Five Reasons Why Iowa State Will Make a Bowl Game
By Ross
We all know the story, Iowa State only needs to win one out of the next three games to go to a bowl game. However, it will be extremely tough because the next three are all teams that have been ranked in the top 10 this year. Below, I listed some reasons why I believe Iowa State will win one of the games and make their second bowl game in three years. I’m not saying that all will happen or that they are likely to occur but rather that I believe one of the reasons below will end up giving Iowa State six wins on the season.
1. The Cyclones face Oklahoma State in primetime on ESPN
I know the Cowboys will probably be ranked 2nd when they come to Jack Trice but I have a feeling that the Clones will be more ready and pumped up than normal. It will likely be the most-watched Iowa State game of the year with it being on ESPN on a Friday night. How many times do you get to host one of the best teams in the country in primetime on the biggest sports network in the world? The seniors will be playing their last game in front of Cyclone Nation and will want to go out with a bang. I’m not saying it is likely or will happen but being in front of a national audience, after a bye week, and senior night might be the right ingredients the Cyclones need for the biggest upset in ISU history.
2. The Sooners have lost two of their biggest playmakers
Against Kansas State, RB Dominique Whaley went down with a broken ankle which will cost him the year. Whaley was averaging 5.5 yards per carry and rushed for 9 touchdowns before he suffered the injury. Last week, All-American WR Ryan Broyles tore his ACL which will end his legendary career at Oklahoma. He caught 83 catches on the year including 10 touchdowns. His 83 catches was 31.4 percent of Oklahoma’s overall receptions. Losing almost a third of their receptions may end up really hurting the Sooners especially since they are a pass-happy team. Even with the losses of Whaley and Broyles, Oklahoma still has more talent than Iowa State but the losses give Iowa State a fighting chance.
3. Oklahoma play rivals Oklahoma State the following week after Iowa State
The Sooners probably won’t be taking Iowa State as a legitimate threat when they come to town. The last time Iowa State beat Oklahoma was in 1990. Oklahoma is full off blue-chip players while Iowa State is made up of 3 and 2-star recruits. I would be shocked but on the other hand I wouldn’t be if Oklahoma has a letdown against Iowa State. The Big 12 championship and possibly a trip to the national championship will be on the line for the Sooners the next week. Not saying it will happen but looking past Iowa State in favor of the biggest game of the year for the Sooners is a possibility.
4. Iowa State has played Kansas State tough in recent years.
The last time the game was decided by a possession or less was in 2006. This game has turned into somewhat of a rivalry after it was played at Arrowhead Stadium the past two years and has been given a name, Farmageddon. The Iowa State seniors have never beaten Kansas State and I’m sure they don’t want to go winless against the Wildcats in their career. This game is almost always close combined with the fact that Iowa State likely will be fighting for bowl eligibility, I can see this game going ISU’s way.
5. Kansas State may enter the game on a 4-game losing streak
The Wildcats have lost the last two games (Oklahoma and Oklahoma State) and still have to play Texas and Texas A&M and if they lose those two games will be asking themselves “what just happened” after they started the season off so well. Kansas State has seven wins on the year so they are already going to a bowl game. It will be senior day in Manhattan but besides that, Kansas State doesn’t have a lot to play for. If Iowa State is still at (and likely will be) five wins, Iowa State’s bowl hopes depend on the outcome of the KSU game. Paul Rhoads has already pulled off several upset wins on the road in his young career at ISU. With Kansas State possibly being on a 4-game losing streak and the fact that Iowa State will go bowling with a win, I think Paul Rhoads can definitely pull of another big-time win.