Preview: Oklahoma State-Iowa State

After last week’s impressive victory over TCU, the Cowboys look to extend their winning streak to 12 (dating back to Bedlam) as they travel to Iowa State.

The Cyclones come into this game with a 2-4 Big 12 record and are 3-6 overall. The only wins Iowa State has over FBS opponents are a 38-13 victory over Kansas and a 24-0 rout of Texas.

The one thing all of the Cyclones wins have in common is that they all came at Jack Trice Stadium. Iowa State has lost all four of its road competitions, but it is 3-2 playing in front of the Cyclone-faithful.

Iowa State Offense

Head coach Paul Rhoads benched senior quarterback Sam Richardson in favor of sophomore Joel Lanning during the loss at Baylor. Lanning’s first start came in the shutout victory over Texas. The Iowa-native played somewhat of a game-manager role as the defense dominated. Lanning completed 19 of 37 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for 64 yards on 13 attempts.

The Cyclones aired the ball out a bit more in last week’s loss 52-16 loss to Oklahoma with Lanning going 26 for 51 with 260 yards through the air and another 37 on the ground.

The Sooners were effectively able to limit Lanning’s rushing ability, which at this point is his best attribute. OSU will be able to defend Lanning in a similar way. Linebacker Trace Clark stepped in admirably for Jimmy Bean in last week’s win and I expect that he and the defensive will force Lanning to make poor decisions similar to Trevone Boykin.

Freshman running back Mike Warren has been the Cyclones most consistent source of offense this year. Warren burst onto the scene in week 3 against Toledo with 21 carries for 126 yards in his first bit of extended action. On the season, Warren has 997 yards, the third most in the conference.

However, Warren struggled against the Sooners, only managing 43 yards on 18 carries. If OSU can force the Cyclones to play catch up in this game by scoring early, it could neutralize Warren’s running ability.

Iowa State defense

Iowa State’s defense was on a streak of three straight games allowing 45+ points before shocking the entire conference with a shutout win over Texas. Overall, the team gives up an average of 32 points per game. That rises to 36 against conference opponents. The Cyclones defense has only four interceptions on the year and has been gashed by every top quarterback in the conference.

OSU Offense

On the Oklahoma State side of the ball, the Rudolph-to-Washington connection has accounted for 384 yards and 5 touchdowns in the last two weeks. The potential is there for another explosive week against a secondary that has struggled.

The Cyclones have had trouble defending No. 1 receivers this year. TCU’s Josh Doctson had an easy 102 yards and a touchdown, while Texas Tech’s Jakeem Grant had 166 yards and 2 TDs against Iowa State. Corey Coleman only had 85 yards in Baylor’s victory, but still made an impact with two touchdowns of his own.

I’ve said all year that the Cowboys are due to break out on the ground at some point, but honestly the way the offense has been working lately I don’t think they need to.

Mike Yurcich deserves a lot of credit for the way the offense has been playing the two weeks. For a guy that is under constant criticism Yurcich has been very creative with his play calling.

Just like in 2011, an undefeated OSU team will travel to Ames to play a far inferior opponent. This matchup has huge “trap game” potential, and, while the Cowboys are far superior, focus will be the key to victory for the Cowboys.

The easiest way to get upset on the road is turn the ball over and I don’t think Iowa State has the defense to force multiple turnovers. Rudolph has been in a groove lately and I don’t think the Cyclones defense is talented enough to knock him out of it.

Prediction: OSU 48, ISU 20