Iowa State Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2020 season

Iowa State football under Matt Campbell has expectations of crashing the party at the top of the Big 12. Will that happen in 2020?

Few fanbases around the country are more devoted to a coach than Iowa State is to Matt Campbell. He has managed to guide the Cyclones to winning records for three consecutive years, and just as impressive is the culture of belief and toughness in Ames.

Incredibly, before the 33-9 loss to Notre Dame in last year’s Camping World Bowl, Iowa State had never lost a game in the past three seasons by more than 14 points.

This year’s team will once again be headed by junior quarterback Brock Purdy. The third-year starter led a high-powered offense by setting school season records in passing yards (3,982), passing touchdowns (27), total offense (4,231) and 300-yard passing games (6). The 2019 Davey O’Brien semifinalist also led the conference with 306 passing yards per game, which was fourth overall in the nation.

The backfield will feature sophomore Breece Hall who got better as the season progressed, finishing with 897 yards and nine rushing touchdowns. In the receiving corps, the loss of wide receivers Deshaunte Jones and La’Michael Pettway will require someone to step up.

However, the passing game will figure to be anchored by junior tight end and preseason second-team All-American Charlie Kolar following a season with a team-high seven-touchdown receptions.

As for the offensive line, four starters will need to be replaced, which figures to be the greatest concern.

The defense might be the best under Campbell to date. Nine starters return with senior defensive end JaQuan Bailey finally back. He’s currently tied for first in career sacks in school history with 18.5.

So far, Iowa State has shown consistency by winning five to six conference games each of the last three seasons. Is this the year the Cyclones finally take the next step?