ISU 2-Minute Drill: West Virginia

ISU RUSH OFFENSE VS. WVU RUSH DEFENSE - - -

Mike Warren had his fourth 145-plus yard rushing game last week (195 yards) and has climbed to 1,265 yards this season, but two fumbles in the fourth quarter sullied the day. He's still been the breakout star of the ISU offense and coupled with Joshua Thomas and quarterback Joel Lanning as a run-option, the trio could exploit a WVU defense that gives up 178.2 yards per game on the ground. Advantage: Iowa State

ISU PASS OFFENSE VS. WVU PASS DEFENSE

Joel Lanning had his most effective day as a passer last week, completing 15 of 20 passes for 210 yards and three touchdowns. Allen Lazard has continued to be an invaluable target with 5.1 catches and 73.4 yards per game with six touchdowns this season. Through the season-ending injury to Karl Joseph, the Mountaineers are the second-best pass defense in the Big 12 (227.6 yards per game) and have 19 interceptions. Advantage: West Virginia

WVU RUSH OFFENSE VS. ISU RUSH DEFENSE

Wendell Smallwood is a dynamic back and is second in the Big 12 with 123.4 rushing yards per game with eight touchdowns and Rushel Shell is the counter punch, adding 59.8 yards per game. Senior defensive end Dale Pierson is tied for the ISU single season sack record (8.5) with a chance to stand alone with one more against the Mountaineers. Advantage: West Virginia

WVU PASS OFFENSE VS. ISU PASS DEFENSE

Skyler Howard isn't the most explosive quarterback in the conference, but averages 213 yards. He is prone to making bad decisions at times with 19 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Brian Peavy has had a breakout season for the Cyclones at cornerback with 6.9 tackles per game, 10 pass breakups and two interceptions. Advantage: West Virginia

SPECIAL TEAMS

Kicker Josh Lambert has given West Virginia key points this season, but has struggled with consistency. His season long is 51 yards, but he is just 12-of-18. Nick O'Toole has been a weapon at punter and averages 45.5 yards per kick and has pinned 20 kicks inside the 20. Cole Netten has been perfect in his last four games — 5-for-5 in field goals and 13-for-13 on PATs — after missing five field goals in the first five games. Advantage: Push

ISU WILL WIN IF ... It can sustain its offense in the second half. In losses to Iowa, Toledo, Oklahoma State and Kansas State, the Cyclones were outscored 93-23 after halftime. Finding a way to put points on the board in the second half will be crucial if it wants to end the season a winner.

WVU WILL WIN IF ... It can force Iowa State turnovers and produce points on time-consuming drives. Although two fumbles ultimately cost the Cyclones a win last weekend, the Wildcats were able to take the offense off the field with four turnovers. West Virginia will try to follow the same model. 

INTANGIBLES

1. West Virginia leads the all-time series with Iowa State 2-1, winning both contests in Ames. The schools never met before the Mountaineers joining the Big 12 in 2012.

2. In the only meeting in Morgantown, Iowa State trailed by 24 points (31-7) in the first half and 17 in the second. The Cyclones rallied to win, 52-44, in 3OT and secured the largest second-half comeback in ISU history.

3. Iowa State Coach Paul Rhoads will coach his final game for the Cyclones after seven seasons and a 32-54 overall record.

3 & OUT

1. West Virginia Coach Dana Holgorsen is from Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and graduated from Iowa Wesleyan in 1993.

2. Paul Rhoads, the defensive coordinator at Pittsburgh from 2000-07, was 4-4 against West Virginia in his time with the Panthers.

3. Iowa State has not won a road game since Sept. 13, 2014 against Iowa and has not recorded a road win outside the state of Iowa since Nov. 30, 2013 at West Virginia.

PREDICTION: West Virginia 35, Iowa State 28