Kickoff: 2:30 PM CT
Location: Jack Trice Stadium (Ames, Iowa)
Television: FOX
Radio: Cowboy Radio Network
Twitter: Follow @HeartlandPokes for live-tweets during the game
The no. 8 Oklahoma State Cowboys stayed undefeated last weekend as they managed to comeback and defeat the Texas Longhorns down in Austin. Despite trailing by two touchdowns at halftime and 11 points in the third quarter, the Cowboy defense came up big, and the offense did just enough to pull away for the 32-24 win.
Now the Cowboys turn to Ames, Iowa, where they will take on the Iowa State Cyclones (3-2). The Cyclones are having a bit of a disappointing year after entering the season with high hopes of making an appearance in the Big 12 Championship game. With just one conference loss, they’re still technically holding on to those hopes.
Oklahoma State enters today’s matchup with the Cyclones as a touchdown underdog. Despite being undefeated and having played a more impressive schedule, the Cowboys still have plenty of a doubters, and it’s probably because of the way that they have been winning.
The Cowboy defense is one of the tops in the nation, but the offense could possibly be considered one of the worst. Quarterback Spencer Sanders goes back and forth between moments of brilliance and disgust, making him a mediocre quarterback, but newcomer Jaylen Warren has emerged as one of the best running backs in the conference.
Today’s matchup will undoubtedly be a defensive matchup as the top two defenses in the Big 12 play, but Iowa State clearly has the better offense. It will be interesting to see if Oklahoma State’s offensive game plan will be good enough to put some points on the board because if there are struggles early, then the Cowboys might be leaving Ames with their first loss of the season.
Staff Predictions
Staff Score Predictions
| Craig | 32-24 Iowa State |
| Matt | Iowa State |
| Rich | 35-28 Oklahoma State |
| Zack | 24-21 Oklahoma State |
A Win Today Would…
- Make OSU 7-0 for the first time since 2015 and for the fourth time in the Mike Gundy era.
- Mark OSU’s ninth straight win, securing the longest winning streak since OSU won 12 straight from 2014-15.
- Make OSU 11-2 in its past 13 games and 9-1 in its past 10 games against Iowa State.
- Give OSU five straight wins against Iowa State in Ames.
- Make the Cowboys 34-19-3 all-time vs. Iowa State and 16-12-1 in Ames.
- Improve Mike Gundy’s career record vs. Iowa State to 11-3.
- Improve OSU to 15-3 in the past 18 games, dating back to the 2020 season.
- Make OSU 78-16 in its past 94 games vs. opponents outside of the AP Top 25, dating back to 2010.
Notable Streaks and Trends Entering the Game
- OSU’s defense has allowed fewer than 100 yards of offense in a half in each of its past five games. The Cowboys limited Baylor to 99 yards in the first, Tulsa to 89 yards in the first, Boise State to 64 yards in the second, Kansas State to 84 yards in the second, and Texas to 92 yards in the second.
- OSU has held its opponent scoreless on its game-opening drive in 18 of the past 23 games.
- OSU has held its opponent to less than a 50 percent third down conversion rate in 17 straight games.
- OSU has held its opponent to fewer than 20 first downs in five straight games.
- OSU has held 15 of its past 17 Big 12 opponents under their season scoring average.
- Malcolm Rodriguez has recorded at least six tackles in 11 straight games.
- Jaylen Warren has more than 100 yards rushing in four straight games.
- OSU has won 75 consecutive games when holding its opponent to fewer than 20 points, dating back to Sept. 13, 2003 – the longest active stretch of time in the FBS and longest since at least 1980.
- OSU is 30-10 in its past 40 games decided by fewer than 10 points.
- OSU is 35-5 in its past 40 games when leading at halftime, dating back to Sept. 17, 2016.
- Dating back to 2005, OSU is 42-3 when not committing a turnover.
- Dating back to 2008, OSU is 67-8 when winning the turnover battle.