1. The atmosphere in Ames is going to be electric
Former presidents will be in town for the game of the week. OK, this is definitely not the game of the week but it is a rivalry game that people across the country truly enjoy.
It’s never high-scoring, it’s usually ugly, and it’s always filled with hatred on both sides. Iowa and Iowa State just don’t like each other.
The crowd at Jack Trice Stadium will be ready to explode at the thought of an upset. Iowa was ranked to start the season and slipped to the first team out of the AP Top 25 after a 10-point win over Utah State and it enters the game on Saturday as the favorite. This would be a fun upset.
I just know the atmosphere in Ames is going to be electric.
Cade McNamara has thrived in these situations before, but I don’t think he has a true grasp of this rivalry yet.
And the last time he went on the road in a big rivalry game (2021 at Michigan State), he threw a critical interception to lose the game.
I expect the same result in this one.