No. 14 Oklahoma Sooners vs. Iowa State Cyclones: Sooners Wire staff predictions
The Oklahoma Sooners (4-0, 1-0 Big 12) and the Iowa State Cyclones (2-2, 1-0) renew a matchup that dates back to a 13-0 win for the Cyclones back in 1928. Though they earned the win in the series opener, OU holds a 79-7-2 edge over Iowa State in the all-time series.
Each year is a different game, but Iowa State has played the Oklahoma Sooners tough in recent years.
2022’s win was the largest margin of victory in a win for the Oklahoma Sooners during the Matt Campbell era.
How will the Sooners perform this week? Here’s how we feel the game will go in this week’s staff predictions.
Sooners Wire Staff Predictions
The Iowa State Cyclones have been a thorn in the Sooners’ side since Matt Campbell took over as head coach.
They upset the Sooners in Norman in 2017 and also knocked them off in 2020. That doesn’t include the game-winning 2-point conversion stop the Sooners made in 2019 or the interception late in the game in 2021.
No matter how talented the Sooners have been, Iowa State knows how to play them close.
They do that with elite defense and by taking care of the football.
People will look at Iowa State this year and think they aren’t very good, and the Sooners will roll. Well, that’s not entirely true. They still are elite defensively and had a coming-out party on offense in their win over Oklahoma State a week ago. I wouldn’t be surprised if this game was another low-scoring game for both teams, similar to last week.
Sooners 27, Cyclones 6
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Last week against Cincinnati felt a lot different than Oklahoma’s previous wins in 2023. They traveled to Cincy and had to scrap and claw for that win in a tough, true road environment.
They get to host Iowa State this weekend for the last time as Big 12 foes, and I don’t expect the Cyclones to just roll over.
John Heacock’s defense is designed not to get decimated by explosive plays in the passing game, but there are ways to attack it. The Sooners can’t afford to leave meat on the bone against Iowa State this week because the Cyclones have a talented young QB in Rocco Becht, who can throw the ball around a bit.
Ultimately, I like Oklahoma to win. They avoid the pre-Red River letdown, and Dillon Gabriel tosses two touchdowns with 275 yards passing. Gavin Sawchuk scores and Andrel Anthony has another 70+ yards receiving.
Defensively, the Sooners keep stacking good-to-great performances together and hold the Cyclones to under 225 yards passing. We finally see a pick from Peyton Bowen, and while Becht has proven to be one of the best at escaping pressure, the Sooners get home with three sacks, one coming from freshman Adepoju Adebawore.
Sooners 35, Cyclones 10
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The Oklahoma Sooners are in the midst of an identity shift. Gone are the days of offensive football, where the only hope was to outscore an opponent. 2023 is laying the foundation for what “BV Ball” looks like. The Oklahoma Sooners are unveiling the makings of a defensive team.
The Iowa State Cyclones have a defense to make things interesting, but I’m not buying Rocco Becht in arguably the biggest road test of his young career. he’s got the talent to make some plays, but the Sooners have proven capable of containing athletic quarterbacks this season.
The best way to help a young quarterback is to be able to run the football. Iowa State hasn’t been good in the run game, and the Sooners have been great stopping the run.
After looking out of sync for much of their performance against Cincinnati, Dillon Gabriel and the Oklahoma offense get back into a rhythm against the Cyclones. Though they may not score touchdowns on every drive, they’ll be able to move the ball into scoring range.
The Oklahoma Sooners will get back to their efficient ways on offense and carry over the success they had on the ground running the football in the second half against Cincinnati.
Oklahoma 34, Cyclones 10
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