Iowa Hawkeyes vs Iowa State Cyclones: Predictions, Odds and How to Watch

Where: MidAmerican Field at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, IA

When: Saturday, September 14th at 4pm EST

How (TV): FS1

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Trophy Week ? | #CyHawk pic.twitter.com/UmPvbPrMQJ

— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) September 9, 2019

Iowa Hawkeyes (Away)

Head Coach: Kirk Ferentz {All-Time: 154-101 | IOWA}

Regular Season Record: 2-0

The 20th ranked Hawkeyes will be playing their first road game of the season in a venue where black and yellow are not welcome colors. With their first two games coming against the likes of Miami (Ohio) and Rutgers, coach Ferentz will likely have his team prepped for a step up in competition.

Senior quarterback Nate Stanley is off to a solid start this year, with two straight games with three passing touchdowns. Half of his touchdown throws have been caught by leading receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette, who has already matched his touchdown catch total from 2018. Running back Mekhi Sargent has also been a key contributor as both a runner as well as a receiver with six receptions out of the backfield thus far.

One area of concern for the Hawkeyes is on defense, where their pass rush has only yielded two sacks in as many games against sub-par competition. Interception leader Michael Ojemudia will need more help from his unit’s front seven if he has any hopes of nabbing more errant passes from opposing quarterbacks.

Iowa State Cyclones (Home)

Head Coach: Matt Campbell {All-Time: 55-34 | TOL, ISU}

Regular Season Record: 1-0

With a week of rest now in the books, the Cyclones will approach this game with a fresh approach after a 29-26 triple overtime win over Northern Iowa that was too close for comfort. Perhaps the most win-hungry person in the program is coach Matt Campbell, who is looking to take down the Hawkeyes for the first time since taking the head coaching job in 2016.

ISU was led by sophomore quarterback Brock Purdy, who completed 30 of 41 pass attempts for 278 yards and two touchdowns. Purdy leaned heavily on senior receiver Deshaunte Jones, who hauled in 14 passes for 126 yards, while Arkansas graduate transfer La’Michael Pettway caught each of Purdy’s touchdown passes. One gaffe that gave UNI a boost late in the third quarter was Iowa State’s lone turnover of the game, a sack fumble that got returned 53 yards for a touchdown by Xavior Williams.

The Cyclone defense managed to keep Northern Iowa in check by limiting the Panthers to 262 total yards, while sacking quarterback Will McElvain four times. Redshirt sophomore linebacker O’Rien Vance collected two of those sacks, while his sophomore counterpart Mike Rose chipped in with 3.5 tackles for a loss.

All-Time Series

#CFB150 Our @CFB150 moment is from Sept. 10, 2005: The No. 8 Iowa Hawkeyes come to town and leave with a loss, as the Cyclones dominate in a 23-3 victory. #CFB150 #TBT #CyHawk

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— Cyclone Football (@CycloneFB) September 12, 2019

In 63 total meetings, Iowa currently holds a 44-19 advantage over the Cyclones, winning the last four matchups as well as the last three games in Ames. The last time Iowa State has beaten the Hawkeyes on their home field was during the 2011 season in a 44-41 shootout. The Cyclones were powered by a strong passing performance from quarterback Steele Jantz who threw for 279 yards and four touchdowns.

Iowa Roster Notes

Sophomore safety Kaevon Merriweather is not expected to play against Iowa State due to a foot sprain suffered in practice prior to Iowa’s game against Rutgers.

Junior guard Cole Banwart is questionable to play due to an undisclosed injury.

Sophomore cornerback Riley Moss is out indefinitely with a knee sprain suffered in Iowa’s game against Miami (Ohio).

Junior left tackle Alaric Jackson is out indefinitely with a knee injury suffered against Miami (Ohio).

Junior defensive back Julius Brents is out indefinitely with a leg injury suffered prior to the beginning of the season.

Iowa State Roster Notes

Redshirt junior running back Kene Nwangwu has been upgraded to probable against Iowa while dealing with a knee injury.

Redshirt sophomore centre Colin Newell is questionable against Iowa State with a knee injury suffered against Northern Iowa.

Redshirt junior punter Corey Dunn is out for the season with a torn Achilles tendon suffered during summer training camp.

Head-to-Head: A.J. Epenesa (IOWA) vs Julian Good-Jones (ISU)

Although Iowa has not put forth much of a pass rush so far, that is bound to change with the presence of a top edge rusher in junior defensive end A.J. Epenesa, who will have to take on a seasoned blindside protector in Iowa State’s Julian Good-Jones. Whoever can come out on top in this matchup should play a big role in the success of their respective teams.

A.J. Epenesa

Defensive End | 6-6, 280lb | Edwardsville HS | Edwardsville, IL | Junior

Last season’s Big Ten leader in sacks, Epenesa will look to once again terrorize opposing quarterbacks. His lack of production thus far is likely due to increased attention towards him, with opposing teams chipping in tight ends and other extra blockers to slow him down. A high motor rusher who is also capable of contributing as a run stopper, Epenesa is getting plenty of attention from NFL scouts as a potential first round pick.

Julian Good-Jones

Left Tackle | 6-5, 308lb | Washington HS | Cedar Rapids, IA | Redshirt Senior

Stats: 38 Career Starts

After giving up two sacks to Epenesa in their meeting last season, Good-Jones will look to have better success against the star pass rusher. A former center, JGJ has gone through growing pains during his 38 career starts, which have developed him into a reliable cog for coach Campbell to plug in at the most important offensive line position. As Iowa State’s most experienced lineman, he will play a big part in whether the Cyclones can establish their run game and keep Brock Purdy’s jersey clean.

Iowa at Iowa State Predictions and Odds

Check out the odds for Iowa at Iowa State provided by New Jersey sportsbook 888Sport.

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