Iowa State Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2019

SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 28: Brock Purdy #15 of the Iowa State Cyclones throws a pass under pressure by Taylor Comfort #56 of the Washington State Cougars in the fourth quarter during the Valero Alamo Bowl at the Alamodome on December 28, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

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IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 15: Quarterback Eli Duane #14 of the Northern Iowa Panthers drops back to throw in the second half under pressure from defensive lineman Chauncey Golston #57 of the Iowa Hawkeyes on September 15, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

Iowa State opens up against FCS opponent Northern Iowa, who they are very familiar with as they have opened up with them in the past. Cyclone fans will remember the 2016 season when Northern Iowa actually upset Iowa State 25-20 in Matt Campbell’s first year as head coach, which wasn’t the first time it had beaten the Cyclones.

Northern Iowa is usually one of the better teams in the FCS and the Panthers are coming off a 7-6 season.

Iowa State should take care of business in this game, but going off of the past, Iowa State has let FCS opponents hang around longer than their fans would want. Last year they beat Drake 27-24, and in 2017 they beat Northern Iowa 42-24. While the Cyclones will take the victories, they would like to see those wins by a larger margin.

I expect Iowa State to win comfortably, but Northern Iowa is at least competitive and doesn’t get completely blown out.

Final Score: Northern Iowa 20, Iowa State 45 (1-0)

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