The Gazette’s Pick ‘Ems panel makes its final predictions of the 2023 season, including the Iowa and Iowa State bowl games and College Football Playoff semifinals.
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The Gazette’s Pick ‘Ems panel makes its final predictions of the 2023 season, including the Iowa and Iowa State bowl games and College Football Playoff semifinals.
A two-day retreat in service of at-risk youth moved Iowa State’s football team forward last summer. Humility reigned. Ego dissolved. And the Cyclones emerged fully unified after a thorny offseason that shook up the starting lineup while strengthening the players’ deep commitment to each other.
Few of Iowa State defensive coordinator Jon Heacock’s players heeded his 2023 call — “We’re going to need every guy in here — more than junior defensive end Joey Petersen.
Jeremiah Cooper’s early pick in the season opener against UNI set the tone for an Iowa State defense that’s plucked 16 opponents’ passes from the air, which is tied for the eighth-most nationally. A timely interception or two against prolific Tiger quarterback Seth Henigan could set the stage for ISU’s fourth eight-win season under head coach Matt Campbell and sixth bowl triumph in program history.
Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell knows it won’t be easy to beat the nation’s seventh-best scoring offense in its home stadium for the second time during his eight-plus season tenure.
Iowa State football’s recruiting Class of 2024 includes 22 high school players who have the “fit, feel and family” Coach Matt Campbell likes.
Myles Purchase — who leads Iowa State in passes defended — may be the most experienced cornerback on the field for his team against Memphis in the Liberty Bowl.
Freshman QB has led Cyclone football back to a bowl game and is getting extra practice time as he continues to grow in his role
Memphis coach Ryan Silverfield and Matt Campbell have mutual respect and Silverfield once worked on Campbell’s staff at Toledo
After nixing the fan-favorite chartered flight to last year’s bowl game in Nashville – due to a nationwide pilot shortage – University of Iowa Athletics this bowl season is back in the chartered-air game, although only one Hawkeye fan-specific plane is scheduled to Orlando for the team’s third New Year’s Day appearance in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.
Just like in 2017, Iowa State will play Memphis in its home stadium
Sophomore running back enter transfer portal along with 3 others
Abu Sama rushed for 276 yards as the Cyclones finished the regular season at 7-5, their sixth winning season in the past seven years.
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