Randy Peterson
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September 24, 2025
Before jumping into forecasting outcomes of big (huge?) games for 13th-ranked Iowa State and Iowa, let’s start with this:
Prediction: We haven’t heard the last of Mike Gundy. Somewhere, the former Oklahoma State coach will publicly surface again.
I’m going to miss Gundy, the colorful football coach who once said he’d sport a mullet until someone told him it makes him look old. Many in the college football world will miss the best coach Oklahoma State ever had – and who was predictably canned Tuesday.
Therefore, it would not be surprising, that after an appropriate amount time out of the spotlight – he’ll resurface somewhere. Either on TV or regular podcasts or even maybe on the sidelines – we’ve not heard the last of Mike Gundy.
Someone will need him as a resource, the second-longest-tenured FBS head coach, behind Kirk Ferentz. If McAfee and Portnoy can have a place in college football, Gundy certainly can, too.
We’ll miss his honesty – like his response when I asked him if he’d even ever heard of the Iowa State quarterback that came off the bench and proceeded to systematically embarrass the Cowboys’ defense while leading Matt Campbell’s team to a 48-42 victory in 2018 at Oklahoma State’s T. Boone Pickens Stadium.
“We didn't know anything about him,” Gundy replied without hesitation, obviously referring to Brock Purdy, during the Big 12’s annual Media Days the following summer. “We certainly didn't expect for him to get into the game.”
His team, 0-9 in the Big 12 in 2024, lost by 66 at Oregon this season. Tulsa beat the Cowboys in Stillwater for the first time since 1951. In this age of what have you done for me lately, Oklahoma State had no choice.
Locals were restless, not only with Gundy, but also with AD Chad Weiberg. Game stories were mentioning contract buyout, which is $15 million. Usually, that’s not a good sign for a coach – especially a coach who only recently started using college football’s recruiting lifeline, aka the transfer portal.
Common sense became reality.
Gundy had to go.
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THE RED ZONE
First down: Name, please of the next P4 football coach to be fired. The candidates are plenty, including Arkansas’ Sam Pittman, and Wisconsin’s Luke Fickell. Among others.
Second down: Former Iowa State assistant Alex Golesh to Oklahoma State? Maybe a stretch, but don’t count out anything these days in college football.
Third down: Remember back when the Cyclones were so kicker-depleted, that sometimes they replaced kickoffs with punts and onside kicks?
Fourth down: Chase Smith. Remember that name, Iowa State fans. This could be a success story for the ages.
**
The Iowa Everywhere staff gives their best shot at predicting top local interest weekend games. And for those who care, our three-week straight-up score is: Williams 20-5, Peterson 18-7, Hassel 18-7, Van Winkle 17-8, Downs 17-8, Brend 17-8.
ARIZONA at IOWA STATE
Randy Peterson: While the pre-game narrative is on what happens if Iowa State needs a long field goal to win, I give you this – the Cyclones’ secondary is the real story. That unit must play its A-Game, and even then that may not be good enough to keep Arizona QB Noah Fifita in check. The Sun Devils have one of the B12’s top defenses, but somehow, Iowa State finds a way to be 5-0. Iowa State 28, Arizona 24.
Chris Williams: Really stumped on this one. There are a lot of variables here, but I like Iowa State’s injury report from Matt Campbell this week. A lot of points early, but both defenses will adjust. Cyclones bounce back after a bye and improve to 5-0, but I do not expect it to be easy. Iowa State 28, Arizona 24
Chris Hassel: Noah Fifita is playing really well. If he gets rolling, Iowa State could be in trouble. I see another one-possession game, and given the fact that the Cyclones have won 9 of the last 10 of those, I’ve got them in a nailbiter. Iowa State 28, Arizona 27.
Andrew Downs:It’s closer than fans want, but the home field, night game, whiteout advantage gives Rocco & Co. just enough to stay unbeaten. Iowa State 31, Arizona 30.
Matt Van Winkle: This is a bigger game than a lot of people expected coming into the season. The Big 12 race appears wide open for the taking. Give me Rocco Becht until proven otherwise, but I think it takes another late drive for the Cyclones to win it under the lights. Iowa State 28, Arizona 24.
Jake Brend: Arizona is way improved. Thefilm and the scores show that. The good news is that Iowa State is still better up and down the roster and has had extra time to prepare for the wacky Wildcats defense. Don’t be shocked if Arizona leads for a lot of the first half before Rocco Becht and the offensive line find ways to take advantage of the aggressive Arizona defense before pulling away in the fourth quarter. 5-0 baby. Iowa State 30, Arizona 20.
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INDIANA at IOWA
Randy Peterson: Iowa’s defense against an Indiana offense that hung 63 on Illinois last week. Interesting. Will Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza add to his Heisman resume? Iowa return czar Kaden Wetjen must break loose a few times for Hawks to threat Cig’s team. This will be a fun one. Indiana 38, Iowa 35.
Chris Williams: Rutgers’ defense was depleted up front by the end of last Friday’s game, much thanks to Iowa’s physical offensive line play. I don’t expect the same thing to happen vs. Indiana. Hoosiers 30, Iowa 17.
Chris Hassel: Kinnick will be rocking but the fans can’t play defense. Iowa will have to force multiple turnovers to have a chance. I think they keep it really interesting until the 4th when Indiana pulls away by double digits. Indiana 31, Iowa 20.
Andrew Downs: A shootout in Iowa City! The Hawkeye offense continues to improve, but the defense can’t hold the Hoosiers. Hawks cover +7, but lose. Indiana 38, Iowa 34.
Matt Van Winkle: Indiana had one of the most dominant wins of the season last week. They're riding high into Iowa City, but the Hawkeyes finally showed their muscle on offense at Rutgers. Fernando Mendoza is the Heisman favorite and he's too much for Iowa's defense. Hoosiers cover and win comfortably. Indiana 31, Iowa 20.
Jake Brend: I get the sentiment that this could be a tricky spot for Indiana, coming off of their dominant win over Illinois but I just don’t see that being a factor with Coach Cig. Iowa will have to play their A game to beat Indiana and we haven’t seen that yet from the Hawkeyes. I think they hang in for most of the game but don’t have the guys to match the Hoosiers over 60 minutes. Indiana 33, Iowa 20.
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TCU at ARIZONA STATE
Randy Peterson: Arizona State 31, TCU 24.
Chris Williams: Arizona State 31, TCU 28.
Chris Hassel: Arizona State 30, TCU 27.
Andrew Downs: Arizona State 28, TCU 21.
Matt Van Winkle: TCU 24, Arizona State 21.
Jake Brend: TCU 31, Arizona State 27.
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UCF at KANSAS STATE
Randy Peterson: Kansas State 31, UCF 24.
Chris Williams: UCF 21, Kansas State 17.
Chris Hassel: UCF 30, Kansas State 23.
Andrew Downs: Central Florida 31, Kansas State 17.
Matt Van Winkle: Kansas State 28, UCF 27.
Jake Brend: Kansas State 33, UCF 21.
**
OREGON at PENN STATE
Randy Peterson: Penn State 34, Oregon 31.
Chris Williams: Penn State 28, Oregon 27.
Chris Hassel: Penn State 27, Oregon 24.
Andrew Downs: Oregon 35, Penn State 28.
Matt Van Winkle: Oregon 24, Penn State 20.
Jake Brend: Penn State 23, Oregon 16.
**
RUTGERS at MINNESOTA
Randy Peterson: Minnesota 30, Rutgers 24.
Chris Williams: Minnesota 20, Rutgers 17.
Chris Hassel: Rutgers 28, Minnesota 27.
Andrew Downs: Rutgers 35, Minnesota 21.
Matt Van Winkle: Rutgers 31, Minnesota 24.
Jake Brend: Minnesota 27, Rutgers 23.
(Columnist Randy Peterson, a past 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.)