Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Iowa State Cyclones football: Five players to watch

Sep 7, 2013; Iowa City, IA, USA; Missouri State Bears linebacker Jeremy Springer tackles Iowa Hawkeyes running back Mark Weisman (45) as he scores a touchdown at Kinnick Stadium. Iowa beat Missouri State 28-14. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

Here’s a quick look at four players and a specific position for both teams on Saturday’s matchup between the Iowa State Cyclones and the Iowa Hawkeyes. This includes another  running back that could break ISU’s defense all day long if they don’t step up.

Mark Weisman – Running back, Iowa (Jr, #45)

He began four consecutive games over 100 yards rushing right after the Iowa State game last season. That includes a 217-yard performance against Central Michigan with a staggering 8.04 yards per carry. He’s already had over 100 yards in each of his first two games, and is the unquestioned leader of the Hawkeyes’ own stable of running backs. If big running backs have been hard to the Cyclones to bring down, Weisman could be a real threat all day long.

Ernst Brun – Tight end, Iowa State (Jr, #84)

Cramping kept Brun out of multiple snaps against Northern Iowa, which was a vastly missed target for Richardson. He only caught one ball for two yards, and it sounds like the senior won’t let the situation be an ongoing factor.

Iowa’s Senior Linebackers

It’s not a specific player, but it’s hard to pick just one player to focus on. ISU had the advantage in this position with A.J. Klein and Jake Knott, but the Hawkeyes should have the upperhand with two senior linebackers, Anthony Hitchens and Christian Kirksey, leading the team in tackles. Hitchens also accounts for 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack on the season.

James White – Running back, Iowa State (Sr, #8)

How much of a dual threat can White be against the Hawkeyes? He recorded seven catches for 65 yards, both season highs last season, against Iowa but ran for just 28 yards on a season-high 13 carries.

Mike Meyer – Place kicker, Iowa (Sr, #96)

Similar to many previous games, this could come down to field goal kicking. This is Meyer’s fourth year with the program and has had his fair share of misses, already including one this season.