Iowa State Gameday: Oklahoma Preview

(12)Oklahoma vs. Iowa State

Saturday, November 3rd – at Jack Trice Stadium; Ames, IA

Sooners: 5-2, 3-1 (2nd in conference) | Cyclones: 5-3, 2-3 (7th in conference)

• Kickoff – 11:00 am CT
• Television – ABC (WOI)
  Announcers: Mike Patrick (PxP), Ed Cunningham (commentary) 
• Radio – Cyclone Radio Network (affiliate list)
  Announcers: John Walters (PxP), Eric Heft (commentary) 
• Weather – Partly Sunny, 43-50 degrees (from AccuWeather as of Friday night)
• Odds – Iowa State is giving 12 points to Oklahoma at home and the total over/under is set at 52 points (from LVH as of Friday night)

Quick History

• 77th meeting, Sooners have dominated series 69-5-2
• The Cyclones are 1-40-1 against OU since 1962. ISU won the previous two games before that.
• Last victory came in Norman in 1990 by a final tally of 33-31.
• Oklahoma only won 17-7 in their last visit to Ames in 2007.

Nov 26, 2011; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners receiver Kameel Jackson (18) makes a catch against Iowa State Cyclones cornerback Leonard Johnson (23) at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

Oklahoma doesn’t lose many games. They don’t lose games they should win handly, they never lose two straight games, and they barely lose at home under Bob Stoops.

It’s laughable to think that there are actually Sooners fans that believe Stoops should go. Lose at home to two of the four teams that are contending for a national championship right now and all hell breaks loose. But that’s what’s different in levels of expectations in Norman and in Ames. The Cyclones continue to fight for a bowl game and try to lose the annual “HOLY CRAP IOWA STATE BEAT A TOP 15 SQUAD!!” while as soon as the Sooners lose a game the “Fire Bob Stoops” campaigns start up as soon as the clock strikes zero.

Iowa State came up short in their last attempt to dethrone a top-ranked program in Kansas State, unable to get off the field in the second half and relying on Jared Barnett’s arm which is not a formula for victory. Perhaps this time around Steele Jantz has gotten enough momentum from his five-touchdown performance, despite facing a Baylor defense that perhaps some high school teams could field better competition in the same state.

Good luck against the 11th best pass defense in the nation.

Leading tackler Tony Jefferson for the Sooners has 59 total tackles (41 solo, 18 assists) on the year, leading the category by 23. He’ll personally make sure nobody on Iowa State’s offense breaks through for a big play. As far as trying to get Jantz back into the negatives in the touchdown/interception ratio, watch Javon Harris who has four picks on the season.

Iowa State’s defense may not have to worry about such a dual-threat QB in Landry Jones, but the guy still went 35-51 for 351 yards against a Notre Dame defense that’s ranked 26th in the nation. Where’s the Cyclones? 104th.

Perhaps some of that can be blamed on an offense that couldn’t stay on the field until last week. The defense shouldn’t be judged solely on stats; that side of the ball has made key stops all year.

Let’s just say they’ll be firmly tested again and will have to make big plays for the Cyclones to pull off the second biggest win of the season – and become bowl eligible.

Three Keys to Victory

1. Get James White involved early. This isn’t the time to start off with quick passes to open up the running game. OU gave up 185 yards rushing to Kansas. If the running backs aren’t successful against the Sooners, it could be a very long day.
2. Jantz needs to throw like last week. Even though many passes were underthrown it’s better than forcing a pass and overthrowing it right to an Oklahoma defender. Risks cannot be taken and conservative play with controlling the ball is needed to keep this close going into the fourth quarter.
3. Always kick the field goal. Edwin Arceo better get his leg ready. The wind is predicted to be a soft three MPH all day, and if Iowa State can get anywhere from a 55-yard kick or closer, do it.

Injury Report

Nov 26, 2011; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooner defensive end Frank Alexander (84) rushes the passer against Iowa State Cyclones tackle Kelechi Osemele (72) in the fourth quarter at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. The Sooners beat the Cyclones 26-6. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

Outside of Jake Knott being lost for the remainder of the regular season, Josh Lenz continues to be bothered by a quad injury and is listed as “questionable.”

Perhaps what could help the ISU defense is the status of leading running back Damien Williams for Oklahoma. He’s listed as “questionable” with an ankle injury and has raked in 581 yards and seven touchdowns on 87 of the team’s 227 carries.

Prediction

The Cyclones will have to wait to become bowl eligible another day. Oklahoma is very good and is without question the best two-loss team in the nation if anyone wants to play that game. Losing to Kansas State and Notre Dame is nothing bad, and the defense will shut down Iowa State’s passing game all day unless Steele Jantz has greatly improved during his time away as starter.

It’s not impossible. Iowa State did find success last time OU came to Jack Trice – they led 7-0 at halftime. If Iowa State can get anything on the ground going they can control possession. Otherwise A.J. Klein or someone else on the defense will need to force turnovers. There’s no question that the Sooners will score on the Cyclones.

Oklahoma 38, Iowa State 17

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.