Iowa State @ Iowa preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 9, 2017 ) Iowa 44, Iowa State 41

Iowa was able to overcome a slow start to get its coach a record-setting win last weekend, while Iowa State got off to a fast start in its opener but never got a chance to finish. The Hawkeyes hope their ability to work through their initial struggles gives them a small advantage Saturday when they host the Cyclones in a bid to win their fourth straight meeting in the in-state rivalry.

Kirk Ferentz (144-97) passed former mentor Hayden Fry to become the winningest coach in school history last week, as Iowa overcame the absence of two starting offensive tackles and a three-point first half to cruise to a 33-7 victory over Northern Illinois. Not everything turned out so well for the Hawkeyes, however, as starting running back Ivory Kelly-Martin was forced from the game in the fourth quarter and later spotted with an ice wrap on his left ankle. While Iowa was working out its kinks last weekend, Iowa State raced out to a quick 7-0 lead against South Dakota State before a lightning strike just over four minutes into the game caused a 2 1/2-hour delay, eventually leading to the first cancellation for the Cyclones since 1963. "What did you miss? You miss playing. You miss getting the opportunity to make adjustments, which is what all teams want to do," Iowa State coach Matt Campbell said when asked by reporters if the cancelled game set his team back.

TV: 5 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Iowa -4.

ABOUT IOWA STATE (2017: 8-5): The Cyclones' offense relies heavily on first-team All-Big 12 running back David Montgomery, who led the nation in forced missed tackles (109) per Pro Football Focus en route to 1,146 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns last season. Sixth-year quarterback Kyle Kempt broke the school's single-season completion mark in 2017 (66.3 percent) and has thrown 130 consecutive passes without an interception - 26 shy of setting another program record. Junior 6-6 receiver Hakeem Butler was responsible for four of Iowa State's six 50-yard plays from scrimmage while averaging 17 yards per reception in 2017 and enjoyed his breakout game in last season's thriller against Iowa, tallying five catches for 128 yards and two touchdowns.

ABOUT IOWA (1-0): If Kelly-Martin (16 carries for 62 yards and a touchdown in the opener) is ruled out or limited in any way, sophomores Toren Young (8-64-1) and Mekhi Sargent (12-40-0) will be asked to shoulder a ground game that ran for 209 yards against the Huskies. Nate Stanley was the victim of several dropped passes in the opener while going 11-of-23 for 108 yards, but he set career highs in completions (27), attempts (41), passing yards (333), and touchdowns (five) in Iowa's 44-41 overtime win at Iowa State last season. Preseason All-American first-team tight end Noah Fant has at least one TD reception in four straight games and 13 for his career, one shy of setting the school record for the most by a tight end.

EXTRA POINTS

1. In 19-plus seasons under Ferentz, Iowa has never beaten Iowa State four straight times.

2. The Cyclones led the nation and tied the all-time FBS record with one lost fumble last season.

3. In its last two regular-season games, Iowa has outscored its opponents 72-7 in the second half.

PREDICTION: Iowa State 30, Iowa 24