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Spoiler role? Iowa may have a chance to wreck rival’s historic preseason ranking
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When Iowa travels to Ames to face Iowa State on Sept. 11, the Hawkeyes will have a chance to play spoiler on their in-state rivals’ home field.
Iowa State is ranked No. 7 in the newly-released AP Poll that was published on Monday. That’s good enough for Iowa State’s highest AP Poll ranking ever.
The Cyclones' highest ranking in program history. @CycloneFB pic.twitter.com/FoGeudvLQn
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) August 16, 2021
Iowa State got as high as No. 8 last season en route to the Big 12 Championship Game. ISU narrowly lost that battle to Oklahoma, 27-21.
The Cyclones face Northern Iowa in Week 1, so they’re likely to be undefeated when they host Iowa in Week 2. That will give the Hawkeyes a unique opportunity to ruin a potentially special season for Iowa State.
History — both recent and distant — is on Iowa’s side. While Matt Campbell has been tremendous for the Cyclones, he’s never defeated Iowa. He’s 0-4 against Kirk Ferentz since replacing Paul Rhoads before the 2016 season.
Iowa holds the all-time series lead 45-22, including five consecutive victories.
Iowa’s 2019 win over the Cyclones was particularly painful for Campbell’s squad. Iowa won 18-17 after Iowa State muffed a punt with just over 90 seconds remaining on the clock.
Two Iowa State teammates ran into each other and fumbled the punt return to close the game 😬
(via @CBSSportsHQ)pic.twitter.com/nnpLfaoCpy
— Bleacher Report CFB (@BR_CFB) September 15, 2019
Iowa was ranked No. 18 in the 2021 preseason AP Poll.
Iowa State hosts Iowa at 3:30 p.m. CT on Sept. 11.
Spenser is the news manager at Saturday Road and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.