa State’s Offense. And the Hawks’ Offense is rolling so far this season – with multiple weapons that are going to be hard for any opposing defense to stop.

The Cyclones’ Defense is somewhat unique and hard to scheme against. Iowa State has a really good quarterback. But ISU has suffered key losses at running back, wide receiver, and in the defensive secondary. Plus the crowd at Jack Trice Stadium will be bonkers.

Iowa’s special teams play has been more than solid, too – Keith Duncan is perfect on the season (field goals and PATs) and Punter Michael Sleep-Dalton was superb last Saturday against Rutgers. While the Cyclones QB is very good – I think Nate Stanley at this point in his career is better.

Until Iowa proves me wrong, I’m going with the Hawkeyes to escape Ames and College GameDay with a big win.

HawkeyesMic.com; @HawkeyesMic on Twitter

Tyler Tjelmeland – Iowa 21-20:

Iowa benefits from coming off a dominating win over Rutgers, while Iowa State sees benefit in coming off a week of rest to review its tight opener with Northern Iowa.

It’s going to be raucous at Jack Trice, but Iowa brings in a seasoned quarterback in Nate Stanley, which should alleviate a lot of the sound and hostility. Run game and strong defense will be the key in the match up and the difference is likely a timely turnover. The Hawkeyes are favored in that department as one of the best turnover forcing teams, and they get it done on the road.

It’s as much a pick’em game as there is in this series… Look for the Iowa backfield to continue to rotate between three players to stay fresh and prevail down the stretch to lock it up. 

HawkeyesMic.com; @TylerTjemeland on Twitter

Jack Brandsgard – Iowa 17-14:  

The Cyclones’ offense struggled in its opening game against Northern Iowa. The fact that Iowa State is coming off a bye week is a major fork in the road for me. Will the Cyclones come out sharp from the extra week of preparation, or will they start out rusty? I tend to err toward rust.

Between GameDay and the extra emotion baked into this rivalry, it’s hard for college athletes to come out right away and execute, especially when they haven’t played in a game situation in two weeks. Whichever team starts faster will win this game. 

HawkeyesMic.com; @JackBrandsgard on Twitter

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