Oklahoma State vs. Iowa State: Three Key Matchups For Big 12 Battle

The Oklahoma State Cowboys begin conference play on Saturday, and here are three key matchups for them to get on the right track.

For Oklahoma State, the beginning of conference play could mean a lot. They open things up with Iowa State, another team that is off to a similarly poor start. If the Cowboys can get on the right side of the win column, there's a chance they can turn their season around.

Following this game, the Cowboys enter a bye week. For a team that's been unable to name a starting quarterback, this could be huge. The coaching staff has time to re-evaluate things and they can plan for Kansas State accordingly.

It's hard to imagine this game won't end up being a slugfest. Both offenses have struggled while their defenses have been okay. 

Here are three key matchups for the Oklahoma State vs. Iowa State matchup.

- Oklahoma State run game vs. Iowa State run defense: As the offense has continued to struggle all season, there's been one way to make this team less stagnant, and that's the ground game.

For whatever reason, Ollie Gordon isn't getting enough touches to be a game-changer. He's looked solid but hasn't had the opportunity to show that it's enough to help this team win games. 

Iowa State's defense allows 110 of its 254 yards per game on the ground. If the Cowboys can take advantage of that, they might be able to open up the passing game and find some offensive rhythm for what feels like the first time this year. 

- Oklahoma State run defense vs. Iowa State: Iowa State has averaged 270 yards of offense through three games, and only 86 of those have come on the ground on average. 

For the Cowboys to keep themselves in the game, limiting the Cyclones run game will be key, as they could be hard to keep up with for the Cowboys if they're finding offensive success.

The Cowboys have let up an average of 119 rushing yards per game. If they can limit that and keep playing good defense through the air, they'll put themselves in a good position to come away with a win.

- Jaden Bray vs. Iowa State secondary: The targets from whichever quarterback has been on the field in each of the three games have spread the ball around well when the team opts to throw. 

Bray, Brennan Presley and De'Zhaun Stribling have all gotten a similar amount of targets and catches. Bray has done the most with his catches yardage-wise, though. Given the nature of rotating quarterbacks, Bray will have to be a playmaker to keep the ball moving in a game that will otherwise be a slugfest. He's got the ability to blow this game open for the Cowboys.

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