Kickoff: 3 PM CT
Location: Jack Trice Stadium (Ames, Iowa)
Television: FS1
Radio: Cowboy Radio Network
Twitter: Follow @HeartlandPokes for live tweets during the game
How the Cowboys Win
Oklahoma State HAS to figure out how to run the ball. Specifically, Kasey Dunn needs to give up on whatever type of offense he’s trying to run with all the passing attempts and give the dang ball to Ollie Gordon. Gordon recorded just 3 carries for 12 yards last weekend against South Alabama, which, unless he was injured, doesn’t make any sense. Elijah Collins and Jaden Nixon combined for just another 14 carries and 54 yards, which isn’t going to put fear in the heart of any defense. If the Cowboys want to walk out of Ames with a victory, they’re going to have to find some success on the ground.
How the Cyclones Win
Iowa State has to figure out a way to score. The Cyclones managed to put up 30 against Northern Iowa in their season opener, but after a 13-point effort against Iowa and just 7 points scored last week against Ohio, it’s obvious that this offense is struggling as much as Oklahoma State. The Cowboy defense gave up 33 points to South Alabama last weekend, so Iowa State has to be feeling pretty good about their chances. I don’t anticipate a shootout at all, so if the Cyclones get on the board first/early, they can win this game.
Odds & Predictions
Staff Score Predictions
| Craig | 21-17 Iowa State |
| Matt | 21-17 Oklahoma State |
| Zack | 20-17 Oklahoma State |
From Last Week
An Oklahoma State Win Would…
- Make the Cowboys 3-1 or better for the seventh consecutive season and 16th time during the Mike Gundy era.
- Give the Cowboys wins in 13 of its past 14 September games, dating to 2019.
- Improve Mike Gundy’s record in September games to 57-13.
- Make OSU 8-5 in its past 13 road games.
- Give OSU wins in 10 of the past 13 and in 23 of the past 29 games following a loss.
- Improve Mike Gundy’s record in road games to 55-39.
- Improve OSU’s all-time record against Iowa State to 35-20-3 and the record vs. ISU in Ames to 16-13-1.
- Improve Mike Gundy’s record against Iowa State to 12-4.
- Improve Mike Gundy’s record in Big 12 games to 96-61.
- Make OSU 24-9 in the past 33 games overall, dating back to the 2020 season.
- Make OSU 89-22 in the past 111 games vs. opponents outside of the AP Top 25, dating to 2010.
Notable Streaks and Trends Entering the Game
- The Cowboy defense has produced a shutout half in two of three games this season.
- OSU has held 30 of its past 33 Big 12 opponents under their season scoring average entering the game.
- OSU has won 83 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 has held its opponent scoreless on its game-opening drive in 32 of its past 47 games.
- OSU has held its opponent to less than a 50% third down conversion rate in 40 of its past 41 games.
- OSU is 34-15 in its last 49 games decided by fewer than 10 points.
- OSU is 45-8 in its last 53 games when leading at halftime, dating back to Sept. 17, 2016.
- Dating back to 2005, OSU is 46-4 when not committing a turnover.
- Dating back to 2008, OSU is 75-8 when winning the turnover battle.
- OSU has won three of its past five overtime games.
- Over the past 40 games, OSU has held opponents to 175-for-615 (28.5%) on third down.