Iowa State Cyclones vs. Tulsa Golden Hurricane football: Five questions

September 1, 2012; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Steele Jantz (2) scores a touchdown against the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes defensive in the first half at Jack Trice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

1. How will Sam Richardson be moving around with his ankle and groin injuries?

Unless you’ve lived under a rock, you know that Richardson hasn’t been performing well with his injury problems. He’s expected to be in the game for Iowa State, which is good, but he needs to be healthy enough to move around and throw in the pistol offense.

2. Can the Iowa State offensive line open up any holes for the running backs?

With Tom Farniok returning, the offensive line gets their leader back. He must be able to get his group to succeed against Tulsa and get the running backs going, or they will have a long season in the Big 12 ahead of them.

3. Will the Cyclone defense finally be able to hold a team under 200 yards of rushing?

Expect the defense to give up hundreds of yards in every game this season, but they are capable of holding this team to under 200 yards on the ground. If Trey Watts is contained, it’s unknown who exactly would be able to step up. Containing talent like Watts is easier said than done, as ISU has shown.

4. Who can be the next Cyclone to pick up over 100 receiving yards?

There looks to be something brewing between Quenton Bundrage and Richardson after getting three touchdowns in the Iowa game 12 days ago. That connection in the second-half must continue to counter Tulsa’s ability to defend the pass.

5. Will the Tulsa home crowd have any effect at H.A. Chapman Stadium?

The University of Tulsa has the lowest enrollment among FBS schools with around 3,000 this school year. The stadium holds approximately 30,000, so the Cyclones have had to play under much more pressure. It is a great stepping stone for the team to get out of Ames but not get thrown into a hostile environment.