Iowa State @ Iowa preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 14, 2013 ) Iowa 27, Iowa State 21

All eyes in the state will be on Kinnick Stadium on Saturday when Iowa takes on visiting Iowa State in the 62nd all-time matchup between the schools. The Hawkeyes lead the series 40-21 and have won four of the last six meetings. Saturday's showdown pits an Iowa team that has held off a pair of mid-major programs in its first two games against an Iowa State squad that nearly upset then-No. 20 Kansas State last week.

"It's a big and exciting game for everybody involved," Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said. "It's going to be a big, big challenge for us." The Hawkeyes currently possess the Cy-Hawk Trophy after defeating the Cyclones 27-21 in Ames City last season. Iowa's Jake Rudock threw for two touchdowns and ran for another score in that victory and has gotten off to a good start in 2014 with a 68.8 completion percentage and four touchdowns (without an interception) on the young season.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Iowa -10

ABOUT IOWA STATE (0-2): Coming off a 3-9 season, the Cyclones' current campaign has gotten off to a horrible start with a home blowout loss to FCS member North Dakota State and then another home defeat to Kansas State - a game in which Iowa State led the Wildcats 28-13 late in the third quarter. Iowa State has allowed 976 yards of offense through two games, including a staggering 534 yards on the ground so far. On offense, the Cyclones need to improve upon a passing attack that has averaged 5.5 yards per attempt and a running game that is managing only 3.3 yards per carry.

ABOUT IOWA (2-0): While Iowa State's running game has gotten off to a slow start in 2014, Iowa's has not been much better. Rudock leads the team with 53 rushing yards and Mark Weisman, a nearly 1,000-yard rusher a season ago, has managed 47 yards on 16 carries - none longer than eight yards - thus far. One bright spot for the Hawkeyes has been their rush defense, which has not allowed a touchdown and also has clamped down inside the red zone, as Iowa's opponents have made it inside the 20 five times and have settled for five field goals.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Iowa's defense has registered 17 tackles for loss, ranking second in the Big Ten and 10th in the nation.

2. Iowa State QB Sam B. Richardson leads the team with only 90 rushing yards through two games and, while he has completed 67 percent of his passes, he has three interceptions against only one touchdown.

3. The Cyclones will need to keep an eye on Hawkeyes WR Kevonte Martin-Manley, who has racked up 16 catches for 132 yards through the first two games.

PREDICTION: Iowa 42, Iowa State 21