2005 Iowa State Cyclones Handicapping Review

 

By Tom Wilkinson

 

After three consecutive bowl appearances Iowa State took a major step back in 2003 by posting a record of 2-10 straight up and 1-10 against the odds. Many sports betting bloggers posted the strong opinion that the Cyclones would go back to being the Big 12 doormat that they traditionally were before that 2000-02 run of bowl seasons. Entering the 2004 season Iowa State received scant mention at the online sports betting blogs, except as a potential go against team for a sports bettor’s list of football picks. Once cause of concern, however, amongst value oriented sports bettors was the fact that Iowa State entered the 2004 season having lost 15 of their last 16 games against the sports betting line. With such an extreme streak, it stood to reason that a sports handicapping market correction was likely to take place.

Iowa State began 2004 with a 23-0 home win against 1-AA Northern Iowa in an unlined game. Next, as 23-point dogs at Iowa, the Cyclones demonstrated that, perhaps, they would be an improved and competitive team with a 10-17 loss but payoff. At home the following week against well-respected Mid American Conference power Northern Illinois, the Cyclones prevailed 48-41 to stand at 2-1 straight up and 1-1 against the odds. Just as ISU got some sports handicapping respect back, however, they gave it al back quickly.

At Oklahoma State, the Cyclones were crushed 7-36 as 17.5-point dogs and followed that up with a 3-34 home loss to Texas A&M as 7.5-point dogs. Many sports betting bloggers again labeled ISU as a “go against” team for anyone’s list of football picks. Interestingly enough, ISU got their bearings back in a 14-19 loss at Colorado in their next game as 10.5-point dogs. But the game that will go down as the one that saved their season and served as a springboard was their 26-25 win at Baylor as 7.5-point chalks. Despite not being a payoff for sports bettors the dramatic fashion of the win would set up ISU for a major and unforeseen run. Iowa State would go on to win their next three games both straight up and against the odds. Incredibly enough the Cyclones needed only to beat a struggling Missouri team at home in the season finale to end up in the Big 12 title game. All of a sudden ISU was “the people’s choice” and was bet all they way up to 4.5-point chalks, losing 14-17 as sports betting bloggers proclaiming ISU a lock to win were bankrupt. ISU got the money at their bowl game, finishing 7-4 against the odds.