Iowa State Cyclones: Big 12 preview
The Cyclones had their best season in program history last year. They reached their highest ranking of #9 and had a 9-3 record (8-1 Big 12 record). In the Big 12 championship game, they lost to #6 Oklahoma. Iowa State played in the Fiesta Bowl against #25 Oregon, winning 34-17.
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Here's a look at the Iowa State Cyclones' strengths and weaknesses for the 2021-2022 season.
2021-2022 Big 12 Conference preview: Iowa State Cyclones
Iowa State's strengths: The offense led the Big 12 in rushing yards and rushing TDs. They also led the conference in third-down conversions and were third in points scored. RB Breece Hall finished sixth in the Heisman vote last year with QB Brock Purdy and WR Xavien Hutchinson returning. All three are in the top two in the Big 12 in their respective positions.
Iowa State's weaknesses: Ball security and pass defense were the weak points of their play last year. The Cyclones had 3 TOs in the Big 12 Championship and four against Baylor. Since the final game of 2018, Iowa State is 2-7 in games with at least two turnovers. Their pass defense allowed an average of 237 yards per game and 2,848 total passing yards (second-most in the Big 12).
Iowa State Cyclones key players: Offense
RB: Breece Hall - The Cyclones will place their season's success on Hall's shoulders. He's a tough runner with reliable hands as a receiver. Hall had at least 100 yards in each of his first eight games of 2020. With some development and help at QB, Hall could end up finishing in the top three in the Heisman vote.
QB: Brock Purdy - Brock Purdy was selected to the First-Team All-Big 12 and had the most QB starts in the conference. He finished third in TDs but also had the second-most INTs. Purdy will have to get better at ball security and limit his turnovers, one of the team's biggest weaknesses.
Iowa State Cyclones key players: Defense
LB: Mike Rose - Rose was the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year with 77 tackles and 10.5 TFL last season. He's the star among a group of elite defenders on this defense. He didn't put up great sack numbers but did snag 5 INTs as a LB. Rose is a beast against the run and has the ability to hold down any receivers crossing the middle of the field.
S: Greg Eisworth - Eisworth may just be the best safety in the Big 12 but needs to take his game to the next level. Iowa State's group of DBs is average at best and Eisworth is by far the best player in the secondary. He'll have to pick up the slack and aid in pass coverage to aid Iowa's rearguard.
2021-2022 Iowa State Big 12 schedule
Week 1: Saturday, September 4, vs. UNI
Week 2: Saturday, September 11, vs. Iowa
Week 3: Saturday, September 18, at UNLV
Week 4: Saturday, September 25, at Baylor
Week 5: Saturday, October 2, vs. Kansas
Week 6: Saturday, October 16, at Kansas State
Week 7: Saturday, October 23, vs. Oklahoma State
Week 8: Saturday, October 30, at West Virginia
Week 9: Saturday, November 6, vs. Texas
Week 10: Saturday, November 13, at Texas Tech
Week 11: Saturday, November 20, at Oklahoma
Week 12: Friday, November 26, vs. TCU
2021-2022 Iowa State Cyclones Big 12 prediction (10-2 overall, 7-2 Big 12)
On paper, Iowa State looks like the second-best team in the conference behind Oklahoma.
The two teams will meet in the Big 12 Championship again, but with the Cyclones pulling off an upset this time. Their two losses this season will come from West Virginia after a hard-fought match against Oklahoma State and a loss to Oklahoma. RB Breece Hall should at least finish in the top four in the Heisman vote. The Cyclones should finish somewhere within the top 20.
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