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Iowa State football: 3 reasons the Cyclones will upset Iowa in Week 2

By Connor Muldowney

Iowa State Cyclones' quarterback Rocco Becht (3) hands the ball off to running back Eli Sanders (6) during the first quarter in the season-opening game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Ames, Iowa.
Iowa State Cyclones' quarterback Rocco Becht (3) hands the ball off to running back Eli Sanders (6) during the first quarter in the season-opening game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Ames, Iowa. /
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Sep 2, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Cade McNamara (12) tosses the ball during the third quarter against the Utah State Aggies at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 2, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Cade McNamara (12) tosses the ball during the third quarter against the Utah State Aggies at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Iowa’s offense still looks inept

Watching Iowa struggle to score against Utah State was tough. The Hawkeyes were expected to have a much better offense this season with Cade McNamara at quarterback and he looked like he was going to be the answer as he led Iowa to its first season-opening first-drive touchdown pass in over 30 years.

After that touchdown, however, Iowa’s offense stalled out.

The Hawkeyes scored just 24 points and were actually out-gained by Utah State 329-284. So that tells me that the defense may not be as good as it usually is and the offense hasn’t exactly turned a corner yet.

That’s going to play right into the hands of Iowa State.

Iowa State’s defense played OK in the opener, holding Northern Iowa to just 279 total yards and nine points in a three-touchdown win.

This defense is going to hold Iowa’s offense in check.

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