Randy Peterson
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September 18, 2025
This column space generally speaks to predictions, even when one of Iowa’s football Big Two has a Saturday off.
In keeping with that tradition, here’s a couple, as Iowa State enjoys its first weekend from competition, before hosting Arizona at 6 p.m., on a Sept. 27 white-out.
Prediction: If injury sidelines place-kicker Kyle Konrardy, and if backup Jace T. Gilbert continues unable to play, then look for the red zone to become more four-down territory than it’s been.
Quarterback Rocco Becht has receiver mismatches throughout the field, in 6-7 Ben Brahmer, 6-6 Gabe Burkle (when he’s not injured), 6-5 Tyler Moore, and 6-5 Dominic Overby. All are always taller than the opponent(s) trying to defend them.
Fourth-and-three from the Arizona 18-yard line? Becht finds Brahmer in one of those mismatch situations in the end zone corner.
Touchdown Cyclones.
Don’t bet against it.
Where would Matt Campbell’s team be, if Konrardy didn’t send 54-yard field goals through the posts with 1:52 left in this season’s 16-13 Cyclones win in Ames, and with 6 seconds to play in Iowa State’s 20-19 victory in 2024 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City?
This program plays close games. It’s a fact of life. Iowa State is 14-17 in games decided by 3 points or fewer under Campbell, including 6-1 in the past 7 games. ESPN’s matchup predictor suggests at least five close games among the regular season’s final eight.
Konrardy has made 7 of his 9 attempts, including a 63-yarder. If he’s sidelined, the Red Zone could be the Mismatch Zone for Becht and his tall and talented receivers.
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THE RED ZONE
First Down: Don’t believe everything you read or hear when it comes to Matt Campbell and other jobs. In other words: Unless you read or hear it directly from someone in an official capacity (and identified) – don’t believe it.
Second Down: Will Oklahoma State fire Mike Gundy immediately, if the Cowboys lose against 1-2 Tulsa Saturday? Or will the AD wait until after the season to pull the plug? Actually, what happens against the Golden Hurricane Saturday might not matter. Gundy may be finished after this, his 21st season, regardless.
THIRD DOWN: With Gundy’s coaching seat getting hotter and hotter, let’s re-visit the top three on the Big 12’s coaching seniority list: Utah’s Kyle Whittingham 2005 to present, Gundy 2005 to present (Whittingham was hired a month before Gundy), and Iowa State’s Matt Campbell 2016 to present. Whittingham, by the way, considered retirement after last season.
FOURTH DOWN: What if Iowa State and Utah meet in the Big 12’s championship game as unbeatens? Does the B12 then become a 2-bid CFP league? Just wondering.
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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 17-3, Peterson 16-4, Hassel 15-5, Van Winkle 14-6, Downs 14-6, Brend 13-7.
IOWA at RUTGERS
Randy Peterson:Hawkeye quarterback Mark Gronowski shows his stuff – both through the air and on the ground. Rutgers tries – and fails – to pass against Iowa in a game that very well could go into an extra session.Iowa 31. Rutgers 28.
Chris Hassel:The training wheels need to be off of Gronowski and the passing game and I think they will be. Ferentz owns Rutgers and they should continue. Iowa plays best game of season and wins.Iowa 27, Rutgers 14.
Chris Williams:A big test for the Hawkeye defense. I’m curious to see how the running game looks with a little more health & threat of a passing attack. I’m giving the Hawks a chance here to turn things around. Iowa 24, Rutgers 20.
Andrew Downs:The Hawkeye offense goes back to boring, but does just enough to help the defense secure the win. Iowa 24, Rutgers 17.
Matt Van Winkle:I think Iowa has a top-third defense in the Big Ten, which should be enough to keep them in most games this season. Hawkeyes get their first take away of the season and it’s a pick six. Drew Stevens field goal wins it for the Hawkeyes.Iowa 17, Rutgers 14.
Jake Brend:I never thought I’d be torn on an Iowa game against Rutgers, but Vegas is forcing me to at least consider the possibility of Rutgers winning this game. Still, I’m taking Kirk Ferentz’ pedigree in games like this to outweigh anything on the field.Iowa 20, Rutgers 10.
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TEXAS TECH at UTAH
Randy Peterson: Utah 35, Texas Tech 31.
Chris Hassel: Utah 23, Texas Tech 21.
Chris Williams: Texas Tech 21, Utah 20.
Andrew Downs: Utah 35, Texas Tech 31.
Matt Van Winkle: Utah 24, Texas Tech 21.
Jake Brend: Utah 23, Texas Tech 20.
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ARIZONA STATE at BAYLOR
Randy Peterson: Baylor 30, Arizona State 24.
Chris Hassel: Baylor 27, Arizona State 24.
Chris Williams: Baylor 27, Arizona State 24
Andrew Downs: Arizona State 31, Baylor 21.
Matt Van Winkle: Arizona State 34, Baylor 24.
Jake Brend: Arizona State 31, Baylor 24.
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WEST VIRGINIA at KANSAS
Randy Peterson: Kansas 28, West Virginia 20.
Chris Hassel: Kansas 24, West Virginia 10.
Chris Williams: Kansas 35, West Virginia 13.
Andrew Downs: Kansas 42, West Virginia 24.
Matt Van Winkle: Kansas 42, West Virginia 24.
Jake Brend: Kansas 34, West Virginia 14.
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ILLINOIS at INDIANA
Randy Peterson: Illinois 27, Indiana 24.
Chris Hassel: Indiana 27, Illinois 17.
Chris Williams: Illinois 24, Indiana 21.
Andrew Downs: Illinois 24, Indiana 21.
Matt Van Winkle: Illinois 28, Indiana 24.
Jake Brend: Indiana 27, Illinois 21.
(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.)