Joel Klatt Predicts Dramatic Finish for Iowa-Iowa State Cy-Hawk Game

Why Iowa Can Win This Game

Going into this game between two bitter rivals, there is a strong belief on both sides that their team has what it takes to get the job done. For the Hawkeyes, that belief, as always, is buoyed by a dominant defense, and a running game that is hard to stop.

In their Week 1 win over UAlbany, Iowa rushed for over 300 yards and gave up just 177 yards of total offense. On top of that, there is a belief that they have more to show, with South Dakota State transfer quarterback Mark Gronowski getting his feet we at the FBS level.

"They've got an offense now led by a guy that I think could have a big year," Klatt said. "He didn't have a big Week 1, but Mark Gronowski, their quarterback, comes in as a transfer from South Dakota State, and Gronowski has already won in his college career 50 games as a quarterback."

Gronowski went just 8-for-15 for 44 yards and a TD in Week 1, but the Hawkeyes clearly didn't need him to move the ball, instead relying on guys like RB Xavier Williams and RB Terrell Washington Jr.

Will Gronowski be unleashed in Week 3 vs. Iowa State? It's something to prepare for, certainly.

Why Iowa State Can Win This Game

In games that are projected to be close, experience and poise matters, and that's likely going to come into play here on Saturday. As of Thursday morning, FanDuel Sportsbook has Iowa State favored by 3.5 points at home, so there's a belief that this one could come down to the final couple of drives to decide the winner.

If that's the case, then the Cyclones have to feel good about the guy running their offense in QB Rocco Becht.

"There's a feeling around Iowa State that's like, 'Hey, just get us close,'" Klatt said of Becht. "He's one of those guys that the entire program believes that Rocco Becht will make the plays when it's tight late in the game, and that's a huge advantage when you're talking about playing a game that we expect to be a tight game."

So far this season, Becht has thrown for 461 yards and five touchdowns with zero interceptions, leading Iowa State to a 2-0 record. While Klatt is unable to make an official pick because he is calling the game, he does have a feel for how things will play out.

"I fully anticipate for this to be fairly low-scoring, and I anticipate it to be close late."

If you pair that with what he said about Becht's ability late, it's fair to assume that Klatt may be leaning with the Cyclones to break the streak of road teams winning the Cy-Hawk game.