For the first time ever, these two programs will match up on the gridiron. The 7-5 (5-4) Iowa State Cyclones will represent the Big 12, while the 10-2 #14 Notre Dame Fighting Irish will take over the ACC tie-in. It’s the first appearance for Iowa State, and the second for Notre Dame (a 2011 18-14 loss to Florida State). Iowa State is in their 3rd straight bowl game for only the second time in school history, looking for their first bowl victory since the 2017 Liberty Bowl against Memphis. Notre Dame is in their 3rd straight bowl game as well, and is looking for their first bowl win since the 2017 Citrus Bowl against LSU.
How they got here: Notre Dame
After an undefeated regular season and a trip to the playoff in 2018, expectations were high in 2019. Their first test came in week 3 when they played Georgia on the road in primetime. The Irish lost a tough game 24-17, but still had national respect among the media. After 3 home wins against #18 Virginia, Bowling Green and USC, they traveled to Ann Arbor to take on Michigan. The Wolverines just flat out embarrassed them in The Big House 45-14, where they were held to just 47 rushing yards and 180 total yards. Since that loss, they rattled off 5 straight wins, scoring 38 points or more in their last 4 to close out the year.
How they got here: Iowa State
If the cards had fallen a certain way, Iowa State could be sitting at 10-2 after playing in the Big 12 championship game. The Cyclones lost to 4 currently ranked teams (#16 Iowa, #7 Baylor, #4 Oklahoma, #25 Oklahoma State), and in three of those games lost by a combined 4 points. They were a botched punt return away from beating the Hawkeyes, a two-point conversion away from beating the Sooners, and nearly completed a 20 point comeback against the Bears before allowing the game-winning field goal with 21 seconds left. This is a very good 7-5 team that showed glimpses of promise all season long. There just weren’t enough times that they could close the deal like they did against Texas. The Cyclones are hoping that this is the time that they can pull this win out.
Player to watch: ND
If Ian Book doesn’t get going, Notre Dame doesn’t get going. When the Irish got dominated by Michigan, Book was 8-25 with 73 yards passing and a touchdown. He’s had over 150 yards passing in every game except that, and has been the senior leader for this Fighting Irish squad. It’s unknown if this could be his final game in the navy and gold, but he is undoubtedly the man who runs this offense. He went on a hot streak to end the year after his dismal showing in Ann Arbor, so it’ll be interesting to see if he can continue that streak against this Big 12 defense.
Player to watch: ISU
Nicknamed “Corn Jesus” (not my nickname, just let it happen), Brock Purdy has become a staple of Matt Campbell’s offense in Ames. The sophomore has thrown it all over the field, passing for over 229 yards all but once all season. He’s thrown an interception in 7 games; 6 of those he threw just one, one game he threw 3 (vs Oklahoma State). He’s 240 yards away from eclipsing 4,000 yards passing on the season, 3 passing touchdowns away from hitting 30 on the year, and can add his name to numerous record books in ISU history. He could potentially be the first player in Cyclone history to throw for over 4,000 yards and pass for 30 touchdowns in the same season, and needs to have a big game if he wants to give his team a shot.
Gambling Picks (ND -3.5, O/U 54.5)
A high over/under in a game between two high powered offenses. I don’t know why but something tells me that they won’t hit the over. But I’ve learned not to listen to my gut, so they’ll probably hit the over. I do think Notre Dame will win, and that Iowa State will keep it close, but I just don’t think they will cover. The spread is too little to pick the Cyclones to cover, so I’ll take the Fighting Irish 38-34. Let’s have some fun in Orlando. Game on.
