Iowa State Football: 3 bold predictions vs. TCU in Week 4

2. Iowa State records more than five sacks

Outside of the big 78-yard touchdown allowed in the loss against Louisiana, the defense actually performed well. They held Louisiana to under 300 yards of total offense and sacked Louisiana quarterback Levi Lewis three times.

The defensive line was able to provide plenty of pressure and held their own against a mobile quarterback. If the 78-yard didn’t happen, Lewis would have thrown for just 76 yards in the whole game. Lewis also produced just a 47.3 QBR rating in their win against Iowa State.

The Cyclones have had their share of experience with mobile quarterbacks and know how to rattle them. TCU quarterback Max Duggan showed off his legs plenty last season rushing for 555 yards and six rushing touchdowns.

Iowa State’s defense was not the problem in game one for the Cyclones as they held their own and kept them in the game. Their front seven led by Will McDonald IV and JaQuan Bailey should be enough to get pressure on Duggan.

Duggan’s heart condition has resulted in him potentially sitting out this season. It has been reported he will be available to play. The Horned Frogs named sophomore quarterback Matthew Downing the starter for the game. Iowa State learned a lot about playing against Duggan last season as well which should give them enough ammunition to pressure and hit Downing multiple times.

Expect a big day for the Iowa State defense in the sack stat column.