AMES, Ia. — Since Seneca Wallace was passed over last Saturday, I asked the former Iowa State football star to assist with this week's Big 12 picks. He obliged, but first this word about why he’s in Ames this weekend.
Wallace is here not only to watch a football game, but he’ll also be among four new athletics Hall of Fame inductees introduced at halftime of Saturday’s 11 a.m. game against Louisiana-Monroe.
A star quarterback during the 2001 and 2002 seasons, Wallace is best known for The Run — his thrilling back and forth touchdown scamper against Texas Tech, and the spectacular plays he made in rallying the Cyclones to victory at Iowa in 2002 — a game in which Iowa State was a 28-point underdog.
“We ruined the national championship hope for Iowa, and at the same time set the tone for one of the biggest comebacks in Iowa State history,” Wallace said during an interview this week.
Wallace was a great player, and possibly even a better person, if that makes sense.
“I always told myself that I had a purpose to do something great, but at the same time, I had to do it humbly,” he said. “Building my narrative wasn’t about me. Why on earth would I walk around high and mighty? I played a sport like everyone else.”
He’s not taking this induction lightly.
“It about the journey that God sets forth for you, and we’re just along for the ride,” he said. “Every person is part of this legacy that God has built for me. It means so much for me to be able to say, “Hey, I’m part of the Iowa State Hall of Fame.”
Obviously, Wallace predicts the Cyclones to win Saturday, but he does so with a word of caution. This game, you know, comes after facing Iowa and immediately before opening Big 12 play at Baylor.
“It’s not going to be a cakewalk, by any means,” he said. “It could be considered a trap. We’re 1-1 and playing team coming in here that thinks they can play against anybody. They almost won at Florida State.
“We have to jump on them early, and it has to be done by halftime. You can’t let them hang around and get confidence.”
THE BIG BREAKDOWN
Now that Brock Purdy is running again, this part of the offense is back to what fans saw last season. The sophomore’s unpredictability means everyone on the defense — from linemen to free safeties — must be wary of what he’s doing, his trickery and his ability to tuck-and-run just as well as he passes. ADVANTAGE: IOWA STATE.
Louisiana-Monroe opponents –— Grambling State and Florida State — have averaged 231.0 rushing yards a game. Iowa State has averaged 140 rushing yards against Northern Iowa and Iowa. The Cyclones’ offensive line blocked well enough last Saturday against Iowa for the backs to average 4.8 yards a rush, 13th-best since Matt Campbell came to Iowa State. ADVANTAGE: IOWA STATE.
Caleb Evans has started 24 consecutive games, the seventh-longest active streak among NCAA quarterbacks. He’s completed 42 of 63 passes for 424 yards and three touchdowns, and impressively, he’s hooked up with 11 different receivers. He’ll face a defense that’s still looking for its first interception and a defensive end (JaQuan Bailey) who’s still tied for the school’s career sack record. ADVANTAGE: IOWA STATE.
Tailback Josh Johnson is second in the Sunbelt Conference, averaging 149.9 rushing yards a game. He’s eighth among FBS rushers with 8.3 yards per carry. Iowa State is 10th nationally in rush defense, allowing Northern Iowa and Iowa just 146 ground yards. That’s an impressive 73.0 yards a game, and 2.2 yards a carry. ADVANTAGE: IOWA STATE.
Time, TV: 11 a.m., FS1
Vegas line: Iowa State by 20 ½ points
Score: Iowa State 34, Louisiana-Monroe 10
Big 12 Picks
West Virginia (2-1) at Kansas (2-1)
Time, TV: 2:30 p.m., ESPN+
Vegas line: West Virginia by 7 points
Prediction: Kansas’ victory at Boston College was impressive, as was West Virginia’s home victory against North Carolina State. There’s still questions about both teams, but if both teams play like they played last weekend, it’s West Virginia’s game by something around 34-30.
Seneca Wallace’s pick: West Virginia
**
SMU (3-0) at TCU (2-0)
Vegas line: TCU by 13 ½ points
Prediction: Suddenly, TCU has a nice rushing attack that’s averaging 273.0 yards a game. It comes at a time when coach Gary Patterson is still searching for a consistent quarterback, and the defense? That side of the ball is always good and that’s why this one will be around TCU 37, SMU 21
Seneca Wallace’s pick: TCU
**
Baylor (2-0) at Rice (0-3)
Time, TV: 6 p.m., CBSSN
Vegas line: Baylor by 28 points
Prediction: After whipping up on a pair of non-league patsies by a combined 119-31, Baylor’s stepping up in class only minimally Saturday. The biggest question about this game is will very good quarterback Charlie Brewer finally play in a fourth quarter? The Bears win this easily, 42-20.
Seneca Wallace’s pick: Baylor
**
Oklahoma State (3-0) at No. 13 Texas (2-1)
Time, TV: 6:30 p.m., ABC
Vegas line: Texas by 6 ½
Prediction: Keep an eye on how Oklahoma State quarterback Spencer Sanders performs against a shaky Texas secondary. If he continues to complete 67% of his passes, then the Cowboys have a chance. Both teams have offenses that could make this an entertaining shootout. The edge goes to the Longhorns, not only because they’ve played better competition, but because the game’s in Austin, so let’s go with Texas 41, Oklahoma State 38.
Seneca Wallace’s pick: Texas
Randy Peterson is the Iowa State columnist for the Register. Reach him at [email protected], 515-284-8132, and on Twitter at @RandyPete. No one covers the Cyclones like the Register. Subscribe today at Des Moines Register.com/Deal to make sure you never miss a moment.