Washington State Football: 3 reasons to watch Alamo Bowl vs Iowa State

In one of the more intriguing matchups of the bowl season, pass-happy Washington State football is pitted against the defensive-minded Iowa State Cyclones.

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In a game between teams from the Big 12 and the Pac 12, many people would expect the ball to be flying all over the field and have both teams score 50+. That could happen at the Valero Alamo Bowl, but on the other hand, it could very well be a 20-17 defensive struggle as well. That is the appealing factor about the 26th Alamo Bowl between the Iowa State Cyclones and the Washington State Cougars.

In all reality this game is essentially a glorified Big 12 game. Washington State’s is led by former Texas Tech head coach Mike Leach, a semi-familiar foe for the Cyclones — Leach held a 3-1 advantage against the Cyclones in his nine years in Lubbock. Leach brought his high-flying offense to Pullman and has put gaudy numbers since, especially this season with ex-East Carolina quarterback Gardner Minshew, who has thrown for 4,477 yards, 36 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

However, this Iowa State team is nothing like the doormat Cyclone teams that Leach faced in his time at Texas Tech. Iowa State posses one of the best defense in the country in terms of neutralizing spread attacks. The Cyclones offense can also score some points as well, boasting the triplet trio of freshman quarterback Brock Purdy, junior running back David Montgomery, and junior wide receiver Hakeem Butler.

This is shaping up to be one of the better games of the bowl seasons, here’s why you should tune in on December 28.