The Hawkeyes own a 24-14 edge in the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series since the rivalry renewed in 1977 after a 43-year hiatus. Iowa State has won three of the last four games, including 20-17 last season in Kinnick Stadium on a 42-yard field goal by Cole Netten with two seconds remaining.
However, the real stats are 7-9 during Kirk Ferentz era; 3 of last 4 to visitors, meaning Iowa is 1-3 for the fifth year seniors playing in this year's Cy-Hawk Game.
Kirk Ferentz took care of business in 2003, 2009 and 2013 in Ames. The first two wins were not close. The last win was the first close one, but Iowa was up 27-7 last in the game, and had to hold on to win 27-21.
- Special teams for ISU kicked a 42 yard FG with 0:02 seconds last year; they already have a PR to the house vs. UNI, this season
- Iowa was a -1 in the turnover column and 0 sacks last year against ISU
- Iowa State forced 4 sacks on Iowa last year (they out sacked Iowa in the 2013 game, too)
- QB Beathard and QB Richardson likely don't have to win the game, but they certainly can lose it (i.e. - Drew Tate in Iowa's ugly 23-3 loss in 2005)
- Defense and turnovers are often very big in rivalry game (2011 ended up a 44-41 shoot out in 3OT)
- Iowa needs to play physical and continue trend of averaging 31 points in Ames (while ISU averages 17 points), since 1981
- A ISU win doesn't always kill Iowa's season - both the 1981 and 2002 teams won the Big Ten
- Lack of Containment by Iowa's defense or ISU Richardson sitting back in the pocket, moving the chains - would be a bad sign
- It should be a good one
