Iowa State’s 38-10 win over Southeast Missouri State gave the Cyclones a clean start to the Jimmy Rogers era, but the more interesting story after Week 1 is what that opening weekend said about the rest of the schedule.
The Cyclones didn’t cover the spread, yet they showed they can function as a team and may be good enough to hang with solid opponents. From there, though, the real wrinkle is that a schedule is only as dangerous as the teams on it - and several of Iowa State’s future opponents sent mixed signals in their first games.
A handful of teams may be easier to handle than expected. Oklahoma State was one of the loudest disappointments of the weekend, spending big in the transfer portal only to lose badly to Tulsa.
Bowling Green also cratered, falling to Tarleton State, an FCS program. West Virginia looked shaky in a one-touchdown home win over Coastal Carolina, and Baylor nearly lost by a yard to Auburn while looking rough by the eye test.
All four could end up being stronger opportunities for Iowa State than preseason projections suggested.
Not every opponent came out of Week 1 looking worse, though. Utah handled Idaho the way it was supposed to.
BYU took care of Utah Tech without much trouble. Arizona’s 28-point win over Northern Arizona wasn’t dazzling, but it wasn’t enough to suddenly make the Cyclones feel better or worse about that matchup.
Those three teams looked fine, but they still appear to be about where they were expected to be before the season, and they also look like likely losses either way.
Then there are the teams that may have raised the bar. Iowa beat Northern Illinois 40-0, with a dominant first half that put the game away early.
Kansas State and UCF both rolled over weaker opponents and put up 70-plus points in blowouts. Cincinnati also made a strong early statement, beating Boston College 34-15.
Those performances suggest those matchups may be tougher than they looked coming into the season.
In Other News...
Iowa Band Community Rocked By Heartbreaking Week 1 Medical Update
The Week 1 atmosphere at Kinnick Stadium was shaken far beyond the score when Derek Phillips, a third-year student and member of the Iowa Hawkeye Marching Band, suffered cardiac arrest during the game against Northern Illinois and was rushed to the University of Iowa Hospital. What began as a routine September afternoon for Iowa football quickly turned into a deeply personal crisis for the band community, which has spent the days since absorbing the sudden turn and leaning on one another.
The University of Iowa has since offered condolences and support resources as the band community confronts the emotional weight of the update. Phillips condition underscored how quickly a celebration can become a tragedy, and for those around the program, the focus now is on comfort, care and helping students and staff navigate a loss that has left a lasting mark on the opening week of the season. [Read more 🡒]
Former Hawkeye Mark Gronowski Just Landed A Better NFL Opportunity
Mark Gronowskis NFL path has already taken a few turns this offseason, and the latest one gives the former Hawkeye a more promising landing spot. After being waived multiple times by the Miami Dolphins and eventually released from their practice squad, Gronowski has resurfaced in Houston, where the Texans added him for quarterback depth after Graham Mertz was placed on injured reserve.
For Gronowski, the move is more than just another transaction on a crowded waiver wire. Houston offers a clearer runway to compete for a backup job, and with the Texans needing help behind center, he suddenly has a real chance to stick in a role that was far less secure in Miami. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa Faces 3 Early Depth Chart Calls Before Cy-Hawk Showdown
Iowas Week 2 depth chart already feels a little more meaningful than most, because the Cy-Hawk game has a way of putting every small decision under a microscope. After a Week 1 offense that looked smoother with Hank Brown at quarterback, theres at least a case to keep that momentum going as the Hawkeyes head toward Iowa State, especially with the staff still sorting out how best to stabilize the early-season rotation.
There are also a couple of special teams questions that deserve attention before the rivalry game arrives. Evan James has the kind of explosiveness that can change field position in a hurry, and moving him back to punt return duty would also reduce the injury exposure for Reece Vander Zee, while Eli Ozick could get a look at kicking after Caden Buhrs uneven start. None of those calls are final, but they are the kind of early-season decisions that can shape how Iowa looks when the spotlight gets brightest. [Read more 🡒]