Iowa State Cyclones aren’t nearly the ‘Sooner-killer’ as people think
I have a great amount of respect for Matt Campbell. He’s built a very good thing in Ames. Iowa State should be throwing the dollars they have to keep him in-house.
That being said, the narrative that Iowa State plays the Sooners better than the rest of the Big 12 is just false. Since Matt Campbell was hired in 2016, the Cyclones have beaten the Sooners twice. Once in Ames and once in Norman.
Bob Stoops never lost to Iowa State. Barry Switzer never lost to Iowa State. The Sooners have lost to the Cyclones seven times. Ever.
Yes, the Cyclones do play tough against the Sooners. All but two of their matchups against OU in the Matt Campbell era have been decided by a score. At the same time, every team in the Big 12 typically gives the Sooners their best game. That just comes with being Oklahoma. It’s similar to what Alabama deals with. They get their opponents’ best games.
While the Cyclones have been a tough out, they aren’t nearly as much of a thorn in the side of the Sooners as the Kansas State Wildcats have been.
K-State has won four of their last ten matchups against the Sooners. Three of those wins were in Norman. From 1993-1997, the Wildcats beat the Sooners five straight times. The Cyclones have only had consecutive wins against OU once, in 1960 and 1961.
This isn’t as competitive historically or in recent years as people think. Boasting the best defense in the Big 12, Iowa State will provide a test. But they’re far from the best team the Sooners have played in 2022.
The Sooners have won four of their last five against Iowa State. I’m expecting the Sooners to make it five of the last six on Saturday.
List
5 offensive players to watch for the Sooners against Iowa State
List
Four-star prospect Tausili Akana includes Oklahoma in his top 10
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today. You can also follow Ben on Twitter @bendackiw.
