SCOUTING REPORT
No. 9 Oklahoma State at Iowa State
❚ When: 2:30 p.m. Saturday
❚ Where: Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, Iowa
❚ TV: FOX (KOKH-25, Cox 12/HD 712, Dish 25, DirecTV 25, U-verse 25/HD 1025)
❚ Radio: KXXY-FM 96.1
❚ Line: Cyclones by 4.5
❚ Over/under: 50.5
Scouting Iowa State
❚ Record: 4-2, 2-1 Big 12
❚ Best player: OSU’s run of facing stout running attacks continues, this time with Iowa State star Breece Hall. The 6-foot-1, 220-pound junior is second in the Big 12 with 124.7 rushing yards per game. He’s tied atop the conference with 10 touchdowns. He’s third with 748 rushing yards. As good as the Cyclones’ quarterback Brock Purdy is, Hall is who makes the Cyclones go. And he’s coming off a dynamic day in the win over Kansas State — rushing for 197 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries — that included a 75-yard touchdown run on the game’s first offensive play. He also caught five passes for 35 yards.
❚ The case for Iowa State: The Cyclones have arguably the best quarterback-running back combination in the conference. Purdy and Hall are capable of making life a nightmare for opposing defenses. And OSU is coming off a huge road win at Texas, so a letdown could be in order. Iowa State’s defense is also rated just ahead of OSU’s, allowing a total of 97 yards per game (1.8 yards better than the Cowboys). The Cyclones have allowed just four touchdowns all season and against a Cowboys offense that has struggled to find consistency, that could become a huge advantage.
❚ The case for OSU: The Cowboys have a ton of momentum, plus their defense has been remarkable, especially late in big games. They allowed no points in the second half at Boise State and just seven in the final two quarters to Kansas State and Texas. Just look at the success the Cowboys had Saturday against Texas star Bijan Robinson. OSU held Robinson to just 15 yards on six carries after his 38-yard touchdown early in the third quarter. OSU’s defense kept the game close enough for the offense to come alive late behind running back Jaylen Warren, which is a recipe that could be repeated.