2018 looks to be a landmark season for Matt Campbell and Iowa State football, but South Dakota State is no pushover for an opening opponent.
It’s been a long and slow off-season for Iowa State fans who have been anxious for this season the minute after the Cyclones won the AutoZone Liberty Bowl against Memphis. The expectations for the Iowa State program are now at an all-time high thanks to the standards set by Campbell, and this year’s squad looks more than ready to cash in on those expectations.
Iowa State returns to of the three most vital parts of their offense from last season with quarterback Kyle Kempt and running back David Montgomery. Kempt took over four games into the season and led the Cyclones to a historic upset against Oklahoma in Norman. Montgomery was one of the most bruising running backs in all of college football as he racked up over 1,100 yards as a sophomore.
The foe entering Jack Trice Stadium on this opening weekend if FCS powerhouse South Dakota State. The Jackrabbits again had another very successful season, finishing with an 11-3 record and advancing to the Semifinals of the FCS Playoffs, which ended in a loss to eventual runner-up James Madison. SDSU is led by senior quarterback Taryn Christion, who accumulated over 4,000 yards of total offense and 44 touchdowns.
Here’s how you can watch Saturday’s game
Date: Saturday, Sept. 1
Time: 8:00 p.m. EST
Location: Ames, IA
Venue: Jack Trice Stadium
TV: Cyclones.TV
LiveStream: Cyclones.TV
Keys to Victory
It’s fairly simple if you are Iowa State, it is important to play the style of football that they have played with Matt Campbell at the helm. Make sure you are taking care of the ball on offense and exploiting mismatches for big plays and unleash a punishing defense on SDSU’s offense. If Kempt is efficient, Montgomery is running for five yards a carry, and the defense is rushing Taryn Christion, Iowa State will win this game handily.
South Dakota State’s keys are a little tougher than the hometown Cyclones. Taryn Christion has to strike early and often, the Jackrabbits have one of the most explosive offenses in all of FCS and if they are serious about winning, they have to punch Iowa State in the mouth. A big question is whether or not the SDSU defense can handle the punishing brand of football the Iowa State offense plays.
Prediction
While Iowa State is good, they should not sleep on the Jackrabbits whatsoever, they are a very good football time. With that being said, I don’t see any way Matt Campbell lets his players guard down as every team is going to give the Cyclones their best shot this year. Iowa State will likely win this game by more than two touchdowns.
Final Score: Iowa State 45, South Dakota State 21