Why Iowa State Will Win The Fiesta Bowl
– It’s a sound, veteran team that pushed back hard against an Oklahoma team that turned out to be really, really good. The Cyclones might have lost the Big 12 Championship, but they got there with a five-game winning streak as the team got stronger and better and the year went on.
When RB Breece Hall is rolling – which is almost always – this is one of college football’s most balanced offenses hitting 200 yards rushing and receiving five times in the 11 games. This is a versatile enough team to handle what’s coming from the athletic Oregon defense. It starts with …
– The offensive line is fantastic. It’s not just great for Hall and a running game that’s consistent and terrific, but it was the best in the Big 12 in pass protection. Oregon generates a timely pass rush, but it doesn’t come up with plays behind the line in bulk. Iowa State will hold its own on one side, and the run defense will take care of things on the other. There might not be an amazing Iowa State pass rush, but it’s great against the run.
– It might seem boring and simple, but don’t give the ball away, and beat Oregon. The Ducks lost two games this years to teams they should’ve housed – Oregon State and Cal. Both games were close, both games were fun, and they were the two games Oregon failed to generate a takeaway.
Brock Purdy threw three picks in the loss to Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship, but the Cyclone offense didn’t turn the ball over in the three previous games, all wins.
This isn’t the Oregon offense that some might be used to. It’s good, and it’s efficient, but it’s not all the consistent and it turns the ball over a bit too much.