As I predicted in Part 1 of my 2014 Iowa State schedule analysis, the Cyclones are 3-3 in their first six games of the year. Below, I predict their final six, or maybe even seven, games for the 2014 Cyclones squad.
Iowa State Football Schedule Analysis (Games 7-12)
Saturday, October 18th: at Texas 7:00 p.m. C.T.
For such a big game (and as controversial as it was last year), it is a surprise to see that each school’s respective TV station landed this Big 12 bout. Last season, the two schools saw a goal line fumble called a dead ball, in which the runner’s (TEX) knee never touched the ground. Texas held on to win that game 31-30.
Prediction: Iowa State takes a back-and-forth game into the last seconds much like last season, but pulls it out at the end to get their first conference win of the season.
Record: 4-3 (1-3 in Big 12)
Saturday, November 1st: vs Oklahoma (Time TBD)
Iowa State has been beaten by Oklahoma 14 times in a row, but that hasn’t stopped the Cyclones from keeping the game close. Last year, it was just a 10-point lead for OU at the half before Iowa State gave up another 38 points in the second.
Prediction: The Cyclones can’t get the signature upset they’ve been wanting and go down by 20+ for their fourth loss of the season.
Record: 4-4 (1-4 in Big 12)
Saturday, November 8th: at Kansas (Time TBD)
Iowa State has won four straight games against the Jayhawks, who are once again ranked at the bottom of the Big 12. Last time in Lawrence, Cyclone fans got their first look at Sam Richardson, who led the team to victory and their sixth win of the season, making Iowa State bowl eligible.
Prediction: Quarterback Grant Rohach will have solidifed his position as the starting quarterback for ISU. Rohach will have a career night as Iowa State’s passing game will carry them to their fifth win on the season.
Record: 5-4 (2-4 in Big 12)
Saturday, November 22nd: vs Texas Tech (Time TBD)
Each of the last two seasons, Iowa State could have had a confidence-boosting win against the Red Raiders, but fell apart late in the game. Texas Tech’s offense is back with sophomore Davis Webb at quarterback and a couple great returning wideouts.
Prediction: Webb leads the Texas Tech offense right over the defense’s heads. TTU has an experienced offense that will take Iowa State’s defense to the wall. If the Cyclones can find a way to stop the Red Raiders offense, they will have a significant chance. For now, I’m predicting a loss for Iowa State.
Record: 5-5 (2-5 in Big 12)
Saturday, November 29th: vs West Virginia (Time TBD)
In last season’s finale, the Cyclones came back from a 21-point deficit, forced the game into overtime, and then closed it out with a final of 52-44 in triple overtime. The offense added insult to injury by getting 575 overall yards that night. This ended the Cyclones’ season on a high note and a 2-game winning streak coming into this year.
Prediction: Iowa State has no problem taking down the Mountaineers at Jack Trice Stadium. Fans could get a bit salty over the basketball games from last season against WVU, but other than that, there won’t be any storylines keeping the Cyclones away from a big win.
Record: 6-5 (3-5 in Big 12)
Saturday, December 6th: at Texas Christian (Time TBD)
Iowa State and TCU split their first two games in Big 12 Conference play. The Cyclones upended the #15 ranked Horned Frogs last time here, and a December game in Texas shouldn’t be too much of a problem for the Cyclones.
Prediction: The Cyclones jump out to an early lead and never look back, giving Paul Rhoads his first seven-win regular season in his coaching career.
Record: 7-5 (4-5 in Big 12)
Date TBD: Liberty Bowl vs Tennessee
It’s highly unlikely that I get this prediction correct, but if the Liberty Bowl comes once more for the Cyclones (went there in 2012 and lost to Tulsa), Paul Rhoads’ motivational talks will come in handy. It would be a very strong exclamation point on a historic Rhoads season.
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