Iowa State Football: Iowa Hawkeyes Lookahead

September 8, 2012; Iowa City, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones coach Paul Rhoads hugs Jake Knott (20) after an interception against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. Iowa State defeated Iowa 9-6. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

2012 Iowa Quick Recap

It’s been a long time since the Hawkeyes had that bad of a season. A six game losing streak gave the team a 4-8 finish and missed a bowl for the first time since losing to Western Michigan in the final game of the year in 2007.

The defense was good, but not nearly enough to back up the atrocious offense led by Greg Davis who resigned from the Texas Longhorns back in 2010. Nationally, the offense was ranked 114th, only compiling around 310 yards per game.

James Vandenberg had a dismal finish to his career with five games that resulted in negative rushing yards and had eight interceptions to seven passing touchdowns on the season.

Last Meeting

September 8th, 2012 – Iowa State defeated Iowa 9-6

Looking back at the latest iteration of the CyHawk series, I remember more about all the rap music that felt completely unnatural during the Big Ten Network’s broadcast. Both teams combined for 12-34 third-down conversions and 14 total punts. The Cyclones actually moved the ball well overall, but coughed it up three times in the redzone to keep from steamrolling ahead.

Steele Jantz cooled off after completing his first 10 passes and eventually had two interceptions. After scoring a touchdown and missing the extra point five minutes into the game, Iowa State was only able to add a field goal.

Turns out that’s all they needed. The Hawkeyes did gain offensive momentum in the fourth quarter, but a late pickoff by Jake Knott sealed the deal for the Cyclones to take home the CyHawk trophy for a second consecutive year.

Projecting the Hawkeyes

It can’t get any worse offensively, but it may not get a whole lot better. I’ve considered the Greg Davis hire to be a mistake, and there wasn’t anything that proved me wrong in the first season. Perhaps after being with the team for a few seasons and getting the right recruiting classes in, the team will be better.

This season could be another rough ride for Iowa. The team will be young and the offense will go through more growing pains with a new quarterback. Big Ten play will be even tougher than it was a season ago with road games to Ohio State and Nebraska.

September 8, 2012; Iowa City, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Damon Bullock (32) is tackled by Iowa State Cyclones player Jacques Washington (10) in the fourth quarter at Kinnick Stadium. The Cyclones defeated the Hawkeyes 9-6. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-US PRESS WIRE

Too Early Prediction

Tests against Northern Iowa (and Northern Illinois for Iowa) will give us a better indicator of what to expect in this year’s edition of the rivalry. Considering both teams are predicted to not reach a bowl game this year, the talent at running back and potential for Sam Richardson at quarterback may be enough for Iowa State to get a hard-fought victory.

It will all depend on how that offensive line holds up to Iowa’s defense.