Iowa State Gameday: Oklahoma State Preview

Nov 18, 2011; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones fans wave towels during the first half of a game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Jack Trice Stadium. Iowa State Cyclones defeated the Oklahoma State Cowboys 37-31. Mandatory Credit: Beth Hall-US PRESSWIRE

(24)Iowa State at Oklahoma State

Saturday, October 20th – at Boone Pickens Stadium; Stillwater, OK

Cyclones: 4-2, 1-2 Big 12 | Cowboys: 3-2, 1-1 Big 12

Kickoff – 11:00 a.m. CT
Television – FX (DirecTV: 248)
Announcers: Justin Kutcher (PxP), Eric Crouch (commentary)
Radio – Cyclone Radio Network (affiliate list)
Announcers: John Walters (PxP), Eric Heft (commentary)
Weather – Sunny, 66-82 degrees (from AccuWeather as of Friday night)
Odds – Oklahoma State is favored by 13.5 points and the total over/under is set at 60.5 points (from LVH as of Friday night)

Quick History

47th meeting, OSU leads series 25-18-3.
Mike Gundy is 2-2 against the Cyclones, has won last two home games by a combined 95-24 points.
Iowa State last won in Stillwater back in 2000 (33-26), the last time the Cyclones came in as a Homecoming opponent.
With a Cowboys victory, Gundy would become the all-time winningest coach in Oklahoma State football history.

Nov 18, 2011; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones defensive linemen Jake McDonough (94) signals toward the crowd during the first half of a game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Jack Trice Stadium. Iowa State Cyclones defeated the Oklahoma State Cowboys 37-31. Mandatory Credit: Beth Hall-US PRESSWIRE

We finally hit the rematch of last year’s biggest upset in college football.

Iowa State ruined the dreams of Oklahoma State fans with a double-overtime shocker in Ames with the Cowboys just two wins away from a national championship berth. Ranked number two at the time, the Cowboys blew away the Oklahoma Sooners, but it wasn’t enough to stop the SEC from playing one of the most forgettable national championships in the history of the BCS.

Now Cyclones fans are just hoping the team gets out of Stillwater alive. Will the defense be blitzing on every single play? Did the team circle this game knowing that for sure they would focus to bring the pain back to Iowa State as they received a season ago?

Obviously, a national championship is not on the line here. Oklahoma State had a bullseye on their back and the Cyclones were able to capitalize on their running attack as they did against Texas Tech in the same season.

This isn’t just a hard road game for Iowa State. Take in the big upset a year ago, Gundy vying for one more victory to be the all-time winningest coach in history, having to possibly prepare for two quarterbacks, a high-octane offense that’s still there despite a lesser output this season, and a lot of fans supporting the team for Homecoming.

It’s going to be a tall order for this Cyclones team that needs to prove themselves after a bad showing in the second half against Kansas State a week ago.

Scouting Oklahoma State

Gameday Thoughts

I’m curious to see what happens in the quarterback situation for both teams. Jared Barnett did not look comfortable passing the ball in the second half and if the same continues in this game I actually expect Steele Jantz to come in. Oklahoma State ranks 75th nationally in pass defense.
The Cowboys are likely to miss their two top receivers in the game, and could be missing even more. Expect the ball to be carried by Joseph Randle all day long, and the Cyclones will need to find a way to stop him. Iowa State has given up 185 and 177 rushing yards in the previous two games respectively.
If Iowa State didn’t like their field position they received in the second half against Kansas State, it won’t get any better against one of the best special teams players in the nation – Quinn Sharp. Read our “special teams” scouting feature for more on him.

Nov 18, 2011; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones wide receiver Albert Gary (18) carries the ball past Oklahoma State Cowboys linebacker Alex Elkins (37) during the first half at Jack Trice Stadium. Iowa State Cyclones defeated the Oklahoma State Cowboys 37-31. Mandatory Credit: Beth Hall-US PRESSWIRE

Injury Report

James White for ISU will likely miss his second consecutive game for the Cyclones, leaving it up to Shontrelle Johnson to carry most of the load. Hopefully Jeff Woody can make some appearances like he did a week ago.

Original starting quarterback Wes Lunt for OSU is probable for the game, but will likely not start. J.W. Walsh is set to start his third game of the season. Similar to TCU, the Cowboys have injury problems at receiver and running back. Joseph Randle will still be in and Walsh is more of a running quarterback, but depth will be completely lost if Desmond Roland and Jeremy Smith are held out of this game.

Top receivers Isaiah Anderson and Tracy Moore are both doubtful, meaning that 624 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns of the offenses’ air attack this season will be missing. Receivers Torrance Carr and David Glidden are listed as questionable, but the reason could be that both freshmen could see some playing time with the former two receivers out.

Also, defensive tackle Christian Littlehead will be out due to legal problems. The sophomore has only played in two games and has three tackles.

Prediction

Oklahoma State will want blood after what happened last year. Iowa State needs to prevent quick scores like they have all season and take the momentum early. The offensive attack will be downgraded with injuries and this will probably be the easiest defense Iowa State will see all season long in the Big 12. Considering that the Cyclones were able to take advantage of their opportunities in Fort Worth a few weeks ago, I believe they will do the same again today. The Cowboys are not as strong as a year ago and Barnett should be more comfortable throwing the ball.

Iowa State 30, Oklahoma State 26

Brian Spaen is the lead editor for Clones Confidential. Keep up with the latest sports fails and disdain toward the Big Ten by following him on Twitter.

Read his other work on the Oregon Ducks blog, Autzen Zoo, and Lacrosse the Web.

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