CINCINNATI — If the Cincinnati Bearcats want to prove themselves as Big 12 Championship contenders this season, this game on Saturday is the game to prove just that.
The Bearcats have positive momentum right now, coming off a huge road win at Kansas. They look like a team that’s developing a well-oiled offense. Brendan Sorsby, through just four games, appears to have made tremendous strides as a passer from last season to this one.
Iowa State, ranked No. 14 coming into this game, has been one of the most consistent Big 12 programs over the last decade. Now with Oklahoma and Texas in the SEC, the path is wide open for them to take the next step to the top tier of the conference. They played in the Big 12 Championship last season, and their experienced roster has the Cyclones at 5-0 heading into October.
Let’s look at Cyclones quarterback Rocco Becht, four other players to watch, keys to the game, and score prediction for Saturday’s showdown at Nippert Stadium.
Quarterback: No. 3: Rocco Becht — 6-1, 210 lbs. Jr. Wesley Chapel, Fla.
Becht is in his third season as the Cyclones’ starting quarterback, having won the Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year in 2023 and being named Honorable Mention All-Big 12 in 2024.
The son of 12-year NFL tight end Anthony Becht, Rocco has 1,103 yards and seven touchdowns so far this season. In 2024, Becht led Iowa State to its first double-digit win season in school history. He ranked in the top 25 in passing yards and touchdowns, while leading Iowa State to four fourth-quarter comebacks.
Four Players to Watch on Iowa State
1. No. 26: Running Back, Carson Hansen — 6-2, 220 lbs. Jr. Lakeville, Minn.
Hansen has 315 rushing yards and two touchdowns so far this season, and he has 179 rushing yards over his last two games. He’s getting stronger as the calendar has flipped to October.
In 2024, Hansen had 13 rushing touchdowns on 151 carries and 752 yards. The Bearcats need to have a plan to slow Hansen down on Saturday, or he can take over the game.
2. No. 24: Running Back, Abu Sama III — 5-11, 210 lbs. Jr. Des Moines, Iowa (Southeast Polk High School)
A local product, Sama was the 2022 Iowa Gatorade Player of the Year and a two-time state champion in high school. Sama rushed for 372 yards and six touchdowns in the 2022 state championship game, both state title game records.
Sama complements Hansen at the running back position, having rushed for 108 yards and two touchdowns through five games.
Last year, it was Iowa State’s receivers that were the key to their offense. This season, it’s their running backs. Hansen and Sama will play a significant role in determining the outcome of this game.
3. No. 58: Defensive Lineman, Tamatoa Mcdonough — 6-5, 265 lbs. Sr. Asheville, N.C. Yale Transfer
A four-year member of Yale’s program, where he graduated with a degree in political science, Mcdonough was Second-Team All-Ivy League in 2024 with a team-high 6.5 sacks.
So far this season, McDonough has two tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. But against Iowa in the Cy-Hawk War, McDonough had two sacks and tackles for loss en route to being named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week.
In big games, McDonough shows up. For a Bearcats offensive line that has been stellar through four games, they may have their hands full with McDonough on Saturday.
4. No. 2: Defensive Back, Jamison Patton — 6-2, 210 lbs. Jr. Des Moines, Iowa (Ankeny High School)
Another local product, who played four sports in high school, Patton has two interceptions and 28 tackles this season, and he also has two pass break-ups.
Sorsby needs to know where Patton is on every pass attempt. Patton is a dangerous cornerback who can pick off any pass thrown his way.
Head Coach: Matt Campbell (10th Season, 69-51; 14th Season Overall, 104-66) — 45 years old
Culture is a word Matt Campbell knows well, and Iowa State gave him a contract extension through 2032 last year. A three-time Big 12 Coach of the Year, Campbell has come to Iowa State and made the Cyclones one of the most consistent Big 12 teams over the last decade. Campbell is the longest tenured head coach in the Big 12.
The Cyclones have appeared in seven bowl games during Campbell’s tenure, with a record-setting 2024 season that saw them win 11 games and play in the Big 12 Championship. Iowa State has won 45 Big 12 games since Campbell arrived in Ames in 2016, tied for seventh-most with former TCU head coach Gary Patterson.
Iowa State has been ranked in the AP Poll in six of the last seven seasons, and they were as high as No. 9 in 2024.
Prior to Iowa State, Campbell led the Toledo Rockets for four seasons. The Rockets won two MAC West Division titles, with Campbell winning the MAC Coach of the Year in 2015. Campbell’s first game as the Rockets head coach was in 2011 when the Rockets defeated Air Force in the Military Bowl.
Campbell’s first job was as a graduate assistant at Bowling Green from 2003 to 2004.
Offensive Coordinator: Taylor Mouser (2nd Season) — 34 years old
Mouser has been with Iowa State since 2016, when he started as a graduate assistant. He has worked his way up to the offensive coaching staff, where he will serve as the offensive coordinator in 2024.
Defensive Coordinator: Jon Heacock (10th Season) — 64 years old
In Heacock’s first nine seasons, the Cyclones have ranked in the top 50 in scoring in the country.Heacock has served as a defensive coordinator at Kent State and Indiana during his career, which began as a graduate assistant at Toledo in 1983. He was a finalist for the Broyles Award, given to the country’s best assistant head coach, in 2022.
Keys to the Game
1. Stop the run
It’s simple. Make Rocco Becht and Iowa State’s receivers beat you. This Cyclones offense is built to run the ball. Stopping them from doing so will be key on Saturday.
2. Take care of the ball
This goes without saying. When playing the No. 14 team in the country, you can’t give them any extra possessions. The Bearcats have done a good job of taking care of the ball this season, but they will need to be better than good on Saturday.
3. Throw the first punch
Nippert Stadium is going to be rocking on Saturday. If the Bearcats can get a defensive stop early, maybe even a turnover, that’s going to send a message to the Cyclones. Not only that, but the crowd at Nippert Stadium will explode if the Bearcats get any momentum on either side of the ball on Saturday.
4. Red zone efficiency
Especially after last week, this is a big key. The Bearcats will not win this game if they have four touchdowns called back like they did last week. Scoring touchdowns and limiting penalties will be key in the red zone on Saturday.
Score Prediction: Bearacts 31 – Cyclones 28
There are two ways I could go with my score prediction for Saturday. I could have been cautious, even after last week’s win, and picked the 14th-ranked Cyclones to come in and handle their business. But I’m buying into what this Bearcats team is. They have a team that can beat the Cyclones and send a message to the Big 12 that they’re here to compete for a trip to Dallas in December. Saturday afternoon could be one of the most memorable games at Nippert Stadium in a long time.
