Iowa State heads into Week 3 looking for a clean rebound, and Bowling Green comes to Jack Trice Stadium at the right time for the Cyclones.
After Iowa State’s 16-13 road loss to Iowa in Week 2, the next step is simple: settle things down, find some rhythm and get pointed toward next week’s Big 12 opener against Utah, which is currently ranked No. 12 in the country. Before that showdown arrives, the Falcons give the Cyclones a chance to stack a much-needed win.
The biggest thing to watch is Jaylen Raynor. Iowa State’s offense has been short on explosive plays early, and the quarterback has not been in sync yet.
Through two games, he has completed just 51.4% of his passes for 301 yards. That’s a sharp contrast from last season, when he led the Sun Belt in passing yards with 3,361 and completed 62.9% of his throws in three seasons.
This matchup looks like a good reset button, and the expectation is that he takes a clear step forward by hitting at least 65% of his passes and topping 225 yards through the air.
There should also be more disruption from the defense after a quiet day against Iowa. The Cyclones opened the year with six sacks against Southeast Missouri State, including three from Isaac Terrell, but they didn’t bring down the quarterback at all in Week 2.
That changes against Bowling Green. Four sacks feels like the number here, with Terrell, Malaka Ta’ase, Caden Crawford and Zaimir Hawk each getting one.
The running game appears to have a clear lead option now, too. Aiden Flora has emerged as the top back, carrying 19 times against Iowa after Iowa State ran the ball 34 times overall.
Cameron Pettaway’s role has been smaller, with just two carries against the Hawkeyes after eight in the opener, but this game carries a little extra edge for him. The Falcons transfer, who won MAC Freshman of the Year, is set up to make noise against his former team.
The prediction here is that he scores twice, once as a runner and once on a kick return.
Bowling Green has not done much to inspire confidence so far, falling 20-13 to Tarleton State and then getting hammered by Nebraska 56-7. This one should land in the middle of those two results, but still tilt heavily toward the Cyclones.
Iowa State should control the line of scrimmage, get key players rolling and head into the Utah game with real momentum. The final call: Iowa State 41, Bowling Green 10.
In Other News...
Jimmy Rogers Sends Iowa State A Clear Warning Before Utah
After Iowa State rolled past Bowling Green 55-7, Jimmy Rogers made sure the message in Ames was about what comes next, not what just happened. The Cyclones have looked sharp enough to climb to 13th nationally in scoring defense, but Rogers pointed out there is still room to clean things up, especially with penalties and missed tackles. For a team trying to build momentum, the win was useful, but the bigger value may have been the reminder that standard only matters if it carries over.
Utah arrives next as the No. 15 team in the country, and that is where the temperature changes for Iowa State. Rogers has been clear that the Cyclones cannot get caught admiring their start or assume the Big 12 opener will take care of itself, which is the kind of message that usually lands better before the league games begin. The challenge now is simple in theory and harder in practice: stay grounded, keep the defensive edge, and prove the performance in Week 2 was the beginning of something rather than the high point. [Read more 🡒]
Jaylen Raynor Debate Is Getting Harder For Iowa State To Ignore
Jaylen Raynors start under center has given Iowa State plenty to evaluate, and the early returns have been mixed in a way that makes the conversation harder to avoid. He helped guide the Cyclones to wins over Southeast Missouri and Bowling Green, and even in the close game against Iowa there were enough positive moments to keep the confidence level steady. At the same time, the volume of passing work has stayed modest, leaving the staff and fan base to wonder how much more they will need from him once the schedule tightens.
The next test comes with Utah looming, and that is where the debate figures to sharpen. Iowa State can lean on a running game that has already done its part, and the special teams showed up in the Bowling Green win as well, but the offense may need more balance to keep pace in tougher spots. Raynors play has been part of the winning formula so far, yet the questions around his role are getting louder precisely because the Cyclones have not had to ask him to do everything - at least not yet. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa State Faces A Bigger Question Than Its Bowling Green Blowout
Iowa State left no doubt in a 55-7 win over Bowling Green, finishing nonconference play with two home victories and a road loss and moving to 2-1 on the season. The afternoon also brought a scare when injured defensive back Jaheim Singletary was released from a medical center after a collision during the game, a reminder that even lopsided wins can carry their own concerns.
Now the bigger question around the program is less about what happened on the field and more about what comes next off it. A legal decision regarding former Cyclone guard Tamin Lipsey's eligibility case is expected by Friday, leaving Iowa State with another issue to monitor as it shifts from nonconference tune-up mode into the next phase of the schedule. [Read more 🡒]