Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Sooners must bounce back on road
Finish: Oklahoma was up 35-14 on Kansas State with 2:46 left in the third quarter when freshman running back Seth McGowan scored a rushing touchdown. The Sooners were outscored 24-0 over the final 18 minutes of game action. Kansas State ripped off three consecutive touchdowns before closing the game out with a game-winning field goal with 4:32 left. Oklahoma is the most talented team in the Big 12. The Sooners aren't good enough to take whole quarters off, however.
Protect the football: Oklahoma won't lose many conference games without self-inflicted errors. Kansas State's comeback last week was aided by three interceptions thrown by quarterback Spencer Rattler. Head coach Lincoln Riley should provide him with confidence building throws ealy against Iowa State to build his confidence back. A punt isn't awful. Oklahoma can't gift the Cyclones field position and scoring opportunities.
Keys for Iowa State
Stay the course: Oklahoma is bound to start strong after a disappointing loss to Kansas State. The Sooners, and especially Rattler at quarterback, will want to erase the memory of that loss. Iowa State needs to weather that early storm and remember it is a four quarter football game. A quick start by the
Sooners doesn't mean the game is over because Oklahoma's defense is capable of giving up points in bunches.
Get Brock Purdy going: Quarterback Brock Purdy entered the 2020 season with high expectations. Many people consider him a potential first day NFL draft pick. He hasn't played like that through two games, including in the win over TCU. Purdy threw for 211 yards and a touchdown against TCU. He also committed a bone-head turnover that almost cost the Cyclones the game. He managed just 145 and no touchdowns in the loss to Louisiana. Iowa State can't pull the upset over Oklahoma without a strong performance from its quarterback.