Iowa State shocked the college football world in the second season under head coach Matt Campbell by going 8-5 after having three or less wins in the last four seasons. The Cyclones were the darlings of the college football landscape last year, but they have the attention of the nation and Big 12 now, so what’s in store for the team in 2018?
Iowa State 2018 regular season win total
Over 6
Under 6
Odds courtesy of BetDSI Sportsbook
What Happened Last Year
After going 2-2, the Cyclones went into Oklahoma and shocked the Sooners to begin a four game winning streak, which included a home win against TCU as well. The Cyclones went 2-3 the rest of the way, but capped the season with a win in the Liberty Bowl against Memphis.
What Will Change This Year
Iowa State has proven it can not only play with, but beat, the top teams in the Big 12 and nobody is going to sleep on the Cyclones.
Kyle Kempt will return at quarterback after completing 66.26 percent of his passes for 1,787 yards, 15 touchdowns and three interceptions. David Montgomery is back in the backfield after hr ran Iowa State down the field to the tune 1,146 yards and 11 touchdowns. The question on offense comes in the receivers with three of Iowa State’s top four pass catchers are gone including top target Allen Lazard. Hakeem Butler is the lone returner after hauling in 41 receptions for 697 yards and seven touchdowns.
The Cyclone defense has some strong returning starters including linebacker Marcel Spears, defensive back Brian Peavy, linebacker Willie Harvey and defensive end JaQuan Bailey. In a conference where defense is almost non-existent, having a defense can go a long way and it looks like the Cyclones could have the makings of one of the best in the Big 12.
The program now has winning experience and looks to have what it takes to sustain a winning culture under Campbell.
Outlook & Prediction
Iowa State’s non-conference schedule features home games against South Dakota State and Akron, which should be two easy wins, and then the battle for the Cy Hawk Trophy at Iowa. In the Big 12 season Iowa State hosts Oklahoma, West Virginia, Texas Tech, Baylor and Kansas State and all look like wins on paper except for the Sooners.
Having seven home games will go a long way in Iowa State continuing its success and the Cyclones should be favored in all of them except for the Oklahoma game. On the road however, Iowa State must travel to TCU, Oklahoma State and Kansas. The Jayhawks aren’t much to worry about, but wins at TCU, Oklahoma State and Texas will be tough.
Iowa State will go over the six win mark in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2004-05.
