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It's a unique year for Iowa.
The Hawkeyes are known for having productive and experienced linebackers, but that's not the case this season. Jaden Harrell and Karson Sharar both got their first start in the season opener over Albany after waiting their turn the last couple of years, and primarily being a key cog on special teams.
Harrell and Sharar were fine, but they're not the likes of Jack Campbell, Seth Benson, Jay Higgins, or Josey Jewel, not yet at least. Sharar was fantastic against the run in the season opener, while Harrell struggled and seemed to get lost at times. He performed fine, but it wasn't his best outing, and he's capable of doing more at the MIKE. Jaxon Rexroth flew around at the LEO and made plays in limited snaps, and Iowa is going to need him in coverage against Iowa State's tight ends.
Iowa's linebackers are going to be put in a tough spot with Iowa State's passing attack focused around the tight ends, but a lot of that is also going to rely on Koen Entringer.
For Iowa State, Caleb Bacon, Will McLaughlin, and Kooper Ebel, three native Iowans, make up the starting linebacker unit, but according to Pro Football Focus, they have also not graded out well this season, especially from a tackling perspective, with all three having below-average tackling grades. Beau Goodwin, one of the reserve backers, struggled in coverage against South Dakota, and he has also not been performing well in tackling. Cael Brezina has been Iowa State's best tackler and defender against the run in a limited role.
From an experience standpoint, Iowa State has the edge here, but the performance against South Dakota, particularly in terms of tackling, was not ideal. The Cyclones are hoping to get Carson Wilich back this week.
These linebacker units are going to play a crucial role in this game, with Iowa State needing to stop Iowa's rushing attack, while the Hawkeyes are going to need to play out in space and contain the Iowa State tight ends.
The Cyclones get the edge due to experience, but I don't think the gap is as big as many expected it to be.
Who has the edge?: Iowa State