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After a 3-0 start to the season, Oklahoma State had its bye week. After that, the Cowboys had an unexpected week off when a spike in COVID-19 positive tests at Baylor caused the Big 12 to postpone the game to Dec. 12.
No. 6 OSU will finally return to the field Saturday when they host No. 17 Iowa State at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater. It’s the Cowboys’ first home game since their 27-13 win against West Virginia on Sept. 26.
The Cowboys will have starting quarterback Spencer Sanders return after an ankle injury in the season opener against Tulsa on Sept. 19 sidelined him. OSU coach Mike Gundy was coy about whether Sanders or Shane Illingworth would start, saying the Cowboys might have both play.
OSU handled Kansas, 47-7, in its last outing with 593 yards of total offense and the defense stepped up to limit the Jayhawks to only seven points. Tylan Wallace and Chuba Hubbard both looked like themselves against KU. Wallace had nine catches for 148 yards and two touchdowns, while Hubbard rushed for 145 yards and two scores.
Amen Ogbongbemiga led the defense with five tackles (three solo) and a share of a sack with Calvin Bundage, who had a solo sack as well.
About the bad guys:
2020 Record: 3-1 (3-0 Big 12)
Series History: 32-19 OSU
Head Coach: Matt Campbell. He took over as the Cyclones head coach in 2015. Campbell has made ISU a name nationally with a few signature wins in his 29-26 tenure. His program has been undergoing a rebuilding process and so far it seems to be on track.
Defensive Coordinator: Jon Heacock. It’s his fifth year as DC at ISU, where he’s led the Cyclones to be one of the better defensive teams in the Big 12.
Offensive Coordinator: Tom Manning, who is also the tight end coach. It’s a position ISU has thrived at in recent years with players like Charlie Kolar.
When OSU has the ball:
Key Players: LB Greg Eisworth, S Ishaeem Young
The Cyclones, who boast a great front seven, will be the best defense OSU has faced this season. ISU With Heacock, ISU looks to confuse opposing offenses with both 3-4 and 4-3 schemes. In last week’s game against Texas Tech, ISU was able to shut down the Red Raiders’ run game. That could be cause for concern for OSU, but the Cowboys don’t only have Hubbard in the backfield as LD Brown has established himself as a threat this season.
One thing the Cyclones don’t seem to have a knack for is turnovers with only two this season, both forced fumbles. Hubbard struggled to hold onto the ball against WVU, but had no issue against KU. Brown holds onto the ball better than a UPS carrier.
When ISU has the ball
Key Players: QB Brock Purdy, RBs Breece Hall, TE Charlie Kolar
ISU tends to find its stride in October. The Cyclones have been able to establish a run game going behind Hall. Purdy, who is projected to be one of the top QBs in next year’s NFL draft, has also looked quite a bit better since his less than stellar performance against Louisiana.
As far as the receivers go for the Cyclones, Purdy has hit a lot of different targets with no Cyclones receiver getting more that five touches a game. ISU also utilizes its tight ends.
“It’s different from what you would see from most of us that play offensive football today,” coach Mike Gundy said. “That’s the concept that Matt gone with and it’s a little different approach, but they do some really good things out of it, and it’s a challenge for a defense to be able to contain those type of plays where you get a lot of inside-zone blocking with block back through the tight ends and you get some pull plays that you don’t see with two tight ends today much less three tight ends.
“It’s a challenge, but hopefully our guys will come up with a nice plan and get some quality reps on it to help us play well defensively in the game.”{O’Colly}
Prediction:
This is a BIG game. One that OSU is ready for. Let’s go 28-21 Cowboys.
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How to watch
What: No. 17 Iowa State at No. 6 Oklahoma State
When: 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 24
Where: Boone Pickens Stadium; Stillwater, OK
Line: OSU -3.5
TV: FOX
Live stream: fubo TV (try for free)