The Hawkeyes will prove why they're the better team in Saturday's annual Cy-Hawk game.

Iowa State won 30-9 but was outgained by Northern Iowa last week. Without starting QB Hunter Dekkers (suspension), it's going to be overmatched against the Iowa defense, which held Utah State to just 4.6 yards per play and 14 points on their five trips inside the 40-yard line. The Hawkeyes have reloaded where they lost talent at linebacker and safety. They'll make life difficult for redshirt freshman Rocco Becht, who handed the ball off on 27 of his 45 plays on offense. Iowa State averaged only 3.3 yards per carry but will be forced to commit to the run this season without Dekkers and last year's leading receiver Xavier Hutchinson.

Iowa's offensive line looks vastly improved compared to last season's inexperienced unit. That's BIG news for Michigan transfer QB Cade McNamara, who had a PFF passer rating of 74.5 in the win over Utah State and was only pressured on 16.1 percent of his dropbacks. The Hawkeyes will establish the run, opening up the space McNamara needs to get the ball to his pass-catchers tomorrow.

I'll lay 3.5 points with Iowa.