3 keys and a score prediction for Iowa State football at BYU (Nov. 11, 2023)

Iowa State (5-4, 4-2 Big 12) and BYU (5-4, 2-4) have a chance to get bowl-eligible with a win Saturday night in Provo Utah.

That’s particularly important for the Cyclones, who will close the regular season at home against No. 7 Texas and on the road against always-tough Kansas State.

An ISU win would ensure a postseason berth for the sixth time in the past seven seasons and take some of the pressure off the ensuing two matchups in which the Cyclones will likely be pronounced underdogs.

The extra month or so of practice required to prepare for a bowl game would be invaluable for an ISU team brimming with young talent. Fifty of the 80 Cyclones who have played this season are redshirt sophomores or younger.

Here are three keys to victory.

1. Reroute (and restart) the takeaway train

What a difference a bye week makes.

The Cyclones came off their annual one-week respite from games two weeks ago and since then, the team’s once decidedly positive turnover margin has begun to dip.

ISU has lost three turnovers in those games while forcing two. Both of those takeaways came in the 30-18 win at Baylor, though. ISU didn’t force a turnover for the first time since the Sept. 16 loss at Ohio in last week’s 28-21 setback to Kansas.

The Cyclones forced five turnovers while committing zero in the two games preceding the bye week — a pair of convincing wins over TCU and Cincinnati.

Getting spry and shifty safety Jeremiah Cooper back potentially could help get ISU righted in terms of the takeaway situation. He’s notched five interceptions by himself this season, but missed last week’s game because of a lower leg injury.

Cyclones head coach Matt Campbell said Cooper has practiced this week and there’s optimism that he’ll be able to play. If he can’t, ISU's ability to both force turnovers and clamp down defensively will likely suffer.

2. Go with tempo

It’s not imperative to start fast on the road, but it seems to be critical for a youth-filled Cyclone offense that’s been erratic this season.

That was to be expected to some extent, with a first-time starting quarterback in Rocco Becht calling the plays and a long-struggling offensive line seeking to establish a sense of collective rhythm.

There’s been progress in the latter area, but that group got pushed around by Kansas’ defense last week. That obviously can’t happen against the Cougars, who are opportunistic on defense (18 total takeaways), but struggle to get off the field.

BYU ranks 101st nationally in total defense and allows opponents to gain 6.9 yards per pass attempt. ISU could try to replicate the quick-hitting passing game success it enjoyed in its 34-27 win over Oklahoma State — and if Becht and company can avoid turnovers, it should be a long night for the Cougars’ defense.

3. Get to the QB

The Cyclones have struggled to create pressure on the quarterback all season with their three-man front, but last week against Kansas they were particularly well-handled.

ISU’s totaled just nine sacks this season and this week will face dynamic junior college transfer Jake Retzlaff, who has been tabbed for his second straight start. Retzlaff is a true dual-threat quarterback, so it’s especially important that (a) the Cyclones sprinkle in some creative blitz packages when he drops back to throw, and (b) someone serves as a spy most of the time to stop any designed or improvised runs.

BYU’s offensive line hasn’t been very sharp this season, so a lot of pressure will be on Retzlaff’s shoulders and ISU should take advantage of that situation.

Iowa State vs. BYU prediction

The Cougars have been routed the past two weeks by Texas and West Virginia, but those were road games. BYU’s completely different at home — and especially at night.

The Cougars have lost just three home games since 1999 played under the lights at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Three! Make that four in the wee hours of Sunday morning (Iowa time).

Iowa State 27, BYU 20