Tag: Iowa State Football

What’s at stake for the College Football Playoff in the Big 12 championship game?

There’s a lot on the line as Arizona State and Iowa State meet in an unlikely Big 12 title matchup.

In the conference’s first season without historic powers Texas and Oklahoma, we’re getting quite the unlikely Big 12 championship game matchup as No. 15 Arizona State takes on No. 16 Iowa State with a College Football Playoff spot on the line.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF: The new 12-team format, rankings and seeding, explained

The Sun Devils, led by Big 12 Coach of the Year Kenny Dillingham, came out of nowhere to finish 10-2 and earn a berth in the conference title game, despite being picked by the media to finish dead-last in the league entering the season.

Iowa State, meanwhile, got off to a 7-0 start before dropping back-to-back games to Texas and Kansas. However, the Cyclones got back on track, and thanks to a win over Kansas State and some outside help, they’re playing for a conference title and even more.

The stakes in this one are pretty simple: The winner is in the 12-team field, and the loser is out. As things currently stand, whoever wins this game will miss out on a first-round bye guaranteed to the four highest-ranked conference champs and earn the No. 12 seed — though that is potentially subject to change.

This may be the most impactful game this weekend when it comes to the bracket, and it’s also the most straightforward when it comes to understanding its CFP implications.

The loser of this game has essentially no shot at earning an at-large bid, so it’s a de facto CFP play-in game. It’s possible the game has no impact on seeding at all, with the winner simply sliding into the No. 12 spot regardless of who it is.

However, that’s not a guarantee.

Had UNLV beaten Boise State in Friday night’s Mountain West championship game, the winner of the Big 12 matchup could have taken the Broncos’ spot as the No. 4 seed and earned a first-round bye, depending on the other conference title games.

However, with Boise’s win, the odds of the Big 12 champion earning the No. 4 seed diminished significantly. It’s not entirely unthinkable that the winner of this one could jump a Broncos team that has struggled a bit down the stretch in the rankings, and Arizona State would likely have a better chance than Iowa State given its hot finish to the season.

But in all likelihood, this game boils down to a play-in spot for the No. 12 seed. Win and in, as they say.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=421393249]

How the Big 12 could narrowly miss out on the 2024-25 College Football Playoff

This chaos scenario for the Big 12 in the CFP is a long shot but not impossible.

The College Football Playoff format is totally different this year after expanding from four to 12 teams, and the new format features rules like the five highest-ranked conference champions automatically getting playoff berths, followed by the next seven highest-ranked teams.

While the highest-ranked Group of Five conference champion is guaranteed a playoff spot as well, G5 teams aren’t limited to just one playoff team if there are multiple highly ranked squads. Additionally, Power Four conference champs all aren’t automatically handed a berth either.

As a result, depending on how the Week 14 and conference title games shake out, a Power Four conference champion could be left out of the 12-team playoff field. And that could set the Big 12 up to actually get left out of the CFP.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF RANKINGS: Oregon still reigns supreme

No. 16 Arizona State is the Big 12’s highest-ranked team in Week 14

In the College Football Playoff committee’s fourth rankings, the Big 12 has five teams among the top 25. Sounds great at first, until you realize the Sun Devils are the highest-ranked team at No. 16 with a 9-2 record.

The Mountain West’s Boise State at No. 11 with a win Friday over Oregon State moved the Broncos to 11-1 going into their conference title game, which they’re favored to win, per BetMGM. Should they win the Mountain West, there’s a strong chance they’ll be the fourth highest-ranked conference champ.

So who would be the fifth highest-ranked conference title winner?

Currently next in the Big 12 is No. 18 Iowa State (9-2), No. 19 BYU (9-2), No. 24 Kansas State (8-3) and No. 25 Colorado, which is now 9-3 after a dominant win Friday.

In conference play, Arizona State, BYU, Iowa State and Colorado entered Week 14 with 6-2 records. If they all win this weekend, there will be a four-way tie at the top of the Big 12 standings at 7-2, and with the conference’s tiebreaker rules, that would put Arizona State and Iowa State in the Big 12 title game.

If the 6-2 Big 12 teams don’t all advance to 7-2 this weekend, things could get complicated for the Big 12 in the playoff race.

The chaos scenario that could keep the Big 12 out of the College Football Playoff

Of the four 6-2 teams in the Big 12 — Arizona State, BYU, Iowa State and Colorado — going into this week’s games, only the Wildcats and Cyclones play each other in Week 14. Colorado beat Oklahoma State on Friday, and the Sun Devils face Arizona on the road Saturday.

The Big 12 will have at least a two-loss conference champion but it could be a three-loss champ. If Arizona State loses to Arizona, Iowa State loses to Kansas State *and* BYU loses to Houston, there could be a narrow path for a Group of Five conference champion, namely the American Athletic Conference winner, to be the fifth highest-ranked conference champ in the College Football Playoff rankings.

No. 17 Tulane losing to Memphis in Week 14 helps the Big 12…

…but only so much.

The Green Wave entered Week 14 with a 9-2 record but they’re now 9-3 after losing their regular-season closer to unranked Memphis, which is now 10-2. Army (9-1) and Tulane are still set to play for the American Athletic Conference title, meaning the conference will have a one-loss champ or a three-loss champ.

Would that be enough to jump the Big 12’s two- or three-loss conference champ in the College Football Playoff rankings? We’ll just have to wait and see.

If it’s three-loss Tulane, the AAC probably doesn’t pass the Big 12’s champion. But if one-loss Army blows out Tulane, the Black Knights would presumably re-join the College Football Playoff rankings and *could* end up ranked higher than the Big 12 champ.

And if the Mountain West and AAC champs are ranked higher than the Big 12 champ, the Big 12 likely would be on the outside looking in at the CFP this season.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=421393249]

Texas Tech football called out the College GameDay crew for unanimously picking Iowa State

Texas Tech pulled off the upset and handed Iowa State its first loss of the season.

Unranked Texas Tech pulled off a stunning 23-22 upset on the road against No. 11 Iowa State on Saturday during Week 10 of the college football season, handing the previously undefeated Cyclones their first loss of the season.

Iowa State entered this game with a top-20 defense and was a 13.5-point favorite over the Red Raiders. Combine those factors with the Cyclones’ home-field advantage and Texas Tech riding a two-game losing streak — including a double-digit loss to a not good Baylor team — and it makes sense why many people figured Iowa State would win and stay undefeated.

That’s the direction ESPN’s College GameDay crew took when making picks for Iowa State-Texas Tech. Desmond Howard, Nick Saban, Pat McAfee, Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit and guest picker (and professional James Franklin impersonator) Keegan-Michael Key unanimously picked the Cyclones to win.

Well, the social media folks behind Texas Tech football’s Twitter account took note, and after a late touchdown gave the Red Raiders the lead and eventually the upset win, they perfectly trolled the GameDay crew’s incorrect picks.

For what it’s worth, the majority of For The Win’s picks against the spread this week went with Texas Tech at least covering, if not winning outright.

Trailing 22-17 with 20 seconds left on the fourth-quarter clock, Texas Tech running back Tahj Brooks ran for a five-yard touchdown to give his team a one-point lead after a failed two-point conversion, and the Red Raiders held on for the victory.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=421393249]

Texas A&M is on the outside looking in in newest US LBM Coaches Poll

Texas A&M is ranked 26th, just outside of the newest Top 25 coaches poll

Texas A&M (1-1) made some strides this weekend after defeating McNeese State 52-10 on Saturday afternoon, led by starting quarterback Conner Weigman’s efficient day in the pocket.

Earning his first win as the Aggie’s newest head coach, Mike Elko knows that plenty of work is ahead of his team, starting with a road trip to Gainsville to face a Florida team that has a big decision to make at quarterback after freshman DJ Lagway’s dazzling performance on Saturday night.

While the offense improved, the offensive line continues to look ahead of SEC play. On the other side of the trenches, Texas A&M’s defensive line still has plenty of work to do compared to the preseason hype bestowed upon them. So far, the run defense has allowed 378 rushing yards in two games.

Even with the victory, Texas A&M remains on the outside looking in, ranked 26th in the country. However, several teams earned critical wins, including Iowa State’s game-winning field goal vs. rival Iowa, vaulting the Cyclones into the Top 25.

Here is the newest US LBM Coaches Poll:

Week 2 US LBM Coaches Poll

Ranking Team Record Points
1 Georgia Bulldogs 2-0 1,346 (50)
2 Ohio State Buckeyes 2-0 1,281 (3)
3 Texas Longhorns 2-0 1,259 (1)
4 Alabama Crimson Tide 2-0 1,157
5 Ole Miss Rebels 2-0 1,136
6 Oregon Ducks 2-0 987
7 Penn State Nittany Lions 2-0 956
8 Missouri Tigers 2-0 955
9 Tennessee Volunteers 2-0 930
10 Utah Utes 2-0 871
11 USC Trojans 2-0 803
12 Miami Hurricanes 2-0 798
13 Oklahoma Sooners 2-0 700
14 Oklahoma State Cowboys 2-0 588
15 Kansas State Wildcats 2-0 578
16 Michigan Wolverines 1-1 501
17 LSU Tigers 1-1 410
18 Arizona Wildcats 2-0 399
19 Notre Dame Fighting Irish 1-1 388
20 Clemson Tigers 1-1 326
21 Louisville Cardinals 2-0 288
22 Washington Huskies 2-0 176
23 Iowa State Cyclones 2-0 157
24 Nebraska Cornhuskers 2-0 91
25 Memphis Tigers 2-0 85

Schools Dropped Out

No. 20 Kansas; No. 21 Iowa; No. 23 North Carolina State

Others Receiving Votes:

Texas A&M 68; Boston College 36; Syracuse 33; Illinois 33; Northern Illinois 30; Wisconsin 28; South Carolina 25; UNLV 19; Boise State 18; Iowa 17; Kansas 10; North Carolina State 9; UCF 7; Texas State 7; TCU 6; North Carolina 5; California 5; Liberty 4; Pittsburgh 2; Michigan State 2; BYU 2; Tulane 1; James Madison 1; Indiana 1

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.

Iowa vs. Iowa State pick is CBS Sports ‘lock of the week’ in college football

CBS is beyond confident in their pick in the Cy-Hawk.

The Cy-Hawk game is rapidly approaching and the dissection of both the Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa State Cyclones is nearing its close.

Every stone has been unturned and every bit of data analyzed. Soon, things will get kicked off inside Kinnick Stadium and settle on Duke Slater Field.

One common trend about this matchup is that whichever way the picks are coming in, they are coming with a ton of confidence in predicting how this one shakes out.

CBS Sports’ Tom Fornelli may be the most confident of them all. He stamped the Cy-Hawk rivalry pick with his “lock of the week” across all of college football. He doesn’t just like Iowa to win, but also to cover the spread.

It’s fun to goof around about Iowa being an offensive juggernaut after it put up 40 points against Illinois State. The Hawkeyes aren’t likely to set scoring records this season, but I believe the offensive improvements are legitimate. QB Cade McNamara isn’t perfect, but he’s leaps and bounds better than Deacon Hill. The Hawkeyes appear to have playmakers at receiver this season, which hasn’t been the case in a while.

Iowa State looked mediocre last week, but that doesn’t concern me. Here’s what does: this team is extremely thin at linebacker right now, and it could be down a player or two on the offensive line. Stud running back Abu Sama was banged up against North Dakota, but I believe the Cyclones were simply being cautious taking him out of a game they felt they controlled. This a rivalry game, and I know anything can happen, but I can see a scenario in which the Cyclones can’t get stops against this Hawkeyes offense. Yes, it feels very strange to type that sentence out and read it back, but it’s true. Pick: Iowa -2.5 (-112) – Tom Fornelli, CBS Sports

It seems like an alternate universe where the picks of this game are focused on a competent, point-scoring offense, but here we are. There was an infusion of life into the Iowa offense by Tim Lester in Week 1.

Iowa does get the return of Kaleb Brown as a wide receiver and will utilize Kaleb Johnson as the top running back after his explosive showing last week. They have playmakers who can take it the distance at any time, a far cry from previous years.

Cade McNamara doesn’t have to be a superhero, he just needs to complete a few key passes and keep the defense honest. The Cyclones are without Caleb Bacon, a key loss at linebacker, and all signs point to Iowa trying to pound the rock and handle their business in this year’s Cy-Hawk matchup.

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Riley on Twitter: @rileydonald7

Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Iowa State named ESPN’s best college football Week 2 bet

Which way will the Cy-Hawk go?

It is almost time for kickoff in the Cy-Hawk game and that means it is almost time for fans of the Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa State Cyclones to hunker down for three hours of a close, stressful contest.

What is being predicted as a close game by many, could be a resume-building win for each of these programs in Week 2 and jumpstart their 2024-25 season with an exciting win.

One thing that is always expected in this game is tough, hard-nosed defense. These teams are both stout on that side of the ball, which has lent itself to the total points set at 35.5 points in this one.

ESPN has marked the total points as their best bet of the week to take in this one. They think that the Iowa offense may have some fireworks ready to go with Tim Lester.

Week 2 best bet: Iowa State at Iowa OVER 35.5

I’m putting my reputation on the line taking the over in an Iowa game. It might be a bold move this early in the season, but here we go. In 2023, Iowa was involved in the four lowest over/under totals in college football history:

  • Iowa vs. Nebraska: 24.5 points (lowest ever)
  • Iowa vs. Rutgers: 27.5 points
  • Iowa vs. Northwestern: 30.5 points
  • Iowa vs. Minnesota: 30.5 points

All four games hit the under. However, I’m here to say this is a brand-new Iowa offense. With Tim Lester as offensive coordinator, the Hawkeyes are poised for change. Lester’s extensive coaching experience, including a successful tenure at Western Michigan where his teams consistently ranked in the top 35 nationally in total offense, bodes well for Iowa’s potential. – Pamela Maldonado, ESPN

Iowa’s offense looked like it finally found life in the second half of last week. Cade McNamara was able to complete passes downfield and stretch the defense. He utilized Luke Lachey, Jacob Gill, and Reece Vander Zee to work the entirety of the field.

In the backfield, Kaleb Johnson exploded and will be available for all four quarters this week. Out wide, Kaleb Brown returns to bolster the receiver group even more. The two Kalebs give Iowa playmakers and explosive athletes who can bust a big gainer at any moment.

Unlike other years where this rivalry has been a bare-knuckle fist fight, this chapter could still be a boxing match, but it may just feature a few more points.

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Riley on Twitter: @rileydonald7

Hawkeyes comment on challenge of Iowa State football defense

The Iowa Hawkeyes know this week’s defensive opponent, the Iowa State Cyclones, are going to present a much harder test.

This week will present an entirely new challenge to the Iowa Hawkeyes offense when they take the field inside Kinnick Stadium.

With Iowa State looming in the Cy-Hawk rivalry, Iowa is going to be tasked with a much more intense challenge in the defense that they are facing. After a 40-0 showing against Illinois State by the Hawkeyes, the Cyclones are a much different animal to face.

The Hawkeyes’ offense is healthy and fully loaded aside from a few lingering injuries and will need all hands on deck to notch their second victory.

When asked about facing the Cyclones’ defense and the struggles they have had against them over the past few years, Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz gave them their credit.

“You know, one person’s opinion. They’ve done a lot of things well there since Coach Campbell got there. That league was not exactly, like, known for defense, and ours is probably a little bit more so that way, at least that’s kind of been the trend,” Ferentz said about Cyclones head coach Matt Campbell and his program.

“I think Coach Heacock, he’s an outstanding coach, great person. He came in with a vision. I’m not sure where all it got incubated or where it got hatched, but they’ve been good on defense basically after that first year was a year of adjustment,” continued Ferentz.

“But from my vantage point, they’ve been good on defense all the way through, and they’ve been good on offense, too. They’ve changed subtly, but they’ve got an identity and a system that works really well for them. I think that’s why they’ve been so successful. They run the ball, control the ball. They pass it well, too,” Ferentz went on to say.

“But they’re balanced on offense, and then defensively they’ve been really good. I think you know how I feel. Just growing up, it just seems like if you played defense in any sport, you’ve got a chance. You can’t win if you don’t have a chance. Real credit to them,” Kirk Ferentz added about their successes.

“But they’ve been tough on a lot of people. You look back, it’s hard to find how many games where they gave up a lot of yards or points. Really hard,” Ferentz ended with.

The Cyclones’ Week 1 victory backs up this sentiment as well. They held North Dakota, albeit an FCS program, to just three points.

They limited North Dakota to 121 yards through that year at 4 yards per attempt but did give up 174 yards on the ground.

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Riley on Twitter: @rileydonald7

Texas A&M is projected to face former Big 12 opponent in newest Bowl projections

After, yes, one game, Texas A&M has received a new bowl game prediction

The 2024 college football season is just two weeks in (if you count Week 0), meaning bowl game predictions have begun to flood the interweb, even though only one game has been played for nearly every one of the 134 FBS teams.

Texas A&M’s 2024 season, which also marks the introduction of the Mike Elko head coaching era, started with a disappointing loss to the now fifth-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The Aggies fell 23-13 in a fierce defensive battle until the fourth quarter.

After surprisingly falling out of the US LBM Coaches Poll after losing to a Top 10 opponent, Elko and his staff are focused on helping starting quarterback Conner Weigman improve. The redshirt sophomore threw for only 100 yards and two interceptions in his worst career showing.

According to USA TODAY’s Erick Smith, the Aggies are now out of the playoff conversation and predicted to play in the Texas Bowl on December 31st against Iowa State, a familiar Big 12 opponent.

The Cyclones started the season off by defeating an undersized North Dakota team 21-3, as the offense struggled to find consistency after star running back Abu Sama left the game. Safe to say, Smith believes both teams will end up in the seven to eight-win margin if the Texas Bowl is the predicted matchup.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.

Cy-Hawk rivalry among CBS Sports’ biggest college football games of Week 2

The Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa State Cyclone square off in the Cy-Hawk battle which is one of CBS Sports’ biggest games of the week.

Week 1 of the 2024 college football season is in the books and it is now time to turn the page to rivalry week.

The Iowa Hawkeyes are hosting in-state rival Iowa State for the annual Cy-Hawk rivalry. Both teams enter this one 1-0 and are surely headed for another tight battle.

Iowa took care of Illinois State 40-0 while Iowa State dispatched of North Dakota by a score of 21-3. With Week 2 rapidly approaching, this matchup is one of CBS Sports’ biggest games of the weekend.

If tightly contested rivalry games are your thing, the Cy-Hawk battle is a must-see. The last six games have been decided by 10 points or less, and both teams are expected to be strong in 2024. Their Week 1 opponents combined to score three points, so this should be a defensive slugfest that is decided in the fourth quarter. Iowa has won seven of the last eight in the series, but the teams have split the past two meetings. – David Cobb, ESPN

Iowa has more than doubled up on Iowa State in this series with a 47-23 advantage all-time. Iowa State won the matchup in 2022, but over the last 20 years, it has been all Hawkeyes. Iowa has won 14 of the last 20 and eight of the last 10 matchups.

The Hawkeyes have opened up as a 3.5-point favorite in this game, which is a testament to the tightness of the game. Six of the last 10 meetings have been decided by one score.

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Riley on Twitter: @rileydonald7

How to buy Iowa vs. Iowa State college football tickets

The Hawkeyes host in-state rival Iowa State Cyclones in an early-season football matchup. Tickets for the game are available for just $120.

Is there anything better than a college football rivalry game?

The Iowa Hawkeyes are coming off a traditional dominant defensive display coupled with a very uncommon offensive explosion against Illinois State in a 40-0 win.

The Iowa State Cyclones showed some defense of their own in Week 1, defeating North Dakota 21-3.

With an early win under each of their belts, Saturday’s rivalry game will surely prove as fiery as always. Limited tickets still remain for Saturday’s game between Iowa and Iowa State.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Iowa vs. Iowa State football tickets” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/w943kJ9″]

How to buy Iowa vs. Iowa State football tickets

At the time of publication, the cheapest available Iowa vs. Iowa State tickets would cost you $120.

When: Saturday, Sept 7 at 3:30 p.m. ET

Where: Iowa City, Iowa

Tickets: $120 on StubHub

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Iowa vs. Iowa State tickets at StubHub” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/w943kJ9″]

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. Hawkeyes Wire operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.