Northern Iowa @ Iowa State preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 25, 2010 ) Northern Iowa 0, Iowa State 27

THE STORY: Iowa State suffered through a letdown in 2010 after a bowl victory in 2009, and lost several key contributors on offense. Northern Iowa is coming off its third Missouri Valley Conference championship in the last four years and is expected to once again be among the elite FCS programs. These schools have met six times since 2001. Iowa State won last year 27-0, but was outgained by 110 yards by Northern Iowa, which committed five turnovers.

TV: None. LINE: None.

ABOUT NORTHERN IOWA (7-5 in 2010): The Panthers are ranked seventh in the FCS Coaches Poll and are tabbed as the favorite to defend their Missouri Valley Conference title. Coach Mark Farley has won six conference championships in his 10 years at Northern Iowa. Senior quarterback Tirrell Rennie and senior defensive tackle Ben Boothby are both second-team preseason All-America selections.

ABOUT IOWA STATE (5-7 in 2010): The Cyclones are breaking in a new quarterback, running back and several new receivers in coach Paul Rhoads’ third season in Ames. Junior college transfer Steele Jantz won the starting quarterback job, but Rhoads’ traditional strength is on defense, where cornerback Leonard Johnson and linebacker Jake Knott are among seven returning starters.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Iowa State is 19-4-3 all-time against Northern Iowa.

2. The Cyclones have played one FCS school in each of the past 10 seasons, with their only loss coming in 2007 to the Panthers 24-13.

3. The Panthers have three times as many conference championships as any other MVC program.

PREDICTION: Iowa State 20, Northern Iowa 17 - Don’t be surprised if this one stays close until the end as the Panthers have plenty of experience at key positions to compete with the Cyclones.