Brett Twelmeyer, Sports Editor (9-4)

No. 13 Miami 37, No. 18 Iowa State 21

This season has been a fun ride, and like every football season, it went by way too fast. 

There were a few times I needed to remind myself exactly what the Cyclones were in the midst of this season, which included the first 10-win season in school history.

We also saw Matt Campbell win the most games as a head coach in Iowa State history, wide receivers Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins having over 1,000 receiving yards and the Cyclones making the Big 12 Championship.

But now, Iowa State faces the 10-2 Miami Hurricanes in the Pop-Tarts Bowl.

There are a lot of things Miami does well, especially on offense. The Hurricanes have the most passing yards per game in college football, are second in passing yards per game and have the top-scoring offense in points per game at 44.2.

All of that stems from senior quarterback Cam Ward, who was a Heisman finalist. Yeah, the Cyclones have to face one of the best players in the country.

Ward has over 4,000 passing yards, completes 67.4% of his passes and has 36 passing touchdowns to seven interceptions. It’s safe to say he will more than likely be the difference-maker in this one.

Now, Iowa State does have the third-best defense in terms of passing yards per game, holding opponents to 161.7 yards, but we’ve seen the Cyclones get torched before through the air. I’ll unfortunately remind you all of the Kansas game.

Miami’s defense is a bit weak, and if the Cyclones don’t turn it over like they did in the Big 12 Championship, they could have a chance.

I would love to pick Iowa State in this one, and I’m so glad all of the seniors are going to play. But, the explosivity of the Hurricanes’ offense has me a bit worried.

Pavle Markovic, Assistant Sports Editor (8-5)

No. 13 Miami 41, No. 18 Iowa State 27

I haven’t picked against the Cyclones since Oct. 12, when I had Iowa State dropping its first game of the season to West Virginia in Morgantown.

While the prediction was wrong, and boy was I glad for it to be wrong, it instilled confidence in me to continue picking the Cyclones to win games throughout the rest of the season.

Even after picking Iowa State to win in its back-to-back losses to Texas Tech and Kansas, I never went back to my negative glance on games for the Cyclones.

But now, after witnessing what had happened in Arlington, Texas, in the Big 12 Championship game against Arizona State, that glance has come right back into play.

The Cyclones end off their season traveling to Orlando, Florida, to participate in the Pop-Tarts Bowl against a Miami team that is, needless to say, in a bad mood after barely missing out on the College Football Playoff.

After failing to make the ACC Championship game with a loss to Syracuse, the Hurricanes, led by Heisman finalist quarterback Cam Ward, are already looking forward to putting everything on display against Iowa State Saturday.

Miami far and away has one of the best offenses in college football, and its defense is also not something to overlook as well.

I know this game is meant to be the perfect game for the Cyclones to send their seniors off with a win, but I simply do not see it happening, as I have Iowa State dropping two consecutive games to end off its once-perfect season.

Cayden Storm, Sports Reporter (10-3)

No. 18 Iowa State 42, No. 13 Miami 38

The 2024 football season has been one of, if not the best season in Iowa State history.

But, the last time we saw the Cyclones in action they put together their worst performance of the season in the 45-19 loss to Arizona State in the Big 12 Championship game.

Now, Iowa State will look to bounce back against another formidable opponent in the 10-2 Miami Hurricanes in the Pop-Tarts Bowl.

If there is one thing that I feel certain of in this game, it’s that it will be a high-scoring affair. 

Miami is led by senior quarterback Cam Ward, who finished third in Heisman voting behind Colorado’s Travis Hunter and Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty. 

Ward has thrown for 4,123 yards and 36 touchdowns to only seven interceptions, leading the Hurricanes to the number one total offense in the country, averaging 538.3 yards per game, and the number one scoring offense in the country, averaging 44.2 points per game.

The Cyclones might struggle to stop Ward and the high-flying Miami offense, but Miami’s defense might have just as much trouble stopping the Cyclone offense.

The last time Miami stepped on the field it gave up 479 yards, 380 of which came through the air, in its 42-38 loss to Syracuse which knocked Miami out of ACC Championship contention.

All in all, I think both defenses are really going to struggle in this game. I think it’s going to be a close shootout that could go either way.

That being said, I have not picked against the Cyclones in a single game this season, so why start now?

I’m taking Iowa State to secure not only its first 10-win season in program history, but its first 11-win season in program history as well. 

Guest Editor (6-3): Elizabeth Lane, Visuals Editor

No. 13 Miami 35, No. 18 Iowa State 24

As the Cyclones prep for their bowl game against Miami, it is clear they have had a roller coaster of a season. From comebacks to setbacks, the Cyclones have seen it all. 

Iowa State is now set to face Miami in its final game of the season. Coming off a rocky Big 12 Championship game, the Cyclones have a chance to finish the season on a high note. 

The game will be a difficult one since Miami is a solid team that has had a successful season. The Hurricanes went 10-2 with both losses being within a score. 

Miami has a top offense and has been successful in specifically their passing game all year with a variety of receivers and quarterback Cam Ward. Ward is a likely first-round NFL draft pick but has chosen to not opt out of this game. 

Iowa State’s defense will have to bring it to stop Miami. We know the Cyclone defense is capable but they have had ups and downs this season. Cyclone fans can only hope they are ready for what the Hurricanes will throw at them.

To have a chance, Iowa State will have to exploit the crack in Miami’s defense which is the downfall of its football team. Quarterback Rocco Becht and the offense will need to limit turnovers, something that the offense did not do well in the Big 12 Championship game.

The game could go either way. Miami losing its receiver Isaiah Horton will add to Iowa State’s chances, but I still have doubts about the game. I sure hope I’m proven wrong.