Some quick thoughts, does Phil Steele like Iowa in 2021?
He is on the Iowa State love train, like others entering this season.
Iowa State outside the Big 12 or inside for that matter.
In 2017, Matt Campbell's second season, the 8-5 Cyclones spent 3 straight weeks in the Top 25. Finished the Big 12 with a 20-19 loss at Kansas State (8-5). Lost at home to Oklahoma State (10-3) to drop out of the Top 25. 1-2 as a ranked team.
Beat Memphis 21-20 in Liberty Bowl to close out 2017 season.
In 2018, finished 8-5 and were ranked for four straight weeks, exiting #24, after only a 27-24 win against Drake***. 3-1*** as a ranked team. Loss at Texas (10-4).
Lost 28-26 to Washington State in Alamo Bowl to close out the 2018 season.
In 2019, for the first time in the Matt Campbell era, the Cyclones opened the season in the Top 25.
The 3 OT win over Northern Iowa dropped the Cyclones out of the Top 25.
The Cyclones with back to back wins in Big 12 road game against two programs that finished 5-7 and 4-8 put ISU back into the Top 25.
The next week, #23 Iowa State lost at home 34-27 to unranked Oklahoma State (8-5) at the time.
Iowa State opened 2019 at 2-2. Again, lost final game of Big 12 at Kansas State (8-5) 27-17.
ISU lost 33-9 to Notre Dame in Camping World Bowl to finish 2019 at 7-6.
Last year, Iowa State opened 2020 #23 and dropped out of Top 25 after a 31-14 loss to Louisiana.
Again, Iowa State lost to Oklahoma State (8-3) on the road 24-21. The Cyclones had the best season in program history finishing 8-3 and playing in their first Big 12 Championship Game.
They beat an unranked Oregon team 34-17 in the Fiesta Bowl.
The Cyclones are a Top 10 program heading into 2021. But, can they avoid past stumbles, like Matt Campbell's first five seasons?
Iowa State has the #4 offensive line in the nation, compared to Iowa's #53 per Phil Steele's 2021 College Football Preview.
Iowa State’s defensive line is #40. "This unit should be just as strong even with the loss of their top guy." -Phil Steele Preview.
Iowa is #48 per Phil Steele. "Five of the top eight are back and history says Ferentz will form another top-notch Def. front."
Iowa is going for sixth straight in series. Phil Steele shares, "68th might for Cy-Hawk trophy. ISU trails 45-22 & have dropped L/5 meetings (1-3-1 ATS). In their last mtg ('19) ISU was +105 yds but were -2 TO and muffed a punt late 4Q & lost 18-17.
Who will play elite football in 2021?
The 2019 game and win was "first 1-pt in the series history."
#9 Iowa State hosts #23 Iowa in Week 2.
By the way, Indiana is ranked #18. Wisconsin is #11 and Penn State is #14.
Iowa is the #12 - 2021 Surprise Teams, with Wisconsin #2 and Penn State #8. Oregon is #11.
Penn State is #1 for 2021's Most Improved Teams. Michigan #15.
Iowa State is #6 in Phil Steele's Power Poll. Iowa #22, behind #8 Penn State, #13 Wisconsin and #19 Indiana.
Phil Steele has Iowa +12 and Indiana +11 "going down" in turnover margin.
Iowa leads College Football over last many years, so will Iowa, with the entire secondary back go down?
Iowa State’s secondary ranks 43. They have the #2 LB Corp in nation per Phil Steele.
Iowa's strongest unit outside secondary and special teams is their LBs at #21.
Is it the consensus Iowa State’s defense is better than Iowa?
Defense wins 🤔
He is on the Iowa State love train, like others entering this season.
Iowa State outside the Big 12 or inside for that matter.
In 2017, Matt Campbell's second season, the 8-5 Cyclones spent 3 straight weeks in the Top 25. Finished the Big 12 with a 20-19 loss at Kansas State (8-5). Lost at home to Oklahoma State (10-3) to drop out of the Top 25. 1-2 as a ranked team.
Beat Memphis 21-20 in Liberty Bowl to close out 2017 season.
In 2018, finished 8-5 and were ranked for four straight weeks, exiting #24, after only a 27-24 win against Drake***. 3-1*** as a ranked team. Loss at Texas (10-4).
Lost 28-26 to Washington State in Alamo Bowl to close out the 2018 season.
In 2019, for the first time in the Matt Campbell era, the Cyclones opened the season in the Top 25.
The 3 OT win over Northern Iowa dropped the Cyclones out of the Top 25.
The Cyclones with back to back wins in Big 12 road game against two programs that finished 5-7 and 4-8 put ISU back into the Top 25.
The next week, #23 Iowa State lost at home 34-27 to unranked Oklahoma State (8-5) at the time.
Iowa State opened 2019 at 2-2. Again, lost final game of Big 12 at Kansas State (8-5) 27-17.
ISU lost 33-9 to Notre Dame in Camping World Bowl to finish 2019 at 7-6.
Last year, Iowa State opened 2020 #23 and dropped out of Top 25 after a 31-14 loss to Louisiana.
Again, Iowa State lost to Oklahoma State (8-3) on the road 24-21. The Cyclones had the best season in program history finishing 8-3 and playing in their first Big 12 Championship Game.
They beat an unranked Oregon team 34-17 in the Fiesta Bowl.
The Cyclones are a Top 10 program heading into 2021. But, can they avoid past stumbles, like Matt Campbell's first five seasons?
Iowa State has the #4 offensive line in the nation, compared to Iowa's #53 per Phil Steele's 2021 College Football Preview.
Iowa State’s defensive line is #40. "This unit should be just as strong even with the loss of their top guy." -Phil Steele Preview.
Iowa is #48 per Phil Steele. "Five of the top eight are back and history says Ferentz will form another top-notch Def. front."
Iowa is going for sixth straight in series. Phil Steele shares, "68th might for Cy-Hawk trophy. ISU trails 45-22 & have dropped L/5 meetings (1-3-1 ATS). In their last mtg ('19) ISU was +105 yds but were -2 TO and muffed a punt late 4Q & lost 18-17.
Who will play elite football in 2021?
The 2019 game and win was "first 1-pt in the series history."
#9 Iowa State hosts #23 Iowa in Week 2.
By the way, Indiana is ranked #18. Wisconsin is #11 and Penn State is #14.
Iowa is the #12 - 2021 Surprise Teams, with Wisconsin #2 and Penn State #8. Oregon is #11.
Penn State is #1 for 2021's Most Improved Teams. Michigan #15.
Iowa State is #6 in Phil Steele's Power Poll. Iowa #22, behind #8 Penn State, #13 Wisconsin and #19 Indiana.
Phil Steele has Iowa +12 and Indiana +11 "going down" in turnover margin.
Iowa leads College Football over last many years, so will Iowa, with the entire secondary back go down?
Iowa State’s secondary ranks 43. They have the #2 LB Corp in nation per Phil Steele.
Iowa's strongest unit outside secondary and special teams is their LBs at #21.
Is it the consensus Iowa State’s defense is better than Iowa?
Defense wins 🤔
