Oklahoma St takes on Iowa St in Big-12 Battle

College football experts keep expecting the Oklahoma St Cowboys to fall on their faces, but they’ve proven time and time again that they are a legitimate threat in the chase for the BCS Championship. The Cowboys are coming off of a ridiculous 66-6 beat-down of the Texas Tech Red Raiders, and have just 1 more legitimate threat to end their perfect season when they take on the Oklahoma Sooners in their final game of the season.

The stage might seem to be set for a dramatic ending to their regular season when they take on their in-state rivals on December 3rd, but Friday’s match-up has many obstacles for Okie St to hurdle. Weekday games are always tough for ranked teams as they seldom play with the same intensity and enthusiasm that they do in a typical Saturday match-up. Normally this would be a tough spot for the Cowboys due to the potential “look-ahead” to Oklahoma, but with a bye week on the horizon Mike Gundy will have this team totally focused on the task at hand.

It’s obvious that NCAA football handicappers feel the same way as they have listed the Cowboys as 27 point road favorites over a team that has pulled off a number of upsets this season. The Iowa St Cyclones have beat Iowa, UCONN and Texas Tech in the underdog role, and should be at their best for their remaining 3 games as they are just 1 win away from bowl eligibility. The odds may look to be in the Cyclones favor to get that 6th win, but with Okie St, the Sooners and Kansas St Wildcats left on their schedule, Iowa St will need to pull off 1 more upset to get there.

There couldn’t be a bigger contrast in these two offenses. We all know what the Cowboys are capable in their passing game with Brandon Weeden at the controls, but the Cyclones tend to rely on their rushing attack to keep them in the mix. Statistically, Steele Jantz is one of the worst passing QB’s in the Big 12 and has been benched due to his poor performances and a nagging sprained foot injury. His replacement freshman Jared Barnett hasn’t fared any better, and is experiencing the same growing pains that most 1st year quarterbacks do. It will be his job to hand the ball off and make the occasional pass Friday without mistake to keep the Cyclones close. That scenario seems extremely unlikely, but we have learned that anything is possible in college football over the years.

Case Keenum may be leading division 1 football in passing yards, yards per attempt, touchdown passes and completion percentage, but in defense of Brandon Weeden, he plays far better competition week in and week out. The Cowboys magnificent run began with a 1 point win against the Texas A&M Aggies on the road after trailing by 17. Since that game, Okie St has only played one game that has finished within a touchdown of their opponent, and look to be at their peak heading into their final 2 match-ups of the year. Throwing the ball is all that is talked about when referencing the 2011 Cowboys, but it’s been their rushing attack that has enabled them to have so much success down the field. Joseph Randle is averaging almost 6 yards per carry and is just 7 yards away from breaking the 100 yard barrier, but it’s been his ability to get in the end zone in goal line situations that has made this offense so hard to stop.

Expect much of the same from the Cowboys on Friday as they make a statement on national TV with another conference blowout.

 

Related posts:

1. Pac-10 vs. Big-10 Showdown: Iowa at Arizona
2. Aggies @ Cowboys in Big-12 Showdown
3. Oklahoma St meets Arizona in Alamo Bowl Showdown
4. Kansas looks to Wrap Up Big-12 Title vs. Oklahoma
5. Wisconsin takes on Nebraska in NEW Big-10 Rivalry

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