Iowa State Football: 3 reasons to believe Cyclones will win Big 12

AMES, IA - NOVEMBER 10: Defensive back Braxton Lewis #33 of the Iowa State Cyclones celebrates with teammates linebacker Willie Harvey #2 of the Iowa State Cyclones, and defensive end Spencer Benton #58 of the Iowa State Cyclones after intercepting a pass late in the second half of play against the Baylor Bears at Jack Trice Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa State Cyclones won 28-14 over the Baylor Bears. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA - NOVEMBER 10: Defensive back Braxton Lewis #33 of the Iowa State Cyclones celebrates with teammates linebacker Willie Harvey #2 of the Iowa State Cyclones, and defensive end Spencer Benton #58 of the Iowa State Cyclones after intercepting a pass late in the second half of play against the Baylor Bears at Jack Trice Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa State Cyclones won 28-14 over the Baylor Bears. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
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LAWRENCE, KS – NOVEMBER 3: Wide receiver Hakeem Butler #18 of the Iowa State Cyclones celebrates his touchdown with offensive lineman Julian Good-Jones #51 in the first quarter against the Kansas Jayhawks at Memorial Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
LAWRENCE, KS – NOVEMBER 3: Wide receiver Hakeem Butler #18 of the Iowa State Cyclones celebrates his touchdown with offensive lineman Julian Good-Jones #51 in the first quarter against the Kansas Jayhawks at Memorial Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)

1. The unstoppable Iowa State offensive trio

You couldn’t ask for much more out of any standout offensive trio for any rising team like Iowa State football than what it’s getting from its three best right now. Iowa State’s offense turned things around in a win earlier in the year on the road over the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the most unlikely of scenarios too.

We’ll start this off with the emerging star at wide receiver in junior Hakeem Butler. Iowa State has a wideout on the outside in Butler that is making a habit out of utterly embarrassing opposing defensive backs in the Big 12 this year. He now has more than 800 receiving yards and eight touchdown catches on the season. Butler will continue to be a matchup nightmare in the Big 12.

Next up is the solidified star at running back in junior David Montgomery. Although this won’t wind up being Montgomery’s best season statistically due to some injury issues, limited workloads, and a recent altercation that could hold him out against Texas, that doesn’t take away from how big of a threat he can be and was at time this fall. Montgomery has more than 750 rushing yards and six touchdowns in just six full games in 2018.

Last but definitely not least is the most surprising of this trio in true freshman quarterback Brock Purdy. In the one possession shootout win over Oklahoma State on Oct. 6., Purdy was tossed into action unsuspectingly due to an injury. Since then, Iowa State hasn’t lost a single game and he has racked up 15 total touchdowns and just two interceptions.