Iowa State vs Iowa Predictions, Game Preview, Live Stream, Odds and Picks
CyHawk Rivalry Returns in Week 2 of College Football Slate
Familiar Rivals Meet in Iowa City
Iowa State and Iowa will compete for the CyHawk trophy when the Cyclones visit the Hawkeyes in Iowa City on Saturday.
While both teams are coming off of bowl game losses, the 2021 season looked different for the familiar foes.
Iowa State went into last season with high hopes and plenty of veterans on its roster, however, the Cyclones didn’t live up to expectations, finishing the season fourth in the Big 12 with a 7-6 record. The Cyclones concluded their season with a 20-13 loss to Clemson in the Cheez-It Bowl.
Iowa also had big expectations going into 2021, and the Hawkeyes started strong with a 6-0 mark. After defeating Nebraska to close out the regular season, and with Wisconsin losing to rival Minnesota, the Hawkeyes ended their season with the Big Ten West title.
The victory was short-lived, however, as Michigan downed Iowa 42-3 a week later in the Big Ten Championship. The Hawkeyes then fell 20-17 to Kentucky in the Vrbo Citrus Bowl to end the season 10-4.
Both teams won their first game of the 2022 season, albeit in different ways, and each team will be hoping to lift the CyHawk trophy once Saturday afternoon rolls around.
With many of Iowa State’s top players now gone, the Cyclones have the sixth-best odds to win the Big 12 at (+2000). Iowa, coming off a division title, has the sixth-best chance to win the Big Ten with (+2800) odds.
Let’s check the latest NCAAF picks, stats, injury reports, and NCAAF odds for Iowa State vs Iowa. We’ve plenty of NCAAF predictions.
Iowa State Rebuilds
Iowa State’s roster looks different, with top players Brock Purdy and Breece Hall gone.
Purdy, now a backup quarterback with the 49ers, rewrote the record books with the Cyclones. He finished his career 993-for-1,467 for 12,170 yards, 81 touchdowns, and 33 interceptions.
Hall, who is now with the Jets, was another key piece for Iowa State. On his way to setting an NCAA record for consecutive games with a rushing touchdown with 24, Hall racked up 3,941 yards and 50 touchdowns on 718 rushes with ISU.
Despite two of Iowa State’s leaders now in the NFL, the Cyclones won their first game 42-10 over Southeast Missouri State.
Quarterback Hunter Dekkers looked comfortable taking over the starting job, finishing the game 25-for-31 for 293 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception.
Wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson put off the NFL and returned for another season, immediately connecting with Dekkers by finishing with three touchdowns and 128 yards off eight receptions.
The Cyclones have a new top running back as well in Jirehl Brock. After being Hall’s backup the past couple of seasons, Brock rushed 16 times for 104 yards and a touchdown in his first game as a starter.
Although Iowa State’s roster may look a little different this season, the Cyclones got their season out to a strong start in Week 1.
Iowa’s Defense Prevails
While Iowa State’s offensive performance propelled the Cyclones to their first win, Iowa relied on its defense to secure the win.
The Hawkeyes appeared to roll with the same plan they did last season, as their defense was the strength of their team in 2021 as well.
While Iowa’s offense ranked in the bottom two in the Big Ten in total offense with 303.7 yards per game last season, its defense ranked fourth in the conference, allowing 326.9 yards per game. The Hawkeyes also led the nation in interceptions with 24.
Iowa will return its top linebackers in Jack Campbell and Seth Benson, who led the team with 140 and 105 tackles respectively. With cornerbacks Riley Moss and Jermari Harris, who were second on the team with four interceptions each, coming back as well, the Hawkeyes’ defense should lead the team to victory once more.
Such was the case in Week 1 when Iowa took on South Dakota State and won 7-3.
Although the Hawkeyes failed to do much of anything on offense, finishing with 166 total yards, Iowa’s defense and special teams overcame.
Punter Tory Taylor had a strong game, averaging 47.9 yards. One punt landed on the Jackrabbits’ two-yard line and one at the one-yard line, setting up one of Iowa’s two safeties.
The Hawkeyes’ other three points came on a 46-yard field goal by Aaron Blom.
Though the offense was all but nonexistent in Iowa’s first game, the Hawkeyes should be able to rely on their defense once more with the returners to the unit.
Iowa State vs Iowa Injury Report
Offensive tackle Jake Remsburg is questionable for Iowa State while running back Cartevious Norton is doubtful.
For Iowa, running back Gavin Williams is questionable while wide receiver Keagan Johnson, linebacker Jestin Jacobs and cornerback Jermari Harris are out. Wide receiver Nico Ragaini is out indefinitely and wide receiver Diante Vines will be out until midseason with a wrist injury. Wide receiver Jackson Ritter will miss the season due to injury.
Iowa State vs Iowa Head-to-Head
The CyHawk rivalry dates back to 1894 and has been played 68 times, with the Hawkeyes leading the series 46-22. Iowa State and Iowa have met annually for the game since 1977, with 2020 being the only season the game has not been played since ‘77 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Hawkeyes have won the last six meetings between the two, with the most recent meeting in 2021 taking place in Ames and ending with the Hawkeyes downing the Cyclones 27-17. That game also marked the first time the teams met when both were ranked, with Iowa State ranked No. 9 at the time and Iowa No. 10.
Iowa State vs Iowa Game Information
- Game: Iowa State vs Iowa
- Location: Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA
- Day/Time: Saturday, Sep 10, 4 p.m. ET
- Iowa State vs Iowa Live Stream: ESPN
Iowa State vs Iowa Betting Lines
Iowa State vs Iowa Prediction
Saturday’s matchup should be an interesting one. While Iowa brings the superior defense, Iowa State should have the better offense.
While Iowa showed no offense in its first game, head coach Kirk Ferentz should have a few more tricks up his sleeve for rival Iowa State. This strong Hawkeye defense should also be able to force the Cyclones’ inexperienced offense into a few mistakes.
The games between Iowa State and Iowa are always close, and Saturday should be no different. However, with the game in Iowa City, the Hawkeyes should come out with a win, but expect Iowa State to cover.
