Matt Campbell has changed the culture of Iowa State football in his tenure as the head coach for the Cyclones. He has brought winning football to Ames, and Cyclones fans are always happy that he is their head coach. Last year, they had their first losing season since 2016 and they need some pieces to step up in 2023. Matt Campbell is going to try and get this team back to a bowl game. Here is the preview for the 2023 Iowa State Cyclones.
Offense
Iowa State hopes that they can get some improving play from quarterback Hunter Dekkers. Last season, Dekkers threw for 3,044 passing yards to go along with 19 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. One thing that the Cyclones need to do is replace the production of Iowa State’s leading receiver from a season ago in Xavier Hutchison. They brought in Jayden Higgins from Eastern Kentucky to step into Hutchison’s role. The Cyclones also have Dimitri Stanley and Jaylin Noel who will look to pick up some of the workload in their passing game. Their passing game was good last year, but the Cyclones need to make sure the running game is a lot better than it was a season ago.
The Cyclones have a good running back room including Jirehl Brock, Eli Sanders, and Cartevious Norton who are all very capable of handling a heavy workload. This offensive line only helped the Cyclones running game to 3.3 yards per rush last season which was last in the Big 12. Additionally, Iowa State brings in a new offensive line coach, Ryan Clanton, who is meant to help improve the run game. The Cyclones have the experience up front and hopefully with their new offensive line coach, the offensive line can take a big step forward. Iowa State needs to limit the turnovers on offense, and if they do that they take a step in the right direction offensively in 2023.
Defense
The Cyclones’ defense was fantastic a season ago as they finished fourth nationally in yards allowed per game. Iowa State up front has to replace Will McDonald IV, who was one of the best pass rushers in Big 12 history. They bring in Tobechi Okoli, a defensive end from Auburn to try and help fill the void. One big thing that helps this defensive line is that they have nose tackle Isaiah Lee returning in 2023. They need Lee to be beneficial to their defensive line, because they just might struggle pressuring the opposing quarterback without him on the field. At the linebacker spot, this team has little experience and are going to need some guys to step up. Whether it is Zach Lovett, a transfer from Missouri, Will McLaughlin, or someone else, somebody needs to take over as the voice of this front six.
This Iowa State secondary is arguably one of the top secondaries in all of college football. The Cyclones secondary is led by the dynamic duo of cornerbacks T.J. Tampa and Myles Purchase. These two are the voice of the back end and are crucial to this secondary being as good as it is today. Iowa State also has two really talented safeties in Malik Verdon and Jeremiah Cooper that will help the anchors be able to take a deep breath from time to time. If this secondary plays up to the level that I know they can play, opposing offenses are going to seriously struggle against Iowa State’s pass defense.
Win Total Bet
The Cyclones’ win total is set at 5.5 on the FanDuel Sportsbook, with the odds on the over set at -110 and the under having the odds at -110 as well. This Cyclones team has the potential to be a good squad in the Big 12. However, I don’t know if we’ll see Dekkers take that step forward and be able to limit his turnovers. If Iowa State can figure out their offensive issues, they will contend in the Big 12. Until I see that I am going with the under 5.5 win total at -110 odds for 1 unit. I think the defense will be stellar, but the offense is going to hurt this team’s chances of making it back to a bowl game in 2023.
Schedule Predictions
Win vs Northern Iowa (1-0)
Loss vs Iowa (1-1)
WIn at Ohio (2-1)
Win vs Oklahoma State (3-1)
Loss at Oklahoma (3-2)
Loss vs TCU (3-3)
Win at Cincinnati (4-3)
Loss at Baylor (4-4)
Win vs Kansas (5-4)
Loss at BYU (5-5)
Crushing Loss vs Texas (5-6)
Loss vs Kansas State (5-7)