Cyclones at Sooners
By Michael O’Deay (@MODeay70) Game 11 at Oklahoma Kickoff: 11:00 AM TV: Fox Radio: Cyclone Radio Network
Texas Tech Recap: When Texas Tech raced to a 28-7 lead, Iowa State had their work cut out for them. ISU went on a 7 play 75 yard drive to score a TD, thanks to a Breece Hall 17 yard run. Iowa State cut their deficit to 28-14. Texas Tech Freshman QB Donovan Smith led Tech on a drive that led to a FG and a 31-14 lead. To start the second half Brock Purdy threw his 2nd pick of the game. Texas Tech drove down to the red zone, instead of kicking a FG, they were held on a 4th down and ISU had new life. ISU would close the gap to 31-28 after two Charlie Kolar TDs. Texas Tech scored a TD to take a 38-28 lead. ISU went on a drive that would result in a TD and 2 sections of the Texas Tech crowd moved over 2 sections because the fans were throwing bottles and other debris on the field. The Cyclone defense would hold Tech to a 3 and out. The offense drove down the field and Andrew Mevis kicked a game tying FG with 1 minute to play. Tech’s freshman QB would lead the Red Raiders on a drive that set up a game winning 62 yard FG as time expired. It was a truly heartbreaking loss.
Know your opponent: Oklahoma is 10-1 and 6-1 in Big 12 play. Baylor ended Oklahoma’s undefeated season with a 27-14 win in Waco last week. The Series: Oklahoma leads the overall series 77-7-2. The Sooners and Cyclones split 2 games last season. ISU Won 38-31 in Ames. The Sooners won the Big 12 Championship Game against Iowa State.
The Game: These two teams had very high hopes coming into this game. The Sooners have a good chance to make the Big 12 championship while ISU is on life support. There is still a chance for ISU to make it to Dallas, however, all the stars in the universe need to align. 2 ISU wins paired with 2 losses from Baylor and Oklahoma, and winning a 3 team tie breaker with Baylor and Oklahoma. Preseason Heisman hopeful Spencer Rattler was benched during the Sooners come from behind win against Texas. Rattler then replaced Caleb Williams last week in the Sooners loss to Baylor. The defense for ISU is going to need to come up big because With a TD on the ground Breece Hall would tie the record for consecutive games with a rushing TD. With both teams coming off difficult losses this will be a very good game with two great college teams.
Key to the Game: 1) Fast Offensive Start 2) Convert 3rd Downs 3) Limit Big Plays
ISU has been plagued by slow starts in their 3 conference losses. The offense has the capability to come back, however, Oklahoma would be their best overall team. In 2019 OU raced to a 35-7 lead, to barely hold on to a 42-41 victory. Part of ISU’s success in their wins has been able to convert third downs. That is very important because of OU’s high powered offense. ISU has been one of the best schools at limiting big plays. ISU gave up 8 plays of 20 or more yards against Texas Tech. Prior to that the D had only given up 2 such plays.
My prediction: Let’s send the Sooners out in style! ISU 34 Oklahoma 38
Go Cyclones!