The Cyclones enter the Big 12 season coming off a tough loss to the Toledo Rockets last week in the Glass Bowl. Iowa State blew an 11 point lead with a little more than five minutes to go in the game. If you take away the debacle at the end of the game it was probably ISU’s best effort of the year. Nebraska narrowly escaped in Lincoln last week, winning 41-40 when Ball State missed a field goal with no time remaining. Sam Keller threw for 438 yards and 3 TD in the victory.
If Iowa State is going to compete in the Big 12 the silly mistakes need to stop. The offense and defense seem to get better every week, but breakdowns on special teams continue to haunt the Cyclones.
The Cyclones should be able to move the ball on the Cornhuskers. Nebraska gives up 29 points per game and has the 99th ranked defense against the run. The ISU coaches have challenged the running backs to make people miss this week. I expect a good effort from JJ Bass and Alexander Robinson in this game. Bret Meyer had his best game last week and he should continue his strong play against a defense that gave up 422 yards last Saturday to Ball State quarterback Nate Davis.
The Cyclones have the 22nd ranked defense in the nation and have limited opponents to 164 yards in the air. The secondary will be tested this week by the potent Nebraska passing game. Marlon Lucky has accounted for much of the Cornhusker offense averaging 115 rushing yards and 47 receiving yards per game. The Cyclone defense must force turnovers to have a chance to win in Lincoln for the first time in 30 years.
Iowa State lost the game last Saturday due to special teams gaffes. Nebraska doesn’t appear to be a juggernaut on special teams, but neither was Toledo. I imagine the ISU coaches spent extra time on special teams fundamentals this past week.
The Cyclones are a 21 point underdog in this game. I think the spread is way too high, but I see most “experts” are picking Nebraska to win by a similar spread. I have a feeling this game will be decided in the final few minutes, but I am picking Nebraska to win. A missed extra point will be the margin of victory.
Prediction: Nebraska 31 Iowa State 30
Cyclone Standouts:
JJ Bass 28 carries, 156 yards, 2 TD
Bret Meyer 310 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Allen Bell 2 INT
Fans prediction to win the game at the time of this post:
Iowa State 61%
Nebraska 39%
