Never before have the stakes been higher as not only this years game a must watch for the country, it has caught the attention of the mothership, as ESPN College Gameday will be making their first ever appearance in Ames for football.

But what many may not know is this rivalry has been heated well before the Cyclones newfound success.

At one point, the Hawkeyes reeled off 15 consecutive wins in a row over the Iowa State, from 1983 to 1998. Since then, the series stands at 11 wins to 10 wins in favor of Iowa.

With a series that close, there is bound to be some magical moments, and the 5 best will be chronicled here.

5. 2008: The Andy Brodell game

Maybe the poorest game weather-wise the rivalry has seen, it was a monsoon in Kinnick Stadium between Iowa and Gene Chizik-led Iowa State. Iowa State had beaten Iowa 15-13 the season before in Ames, in one of the biggest upsets in the rivalry.

Iowa was clinging to a 10-3 lead midway through the 4th quarter as Iowa State was punting the ball back to Iowa. Iowa receiver and Ankeny-native Andy Brodell was the return man. The rest, as they say, is history.

The electrifying punt return helped lead Iowa to a 17-5 win over Iowa State to bring back the Cy-Hawk Trophy.

Other notable performances that day included star Iowa running back Shonn Greene picking up his 3rd consecutive 100-yard game, en route to his record-breaking season, rushing for 1,850 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2008.

The infamous quarterback battle of 2008 was also still ongoing, as Ricky Stanzi was pulled in the 3rd quarter for Jake Christensen after throwing his second INT of the day. Stanzi would end up winning the battle midway through the year.

4. 1977: “Beat Iowa” backfires

For 42 years, Iowa and Iowa State did not meet on the gridiron for a bevy of reasons, bad blood being the most prevalent. However, Iowa state legislature helped the two sides come together and rekindle the rivalry in 1977.

The game pitted the Earle Bruce-led Cyclones took on the Bob Commings-led Hawkeyes at a sold out Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City with a national TV audience on ABC tuning in. Many expected the Cyclones to win as at the time, they were a much better program than Iowa.

The day of the game, Earle Bruce surprised his players with a special title on the front of the jersey that read “Beat Iowa”. Iowa State struck first with a 72-yard punt return for a touchdown. Iowa would answer back with a 77-yard touchdown run by Dennis Mosley, but missed the PAT.

Iowa would tack on another touchdown courtesy of fullback Jon Lazar and would win the first game of the renewed series 12-10, giving us this legendary picture.

3. 2011: James White capitalizes Triple OT thriller

Paul Rhoades had been at Iowa State for two seasons and was at the start of his third for the #3 moment. He had led Iowa State to a bowl game and just short of a bowl-eligible mark in 2010, but had been embarrassed by Iowa in both Cy-Hawk games in his tenure.

That was bound to change.

Change came in the way of a quarterback named Steele Jantz, whose performance that day was equally as awesome as his name. Jantz completed 25-of-37 balls for 279 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions.

Iowa State forced overtime with the score at 24-all. Iowa struck first with a Marcus Coker touchdown to make the score 31-24, but the Cyclones answered with Steele Jantz to Darius Reynolds to knot it up once again.

Both teams traded touchdowns in the second overtime and in the third overtime, Iowa settled for a Mike Meyer field goal. What happened next was one of the most iconic plays in Cyclone football history.

Students stormed the field in pandemonium as Iowa State took home a thrilling 44-41 OT victory.

2. 2002: Seneca Wallace puts on a show in Kinnick

It is a statement I stand by strongly, but no opposing quarterback has ever had a better performance in the history of Kinnick Stadium than Seneca Wallace in 2002.

Iowa State went into the locker room trailing 24-7 at the hands of Brad Banks and the Hawkeyes. If the game would’ve just been the 1st, 2nd and 4th quarters, Iowa would’ve won handily.

It’s the third quarter that haunts Iowa fans still.

Wallace’s third quarter was the stuff of legend, as he threw for 129 yards and a touchdown and rushed for a touchdown as well, but how he did it was even more impressive.

The most impressive throw comes at the 6:00 mark in the video, when Wallace rolls to his left, sets his feet and his shoulders, and throws a strike to Iowa State receiver Jack Whitver for a huge first down in the 4th quarter.

Iowa State would go on to win the game 36-31, giving them their 5th straight win in the series, their longest streak at anytime in the history of the Cy-Hawk Series.

Wallace would finish the game completing 23-of-37 passes for 361 yards, one touchdown and one interception and rushing for another score. That’s tops in my book for opposing QB performances at Kinnick.

1. 2006: Mike Klinkenborg plays for his father

Raised in rural northwest Iowa, Mike Klinkenborg had the same dream any football player in the state of Iowa had: playing for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Klinkenborg got that opportunity after graduating from Central Lyon High School in Rock Rapids, Iowa. After redshirting in 2003 and playing sparsely in 2004 and 2005, Klinkenborg won the starting middle linebacker job in 2006.

It was a fast start for the former Central Lyon/George-Little Rock Lion, recording double digit tackles in back-to-back games. But it would become a more melancholy start.

Six days prior to the annual Cy-Hawk game, Klinkenborg’s father, Myron, died of a massive heart attack. Many within the program were unsure if Mike would play.

He did, and would play like a man with an other worldly force behind him. Klinkenborg recorded eight tackles, including a TFL helping the Hawkeyes avenge the prior year’s loss with a 27-17 win over Iowa State.

Klinkenborg was named the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week for his performance, but what might be the most memorable, was his postgame interview with ESPN.

It may not have been the most memorable, or the most exciting moment. However, you take a fierce in-state rivalry, a tragic family loss, a stellar performance and mix it all together? I give you the best moment in the history of the Cy-Hawk series.

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New England Patriots

Defense

I will begin with a basic fact. By the numbers, the Patriots have the best defense in the NFL. Only 15.6 pts/gm. A number that doesn’t stack up to all time great defenses, but still gives the high-octane offense enough breathing room to comfortably operate. With big names such as Malcolm Butler, Rob Ninkovich, and Patrick Chung, the Falcons are in for their toughest test yet. The matchup to watch is Julio Jones and Malcolm Butler. The high-flying Falcon versus the show-stopping Patriot. Sure, if Matt Patricia wants to play it safe, he will give Butler help in the secondary to cushion the impact of #11. This, however, may not be enough to stop Jones. The battle will be won and lost in the Patriots ability to get to Matt Ryan and stop the dynamic duo in the backfield. Pressures on, Patriots D.

History

As long as the opposing quarterback in the Super Bowl is not named “Eli Manning”, then the Belichick Patriots have done fairly well. Actually, really well. Perfect, that’s the word I was looking for. Beating teams spanning from Seattle to Charlotte, Belichick has ran the table. Atlanta could be that jewel in the south that he will add to his trophy case. Last year we were met with a similar situation; A surprise team from the NFC South with a surging offense go up against a team who has done it all before with a wily, declining quarterback who has done it all before. A team that had a sensational quarterback playing against an immovable defense. We all saw the MVP go down with a couple of blitzes and a couple of turnovers. If the Kubiak-led Broncos could do it, Belichick could do it and then some.

Discipline

Saying Bill Belichick is a disciplined coach would be a wild understatement. According to Footballdb.com, The Patriots are ranked 5th in total penalties this year. Falcons are ranked 12th. With a difference in 10 penalties on the year, that could be a make or break statistic in the end of the game. Looking at false starts, the Patriots have 17 to the Falcons 19.

That’s a whole 10 yards; Or maybe, a key 1st down. Last week against Green Bay, Atlanta had 2 red zone false starts. Patriots had none. This may seem like a nit-picky stat, however, the NFL puts forth the best Referees in the league. Referees with a trained eye and a hand on the flag. Maybe I’m over-exaggerating, but Seahawks fans remember how referees in a Super Bowl can change the tide. The Patriots have a great locker room culture and a discipline unmatched by any team in the NFL.

Atlanta Falcons

Julio Jones

Here is a list I compiled of all the receivers this year who have tallied over 300 yards in one game:

1. Julio Jones

   

Early Leads

One of the many things the Falcons have been known for this year is their ability to pounce ahead and take a lead. In 10 of their 13 wins, they have been able to jump ahead by 10 points or more. That’s domination. With their powerful offense never taking their foot off the throttle, they can use their multiple weapons to burn you with every play in their playbook. Kyle Shanahan has been able to use Matt Ryan and his accuracy in the playoffs so effectively, it is scary. After Jumping ahead 17-0 against Green Bay, I realized this offense operates with lightning-quick speeds and plays that are simple, yet effective.

The Man with the most ice in his veins since Mr. Freeze in Batman in Robin

Matty Ice. I never really liked that nickname. Or the phrase “Ice in his/her veins”. The phrase makes the person being discussed is cold, a loser, and doesn’t have a winning bone in their body. None of these, of course, describe Matt Ryan.

The odds on favorite to win MVP this year (#notmymvp) and NFC Champion, Ryan has certainly proved the critics wrong this year by finally winning more than one playoff game. He has been doing it in wonderful fashion as well. 117.3 rating 70% completion, 4944 Yards, 38 TDs and only 7 INTs! Hey, that’s pretty good! Not to mention he has yet to turn the ball over in the playoffs. Brady has twice. It will be a true test of character and skill for #2 going up against a defense that doesn’t bend or break. But with the help of one of an offense that could be described as a Swiss Army Knife, He has a good chance of getting his first ring

Tiebreaker

Running Backs: Advantage, Atlanta.

It’s rare to have two teams in the Super Bowl that have a pair of starting Running Backs each. Lewis and Blount lead New England’s rushing attack, while Freeman and Coleman run for Atlanta. While both sets of backs are incredible, the ability to catch out of the backfield that the Atlanta backs have is a substantial advantage. Both backs have over 400 yards of receiving. 400 Yards! That’s like having 2 Le’veon Bells on your roster! Not only that, Freeman has racked up 1079 rushing yards and Coleman has 520. On the New England offense, James White is the receiver out of the backfield. With 551 yards, he is someone to watch out for. Neither of the other two backs, however, have more than 100.

Another New Team in Canton

I cannot believe I am saying this, but the Atlanta Falcons will be Super Bowl 51 champions. For whoever listens to the NFL Rundown on KRUI, you know how much it hurts my heart to say this. For personal reasons and a sibling rivalry too long for a simple article, I cannot explain my dissatisfaction with the Falcons. They’re just too hot right now. Matt Ryan is playing on another level. Julio Jones is cementing his place in the HOF. The backfield of doom is playing up to immortal standards. And the defense is pulling together at the right time. Rise up, Atlanta.

Falcons 27, Patriots 23

Make sure to come back next week where I will recap my Superbowl picks!

The post Three Reasons Why Either Team Can Win The Super Bowl (And A Fourth For Who Will Win It) appeared first on KRUI Radio.