2022 opponent preview: Iowa State Cyclones

It’s that point of yr once more: I crack open my trusty laptop computer which nonetheless has Yahoo! because the default search engine and start the soccer previews. Up subsequent are the Iowa State Cyclones, a staff at present led by a person who’s winless towards the Hawkeyes

Who: Iowa State Cyclones (Ames, IA; Huge 12 Convention)
Head Coach: Matt Campbell 42-34 (.553) in six seasons at Iowa State; 77-49 (.611) in 11

What: Iowa’s in-state rivalry recreation through which they personal a 46-22 document and six-game successful streak

When: September third, 2022; 3p God’s Time

The place: Kinnick Stadium; Iowa Metropolis, IA

Why: As a result of they’re contractually obligated and additionally it is good for the state

2nd longest win streak: The six wins over seven seasons is tied for the second longest successful streak within the matchups’ historical past with solely the Hawkeyes dominant stretch between 1983 & 1997 exceeding the present mark. The final 4 video games have been tighter than that interval, with a mixed margin of 24 factors. Eight instances, Hayden Fry’s Hawkeyes beat ISU by 24 factors or extra.

37% of Iowa State’s 2021 production returns: They flip over a whole lot of guys, particularly when in comparison with Iowa’s 76% mark, which places 106 groups between them within the linked rankings. Whereas there are some causes to be skeptical of that mark – would you fairly return 100% of Spencer Petras & Alex Padilla’s manufacturing or 0% of Brock Purdy’s – it signifies simply how a lot work could also be forward of Campbell in getting his group on top of things.

45 begins: The distinction in consecutive begins ISU’s presumed beginning quarterback, Hunter Dekkers, can have vs his predecessor, Brock Purdy, at 46. The 46 is about as a lot continuity as one program can have on the quarterback place in right now’s NCAA soccer.

29 sacks: The profession quantity for edge rusher, Will McDonald. With out stealing an excessive amount of from one other part, the person already holds the all-time mark for sacks at ISU (by 3.5) with the 2022 season forward of him.

Xavier Hutchinson (#8, WR, RS Sr, 6’3”, 210 lbs): ISU returns their back-to-back receptions & yards chief, which ought to facilitate the quarterback transition from Purdy to Dekkers. With the departure of ISU’s tight ends and Breece Corridor, Hutchinson enters because the far-and-away #1 choice for ISU’s offense. He shows a powerful catch radius by advantage of his dimension and willingness to dive for passes alongside good velocity for a person his stature.

The straightforward comp to Hutchinson is former ‘clone Allen Lazard. You could bear in mind the lead-up to Desmond King’s remaining recreation towards ISU that includes some discuss of King following Lazard wherever he lined up. Iowa did nothing of the kind, as Lazard bought his by the use of seven catches and 111 yards. The Hawkeyes stored him out of the top zone within the blowout victory.

I wouldn’t be shocked to see related chatter strategy between Hutchinson & Riley Moss, although Phil Parker has proven somewhat extra flexibility of late in shifting CBs round to maintain WRs in examine. Iowa could have to if the nook reverse Moss stays unsettled.

Will McDonald (#9, DE, RS Sr, 6’4”, 245 lbs): For as vital as Hutchinson’s return was for the ISU offense, McDonald’s return is an excellent greater assertion. With back-to-back double digit sack seasons, McDonald is a bona fide cross rusher and more and more impactful, with 5 compelled fumbles final season. Towards Iowa, he had 1.5 sacks final season and will single-handedly derail the Hawkeyes’ effort to increase the successful streak to seven.

If he is ready to replicate George Karlaftis as a one-man wrecking crew (4 QB hits & 6 hurries) in Purdue’s 17-point win towards the Hawkeyes the place Iowa’s OL seemed particularly misplaced, it can put the Cyclones in nice place for a street victory. Price noting Karlaftis has about 30 lbs on McDonald.

Jirehl Brock (#21, RB, RS Jr, 6’0”, 215 lbs): The participant set to fill Breece Corridor’s sneakers has a historical past with Iowa (RIP Land of 10). Corridor was an absolute workhorse, with 81% of working again carries final season, for five.8 yards a pop. He has simply 250 speeding yards to his identify however has the accolades to show ISU’s back-to-back NFL RBs into three.

Finest case: Kirk Ferentz continues to stay lease free within the six inches between Matt Campbell’s ears.

Worst case: Every part clicks for ISU as they replicate Purdue’s gameplan by feeding Hutchinson, getting the run recreation going with Brock, and sufficient playmaking on protection to maintain Iowa off the scoreboard. The cathartic win is harking back to previous instances when the Cy-Hawk collection flipped on its head (18-point ISU win in 1998; 19-point Iowa win in 2003).

Can Iowa State not bungle particular groups? The final two instances these two performed one another, the punt return recreation has been a sore spot for ISU. The 2019 classic featured an all-time blunder however 2021 had an occasion which matches unnoticed. Iowa had simply gone three and out, and backed as much as their six yard line after their first second half possession, with the Cyclones in a punt return protected name. They had been unable to catch Tory Taylor’s punt which turned it right into a 69-yard field-flipping punt. Groups traded fast possessions, ultimately placing ISU on their personal six, which led to Iowa’s scoop-and-score, and actually that was all they wrote.

Iowa gained simply two offensive yards in going from the shadow of their very own purpose posts to pinning ISU in theirs.

The distillation of the distinction between Matt Campbell & Kirk Ferentz is the discuss of caring in regards to the little issues to truly doing the issues which present you care in regards to the little issues. Particular groups highlights that distillation.

Campbell nonetheless has no named particular groups coordinator.