College Football Rankings 2021: Projected AP Top 25 for Week 2
By Zach Bigalke
. won 16-10 v. FCS Northern Iowa. Cyclones . Iowa State Cyclones (1-0). 9. player. 837
A year after collapsing in their 2020 season opener against Louisiana, Iowa State nearly faced the same fate in their 2021 season opener against FCS Northern Iowa. It was hardly the most inspiring of wins and, given that they only held a five-point lead on Cincinnati in the preseason AP Top 25, we might see the Cyclones fall a spot or two down the rankings as a result of their 13-10 escape in Week 1.
Brock Purdy had a perfectly average day, finishing with a 51.3 quarterback rating as he completed 21 of his 26 passes for 199 yards. Breece Hall led the way on the ground, rushing for 69 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries and adding another 31 receiving yards. Connor Assalley and Andrew Mevis split kicking duties and were a perfect 3-for-3 on field goals.
Iowa State’s defense was stout, holding the visiting Panthers to only 45 rushing yards. Will McElvain threw for 230 yards and a touchdown, but he also heaved up two costly picks to the Cyclones that changed the complexion of the upset bid.
The shine is off Iowa State a bit, after they entered the season rated more highly than any previous Cyclones roster in school history. But Matt Campbell’s experienced team still has all the pieces to make a run at the Big 12 title. The Cyclones stay in state next week to resume their annual rivalry game in a ranked showdown against Iowa.