Iowa State Football: 2018 Game-by-game predictions
1. South Dakota State (Sept. 1)
For the first time since 2014, Iowa State does not kick the season off against Northern Iowa, instead, it is fellow Missouri Valley Football Conference member South Dakota State. This is the fourth meeting between the Jackrabbits and the Cyclones with Iowa State winning every meeting in the series history including 2008, one of only two wins that entire season. Many casual fans will think this game will be a walk in the park, but this game will be deceiving.
South Dakota State has become a perennial Top 15 team in the FCS since the last time these two schools played. Last year, the Jackrabbits finished 11-3 and advanced all the way to the FCS Semifinals, only to lose to James Madison. South Dakota State does return star senior quarterback Taryn Christion, who amassed over 4,000 yards of total offense last season, but their returning defense ranked 71st in FCS last season, allowing just over 380 yards per game.
This game is expected to be a win as it should, with Iowa State clearly having more resources, talent, players and higher quality coaches. But, if the Cyclones choose to sleepwalk through this season-opener. This could be a dangerous night at Jack Trice Stadium, however, I do not foresee this happening to Matt Campbell’s crew. Iowa State will end Week One with a win.