Iowa State Football: Post-spring game-by-game predictions for 2019

Speaking of in-state rivalries, Iowa will be hosting Iowa State in a major Week 3 battle with bragging rights on the line. Iowa has dominated the all-time series, 44-22, but since Matt Campbell has been in town, the games have been slightly more competitive outside of a 42-3 drubbing a couple of years ago.

Campbell has yet to beat the Hawkeyes and the pressure to change that will be on in 2019. The Hawkeyes have won four straight in the rivalry, but head coaching success can still come from a sluggish start in this annual matchup — Kirk Ferentz lost his first four games against Iowa State.

Nathan Stanley is back as one of the Big Ten’s top returning quarterbacks but he doesn’t have much in terms of skill position players returning on offense — TJ Hockenson and Noah Fant are now gone, along with Nick Easly.

Offensive uncertainty, along with a bye week to prepare for this game for the Cyclones will make this one closer than most in the rivalry and Iowa State could finally end that cold streak.

Brock Purdy will have himself a signature day and this game will come down to a last-second field goal by Connor Assalley.

Final Score: Iowa State 24, Iowa 21 (2-0)