Should Jaylen Raynor and the Iowa State Cyclones pull off the improbable on Saturday at home against No. 15 Utah, it’ll come in the trenches with a real answer to Utah’s ground game, powered by running back Wayshawn Parker.
Utah boasts a triple-threat on the ground between Parker (4.8 yards per carry), starting quarterback Devon Dampier (4.2) and gadget quarterback Byrd Ficklin (7.8), with secondary running back Daniel Bray picking up additional touches.
Needless to say, the Utes have a lot going on the ground. Braden Pegan caught two touchdown passes from Dampier (286 passing yards) last week, but the Utes tallied nearly 200 yards on the ground with nine different players carrying the football.
Disrupting Dampier’s Rhythm
A round of heavy rain is expected to continue through kickoff on Saturday, and it lends Iowa State’s pass rush the opportunity to seize the pocket and disrupt the flow and motion that allows Kevin McGiven’s Utah offense to explore its creative rush.
Dampier and Ficklin each appreciate an opening when they see it, and, combined, both QBs are liable to run the ball roughly 10 times per game.
Can EDGE Isaac Terrell or defensive end Jack Janikowski (listed as probable) create some havoc for Dampier early? Will one mistake shift Utah’s offense to mitigate the pressure if the Cyclones are able to get to the football? That’s the dream scenario for Iowa State’s defense tomorrow.
Terrell leads Iowa State with three sacks this season, but three members of the Cyclones’ D-line will be missing on Saturday.
Evading Utah’s Middle Row
Iowa State packs the line of scrimmage offensively, and they’ll be going up against a hard-nosed Utah line tomorrow, even with the limited snaps or possible absence of second-year tackle Karson Kaufusi.
This season, Raynor is completing 57.6% of his throws for 434 yards, four touchdowns and just one pick through three starts. His QBR (57.2) ranks just 68th in the country.
Seasoned linebackers Trey Reynolds, Jonathan Hall, and Cryus Polu are Utah’s leading linebacker trio, with the aid of third-year linebacker Elijah Eliss helping keep guys fresh between snaps, and will be testing Raynor and starting Cyclones RB Aiden Flora in a wet game that very well could come down to the run.
Flora, a sophomore, leads the Iowa State backfield with 328 yards and three touchdowns on 38 different carries this season. The Adel, Iowa, native is backed by little depth other than Arnold Barnes II, who’s scored twice already this year. Fellow running backs Easton Miller (probable) and Ryver Peppers (questionable) are not gurantees for tomorrow’s game.
Win the Hidden Yardage
Given Saturday’s conditions, special teams points or special teams errors could certainly give the Cyclones an edge if things stick to its 7.5-point spread favoring Utah.
Placekicker Kyle Konrardy is 13 of 13 on extra points, as well as 5 of 6 on field goal attempts, with his longest successful try from 51 yards away.
This really only plays a factor if and when Iowa State draws some stops in the opening half. If Utah takes a 21-3 or 24-10 lead before halftime, I’m not too faithful in the Raynor offense to power its way back into a second-half stand.
