No. 25 Oregon (4-2) vs. No. 10 Iowa State (8-3)
When: Jan. 2nd at 4pm EST
Where: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Ariz.
Line: Iowa State by 4
TV Channel: ESPN
It’s certainly been an interesting college football “season” to say the least. I put quotations around the word season for myriad reasons. Do any of us feel like we got the normal four-month action packed, drama-filled, down-to-the-wire affairs that we’re accustomed to in regular times? The answer is a resounding no, but “in these unprecedented times” (gosh I’m tired of hearing that too) we got a truncated college football season, some action and drama, and plenty of cancellations.
We’re looking at the Fiesta Bowl matchup between (25) Oregon and (10) Iowa State. The Cyclones have played five more games than the Ducks, so they clearly have more game experience and more to draw on. Oregon, however, is no stranger to the spotlight. The Ducks are mainstays in the CFP, with head coach Mario Cristobal leading them to a New Year’s Six bowl game every season since his arrival in Eugene. This is Iowa State’s first-ever Big 12 Championship season, so while they’re having a terrific season, they’re usually not on top at the end of the season. A stout defense, stellar running game and terrific coaching led them here.
What To Look For:
First, let’s look at what brought the Cyclones here. They have the best running back you’ve probably never heard of in Breece Hall. The 6’1” from Wichita, KS has found paydirt 19 times this season. He nearly ecliped 1,500 yards in only 11 games. The balanced Cyclone offense looks to him first to establish their ground game. The Ducks will undoubtedly have problems stopping Hall. Junior QB Brock Purdy has put up gaudy numbers this season. The 6’1” product of Gilbert, AZ has 18 TD to 9 INT on the season, passed for 2,594 yards which is 15th in the country. He’s completed 66.4% of his passes on the season.
The Ducks are led by QB Tyler Shough. The 6’5” Sophomore out of Chandler, AZ brings a 62.7% completion rate with 13 TD and 5 INT in the shortened season. Shough struggled in the PAC-12 Championship game against USC, and was pulled in favor of backup QB Anthony Brown, who bailed them out with two TDs late to escape with a victory, 31-24.
Sin City Sharp (@SinCitySharp on Twitter) Fiesta Bowl Prediction:
Matt Campbell has done amazing work with the Cyclones. This is their first-ever New Years Bowl appearance, and I feel they’re more than ready for the big stage. Purdy has proven himself to be a big game QB. Breece Hall will be giving the Ducks fits on the ground. While they might contain him, they won’t be able to stop the Cyclones’ passing game enough. Oregon is lucky to be in this game in the first place, they really should have lost to USC. This isn’t the usual Ducks squad of years past. Iowa State handled Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship game 27-20, and the Sooners are as good as Oregon, if not better. Look for Iowa State to cover the -4.5 and I also lean to the under here inside the dome.
Prediction: Cyclones 34, Ducks 21
Written By @SinCitySharp
