In depth scouting report of Little Brother https://iowahawkeyedata.substack.com/p/scouting-the-opposition-little-brother
Here is their play calling sheet from 2024:
Here is their play calling sheet from 2024:
Scouting Iowa State
- Thread starter IowaFan2217
- Start date
Good article. Hopefully the Hawks can attack ISU’s weaknesses and neutralize Becht.
Punched it into Grok and it spit out this .......................
Predicting the winner of the Iowa vs. Iowa State football game on September 6, 2025, is tricky since it’s a heated rivalry with a history of close contests, and a lot depends on factors like player performance, injuries, and game-day execution, which we can’t fully know in advance. However, I can break down the key points based on available information to give you a reasoned perspective.
The game, part of the Cy-Hawk rivalry, will be played at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa, at 11:00 AM CT, broadcast on FOX. Iowa State is coming off a strong 2024 season (11-3, Big 12 Championship appearance) and started 2025 with a 2-0 record, including a 24-21 win over Kansas State in Ireland and a 55-7 rout of South Dakota. Their quarterback, Rocco Becht, has been sharp, completing 19-of-20 passes for 278 yards and three touchdowns against South Dakota, and he’s shown clutch play in tight games. Iowa State’s offense averages nearly 49 points per game early this season, though their competition hasn’t been elite. Their defense, led by a strong linebacker corps, is disciplined, with only one penalty in their Kansas State game.
Iowa, meanwhile, is 1-0 after a 34-7 win over Albany, leaning heavily on a dominant ground game (310 rushing yards) while their new quarterback, Mark Gronowski, had a modest passing day (44 yards). Iowa’s strength lies in their run-heavy offense and stout defense, which held Albany to just 7 points. Their coaching staff, led by Kirk Ferentz, is known for disciplined play and a strong special teams unit. However, their passing game remains unproven, and they’ll face a tougher test against Iowa State’s defense.
Historically, the Cy-Hawk game is often tight—four of the last five meetings were decided by 4.2 points on average, with the road team winning four of those. Iowa State won the last meeting in 2024 (20-19 in Iowa City), but Iowa had won six straight prior. In Ames, Iowa State struggles in this rivalry, with an 8-21 record all-time and only three wins in the last 20 years. Still, Iowa State’s home-field advantage and offensive momentum give them an edge in early predictions.
Betting odds favor Iowa State by 3 points, with an over/under of 41.5, suggesting a low-scoring, close game (projected score: Iowa State 22, Iowa 20). Analysts lean toward Iowa State due to their offensive firepower and home advantage, but Iowa’s defensive strength and run game could keep it competitive. College Football HQ predicts Iowa State to cover the spread, citing their balanced attack and Iowa’s untested passing game.
My take: Iowa State has the slight edge due to their offensive consistency and home-field energy, but Iowa’s defense and ground game could exploit any Cyclone mistakes. If Iowa’s passing game underperforms, Iowa State likely pulls it out. If Gronowski steps up and Iowa controls the clock, they could steal it on the road.
Prediction: Iowa State 24, Iowa 20. It’ll be close, but Iowa State’s momentum and Becht’s playmaking tip the scales at home.
Predicting the winner of the Iowa vs. Iowa State football game on September 6, 2025, is tricky since it’s a heated rivalry with a history of close contests, and a lot depends on factors like player performance, injuries, and game-day execution, which we can’t fully know in advance. However, I can break down the key points based on available information to give you a reasoned perspective.
The game, part of the Cy-Hawk rivalry, will be played at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa, at 11:00 AM CT, broadcast on FOX. Iowa State is coming off a strong 2024 season (11-3, Big 12 Championship appearance) and started 2025 with a 2-0 record, including a 24-21 win over Kansas State in Ireland and a 55-7 rout of South Dakota. Their quarterback, Rocco Becht, has been sharp, completing 19-of-20 passes for 278 yards and three touchdowns against South Dakota, and he’s shown clutch play in tight games. Iowa State’s offense averages nearly 49 points per game early this season, though their competition hasn’t been elite. Their defense, led by a strong linebacker corps, is disciplined, with only one penalty in their Kansas State game.
Iowa, meanwhile, is 1-0 after a 34-7 win over Albany, leaning heavily on a dominant ground game (310 rushing yards) while their new quarterback, Mark Gronowski, had a modest passing day (44 yards). Iowa’s strength lies in their run-heavy offense and stout defense, which held Albany to just 7 points. Their coaching staff, led by Kirk Ferentz, is known for disciplined play and a strong special teams unit. However, their passing game remains unproven, and they’ll face a tougher test against Iowa State’s defense.
Historically, the Cy-Hawk game is often tight—four of the last five meetings were decided by 4.2 points on average, with the road team winning four of those. Iowa State won the last meeting in 2024 (20-19 in Iowa City), but Iowa had won six straight prior. In Ames, Iowa State struggles in this rivalry, with an 8-21 record all-time and only three wins in the last 20 years. Still, Iowa State’s home-field advantage and offensive momentum give them an edge in early predictions.
Betting odds favor Iowa State by 3 points, with an over/under of 41.5, suggesting a low-scoring, close game (projected score: Iowa State 22, Iowa 20). Analysts lean toward Iowa State due to their offensive firepower and home advantage, but Iowa’s defensive strength and run game could keep it competitive. College Football HQ predicts Iowa State to cover the spread, citing their balanced attack and Iowa’s untested passing game.
My take: Iowa State has the slight edge due to their offensive consistency and home-field energy, but Iowa’s defense and ground game could exploit any Cyclone mistakes. If Iowa’s passing game underperforms, Iowa State likely pulls it out. If Gronowski steps up and Iowa controls the clock, they could steal it on the road.
Prediction: Iowa State 24, Iowa 20. It’ll be close, but Iowa State’s momentum and Becht’s playmaking tip the scales at home.
Sounds about right, although I think ISU wins comfortably.