After being stunned at home last year, Oklahoma football will be out for revenge and redemption in Ames vs. Iowa State this Saturday.
It’s an eerily familiar scenario for the Cyclones this year, with the game at home this time around. Kyle Kempt, who led that dramatic come-from-behind victory, suffered an injury in a loss last week to in-state rival Iowa and his status remains in question.
If Kempt can’t go, Zeb Noland will get the start. Last year, Kempt stepped in for then-starter Jacob Park just days before the Oklahoma game after Park left the program.
About the only sour spot for the Sooners through two games has been the injury of star running back Rodney Anderson. After dealing with injuries his first three years on campus, Anderson was primed for a breakout before going down last week in a win over UCLA.
Kyler Murray will likely take on more of the ground attack, as the Oakland A’s baseball prospect has thrown for 515 yards and rushed for another 92 with seven combined touchdowns.
This will be just the second game of the season for Iowa State, as its planned home opener was cancelled due to inclement weather. Star running back David Montgomery had just 44 yards rushing last week, with top receiver Hakeem Butler being held to three catches for 35 yards.
Here’s how you can watch this edition Saturday’s Big 12 game between Oklahoma and Iowa State:
Date: Saturday, Sept. 15
Time: Noon ET
Location: Ames, Iowa
Venue: Jack Trice Stadium
TV: ABC
Live Stream: WatchESPN | Fubo TV
Keys to Victory
At home last year, the Sooners got up big and stopped playing. If that doesn’t serve as a motivating factor this year, they could be in for the same mistake.
Oklahoma loves to get out and hit the ground running, so look for the Cyclones to try and play ball-control to keep it out of the hands of Murray. Iowa State will need to be better on third-down and more efficient in the passing game to pull the upset for a second consecutive season.
Betting Odds
Odds courtesy of OddsShark
Point Spread: Oklahoma -17.5
Over/Under: 55
Prediction
This Oklahoma team just has a different vibe about them. Sure, Anderson is lost for the season, but Murray has looked nothing short of a Heisman candidate through two games, getting it done with his arm and legs.
As long as the Sooners don’t fall into the same trap they did last year, they should have no problems remaining unbeaten with a road victory.
Final Score: Oklahoma 45, Iowa State 21