No. 14 Iowa State notched an impressive 16-13 victory over in-state rival Iowa last week, giving the Cyclones momentum heading into a Week 3 road trip to Arkansas State. While the offense has had its ups and downs, quarterback Rocco Becht has come through in the clutch, guiding Iowa State to two of its three wins by just three points. Arkansas faced a tough test in the SEC (Arkansas) a week ago and will have another chance to prove itself against a Power Five opponent.
The non-conference matchup will kick off on Saturday, Sept. 13, at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN2. Iowa State enters the showdown as 21.5-point favorites with the over/under set at 55.5 total points. Here are two key players to watch in this game, followed by the top storylines for each team, and a prediction from Heartland College Sports.
Two Key Players to Watch
Rocco Becht (QB, Iowa State)
While Becht managed just 134 passing yards last week, his consistency for delivering in key moments has Iowa State sitting at 3-0. He engineered a game-sealing drive against Kansas State in Week 0 and followed it up by setting up the winning field goal in the 16-13 victory over Iowa. With a lesser opponent on tap Saturday, Becht has a chance to sharpen his deep ball and get his receivers more involved early. With the chance to improve to 4-0, Iowa State has a serious chance to win the Big 12 title with Becht leading the squad.
Jaylen Raynor (QB, Arkansas State)
Arkansas State has a playmaker of its own in quarterback Jaylen Raynor. In the Week 1 win over Southeast Missouri State, he threw for 345 yards and three touchdowns. A week later, he showed his ability as a runner, picking up 38 yards on 15 carries. For the Red Wolves to capitalize on home-field advantage, Raynor will need to be effective with both his arm and his legs.
Two Key Storylines
Momentum vs. Trap Game
The Cyclones enter this week riding high after an emotional win over Iowa, but that’s exactly what makes this matchup dangerous. Coming off a game that meant everything to the program and fanbase, Iowa State now travels to a Group of Five opponent in what could be a trap game. With Big 12 play set to continue next week, it would be easy to look past Arkansas State, but the Red Wolves have a dangerous playmaker in Raynor. His ability to stretch the field with his arm and extend plays with his legs gives Arkansas State the type of spark that can keep the game close into the second half.
Home Field Opportunity
Hosting a Big 12 opponent in Jonesboro gives Arkansas State a rare chance to step into the spotlight. The matchup allows the Red Wolves to measure themselves against a higher level of competition while playing in front of their home crowd. A strong performance would validate the strides the team has made under Butch Jones and set the tone for the rest of the season.
Prediction: Iowa State 35, Arkansas State 13
Iowa State has consistently found ways to win despite offensive struggles, and it’s hard to see the Cyclones slipping up this week. The matchup also gives Rocco Becht another chance to build chemistry with receivers Brett Eskildsen and Xavier Townsend. ISU’s defense has been the difference all season, and its ability to control the line of scrimmage should travel well. With the Cyclones’ physicality, they hold clear advantages that make them the safer bet to come out of Jonesboro with a win.
