Iowa St Cyclones 2021 College Football Preview

College Football Predictions – Iowa St Cyclones 2021 College Football Preview

Created July 20, 2021

2020 Recap

Record – 9-3

ATS – 7-3-2

So close.

The Cyclones were upset by the scrappy RAGIN’ CAJUNS in the season opener but fought back nicely to make an appearance in the Big 12 Championship Game. It was a REVENGE match given that Iowa St had taken down the Sooners in the regular season, and Iowa St fell short in the big one (L 27-21). They recovered from that disappointment and took care of Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl (W 34-17) and have to be full of confidence heading into 2021.


Iowa St Cyclones 2021 Outlook

OFFENSE

The Cyclones utilized a balanced attack LY to get things done (#38 rush, #37 pass eff) and have all the key components back this year. QB Brock Purdy does a fine job and has thrown for 62 TDs and rushed for 18 during his time at Iowa St. He had a pair of 3-INT games LY including one in the Big 12 Championship Game. The star of the show is RB Breece Hall who led the FBS in rushing (1,572) whilst booking an amazing 21 TDs on the ground. Hall also caught 23 passes for the 2nd straight season. WR Xavier Hutchinson is a legit #1 option (64-771, 12.1, 4 TD) and the Cyclones have the best TE combo in college football in Charlie Kolar (591, 13.4, 7 TD) and Chase Allen. The OL returns five starters and were outstanding LY (5.1 YPC, #1 Big 12 sk/game). This will be one of the best offenses in the Big 12.

DEFENSE

Iowa St was really good on defense once again LY (#21 FBS total D) and they were particularly stingy vs the run (103 YPG, #8 FBS). Nine starters return and they appear to be set at every level of the defense. The Cyclones will miss DE JaQuan Bailey up front (7 sk LY) and hope to find a complementary pass rusher to DE Will McDonald who booked 10.5 sacks in 2020. NG Eyioma Uwazurike is a force. The excellent LB group is led by Big 12 DPOY Mike Rose who put up an excellent stat line LY (#1 tackles, 10.5 TFL, 5!! INT). The secondary is deep in talent and are led by 1st Team Big 12 honoree Greg Elsworth, and note they added a sneaky-good transfer in FS Jaquan Amos from Villanova (3Y, 104T, 8 INT). Yup, this defense will be GOOD.

SPECIAL TEAMS

This is a potential area of concern. P Corey Dunn hasn’t had a full season of work since 2018 (40.2 net) and PK Conner Assalley (13-19 FG LY) will battle transfer Andrew Mevis for the starting gig. They need to replace their talented KR Kene Nwangwu (28.9 LY).

Schedule Analysis

Overall – They have a pair of layups in non-conference action and have their annual rivalry game with Iowa in week two. They ease into Big 12 action with games against Baylor (A) and Kansas (H). They get Texas, TCU, and Oklahoma St at home.

Potential ATS Trouble Spot – Nothing heinous noted.

Season Win Total

per 5Dimes July 20

Over 9.5 +105

Under 9.5 -125

MEGALOCKS says:

No leanage. We have them pegged at nine or ten wins. Things will look good if they get past the Hawkeyes.

MEGAmazing Tidbit

Iowa St has never won an outright conference title. The Clyde Williams-led 1911 and 1912 teams managed to share the Missouri Valley (MVIAA) championship.


MEGALOCKS Outlook:

It’s not a stretch to believe this is the best Iowa St team (on paper) in school history. They have to deal with the Sooners but should be favored in every other Big 12 contest. They’re the most likely team other than Oklahoma to get to the Big 12 Championship Game have a legit shot to bag their first ever Big 12 title. Let’s go!


Want more Iowa St football ?

WEBSITE

https://cyclones.com/sports/football

FORUM

http://cyclonefanatic.com/forum/forums/football.9/

https://iowastate.forums.rivals.com/forums/isu-confidential-2-0.8/

http://iowastate.247sports.com/Board/Iowa-State-Cyclones-Message-Board-Forum-101486

NEWS

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/sports/cyclone-insider

http://www.widerightnattylite.com/

https://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/66/iowa-state-cyclones

TWITTER

Hashtag – #cyclONEnation

Accounts to follow

https://twitter.com/CycloneFB

https://twitter.com/RandyPete