The Oklahoma Sooners head into Jack Trice stadium on a five game winning streak and look to make it six against the Iowa State Cyclones. The contest is set to kick-off on Thursday, November 3rd at 7:30 p.m. ET and will be televised on the ESPN Network. At the time of this preview, the Sooners are +21 point favorites and the games total is at 70.
In Oklahoma last year, the Sooners put the game away in the third quarter with 17 unanswered points. In large part, because Baker Mayfield was on top of his game. The Sooner quarterback tossed for almost 350 and three touchdowns and Oklahoma won in a blow-out 52-16.
#11 Oklahoma (6-2):
Just a little over a month ago, some people ( you know who you are), wrote off the Sooners after Ohio State went into Norman and and clobbered them 45-24. Since that debacle, Oklahoma has rebounded nicely, reeling off five straight wins and now sit alone a top the Big-12 after Baylor and West Virginia slipped last weekend.
Steady as she goes, is the saying that best fits signal-caller Baker Mayfield. Combine that, with a much improved offensive line and the Sooners are third in the nation in average yards per play. Mayfield has thrown for almost 2,600 yards with 27 touchdowns and only five picks.
Oklahoma runs the ball 60 percent of the time, and when they do, they call upon running backs Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine. Together, the two backs have accumulated nearly 1,300 yards on over 200 carries and 11 trips to pay-dirt.
Samaje Perine has been hampered by nagging injuries but seems to be turning the corner. Also, Baker Mayfield can use his feet as a weapon. He has scampered for almost 150 yards and three more touchdowns.
Through the air, it’s all about wide receiver Dede Westbrook. The outstanding athlete is making his case that he is the best wide out in the Big-12. Baker Mayfield’s favorite target has nabbed 57 catches for 1,035 yards and 11 scores. Running back Joe Mixon is also a threat to move the chains via the pass. He has caught 24 balls for over 350 yards and added four more scores.
Opposing offensives have given the Sooner defense some trouble in 2016. Fortunately, the offense has found a way to win games where the defense gave up 40, 46 and 59 points. In fact, teams that can spread the Sooners out have really created problems because Oklahoma fields the nation’s 126 ranked secondary.
Iowa State (1-6):
The Cyclones were officially eliminated from bowl contention after last week’s five point defeat at the paws of the Kansas State Wildcats. Do not be fooled, this scrappy 1-6 squad has played some of the top teams in the Big-12 tight. The Cyclones lost by seven points or less to Baylor, Oklahoma State and last week to the Wildcats.
Quarterback Jake Park stepped in for original starter Joel Lanning last week, and sparked the offense to 16 straight scores. It’s unclear whether he will be at the helm for this week’s game or if Lanning will be the starter.
In 2016, Joel Lanning has thrown for 1,224 yards and nine scores with three picks. Park has 770 yards with six scores and three interceptions. Both men-under-center have had their fair share of playing time this year.
The Cyclones leading tail back Mike Warren is listed as questionable against the Sooners with a bum ankle. He only had nine carries for Iowa State last week and his absence against the Sooners could be big.
On the season, Warren has racked-up 530 yards and three scores. Quarterback Joel Lanning is afraid to advance the pigskin with his legs. The multi-talented player has 92 carries for 277 yards and four scores.
Three wide receivers have held their own for Iowa State this season. As a whole, they have snatched 91 balls out of the sky for over 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns. Junior Allen Lazard leads this group with 42 receptions for 582 yards. The 6’5 target, also has four red zone appearances.
The Cyclones defensive line is struggling to perform just like the offensive line. Iowa State has only 11 sacks on the season and are dead last in the Big-12 at stopping the run. As a result, the Cyclone defense is giving up over 32 points a contest.
Trends and Notes:
The Sooners are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 conference games.
The Cyclones are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games.u
The Over is 6-2 in Sooners last 8 road games.
The Over is 4-1 in Cyclones last 5 conference games.
The Sooners are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 meetings.
Game Prediction:
The Sooners are finding their stride, scoring a ton over the last five contests. The combination of Baker Mayfield, Joe Mixon and Dede Westbrook has been lethal. I’ts not hard to see Oklahoma’s running game finding success against a Iowa State’s weak defensive line.
The Cyclones just keep finding ways to stay competitive and that’s especially the case at home. To keep this one close, they will need their underrated receiving corps to step-up against a porous secondary for the Sooners.
Yes, both teams will find the end zone their fair share of the time. Unfortunately, the Cyclones are banged-up in their back field and Oklahoma will have the luxury of playing pass defense all night. Taking that into account, Iowa State won’t score enough for the 70 point over/under to hit. Although, they find ways to keep it close. Take the under 70 and feel free to buy the 21 to 21.5 and root for the home dog.
