Two-minute drill: The Oklahoma Sooners

 Two-minute drill: The Oklahoma Sooners

 Iowa State Cyclones (1-8, 0-6) vs. Oklahoma Sooners (7-2, 3-2)

Iowa State Rush Offense vs. Oklahoma Rush Defense

The Cyclones offered a glimmer of hope when tempo was established late in last week's loss, rushing 17 times for 72 yards in the final 20 minutes against a stout TCU defense. DeVondrick Nealy deserves more touches and Shontrelle Johnson's finally moving the ball four to six yards with regularity. But until ISU breaks through with sustained productivity, the foe always gets the edge here. Advantage: Oklahoma.

Iowa State Pass Offense vs. Oklahoma Pass Defense

Watch Grant Rohach's feet. He said he did a poor job setting them against TCU, which helped lead some of his passes awry. He'll be your thrower. Sam Richardson (sore thumb on his throwing hand) will continue to be utilized in spots as a runner. Rohach will enter with a career 50 percent completion rate The Sooners field the Big 12's second best pass defense, allowing just 182.2 yards per game. Advantage: Oklahoma.

Oklahoma Rush Offense vs. Iowa State Rush Defense

ISU's been better lately in this category, but that doesn't negate the glaring issues highlighted in the Texas Tech, Baylor and Oklahoma State losses. The Sooners' prowess in the run game starts with an offensive line that's “very good to great” according to Cyclone coach Paul Rhoads. Brennan Clay ran for 111 yards against TCU - one more than ISU gained against the Horned Frogs. Advantage: Oklahoma

Oklahoma Pass Offense vs. Iowa State Pass Defense

Paging ISU freshman cornerback Nigel Tribune. The time is now to add to that one interception gained three weeks ago against Oklahoma State. The Sooners' Blake Bell is coming off a 15-for-35, two-interception performance in the 41-12 loss at Baylor. So he can be had (11 TDs, five INTs). He can be good, too, though. Bell's completing 60.3 percent of his passes for the run-fueled Sooners. (Slight) Advantage: Oklahoma

Special teams

ISU's best special teams player, punter Kirby Van Der Kamp, has performed his duties 10 or more times in four of the past five games. If he's clicking, as usual, field position battles should be won by the Cyclones. Watch out for DeVondrick Nealy for ISU. He's scored TDs in four straight games, including a kickoff return last week. The Sooners' Roy Finch averages 28.6 yards per return and reeled off a 73-yarder in the Red River Shootout loss to Texas. (Slight) Advantage: Iowa State

Intangibles

Sooners coach Bob Stoops' seat is hot after failing (gasp!) to field a national championship-contending team. This, despite the fact Stoops' teams boast the most victories and top wining percentage from 1999-2012 among schools in BCS conferences (149-37, .801). So, it's rough at the top. Stoops would tie legendary coach Barry Switzer in wins (156) if his team beats ISU for the 15th straight time today. The Cyclones, as linebacker and leader Jeremiah George said this week, “have nothing to lose.” They've re-inserted fun into the equation despite the down year in the W-L ledger and will let it all hang out against the Sooners. Could that mean more takeaways? Maybe. ISU began making inroads in that category with two vs. TCU last week. Three or more today and it could get interesting in Norman. (Slight) Advantage: Oklahoma.

Iowa State will win if ... the defense forces at least three turnovers and somehow establishes game-long tempo with the offense. That means few passes can be uncatchable. Few, if any, passes can be dropped. The offensive line, which continues to get healthy pieces back, must go from simply improving to a giant leap of progress.

Oklahoma will win if ... it avoids catastrophic turnovers (more than one for a score) and grinds down ISU with its superior athletes and depth. Running backs Brennan Clay and Roy Finch (and maybe someone else) are capable of rushing for 200 yards against the Cyclones' defense if it reverts to midseason form and stops tending gaps.

Prediction: Oklahoma 38, Iowa State 13

Three to watch

Iowa State's Grant Rohach

It's clear the redshirt freshman is starting only because Sam Richardson's unable to throw well because of injury. Or it should be. Rohach has been erratic, but possesses the skills to be successful. He's young, but strong. If he settles down with his feet and remains upbeat, he could have a solid day as long as the right decisions are made.

Iowa State's offensive line

Don't look now, but the Cyclones' grunts are almost healthy - OK, relatively healthy - across the two-deeps. Tackle Jacob Gannon's return last week produced visible improvement in both pass protection and the run game. As guard Jamison Lalk continues to approach 100 percent, big progress could be coming.

Big bodies, big hands

If the Sooners' defensive backs can read Rohach, there could be big trouble. But that trouble starts up front. Production's been there, too. Oklahoma defensive end Geneo Grissom and his backup Corey Nelson both have pick sixes this season. Grissom's came against Texas. Nelson scored his against Notre Dame.