Sep 14, 2019; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker Nick Niemann (49) chases Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Brock Purdy (15) at Jack Trice Stadium. Iowa beat Iowa State 18-17. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
Chris Williams, Publisher – Iowa State 24, Iowa 20
Jared Stansbury, Managing Editor – Iowa State 14, Iowa 13
I think we could play this game 100 times and each team would win 50. I really don’t feel confident either way. The only thing I feel confident about is Iowa State’s defense. They’ll rise to the occasion when they’re needed most and come up with a crucial turnover to shift the tide in the fourth quarter.
Rob Gray, Senior Writer – Iowa State 17, Iowa 13
This may end up being the hottest game in Cy-Hawk history — and I’m not just talking about the 95-degree weather forecast. The defensive lines will largely determine this outcome and I like ISU’s a bit more than Iowa’s to be up to the task in one … long … slog. (A.k.a “competitive endurance”). Plus Brock Purdy > Spencer Petras, and Breece Hall > Tyler Goodson. Wild card/x-factor for ISU’s offense? Tarique Milton. Iowa’s five-game win streak in the series finally ends.
Jeff Woody, Football Analyst – Iowa State 23, Iowa 19
Well, first off, there is going to be a small earthquake measured on the Richter scale the moment before kickoff. Jack Trice is going to be absolutely hopping. That being said, this is about as even of a matchup as you’ll find, with both teams being fundamentals-driven and okay with unsexy football. The team that makes the least mistakes wins. This leads me to say I’d take Brock Purdy and his decision-making in pressure situations over Spencer Petras.
Plus, I can’t pick Iowa. Come on.
Jay Jordan, Football Analyst – Iowa 20, Iowa State 14
There are plays to be made against both defenses and both offenses are a bit hit or miss on making those plays. Like everyone else, that leads me to a low-scoring tight affair. Iowa is tested and ISU has an identifiable trend of falling behind early. That is what ISU cannot do. Hawks again. Ugghh
Bret Meyer, Football Analyst – Iowa State 13, Iowa 10
2005 comes to mind. Hot, windy, Cyclone weather. Analytics Twitter beware, this may be a conservative field position battle where the kicking game reigns supreme. We may see a few punts from plus territory, a field goal or two on 4th and 1 inside the Red Zone. Purdy makes a play late to get us in field goal range. ITS GOOD!
Todd Blythe, Football Analyst – Iowa State 24, Iowa 17
There’s only one person in the world that likes conservative, boring football as much as Big 10 fans, and that’s Matt Campbell. Two heavyweight defenses keep this game low scoring and close. A late Purdy to Kolar score breaks the deadlock.
