Iowa State Football: 5 reasons Cyclones will upset Texas in Week 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) /

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AMES, IA – NOVEMBER 10: Quarterback Brock Purdy #15 of the Iowa State Cyclones celebrates after catching a two point conversion pass in the end zone 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) /

5. The play of Brock Purdy

It’s no secret the turning point in Iowa State’s season was inserting Brock Purdy into the offense in place of Zeb Noland. Purdy has been phenomenal as a true freshman, throwing for 1,315 yards, 13 touchdowns to only two interceptions. He has also been effective on the ground as well, carrying the ball 67 times for 252 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Purdy is already looking like the best quarterback to don the cardinal and gold since Seneca Wallace played.

Texas has struggled against very good quarterbacks this season, Kyler Murray torched the Texas defense in the Longhorns win in the Red River Rivalry, throwing for 314 yards and four touchdowns and rushing for 92 yards and another score. Will Grier threw for 346 yards and three touchdowns in the Longhorns loss to West Virginia, so it is a Texas defense that has faltered against good quarterback play.

While Purdy is not on the level of Murray or Grier, he is still a very good quarterback that can and will make the Texas defense pay on Saturday.

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