How Can Oklahoma State Sneak Away With Win at Iowa State?

Here is one big key to the game for Oklahoma State as they travel to Ames to take on Iowa State.

The Oklahoma State Cowboys could greatly benefit from a win in Ames, Iowa as they take on Iowa State, another program that has seen a slow start to the season. The two teams are in the bottom tier of offenses across the nation through the first three weeks of games.

So how can the Cowboys come away with a road win when the program needs it the most?

Again, both of these teams have been quite bad offensively, and this game is going to be an ugly one. It'll be low scoring the fourth quarter will be a grind-it-out 15 minutes to decide who gets the 1-0 start in Big 12 play.

Fortunately for Oklahoma State, this is a battle Mike Gundy usually comes out on top of. This will be key come the fourth quarter when big decisions will be made and will very likely directly impact the outcome of this game. 

Iowa State's offense has been statistically worse than Oklahoma State's. So, the Cowboys will need to attack the Cyclones' weaknesses and suffocate them defensively. Putting up 270.3 yards per game, the Cyclones have the No. 127 offense in the nation, further down the list than the Cowboys, who sit at No. 111 in the nation.

Neither team is going to put up plenty of points and air out the ball, so the Cowboys must limit ground yards from Iowa State. Their leading rusher is Cartevious Norton, who has put up 123 yards on 41 carries this season, an average of three yards per carry.

The biggest key to the game will be the Cowboys' three-man front slowing the run game down. They can't allow for huge gaps and the linebackers must provide enough support to keep the Cyclones from picking up any momentum. 

Collin Oliver and Nick Martin will be key at the linebacker position, too, as they can help ensure that the run game stays under control for the Cowboys and they can find their way off the field to give the offense more chances to find a rhythm.

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