Iowa State Football Predictions, Betting Tips & Team Preview 2023: WagerTalk Best Betting Guide

Iowa State Football Predictions & Preview 2023:

Expert college football handicapper Ron Marmalefsky runs down Iowa State’s chances for 2023 and provides expert tips for betting on Iowa State in 2023. Ron looks at areas to watch, favorability of schedule, offers a predicted record for Iowa State football in 2023 and offers some handicapping tips for betting on Iowa State this season.

You get free college football picks from WagerTalk all season long – including Iowa State – check them out each and every day during the NCAAF season.

Iowa State Football Preview 2023: Iowa State Picks for Betting

ISU was a trendy top ten pick in 2021 with a roster stacked with experience.  They did not meet everyone’s lofty expectations.  An enormous amount of talent was lost prior to 2022.  Projections were still 6-6 or higher, mainly because of the coaching staff. 

Iowa State finished 3-9, with a 1-5 record in games decided by less than a TD.  Unfortunately, close losses have become routine with this program.  Have they peaked, or is there hope that this program can contend for the top spots in the Big 12?

Get the Hottest College Football Play on WagerTalk

🏈 COLLEGE FOOTBALL BEST BET ONLY $2: The GoldSheet $2 CFB GAME OF WEEK! #1 Football profit at WagerTalk the Last Two Years! College Football Since Oct 2021: 95-66-5 (59%) for +78.8% profit * 64.3% on CFB plays rated 4% & higher!

College Football WEEK 1 ULTIMATE Betting Guide Video

Iowa State Football Predictions: AREAS TO WATCH

The Cyclones habe a new coordinator, but the promotion was in-house.  The Cyclones averaged barely over 16 points per game in conference play, so hopefully some schematic changes will take place. 

There’s a new OL coach as well, but is that an overreaction to last year’s 3.65-117 #’s, considering the average over the previous three years was 5.1 per carry? 

There’s continuity in the backfield but their best WR is off to the NFL.  The OL should be better this year.  Despite only three returning starters, the defense was still more than solid.  ISU was drilled by TCU in the season finale, but before that the numbers were excellent.  Losing first round DL Will McDonald hurts, but based on past history there’s no reason to expect a massive drop on this side of the ball. 

Their PK was 12-20 last year.  That’s unacceptable, especially for a team that plays a style of ball where close games are the norm.

They have a new special team coordinator, a move I heartily endorse.  My overall check points include QB interceptions (14 a year ago), the run game (to take some pressure off the pass game), and learning how to protect leads.

Iowa State 2023 Predictions, Iowa State Schedule:

Iowa State faces Texas, Oklahoma, TCU and Kansas State, so compared to other teams the Cyclones won’t have it easy.  Close losses tend to be the norm when hosting Iowa. 

Turnovers must be eliminated, something that plagued them in 2022 and often plagues them in this series.  How does 3-9 become better?  One way is to stop losing games when favored (four losses as a favorite in ’22). 

Often slow starters, can ISU beat Northern Iowa (6-5, good QB) and Ohio U (road game, Ohio U was 10-4 last year, very good QB)?  I’m not so sure.  Games hosting Oklahoma State have gone either way.  ISU has played very well at Oklahoma but I’m not sure they can outright win this season.  ISU wants to make amends for allowing 62 points to TCU a year ago. 

Winners of three in a row at home in this series, this game will tell me if ISU can rebound from all their close losses in ’22.  The game at Cincy depends on how that new staff is faring, and if Cincy is slipping at all in their home game performance. 

Kansas finally beat ISU in 2022, playing to ISU’s tempo (just 14-11).  They’ve dominated Kansas at home but Kansas is a different team now with a much better staff.  I have no notes for the BYU game currently on my team sheet.  Closing games are vs. Texas (I expect a close game) and at Kansas State (K St has dominated this series at home).

Iowa State Football Bottom Line:

While not on the hot seat by any means, Matt Campbell doesn’t want to lose his luster as an up-and-coming hotshot coach.  There’s a ceiling to the type of talent a program such as this can bring in, especially in today’s transfer and NIL world, but it would be a setback if Iowa State stayed home a 2^nd straight season. 

To summarize, my in-season watch areas are the turnover ratio, the offensive scheme, and close game kicking.  On paper, they look closer to 5-7 than anything else.  Early season confidence can help.  Let’s see if ISU can accommodate.

Iowa State Football HANDICAPPING TIP:

I’m going to take the early approach of looking vs. when favored and looking to back them only as a dog when the timing appears right.  Watch the keys closely.

WagerTalk Live Odds Screen CFB

WagerTalk’s live college football odds screen features up-to-the-minute lines from a variety of offshore and domestic sports books. Track the run spreads, totals and betting percentages for all college football games.

**************************************************

Looking for more free sports picks and sports betting tips?

• Latest Betting Odds and Public Action: Vegas lines updated in real time, including who the public is betting on.
• Last Minute Handicapping Advice: Check out our extensive library of handicapping tips and advice from professional Vegas handicappers (we also recommend taking the time to look over our sports betting tips video library)
• Want an expert opinion? Check out the latest Free Sports Picks and Best Bets from our team of expert sports handicappers.

Make sure to bookmark all the above!