PETERSON: Iowa State seniors are examples of the school fight song’s Loyal Sons, Forever True lyrics

Saturday is Iowa State’s Senior Day, and the good money is on personable and soon-to-become NFL Draft selection Dom Orange getting the fans’ biggest ovation. Let’s not neglect the others who also started as fresh-faced Cyclones freshmen -- and finished careers as grown-up leaders during their program’s prolonged run of success. That, folks, is impressive, considering the Lure of the Revolving Door That Is the Transfer Portal.

It takes a special type of player, these days, to stay in one place four or five years. Published reports this week, for example, speculate Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt could hit at least $3 million on the open market during college football’s upcoming free agent transfer portal blitz. Matt Campbell’s program, so far at least, has been free from that I’m worth more than you are locker room bickering, and hopefully that doesn’t change. We’ve seen what happens when jealously creeps in – and it’s not pretty. Look around at teams that were supposed to be good – but haven’t lived up to that billing.

It makes you wonder.

Football teams throughout the country have built rosters through the portal. Some have done that with crowd-pleasing success. Others will celebrate Senior Days honoring players fans never heard of.

Not Iowa State. More than half the seniors with whom Campbell will shake hands and hug before Saturday’s 11 a.m., game against Kansas at Jack Trice Stadium, began and will end careers as Cyclones. They’re the program’s most recent examples of the school Fight Song’s Loyal Sons, Forever True lyrics.

That’s guys like Daniel Jackson and Tyler Miller -- the only holdovers from a 23-player 2020 freshman recruiting class. It’s players like Big Citrus, who passed up offers to transfer.

Loyal Sons.

Forever True.

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THE RED ZONE

First down: Iowa State’s men’s basketball season starts (in earnest) Monday afternoon against St. John’s, at 3:30 p.m. (CT) in Las Vegas. Tuesday, it’s also in Vegas, at 1 p.m., against Creighton. There’s a third Las Vegas opponent, still to be determined.

Second down: Keep an eye on Iowa State’s rushing game Saturday. The Cyclones have not had two 100-yard rushers in a game under Campbell. That could change Saturday.

Third down: B12 commissioner Brett Yormark sent out a statement Tuesday, thanking the CFP committee for ranking three of his conference’s teams among the CFP’s first 12 in the most recent weekly rankings. The hunch here, still is that the Big 12’s lone entry into the 12-team playoffs will be the conference game winner.

Fourth down: It seems like forever, the last time Iowa State played a football game. Maybe even longer. Cyclones end four-game losing streak with 20-17 victory at TCU Two Saturdays ago. Campbell’s team scored 14 fourth-quarter points, capped by Aiden Flora’s 79-yard punt return, that turned deficit into victory with 6 ½ minutes to play. This bandaged-up team can still win eight games during the regular season, and nine if victorious against someone like Nebraska in the Phoenix-based Rate Bowl. The bowl game and bowl game opponent are just guesses, of course.

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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 cumulative straight-up score is: Williams 49-21, Peterson 48-22, Brend 47-23, Downs 45-25, Van Winkle 45-25, Hassel 44-26.  For entertainment purposes only. Of course. Here we go again:

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KANSAS at IOWA STATE

Randy Peterson: Somehow, Iowa State must at least slow versatile Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels, and if you’ve been a Cyclones follower, you know that’s not always been a defensive strength. Stop the pass? No way. Stop his turning broken plays into long rushing games? See the previous sentence. Iowa State’s best chance to stop its three-game losing streak against the Jayhawks, is for Rocco Becht and the rest of the offense be on its A-Game. And as you also know, that’s not always been the case recently. Still, the Cyclones seniors’ last game at Jack Trice Stadium is a winner. Iowa State 37, Kansas 30.

Chris Williams: Kansas is currently giving up 5.0 yards per carry on the ground, which is the 105th worst mark in all of college football. Fresh off of a bye with a little momentum, I like Iowa State’s chances here. I’m guessing the Cyclones give Kansas a heavy dose of both running backs, and perhaps mix in running packages for backup quarterbacks Connor Moberly and Alex Manske. Iowa State 27, Kansas 20.

Chris Hassel: Kansas is giving up 170 rushing yards a game. This is one of those games where you just pound them into submission on the ground while also keeping Jalon Daniels off the field. Hansen and Sama could both go over 100. Iowa State 31, Kansas 24. 

Andrew Downs: The Cyclones got their groove back against TCU and will look even better in front of the home crowd. Iowa State 31, Kansas 21.

Matt Van Winkle: Kansas has been a thorn in the side of the Cyclones. Three-straight losses to the Liepold-led Jayhawks. But the streak ends Saturday in Ames. The pressure is off Rocco Becht – just go out and sling it. The banged up Cyclones still have a lot of fight in them as proven at TCU. Kansas hangs around, but a Rocco rushing TD puts it away. Iowa State 34, Kansas 24.

Jake Brend: Iowa State should be able to run the ball at will in this game. If they do that, the three-year losing streak to Lance Leipold ends on senior day. Iowa State 31, Kansas Iowa State should be able to run the ball at will in this game. If they do that, the three-year losing streak to Lance Leipold ends on senior day. Iowa State 31, Kansas 23.

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MICHIGAN STATE at IOWA

Randy Peterson: No-brainer here, in the seniors’ Kinnick Stadium finale. Everyone has a Grade-A game. Iowa 31, Michigan State 3.

Chris Williams: This is a major letdown spot for Iowa after emotional games the last two weeks. I don’t doubt that the Hawkeyes will handle the hapless Spartans, but it might take a quarter or two before Iowa completely pulls away. Iowa 31, Michigan State 13.

Chris Hassel: Michigan State is 1-11 in Big Ten play since beating Iowa last season. The Hawkeyes don’t have much to play for but motivation from last year’s defeat should be enough. Iowa 34, Michigan State 7. 

Andrew Downs: Iowa can’t beat good teams, but they can still beat up on bad teams. Hawkeyes roll at home. Iowa 30, Michigan State 13.

Matt Van Winkle: It's been a season of disappointments for Iowa. But I don't think this team is down. I think they're pissed off. Senior day at Kinnick will be a nightmare for Michigan State. Iowa wins it easy. Iowa 34, Michigan State 14.

Jake Brend: I have no doubt that Iowa will be inspired on senior day, even coming off of two heartbreaking losses. The Hawkeyes are a far better team and show it in a dominant win. Iowa 37, Michigan State 13.

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KANSAS STATE at UTAH

Randy Peterson: Utah 27, Kansas State 10

Chris Williams: Utah 28, Kansas State 14

Chris Hassel: Utah 38, Kansas State 17

Andrew Downs: Utah 34, Kansas State 24

Matt Van Winkle: Utah 37, Kansas State 28

Jake Brend: Utah 31, Kansas State 20

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BYU at CINCINNATI

Randy Peterson: Cincinnati 31, BYU 24

Chris Williams: Cincinnati 34, BYU 31

Chris Hassel: Cincinnati 27, BYU 24

Andrew Downs: Cincinnati 28, BYU 27

Matt Van Winkle: BYU 38, Cincinnati 35

Jake Brend: BYU 31, Cincinnati 27

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USC at OREGON

Randy Peterson: Oregon 33, USC 24

Chris Williams: Oregon 30, USC 23

Chris Hassel: Oregon 27, USC 21

Andrew Downs: Oregon 41, USC 35

Matt Van Winkle: Oregon 30, USC 20.

Jake Brend: Oregon 34, USC 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.)