Matchup: #13 Washington State vs. #24 Iowa State
Location: Alamodome, San Antonio, TX.
Date and Time: December, 28th. 9 PM EST.
All-Time Series: First Meeting.
Background Information:
What a season for the senior that 4 months ago was almost a unknown transfer out of a AAC school with long gone success from the days of Shane Carden and Zay Jones and Justin Hardy. Gardner Minshew has led Washington State to a 10-2 record and a chance to get the highest win total in program history. Give all the credit in the world to QB Guru Mike Leach. Mike turned someone searching for FBS offers out of High School into a All-American who finished 5th in the Heisman voting with 6 first place votes. Mike for a small period of time had Texas Tech near the top of the Big 12 and now has Washington State near the top of the Pac 12 in what seems to be on a yearly basis. For Iowa State, it’s year 3 under Matt Campbell and the Cyclones are going bowling back to back seasons for the first time since 2011-2012. Iowa State has also been ranked at one point in back to back seasons for the first time since 1981-1982. Brock Purdy is the starting QB for the Cyclones, basically being last year’s Zeb Noland. Purdy started the year as a 3rd string QB similar to how Noland did until Purdy broke through and had some big games against good competition. In his first start on the road in Stillwater, Brock threw for 318 yards and 4 touchdowns to lead the Cyclones to a 48-42 upset (at the time) win over the Cowboys. Purdy also threw for 254 yards and 3 touchdowns the next week against Top 5 West Virginia.With a Liberty Bowl win over Riley Ferguson led Memphis a year ago, Iowa State is looking to take down another former AAC QB. In what could be the first time in program history, Iowa State could win back to back bowl games.
Players to watch for:
Washington State:
Another question mark from a production standpoint offensively for the Cougars was RB James Williams. James had 980 yards and 7 TD’s in his first 2 seasons rushing, but what has always been Williams game is catching the ball as well. Williams has more receiving yards than rushing yards in 2018. Williams had 1,102 total yards and 18 total touchdowns and is a main target for the Cyclone defense to watch out for. Washington State all-around good on defense and is lead by 6-0, 225 LB Jahad Woods. Woods is 2nd on the team in tackles, TFL’s and sacks. He has an interception and a knack for forcing fumbles with 4 on the year (2nd in the Pac 12, 7th in the nation). If Woods can make plays, it could end up being forced fumbles that makes him an impact.
Iowa State:
You would think after a amazing 4 year career where he caught 26 touchdowns and over 3,000 yards, it would be tough for the Cyclones to replace Allen Lazard. Wrong. Step in, Hakeem Butler. After playing as the #2 last year, Hakeem has been the most underrated receiver in a heavy loaded Big 12. Butler has 51 catches for 1,126 yards and 9 touchdowns on the season (4th in the Big 12 in receiving yards and 6th in touchdowns). What makes Bailey so ridiculous is his Receiving Yards Per Reception as Bailey gets 22.1 YPR which is first in the NCAA and 3rd in Big 12 History (minimum 100 catches). Hakeem is a big play threat at any point and get behind any defense, he’s the man to watch on offense. The man to watch on defense is lockdown CB, Brian Peavy who will more than likely be going up against Davontavean Martin. Peavy has 51 tackles and only one interception and 2 forced fumbles. But has 8 pass deflections and leads the best secondary in the conference (arguably) behind Texas.
Keys to a win:
Washington State:
Offensively, Iowa State has the duo of Butler and Montgomery. But outside of those two, their aren’t really any other playmakers on this team. The next leading receiver is Deshaunte Jones (360 yards and 4 touchdowns). And their next leading rusher at running back is Sophomore Kene Nwangwu (143 yards). It’ll be difficult to stop Montgomery or Butler. But if they can stop at least one, the Wazzou defense could feast on a freshman QB in his first postseason game,
Iowa State:
Washington State doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses, but something they do often is get penalized. Washington State is 86th in the country in fewest penalties and can be used for Iowa State’s advantage. Outside of that, Washington State is in the Top 35 in almost every statistical category.
Final Verdict:
HB David Montgomery is a game-time decision and Hakeem Butler is mulling the NFL Draft and skipping the bowl game. I still think Washington State wins this game with those two playing, but if one is not, Washington State could take this game by a wide margin. I’ll say both play and Washington State wins, 35-21.
Image Credit: https://worldvectorlogo.com/logo/alamo-bowl
