3 Keys, Iowa State vs. Football Game Score Prediction Texas Tech (November 2, 2024)

The Cyclones are trying to go 8-0 for the first time in program history

AMES — Iowa State (7-0, 4-0) continues to win because it doesn’t look to the future.

Maintaining extreme focus on Texas Tech (5-3, 3-2) is crucial to keeping this streak alive, and ISU players are saying all the right things in this regard.

As head coach Matt Campbell is wont to say, the Cyclones’ margin for error remains vanishingly small – even as they enter November with an unblemished record for the first time in the modern era.

ISU has been excellent on the margins, especially in turnovers, where it ranks seventh in the nation at -1.29 turnovers per game. If the Red Raiders can reverse this long-term trend and pull off an upset, the Cyclones’ hopes of reaching the Big 12 title game for the first time since 2020 could be seriously damaged.

Here are three keys to the Cyclones’ victory.

1. Win up front on both sides of the ball

While the No. 11 Cyclones’ running game has become more and more productive as the season has progressed (sixth in the Big 12, 176 yards per game), the rushing defense has become more porous.

ISU gave up 354 rushing yards in a 38-35 win over UCF on Oct. 19, and the Red Raiders certainly took notice and came up with a game plan to achieve similar success on the ground. They certainly have the backing to do so in Tahj Brooks, who has thrown for 109 yards or more in every game this season.

The Cyclones’ rushing defense ranks a remarkable 15th in the Big 12 (allowing 170.3 yards per game) – an outlier that doesn’t obscure the unit’s overall good play. ISU’s defense ranks ninth nationally in points allowed per game (14.4) and second in passing yards allowed (133.7 per game). So the Cyclones still have the top 20 defense in the country overall, but keeping Texas Tech under 200 rushing yards will help give them their first 8-0 start in program history.

2. Be creative under pressure

Earlier in the week, it looked like four-star true freshman quarterback Will Hammond was ready to make his first career start against ISU, but longtime Red Raiders starter Behren Morton practiced this week and could very well start the week after maintaining something that appeared to be a serious shoulder injury.

Morton, a 6-foot-1, 220-pound junior, has been much more effective this season (17 touchdowns, three interceptions) but lacked the game-changing dual-threat ability. However, he can move the ball effectively on the scoreboard, so the Cyclones defense – in addition to slowing down Brooks – must be disciplined and prudent when it decides to increase pressure on the Texas Tech quarterback.

3. Strike fast, take risks

Iowa State trailed at halftime in two of its last three Big 12 victories, but second-half surges offset those slow starts.

At some point ISU will catch up, and the Red Raiders boast the highest scoring offense in the conference at 38.1 points per game.

Texas Tech’s defense, however, is vulnerable to rushing and passing, so Cyclones first-year offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser will have an array of options at his disposal as he tries to find the perfect run/pass balance.

The Red Raiders’ defense has allowed just two rushes for over 50 yards this season, but has struggled to prevent big plays in the passing game. They allowed five passes, giving them a gain of more than 70 yards – and no other Big 12 team allowed more than one – so ISU quarterback Rocco Becht should be able to connect with talented receivers like Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel. often.

Iowa vs. State Forecast Texas Tech

The Red Raiders’ defense is statistically one of the worst in the country, but they force a lot of turnovers.

Becht needs to be sharp, and he should be, as his team tries to avoid another slow start and get to 8-0 for the first time in program history.

Iowa State 38, Texas Tech 21