STORM BREWING
CYCLONES STARTING TO LOOK LIKE A BIG 12 TITLE GAME CONTENDER
Keys for Oklahoma State
No interceptions: Oklahoma State quarterback Spencer Sanders is a future superstar for Mike Gundy’s program. The young player from Denton isn’t there yet because he’s yet to learn to value the football like its a cherished family member. Sanders has thrown nine interceptions to 11 touchdowns in his first year as a starter. The Iowa State offense is starting to click and can’t be given short fields and momentum if Oklahoma State wants to pull the upset.
Stop the run: The focal point of Iowa State’s offense is quarterback Brock Purdy. However, he hasn’t played well in games that Iowa State hasn’t enjoyed success in the run game. Oklahoma State needs to limit Purdy’s scrambling and take freshman running back Breece Hall out of the game early.
Keys for Iowa State
Stay balanced: The Iowa State offense is growing as the season grinds on thanks to the emergence of freshman running Breece Hall. He ran the ball 19 times for 183 yards and two touchdowns in the win over Texas Tech. That takes a ton of pressure off quarterback Brock Purdy. Hall is averaging 6.3 yards per carry this season.
Stop the run: Oklahoma State is a running football team despite the perception of head coach Mike Gundy. The Cowboys rely heavily on running back Chubba Hubbard to get quarterback Spencer Sanders is manageable situations. Oklahoma State isn’t consistent enough to beat the Iowa State defense on third-and-long.
Prediction
Iowa State 34, Oklahoma
State 27: Iowa State is starting to look like the team many predicted to compete for a Big 12 championship. Hall gives the Cyclones the running back they were missing early in the season. Oklahoma State is capable of the upset if it plays a clean game, but the Cowboys haven’t done that this year.