Iowa State arrives in the Cy-Hawk matchup with a fresh face at the top and a few early clues about what Jimmy Rogers wants this team to be.
Week one was enough to stir up the fanbase, and according to Jared Larson of Wide Right Natty Lite, Rogers made a strong first impression in Ames. He said he can’t claim to know the full “general consensus,” but he believes the way Rogers introduced himself at Hilton Coliseum got “Cyclone Nation” fired up to have him be Campbell’s successor.
One friend even told him, “he sounds like Shoresy!” Larson added that he’s heard plenty of positive feedback from people who have crossed paths with Rogers around Central Iowa.
The roster has changed plenty too, and Iowa fans trying to get a read on the new-look Cyclones should start with No. 1, Jaylen Raynor.
Larson called Raynor’s growth foundational to how Iowa State will look this fall. He also pointed to Omari Hayes, who caught two passes for 54 yards and added one rush for eight yards, and Braden Smith, who Larson said looked like the most solid offensive lineman despite a holding penalty that wiped out an 85-yard run.
On defense, Larson singled out Isaac “Bobby” Terrell and Sullivan Schlimgen. Terrell, he noted, became the first player since Rashawn Parker versus Toledo, a triple overtime classic, in 2006 to record multiple sacks in his Cyclone debut.
That defense is still built to create problems fast. Larson said Iowa State’s front generated four first-half sacks in week one and that Terrell led the way with multiple sacks and tackles for loss, while Washington State transfer Jack Janikowski and Jace Gilbert also got home. The bigger point, though, was the method: Iowa State can collapse the pocket with a basic four-man rush while dropping seven into coverage, which becomes a real issue for a quarterback still trying to find a rhythm.
Offensively, Larson described a scheme that leans into physicality and heavy looks. He said the Cyclones prioritize controlling the line of scrimmage with a power ground game and regularly use two-tight-end sets with Fortenberry and Benetti, full-house backfields with triangle sets, I-formations, H-backs and jet sweeps.
He even believed there was one play that featured nine offensive linemen. That, he said, will be worth watching Saturday.
As for the prediction, Larson sees a tight one. He said Iowa’s power rushing attack could help the Hawkeyes build a first-half edge, but Raynor’s dual-threat ability and Iowa State’s aggressive front four should keep the Cyclones in it late, with help from Dubuque’s own Kyle Konrardy.
He even raised the question of whether it could be from 54 again this year. His pick: Iowa State 24-21.
The line has already moved from Iowa minus-12.5 in the spring to minus-14.5 early in Hate Week, a number not seen since 2016. Larson said that 2016 game was his first trip to Kinnick and Saturday will be his seventh.
For Iowa State, the formula is pretty clear: Raynor has to keep growing, the defense has to keep wrecking pockets, and Konrardy may need to deliver again if the Cyclones are going to pull the upset.
In Other News...
Iowa Just Landed An Early Recruiting Chance Fans Should Notice
A notable early recruiting opportunity is coming Iowas way, as Naperville Neuqua Valley four-star hybrid Cole Kelly is set to visit Iowa City for an unofficial look. The 2028 prospect already carries a national profile, checking in at No. 34 overall and No. 10 among small forwards in his class, and he has the kind of skill blend that tends to draw attention quickly in the Midwest and beyond.
Kellys appeal is easy to see from an Iowa perspective. He brings shooting, playmaking, size and rebounding to the table, which makes him a fit for a modern frontcourt wing spot, even if evaluators still have questions about his quickness. With multiple Big Ten and Big East programs in the mix, this visit gives Iowa a chance to make an impression early and start shaping what could become a meaningful recruitment down the line. [Read more 🡒]
Jaylen Raynor Faces A Bigger Iowa Test Than Fans Wanted
Jaylen Raynors first start for Iowa State gave the Cyclones enough to build on, but it also showed why the next step feels so important. Against Southeast Missouri State, the quarterback accounted for four touchdowns and flashed more comfort on play-action and downfield throws, even as he finished just 8 of 16 through the air. For Iowa, that kind of mixed debut is worth watching closely, because the Hawkeyes are the kind of defense that can force a young passer to earn everything.
What may matter most in the rivalry matchup is how much help Raynor gets around him. The article points to Iowa States running game as a key piece in making his passing life easier, especially if the Cyclones want to stay on schedule and keep the Hawkeyes from putting him in obvious passing situations. Raynor showed he can make plays with his legs and hit some bigger throws, but Iowa is a different test, and it may require a much more complete offensive day than fans were hoping to see this early. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa Just Unveiled A Defensive Tweak That Could Matter Later
Against Northern Illinois, Iowa rolled out a third-down look that quietly stood out: three linebackers, five defensive backs and just three defensive linemen. The package showed up only in those obvious passing situations, and it paid off quickly with two sacks in four plays, a reminder that the Hawkeyes are still willing to tinker when the matchup calls for it.
Kirk Ferentz described it as a tactical adjustment tied to the personnel on hand, a way to add versatility while getting more linebackers on the field and easing some of the burden on a less experienced defensive line. It was just one wrinkle in an early-season game, but for a defense that has built its identity on being difficult to solve, it could become a useful option as the schedule gets tougher. [Read more 🡒]