2-Minute Drill: Iowa State Cyclones at West Virginia Mountaineers

Breaking down Saturday's Big 12 football game between No. 15 Iowa State (6-2, 4-1) and West Virginia (5-3, 3-2) in Morgantown, W. Va. Kickoff is 2:30 p.m., televised on ESPN.

Iowa State rush offense vs. West Virginia rush defense

Iowa State hasn't had a lot of success running the ball this year. The Cyclones rushing attack is last in the Big 12 at 113 yards per game. Conversely, Iowa State running back David Montgomery is second in the Big 12 in rushing yards with 90 yards per game.

But outside of the star running back, the Cyclones don't have much in the way of a ground game.

On the other side, West Virginia's rush defense struggles. The Mountaineers rush defense ranks second to last in the Big 12, allowing more than 200 yards per game.

If Iowa State's line can open up any sort of hole, or get the ball to Montgomery in space, the Cyclones should have success against West Virginia's less-than-stingy run defense.

Advantage: Iowa State

Iowa State pass offense vs. West Virginia pass defense

West Virginia's pass defense is much more serviceable than its run defense. The Mountaineers rank fifth in the Big 12, allowing 256 yards through the air.

West Virginia has seven interceptions, including three by Kyzir White, which is tied for the second most in the Big 12.

Iowa State quarterback Kyle Kempt has only thrown two interceptions in his first four games. Kempt has been tagged as a game manager and that's what he needs to do again to have success — take what's given to him and get the ball in the hands of his receivers.

Iowa State is one of two teams nationally with four receivers with four or more touchdowns.

Advantage: Iowa State

Iowa State rush defense vs. West Virginia rush offense

The Mountaineers have the third best running back in the conference in Justin Crawford, who averages 86 yards per game. Overall, the Mountaineers' rushing attack is fifth in the Big 12 with 161 yards.

Iowa State uses a three-man front with two or three linebackers. It seems like it should be easy to run against the Cyclones, but Iowa State does an excellent job of staying gap-sound and not playing outside itself. Iowa State only surrenders 127 yards on the ground per game.

It starts up front with the defensive line for Iowa State. Defensive tackle Ray Lima constantly draws two linemen and defensive ends J.D. Waggoner and JaQuan Baily rarely break contain. That leaves lanes for linebackers Joel Lanning, Marcel Spears and Willie Harvey to make the stops. All three of Iowa State's linebackers rank in the top 15 in the Big 12 in tackles, with Spears and Lanning both in the top five.

Advantage: Iowa State

Iowa State pass defense vs. West Virginia pass offense

This is a true strength vs. strength matchup. Iowa State has the second-best pass defense in the Big 12 and West Virginia has the third-best pass offense.

Iowa State held Texas Tech's Nik Shimonek to 207 yards passing and TCU's Kenny Hill to 135 yards passing, each more than 100 yards less than their average. The defense also didn't allow a passing touchdown to either quarterback and intercepted Shimonek once for a pick-six and got two interceptions against Hill, one coming inside Iowa State's the 10-yard line.

West Virginia quarterback Will Grier has been mistake prone, throwing nine interceptions, including four last game against Oklahoma State. But to go along with the nine interceptions, he has an NCAA-leading 28 touchdowns.

West Virginia has some potent receivers. David Sills has an astonishing 15 touchdown receptions this season and Ka'Raun White and Gary Jennings both have more than 550 yards receiving.

The Cyclones play a bend-don't-break style of defense. They want to keep everything in front of them and prevent the big play. They've been successful so far doing that, sometimes even using three safeties.

Advantage: Iowa State

Special teams

Iowa State's special teams have put the team in position to win games. Punter Colin Downing averages 42 yards a punt, and has had 16 downed inside the 20-yard line. Kicker Garrett Owens hasn't been great, but he hasn't hurt the team, either. He's perfect this season on extra points and he's made 69 percent of his field goals, his long being 42 yards. Punt returner Trever Ryen has been electrifying, taking one punt back for a touchdown and another 42 yards.

West Virginia's special teams haven't proven to be a real threat. Punter Billy Kinney averages 39 yards per punt and has had 13 downed inside the red zone. Kicker Mike Molina has struggled when he's gotten opportunities, making only 5 of 8 field goal attempts. His long was 43 yards. Receiver Marcus Simms handles the punt and kick return duties. He averages just five yards a return on punts. On kickoffs, he's a little more dangerous, averaging 27 yards, including one of 80 yards.

Advantage: Iowa State.

Intangibles

1. Road warriors — Iowa State hasn't lost a road game since Oct. 15 of last season. The Cyclones have won four in a row heading into this game.

2. Morgantown success — Iowa State and West Virginia have only played twice in Morgantown, both teams winning a game.

3. October glory — Iowa State went 4-0 in the month of October, including beating two top-5 teams. It was Iowa State's first perfect month since the 1960s.

3 and out

1. Turnovers — Iowa State leads the Big 12 in turnover margin at plus-10. The Cyclones have done an excellent job of taking care of the ball on offense and jumping on opportunities on defense. Iowa State hasn't lost a fumble all year.

2. Making plays — Playmakers will be the difference on offense. Both teams have elite wide receivers and potent running backs. Getting them in open field will be key.

3. A season to remember — Iowa State is having its best season since Dan McCarney was running the show. Iowa State sits in a four-way tie atop the Big 12, owning tiebreakers against TCU and Oklahoma.

Iowa State-West Virginia prediction

Iowa State will win if ... Its defense stays stout and prevents the big play. Will Grier and West Virginia are going to sling the ball all over the field. Iowa State's defensive backs need to keep the play in front of them and don't let anything go down field.

West Virginia will win if ... It's able to contain David Montgomery. Iowa State's offensive line has struggled at time this year, so West Virginia needs to attack it and stop Montgomery. If Iowa State gets its rushing and passing attack going, it could spell trouble for the Mountaineers.

Prediction: Iowa State 31, West Virginia 24