Iowa State @ Iowa football preview

Last season, the battle for the Cy-Hawk trophy was a pivotal point in the season for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

They suffered a devastating 15-13 loss in Aimes at the hands of their in-state rivals. Iowa went on to lose four of their next five games, and although they managed to salvage a 6-6 record, they were not selected to a bowl game for the first time since 2002.

Iowa State University, who had opened the year with two home losses, including a rather embarrassing one to FCS(formerly Division 1-AA) opponent Northern Iowa University 24-13. They entered the game with their rivals as an underdog, and the upset victory proved to be the high point in an otherwise disappointing year in which the Cyclones finished the year with a 3-9 record.

This season, ISU essentially gets a do-over. They already defeated a FCS opponent in South Dakota State University, this year’s Northern Iowa of their schedule. The Cyclones also knocked off Kent State University, who they lost to last season in one of their first two games.

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Iowa will look to shutdown Iowa State as the Hawkeyes are ranked 18 th in the country in yards allowed; only giving up an average of 219 per game. If the Cyclones are to beat the Hawkeyes, turnovers will be a large factor. They’re tied with the Florida Gators and Texas Christian University for second in turnover differential, averaging plus-3 per game. This could allow the Cyclones to earn good field position, which would be easier to work with against the stalwart Iowa defense.

The Hawkeyes have been fairly dominant as of late in the rivalry. They’ve only lost twice since 2003, and both of those came in Aimes. The Cyclones have not won in Iowa City since the 2002 season.

ISU Head Coach Gene Chizik says the passion about this rivalry is very high, because without professional sports, this game is the state’s biggest sporting event every year. This will only be Chizik’s second Cy-Hawk trophy battle. He believes it will be an intense game, as players on both sides are very excited. “If you can’t get fired up as a player for this, check your pulse,” Chizik said in an interview posted on Cyclones.com.

Chizik believes this game will be a barometer for how the Iowa State program is doing.

“I think it will tell us who we really are, or at least what direction we’re really going right now, and I think the game will reveal that,” Chizik said in an interview posted on Cyclones.com.

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Hawkeyes Head Coach Kirk Ferentz has much more experience in the game, has he has been in place since the 1999 season. He lost his first two home games to the Cyclones in 2000 and 2002, but has defended Kinnick Stadium ever since and will be going for his third straight home Cy-Hawk win tomorrow. If the Hawkeyes win, it could spring board them to a vital strong start. After hosting four of their first five games, the Hawkeyes will play three out of 5 on the road, including three currently ranked opponents in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Penn State.

Getting off to a strong start against Iowa State is crucial as well, because the Hawkeyes could put the Cyclones away early with the way their defense has held up so far this season. A big lead will be difficult for the Cyclones to overcome, as that would allow the Hawkeyes to mainly run the ball. It’ll be difficult for ISU to intercept passes if none are being thrown.

By Ryan Turner
Big 12 Fans Guest Writer

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