Sep 27, 2026 · 17 min
Iowa State’s defense exposes a size problem against Utah
CF POSTGAME: Cyclones Come Up Short Against No. 15 Utah
The loss raises questions about whether Iowa State’s defensive back seven can withstand physical opponents, beginning with West Virginia.
- 1Iowa State’s defensive back seven missed tackles and looked undersized, especially along the edge against Utah.
- 2Schlimgen provided a bright spot with 12 tackles amid an otherwise uneven defensive performance.
- 3West Virginia brings a physical, ground-oriented style under Rich Rodriguez into Iowa State’s next matchup.
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Schlimgen’s 12-tackle performance stands out as the defensive bright spot in Iowa State’s loss to Utah.
The brief
Chris Williams frames Iowa State’s loss to No. 15 Utah around a defensive back seven that missed tackles and looked undersized, particularly on the edge.
The defensive concerns are physical as much as schematic: Iowa State struggled to finish plays, while Utah repeatedly tested the team’s size and tackling.
Schlimgen emerged as the clearest defensive bright spot, recording 12 tackles in a game where Iowa State needed more reliable play across the back seven.
The conversation then turns to West Virginia, which Williams describes as an old-school, ground-and-pound program under Rich Rodriguez.
The next test will come against a team built to make Iowa State defend sustained physicality, with West Virginia also preparing to face Oklahoma State.