Randy Peterson
|
August 27, 2025
Let’s go out on a limb here. Let’s just assume Saturday’s Iowa State-South Dakota football game at Jack Trice Stadium is close.
At least briefly.
Let’s all agree that the Coyotes might even lead early during the 2:30 p.m., game that’s on FOX. And it’s probably a cinch that the announcers will even hype up the possibility of an upset. (Or maybe not).
Let’s also assume Iowa State wins.
Big.
I was raised and lived in a major newspaper newsroom, where editors sometimes delete words that they deemed to be cliché-like. But if there’s ever a definition for one of college sports’ too-often-used phrases, it’s Saturday in Ames.
Sandwiched between the Cyclones’ 24-21 Top 25 victory against Kansas State in Ireland last Saturday, and next Saturday’s annual Cy-Hawk game just happens to be the nation’s fifth-ranked FCS team.
Matt Campbell’s players won’t be caught up in all that nonsense that’s being mentioned outside their walls. Team leaders Rocco Becht, Dom Orange and Caleb Bacon won’t allow it.
Jet lag?
Ain’t happening.
These are resilient 18-to-22-year-olds with mindsets tuned to playing the best brand of football their talents allow. They’re too busy focusing on winning the Big 12 Conference championship, not about affects of interrupted sleeping patterns.
We saw it during the COVID season that was 2020. Iowa State players navigated the pandemic perfectly. They stuck to the script authored by the team medical and training staff. They focused on being solid, rules-abiding teammates, while some teams didn’t even have enough healthy players to play all games.
We saw it again during preparation to play a game 4,000 miles, and many time zones, from home.
“I thought our staff set our kids up for great success -- our nutrition team, our strength team, our athletic training team,” Campbell told reporters this week. “But, I think the real result will come (in) how do we work through these coming weeks?”
**
FIRST DOWN: If this season is anything like 2024, when two 7-2 teams didn’t make the Big 12 title game, Kansas State will have to win eight conference games in a row to reach the championship game.
SECOND DOWN: I don’t care how bad Auburn is predicted, a Baylor victory Friday night in Waco will be a sticker on the Big 12 non-conference victory helmet. Anytime you beat the almighty SEC is a big deal. Even if it’s against Auburn.
THIRD DOWN: Aidan Bouman returning to face his former team? Meh. The former Cyclone is good, but good enough to beat a defense Kansas State’s all-world Avery Johnson couldn’t defeat?
FOURTH DOWN: Rebranding Farmageddon? What’s next, pausing a rivalry that’s been played consecutively since 1917?
**
IOWA EVERYWHERE “EXPERT” PICKS
SOUTH DAKOTA AT IOWA STATE
Randy Peterson: Score enough points and play defense well enough to make some style points with the College Football Playoff committee. Win by a 17 or so points, but primarily, don’t get anyone hurt and then start thinking about the Hawkeyes. Iowa State 34, South Dakota 17.
Chris Hassel: The Cyclones know everyone is saying this is a “bad spot”. They won’t be perfect but they’ll be ready and they’ll cover. Iowa State 28, South Dakota 10.
Chris Williams: Bad spot for the Cyclones sandwiched in between rivals with a trip back across the pond. However, the matchup is pretty favorable despite South Dakota being an upper-tier FCS program. Iowa State. Iowa State 31, South Dakota 10.
Andrew Downs: No jet lag for the Cyclones as they continue to find their offensive rhythm and leave no doubt. Iowa State 35, South Dakota 17.
Matt Van Winkle: Some might see this as a trap game. I don't think it will be close. The Cyclones showed their depth on defense and creativity on offense in Week 0. In years past, Matt Campbell may have taken this game to warm up. Not this year. Iowa State bullies South Dakota and wins easily. Iowa State 35, South Dakota 7.
Jake Brend: A tricky spot that Campbell is well aware of but I still think human nature leads to a slow start. Iowa State overpowers SD over the course of the game. Iowa State 34, South Dakota 13.
**
ALBANY AT IOWA
Randy Peterson: This game will be about as vanilla as they come. The less said about this one, the better. Iowa 47, Albany 0.
Chris Hassel: Albany is terrible. Iowa won’t show a lot but they might throw in some wrinkles to make Iowa State think when watching the film. Running game and defense overshadows a pedestrian Gronowski debut. Iowa 41, Albany 3.
Chris Williams: Unlike Iowa State’s matchup, Albany is NOT a good FCS program. This is the perfect type of scrimmage for Iowa to figure a few things out before next week’s Cy-Hawk game. Iowa 41, Albany 7.
Andrew Downs: A shaky first half offensively gives way to a route in the second. Iowa 42, Albany 10.
Matt Van Winkle: Everyone is waiting to see what Mark Gronowski can do at the FBS level in his Iowa debut. This is a perfect warm up game. Expect some big yardage TDs from the Hawkeyes and a shutout from Iowa's defense. Iowa 31, Albany 0.
Jake Brend: Mark Gronowski will become the Heisman front runner after this one. Kaden Wetjen houses a kick return and Iowa makes Albany wish they didn’t show up. Iowa 45, Albany 3.
**
TEXAS AT OHIO STATE
Randy Peterson: Texas 33, Ohio State 30.
Chris Hassel: Ohio State 24, Texas 21.
Chris Williams: Texas 24, Ohio State 17.
Andrew Downs: Ohio State 31, Texas 28.
Matt Van Winkle: Texas 24, Ohio State 21.
Jake Brend: Texas 17, Ohio State 13.
**
NORTH DAKOTA AT KANSAS STATE
Randy Peterson: Kansas State 30, North Dakota 17.
Chris Hassel: Kansas State 38, North Dakota 10.
Chris Williams: Kansas State 45, North Dakota 9.
Andrew Downs: Kansas State 28, North Dakota 17
Matt Van Winkle: Kansas State 34, North Dakota 10.
Jake Brend: Kansas State 30, North Dakota 13.
**
NORTHWESTERN AT TULANE
Randy Peterson: Tulane 24, Northwestern 20.
Chris Hassel: Tulane 24, Northwestern 17.
Chris Williams: Tulane 30, Northwestern 17.
Andrew Downs: Northwestern 24, Tulane 23
Matt Van Winkle: Tulane 27, Northwestern 17.
Jake Brend: Tulane 21, Northwestern 17.
**
AUBURN at BAYLOR
Randy Peterson: Baylor 27, Auburn 24.
Chris Hassel: Baylor 30, Auburn 17.
Chris Williams: Baylor 27, Auburn 24.
Andrew Downs: Auburn 35, Baylor 24.
Matt Van Winkle: Baylor 37, Auburn 27.
Jake Brend: Baylor 28, Auburn 16.
Last week’s score: Williams 4-0, Peterson 3-1, Hassel 3-1, MVW 3-1, Downs 2-2, Brend 2-2.
(Columnist Randy Peterson, a former State of Iowa Sportswriter of the Year winner, can be reached at randypete4846@gmail.com or at any Okoboji-area beverage/food establishment between the hours of open and close.)