Of course, I was right that Iowa had a better team almost all of those years.
Honestly, it's very close to a tossup on paper, but I have to give Iowa State a slight edge after looking at how we match up position by position.
QB: Stanley might be a better pro prospect, but based on last year, Purdy is the better college QB. Purdy was quite a bit more accurate than Stanley last year, and he's also shown that he can make plays with his feet in a way that Stanley can't. The stats support this opinion: Purdy had a a 172.7 rating last year and Stanley had a 135.2.
Advantage: ISU
RB: I think this is a wash. I like both Sargent and Nwangwu -- Nwangwu's faster, but I think Sargent is better at running between the tackles. Nwaungwu is obviously a step down from Montgomery, but that's not saying much given how good Montgomery was. Iowa does have a little bit more proven depth here, but I still think it's about even.
Advantage: Even
WR: Surprisingly, I think this is even this year as well, as this is the only position ISU's had a consistent advantage in in the modern era. It's worth noting that Smith-Marsette has given ISU a few issues both of the last two years, and now he'll be facing less tested corners. ISU has some good young talent based on recruiting rankings, though.
Advantage: Even
TE: In another interesting reversal, ISU is actually better at tight end. Chase Allen was All-Big 12 two years ago (granted, the Big 12's not big on tight end) and Kolar is a huge target that's also very effective as a receiver. Iowa is typically good here, but what we have is almost totally unproven.
Advantage: ISU
OL: Clear advantage for Iowa here with two future NFL tackles, although I believe ISU is slated to start three seniors.
Offensive line has been the weakest position group for Iowa State since Campbell's gotten there, and in year four, it's put up or shut up time to a significant extent now that they don't have Montgomery, who was able to make plays by himself in the run game. Given how good Montgomery was, it was indicative of the quality of Iowa State's run blocking that he only averaged 4.7 a carry last year. Ramos and Downing were well thought of recruits that are now showing up in the two deep as redshirt freshmen for Iowa State.
DL: This might be the most controversial position group, but I think Iowa State is clearly better going into the year. Lima's a very good DT that I hoped would be attractive enough to the NFL to leave early, and there's not that much dropoff with his backup, Jamahl Johnson. Their defensive ends are athletic and good against the run. They don't have an elite passrusher, but Bailey's good enough to need to be accounted for, and ISU's had some success over the last two years getting pressure with just three (although, to be fair, not against our tackles).
Meanwhile, Iowa has the best single player in Epenesa, a player that's shown a lot of flashes in Gholston and two seniors at DT -- but those two seniors haven't exactly impressed when they've played, which is why Iowa State has the advantage.
Advantage: ISU
LB: Pretty clear advantage for ISU here. They return an all-Big 12 LB in Spears and Mike Rose, who had an impressive freshman year.
Advantage: ISU
DB: Iowa probably has the advantage here, but this isn't exactly a strong position group for us. Though Iowa returns more experience at corner, the position is a question mark for both teams. Both Eisworth and Stone are good safeties.
Advantage: Iowa
With advantages at QB, TE, DL and LB (versus OL and DB for Iowa), I have to give an edge to Iowa State next year on a neutral field. Of course, it's at Jack Trice, which provides ISU an additional advantage. My way too early prediction would be Iowa State by six.
Honestly, it's very close to a tossup on paper, but I have to give Iowa State a slight edge after looking at how we match up position by position.
QB: Stanley might be a better pro prospect, but based on last year, Purdy is the better college QB. Purdy was quite a bit more accurate than Stanley last year, and he's also shown that he can make plays with his feet in a way that Stanley can't. The stats support this opinion: Purdy had a a 172.7 rating last year and Stanley had a 135.2.
Advantage: ISU
RB: I think this is a wash. I like both Sargent and Nwangwu -- Nwangwu's faster, but I think Sargent is better at running between the tackles. Nwaungwu is obviously a step down from Montgomery, but that's not saying much given how good Montgomery was. Iowa does have a little bit more proven depth here, but I still think it's about even.
Advantage: Even
WR: Surprisingly, I think this is even this year as well, as this is the only position ISU's had a consistent advantage in in the modern era. It's worth noting that Smith-Marsette has given ISU a few issues both of the last two years, and now he'll be facing less tested corners. ISU has some good young talent based on recruiting rankings, though.
Advantage: Even
TE: In another interesting reversal, ISU is actually better at tight end. Chase Allen was All-Big 12 two years ago (granted, the Big 12's not big on tight end) and Kolar is a huge target that's also very effective as a receiver. Iowa is typically good here, but what we have is almost totally unproven.
Advantage: ISU
OL: Clear advantage for Iowa here with two future NFL tackles, although I believe ISU is slated to start three seniors.
Offensive line has been the weakest position group for Iowa State since Campbell's gotten there, and in year four, it's put up or shut up time to a significant extent now that they don't have Montgomery, who was able to make plays by himself in the run game. Given how good Montgomery was, it was indicative of the quality of Iowa State's run blocking that he only averaged 4.7 a carry last year. Ramos and Downing were well thought of recruits that are now showing up in the two deep as redshirt freshmen for Iowa State.
DL: This might be the most controversial position group, but I think Iowa State is clearly better going into the year. Lima's a very good DT that I hoped would be attractive enough to the NFL to leave early, and there's not that much dropoff with his backup, Jamahl Johnson. Their defensive ends are athletic and good against the run. They don't have an elite passrusher, but Bailey's good enough to need to be accounted for, and ISU's had some success over the last two years getting pressure with just three (although, to be fair, not against our tackles).
Meanwhile, Iowa has the best single player in Epenesa, a player that's shown a lot of flashes in Gholston and two seniors at DT -- but those two seniors haven't exactly impressed when they've played, which is why Iowa State has the advantage.
Advantage: ISU
LB: Pretty clear advantage for ISU here. They return an all-Big 12 LB in Spears and Mike Rose, who had an impressive freshman year.
Advantage: ISU
DB: Iowa probably has the advantage here, but this isn't exactly a strong position group for us. Though Iowa returns more experience at corner, the position is a question mark for both teams. Both Eisworth and Stone are good safeties.
Advantage: Iowa
With advantages at QB, TE, DL and LB (versus OL and DB for Iowa), I have to give an edge to Iowa State next year on a neutral field. Of course, it's at Jack Trice, which provides ISU an additional advantage. My way too early prediction would be Iowa State by six.