Cyclone 2-Minute Drill: Northern Iowa

By Dylan Montz, correspondent

ISU RUSH OFFENSE VS. UNI RUSH DEFENSE

Iowa State doesn't lack talent in the running backroom, just experience. Sophomore Tyler Brown is the only returnee with any carries — 24 touches for 109 yards — while red-shirt freshman Mike Warren and true freshman Joshua Brown will back him up. Any success on the ground will depend on the offensive line, which will be up against an older Panthers' defensive front that allowed 107.7 rushing yards per game last season. Advantage: UNI

ISU PASS OFFENSE VS. UNI PASS DEFENSE

This matchup could very well be the tipping point in the game as Iowa State's best position group goes against the best for UNI. The Panthers have veteran corners in Deiondre' Hall and Makinton Dorleant, as well as D.J. Singleton and Tim Kilfoy at the safety spots. But Iowa State has plenty of options. Quenton Bundrage, Allen Lazard and D'Vario Montgomery will be a handful, but receivers like Dondre Daley and Jauan Wesley provide an added punch that give fifth-year senior quarterback Sam Richardson experienced guys to throw to. Advantage: Iowa State

UNI RUSH OFFENSE VS. ISU RUSH DEFENSE

Luckily for Iowa State, do-it-all running back David Johnson has moved on to the NFL, but the Panthers reloaded with experienced players in the backfield. Division I transfers Darrian Miller (Kansas) and Savon Huggins (Rutgers) will fill Johnson's void. Miller rushed for five touchdowns and 332 yards as a backup last season, but will have to contend with the Cyclones' new-look defensive front. Newcomer Demond Tucker and senior ends Dale Pierson and Trent Taylor all provide an athletic presence and ability to contain the run. Advantage: Iowa State

UNI PASS OFFENSE VS. ISU PASS DEFENSE

UNI Coach Mark Farley has been tight-lipped on the UNI quarterback race and as it stands, the competition to start is between four players. More than likely, he has two names in mind. Senior Sawyer Kollmorgen is the most experienced and in the 28-20 UNI win in 2013, he was 21-for-28 with 218 yards and two touchdowns. But the ISU secondary is the second deepest position behind the receivers. Kamari Cotton-Moya has become the leader of the back end and the maturity of Qujuan Floyd at strong safety could give the Panthers a struggle. Advantage: Iowa State

SPECIAL TEAMS

Iowa State kicker Cole Netten was 11-for-14 in field goals last year, making his first 11, and has been able to test the wind conditions at practice in Jack Trice Stadium since the alterations were made to the south end zone. UNI has seniors at punter and kicker in Logan Bieghler and Michael Schmadeke, respectively, but ISU punt returners Trever Ryen and Allen Lazard could provide an edge to set the Cyclones offense up in favorable spots. Advantage: Iowa State

INTANGIBLES

1. The series — Since 2007 UNI and Iowa State are 2-2 against one another, with the Panthers winning the last matchup in 2013 in Ames, 28-20. The last ISU win in the series was 20-19 in 2011.

2. Panthers rank — UNI has finished in the Top 25 in 11 of the last 14 seasons and is preseason No. 10 in FCS.

3. Record crowd — Iowa State announced a sellout crowd of 61,500 this week against UNI. With the addition of the south end zone club and extra seating, Saturday's contest will be the largest crowd for an ISU home football game in school history.

ISU WILL WIN IF ... The Cyclones can establish a running game. The offensive line and running backs are some of the biggest question marks with the offense. If the offensive line can stay consistent and healthy, it will give the inexperienced running backs more support.

UNI WILL WIN IF ... The Panthers can exploit Iowa State up front. While the ISU defensive line has talent, the junior college players have not played a Division I game before. If UNI can establish a running game and find the gaps in its more up-tempo offense, it can open things up and spell trouble for Iowa State.

PREDICTION

Iowa State 35, UNI 27