Iowa State Football: Way-too-early game-by-game predictions for 2020

Iowa State football has plenty of talent returning in 2020, but can the Cyclones truly compete with the likes of Oklahoma, Texas and Oklahoma State?

After going 8-5 in 2018, things were looking up for Iowa State in 2019. And then the season started and Iowa State looked like a shell of what fans were expecting.

The Cyclones went 7-6 during the 2019 season even with Brock Purdy having one of the best seasons of any quarterback in the nation. He passed for 3,982 yards and 27 touchdowns with only nine interceptions. He looked like one of the best quarterbacks in the Big 12, but he was overshadowed by guys like Jalen Hurts and Sam Ehlinger.

Breece Hall was also a pleasant surprise for the Cyclones. Well, he wasn’t that much of a surprise for those who followed his recruitment as a highly-touted four-star rusher. He had 897 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 4.8 yards per touch. He gave the backfield a much-needed boost.

Iowa State’s offense is in good hands with both guys returning in 2020 and two of the top four receivers coming back — one is elite tight end Charlie Kolar.

The defense should be solid, but Matt Campbell will need to keep that momentum flowing in the right direction.

How will the Cyclones far in 2020?