Big 12 Football - 2021 Iowa State Cyclones Preview
Our Iowa State Cyclones preview 2021 projects that this team, which last season finished first in the Big 12 with an 8-1 conference record, will be very competitive once again. In 2020, the Cyclones were 9-3 overall, and, after losing to the Sooners 21-27 in the Big 12 Championship game, they took down the Oregon Ducks 34-17 in the Sugar Bowl. Last season, the Cyclones averaged 32.9 PPG (3rd Big 12, 34th Nationally), while they allowed opponents 21.4 PPG (2nd Big 12, 25th Nationally), giving them a +11.5 PF/PA average.
Iowa State Offense
There are 10 starters returning on offense, including senior QB Brock Purdy. Last season, Purdy threw for 2,750 yards and rushed for 382 more while throwing 19 TD passes and running for five more scores. Purdy is the best quarterback to ever don an ISU uniform. The nine picks he threw last season are troublesome. Cutting down on such miscues will go a long way to helping this team get to the next level. Purdy, a three-time All-Big 12 player, is a viable Heisman candidate, as is running back Breece Hall. Last season, as a sophomore, Hall averaged 5.6 YPA, scoring 21 TDs and rushing for 1,572 yards. He also caught 23 passes for 180 yards and scored two more times.
Iowa State’s top five pass catchers are back, including wideout Xavier Hutchinson and tight end Charlie Kolar. In 2020, Hutchinson caught 64 passes for 771 yards and four touchdowns. Kolar grabbed 44 passes, averaging a team-best 13.4 YPC and scoring seven times. The O-line returns intact and is deep, which means there should be wide running lanes for Hall and plenty of protection for Purdy.
Iowa State Cyclones Preview 2021 - Defense
The Cyclones defense sees eight starters return from 2020, including five-of-six from the line and linebacking corps. Last year’s sack leader, defensive end Will McDonald IV (10.5 SCKs), is back. He was first-team All-Big 12 last season. The two top tacklers, SLB Mike Rose (96 TKLs) and WLB Jake Hummel (77 TKLs), combine with MLB O’Rien Vance to create an impressive trio. Rose led the Big 12 in tackles and topped the national charts for linebacker picks with five.
Although free safety is a question mark, there’s plenty of talent to fill that gap. Otherwise, the secondary is secure with Anthony Johnson and Tayvonn Kyle at the corners and Greg Ellsworth II at strong safety. Talented sophomore Isheem Young fills the role at the Star position.
Specialists
Our Iowa State Cyclones preview 2021 notes that at this point kick returns are a question mark. We expect senior Tarique Milton, who missed much of last season, to ably bring back punts. However, replacing kick return specialist Kene Nwangwu won’t be easy. Junior wideout Joe Scates is a candidate. Look for Andrew Mavis, a Fordham transfer, to compete with senior placekicker Connor Assalley and senior punter Corey Dunn for their jobs.
Iowa State Cyclones Preview 2021 - Projection
Our Iowa State Cyclones preview 2021 finds that there are three telling stats from last year. The first two highlight this team’s strength, as opponents scored a touchdown 48.6% of the time when they were in the red zone and Iowa State recorded an overall success rate of 9.3%. That first stat was second lowest in the Big 12 and ranked 11th nationally, while the second category was good for second highest in the conference and sixth in the nation. The area where this team desperately needs improvement is on special teams, as the Cyclones allowed opponents nine kick returns of 30 yards or more. That tied them with Tulsa and Louisiana Tech for the worst in the nation. The Cyclones are one of the finest in the Big 12 and will give Oklahoma a run for the money.
Big 12 Football - Iowa State Cyclones 2021 - Predictions:
Second Place - Big 12
Sugar Bowl vs. Georgia