Breaking down Iowa State

If that’s your mindset about this Saturday’s matchup in Norman, a word of caution.is in order.

It isn’t so much that Iowa State beat Texas last weekend, but more the way they did so that got everyone’s attention around the Big 12.

Dominique Alexander led the Sooner defense with seven tackles, while six different Oklahoma players recorded at least one tackle for loss.

Oct 31, 2015; Lawrence, KS, United States of America; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Vance Galloway (85) catches a touchdown pass against Kansas Jayhawks linebacker Marcquis Roberts (5) in the second half at Memorial Stadium. Oklahoma won the game 62-7.

The Longhorns outgained Oklahoma on the ground by over 250 yards (313 to 67). He’s now second in the Big 12 with 0.81 sacks per game. “But right now, we have Iowa State”. He is averaging 6.2 yards per carry, even though practically every Big 12 defense practically builds their entire gameplan around stopping him. Their offensive ability is clearly their strength, but that is offset by a defense that up to last week did not show many signs of being able to stop anybody, and clearly not on a consistent basis. The Lawton, Oklahoma native has simply set the college football world on fire amassing 954 yards on the ground and 4 TDs through the Cyclones first 8 games. The defense is led by senior defensive end Dale Pierson.

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Joel Lanning made his first career start Saturday against Texas and completed 19 of 37 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown. He is averaging 5.0 receptions and 67.4 yards per game with three touchdowns. “There was a rhythm that was established out there on the field, ” Rhoads said. Oklahoma ranks seventh nationally in scoring at 45.6 points per game and the Sooners are eighth in total offense at 532.5 yards per contest. It’s like there’s a second tailback on the field, and if you need a visual, think Kansas State and Iowan Jake Waters. The average score in those contests has been 40-8. They’ve also limited their three opponents to an average of 90.7 yards rushing and 159 yards through the air. That ranked second in the country for the month of October. OU picked up 41 first downs to Iowa State’s 17 and forced the Cyclones to punt 10 times. The favorite is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings and the Cyclones are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 meetings in Oklahoma while going 1-4 ATS in their last 5 meetings. The Iowa State game is the last tuneup before that gauntlet. “We lost to Texas”.

Iowa State is 3-5 on the year, 2-3 in the Big 12 and 6-1-1 with the under. These two have hit the over in three straight meetings.

Thanks largely to Warren and Lanning, the Cyclones were 15 of 24 on third down against the Longhorns.

The Sooners rushed for 510 yards, a total that was, at the time, the highest of the Bob Stoops era, in a 59-14 win at Iowa State a year ago on November 1. That performance was out of nowhere, but if ISU is going to bounce back in a big way this season, that defense needs to return against Oklahoma and everyone else.

The Sooners have outscored their five Big 12 opponents by a combined 241-82 margin (average of 48-16).

It likely also will come against a team that had a few recruiting interest. One other telling stat to keep in mind for this game: Oklahoma is 94-8 at home under Bob Stoops. It is the best home winning percentage among Power 5 schools during the time period (Ohio State is next at.881). Samaje Perine has added 711 rushing yards with nine touchdowns. He’s capable of making the right throw, but Lanning’s a physical runner that doesn’t run out of bounds or shy away from contact.

Now, Iowa State gets a shot at the Sooners.