Ames, Iowa – The West Virginia Mountaineers, 5-3 overall and 4-3 in the Big 12 Conference visit Ames, Iowa to play the #9 ranked Iowa State Cyclones, 7-1 overall and 7-2 in conference play, for 3:30PM game at Jack Trice Stadium. The game will be televised live on ESPN. Here’s how our staff experts think the game will play out:
Clark Johnson, Football Analyst, The Voice of Motown (6-2 on the season): This game would mean a lot to the Mountaineer program. A win here and Neal Brown is well on his way to building a consistent winner in Morgantown.
While I think he will get there eventually, Iowa State is really good. Give me the Cyclones in a nail-biter.
Iowa State 21 WVU 20
Hank Steinmiller, Writer, The Voice of Motown (5-3 on the season): Iowa State and WVU are the most evenly matched teams in the Big 12. WVU has the best defense Brocky Purdy will see this year. Jarrett Doege has been efficient for weeks now.
With two weeks off, the Mountaineers will bring a well-rested, motivated team to Ames. Breece Hall goes for 130 yards but Purdy doesn’t get over 200. WVU gets their first road victory of the season.
WVU 24 Iowa State 20
Brad Smith, Senior Writer/Owner, The Voice of Motown (3-5 on the season): I have a great feeling about this game. West Virginia hasn’t played in 3 weeks, and Neal Brown and staff have had a long time to prepare for this incredibly big game for the Mountaineers.
Beating a #9 ranked and Big 12 Conference leading Iowa State in Ames would not only make the season a success, it would also be the biggest win of Neal Brown’s time at West Virginia. Although the Mountaineers will be without perhaps 2 or 3 starters today due to COVID testing, I think WVU’s defense is too much and they shut Iowa State down.
Leddie Brown should be 100% healed and ready to dominate. Jarrett Doege has another consistent performance. 2020 is a weird year and winning in Ames this year isn’t as difficult as it typically is, and West Virginia gets a monumental, program-defining win today.
WVU 35 Iowa State 14
