Don’t miss these 3 Iowa State football games in 2021

AMES — Believe it or not, there are some people out there who aren’t football-obsessed and they have the unmitigated gall to schedule their wedding in the fall.

Depending on how close you are to these people, Iowa State has a few games you can miss to go to their wedding, but the Cyclones also have a few games that are can’t-miss.

If a wedding falls on a can’t-miss game, write the bride a heartfelt letter and buy the couple something nice from the registry and then get your behind to the game.

3. Iowa (Sept. 11)

Every Iowa and Iowa State fan knows what this first sentence is going to be: Matt Campbell has never beaten Iowa.

Campbell has had unprecedented success at Iowa State, but his teams always seem to get out of the gate slow. Considering the Cy-Hawk is the second game for each team, Campbell can’t have his signature slow start.

“How, from the head coach's perspective, do you put a calendar together and how do you put a process together that allows your football team to be their best in those 12 guaranteed opportunities, right?” Campbell said during Big 12 Media Days about Iowa State's slow starts. “And you can't control everything else, but, man, you can control the preparation to get to those 12 guaranteed opportunities to be the best you can be.

“I would put any issue that we've had on my shoulders because it's probably been a failure of mine that we just haven't been able to get off to a good start at times throughout our tenure here, but I think it's certainly something we've looked at holistically, and it's always, man, how do we give our kids the opportunity to be the best version of themselves they can be?”

Campbell knows his slow starts are a problem, he knows he’s never beaten Iowa State’s biggest rival and he knows that if the Cyclones get off to another slow start, they can kiss any outside chance at the College Football Playoff goodbye.

Cy-Hawk is always big in the state of Iowa, and one could argue it’s always a can’t-miss game for Iowans, but this year could be one for the ages.

The only reason it’s not higher on the can’t-miss games list is because it’s not a conference game and even if the College Football Playoff hopes are dashed early, the Cyclones can still play for a Big 12 Championship.

2. Texas (Nov. 6)

Speaking of the Big 12 championship, Texas probably won’t be in it. But it has a new coach in Steve Sarkisian, so anything is on the table. If he can find a way to use all of the Longhorns’ talent, there’s no reason they can’t make a trip to Arlington in December.

But that’s been precisely Texas’ problem over the last decade: a lot of talent and coaching that can’t match it.

Still, Texas is the No. 2 can’t-miss game because Iowa State and Texas always seem to play one-score games that come down to the wire. Two years ago, Iowa State won on a Connor Assalley field goal, and last season, the Cyclones won after the Longhorns’ Cameron Dicker missed a field goal.

Oh, and there’s that little stunt Texas pulled where it decided to bail on the Big 12 Conference in favor of the SEC. That may or may not draw the ire and vitriol of Cyclone fans when Texas shows up on Nov. 6. Who's to say?

1. at Oklahoma (Nov. 20)

Speaking of bailing on the conference, Oklahoma is, too.

Most Cyclone fans won’t be able to attend this game but if the season plays out how most suspect, Iowa State’s late-season matchup in Norman, Okla., on Nov. 20 will be can’t-miss TV for Iowa State and Oklahoma fans, Big 12 fans and college football fans.

The Sooners finally learned how to play defense last season and they could have their best overall team in over a decade this season.

Iowa State returns 19 of its 22 starters, including the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year in Breece Hall, the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in Mike Rose, the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year in Xavier Hutchinson and Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year in Isheem Young.

In addition, and quarterback Brock Purdy was on the Big 12’s first team and Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler was on the second team.

On paper, these are the two best teams and a late-season matchup between them to help determine who goes to Arlington, or who is the “home team” could be one for the ages.

Iowa State’s record against Oklahoma over the last five meetings is 2-3, including a split last season, so Campbell and Iowa State know what it will take to beat Oklahoma.

Comments: benv43@gmail.com