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Iowa State Football: Cyclones set for season finale vs Drake

By Quinn Douglas

AMES, IA - NOVEMBER 24: Linebacker Mike Rose #23 of the Iowa State Cyclones runs into the end zone for a touchdown after intercepting a pass as teammate defensive back Braxton Lewis #33 of the Iowa State Cyclones signals touchdown in the second half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on November 24, 2018 in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa State Cyclones won 42-38 over the Kansas State Wildcats. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA - NOVEMBER 24: Linebacker Mike Rose #23 of the Iowa State Cyclones runs into the end zone for a touchdown after intercepting a pass as teammate defensive back Braxton Lewis #33 of the Iowa State Cyclones signals touchdown in the second half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on November 24, 2018 in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa State Cyclones won 42-38 over the Kansas State Wildcats. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /
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In a makeup of Iowa State football‘s rained-out season opener, the Cyclones take on in-state foe Drake for the first time since 1985 on Saturday.

For most of the season, Iowa State had Incarnate Word lined up to be their end of season matchup after the season-opener against South Dakota State was canceled due to severe thunderstorms. However, things changed a few weeks ago when Incarnate Word, a program who had never finished higher than fourth in their conference, qualified for the FCS Playoffs by winning the Southland Conference.

After being originally denied as Iowa State’s opponent, the NCAA allowed the Cyclones to play the Drake Bulldogs, a Division I FCS school located 30 minutes down I-35 in Des Moines. The Cyclones and the Bulldogs last played in 1985, a game Drake actually won 20-17 in Jack Trice Stadium in the Bulldogs last year offering full-ride scholarships for football. It’s safe to say a lot has changed since then.

Here’s how to watch this in-state showdown on Saturday.

Date: Saturday, Dec. 1
Time: 12:00 p.m. EST
Location: Ames, Iowa
Venue: Jack Trice Stadium
TV: Cyclones.tv
Live Stream: cyclones.com

Keys to Victory

Iowa State really just needs to not overlook the Bulldogs or show them a lack of respect. The minute you do that, the minute you find yourself in a dogfight. Giving the ball to David Montgomery early and often is sure to wear down a Drake defense that just hasn’t seen the type of talent that the Cyclones have. If Iowa State comes out and plays their game, they will win this one going away.

On the other hand, Drake has to do a lot if they want to do the unthinkable and upset Iowa State. The bottom line is the Bulldogs will have to go out and play the game of their lives if they want a remote shot of pulling the upset. Drake is led by fifth-year senior quarterback Grant Kraemer, who passed for nearly 2,500 yards and 25 touchdowns, and will have to play out of his mind on Saturday against a very good Iowa State defense.

Betting Odds

Line: Iowa State -42.5

Over/under: 53.5

Next. Picks for every conference championship game. dark

Prediction

This is your classic mismatch between FBS and FCS programs. This game was put together like a shotgun marriage that sounded like a good idea in theory, but in practice, it’s going to be messy and almost everyone knows it. As much as I wish Drake could be competitive in this game, Iowa State is going to roll and roll big over the Bulldogs.

Final Score: Drake 3, Iowa State 56

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