Iowa and Iowa State collide for the 54th time in Kinnick Stadium and both teams will be looking to stay unbeaten. The 16th rated Hawkeyes are 2-0 after a double overtime win at Syracruse. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says the Hawkeye defense faces a tough challenge. He says it’s a matter of choosing your poison with the Cyclone offense as they can make plays from a lot of different positions.
Ferentz says if you try to help in coverage, then I-S-U can run. If you try to stop the run, he says they can pass, so he says it will be one of their biggest challenges.
Ferentz says the key in this series has been playing sound and limiting mistakes. Ferentz says the Cyclones have done a good job of not having turnovers, and he says good football teams put you in bad spots if you have turnovers.
Iowa State coach Dan McCarney says wide out Todd Blythe needs to get the ball. He did not have a catch in last week’s victory over UNLV. McCarney says they have to find ways to get him the ball without being stubborn about it.
McCarney says this rivalry is gaining prominence, and that’s why they’re on national television again this year. McCarney says people around the country are starting to realize what a good rivalry it is.
This is the first road game for the Cyclones and McCarney says they must limit their mistakes and make it a four quarter football game. McCarney says they’ve been able to do that in recent years, even when they lost.