CYCLONES VS. LONGHORNS

When Iowa State has the ball

The Cyclone offense has been anemic the last two weeks and, unfortunately, won't get much of a break today against a Texas defense that's the best in the Big 12 and ranked among the top-five nationally.

Execution will have to triumph over speed with the Longhorns' fast-paced defense. Oklahoma shut down the Cyclone offense with its speed, holding them to just 183 yards total offense and 3.1 yards per play.

Tailback Alexander Robinson professes to be healthy and will need to have a big game for ISU to have a chance. The Longhorns are great against the run, but even better defending the pass at just 138.0 yards a game. They'll be in Austen Arnaud's face often. UT is third in the league in sacks (17) and has three players among the top seven in the league in tackles for loss.

Where the Cyclones need to improve most is on third down, where they are converting a league-low 35.6 percent of their attempts. It's been even worse the last two weeks (4 of 26). Tight end Collin Franklin continues to be a top target for Arnaud, with a team-best 31 catches.

Advantage: Texas

When Texas has the ball

The Longhorn offense is very un-Longhorn like this season, averaging just 24.0 points a game. It is not an explosive group so far through six games. Texas is 74th nationally in both rush and pass offense and does not have a runner or receiver ranked in the top 10 in the Big 12.

Sophomore quarterback Garrett Gilbert is the leader. The first-year starter has been more of a game manager as he gains experience. He showed last week in Texas' win at Nebraska that he can be a dual threat. Gilbert rushed 11 times of 71 yards as part of the team's huge day on the ground against the Huskers. The Longhorns controlled the clock and played mistake-free, finishing without a turnover or a sack allowed and with just one play for negative yardage.

Iowa State's defense has been worn down over the past three weeks going back to the win over Texas Tech, which ran 87 offensive plays. Utah followed that up with 79 and Oklahoma's high-tempo offense ran a whopping 94 plays last week. Some changes to the lineup at defensive end and a few days off their feet hopefully can help this weary group.

Advantage: Texas

Special teams

ISU punter Kirby Van Der Kamp has been a bright spot of late and is proving every day the decision to start him was the right one. The true freshman leads the Big 12 in punts over 50 yards, as well as punts downed inside opponents' 20-yard line. He's had far more practice than Texas' John Gold, who has attempted the fewest amount of punts in the conference.

Longhorns kicker Justin Tucker has been very solid, making 11 of his 13 field-goal tries. He's got range, too, with a long of 51 yards. Cyclone kicker Grant Mahoney has fallen off a bit during this latest rough patch for his team. Mahoney started hot, but hasn't made a field goal in three weeks, misfiring on his last three tries.

Advantage: Even

The scoreboard

This will be the fourth ranked opponent for ISU this season and its third in a row. The first two ended in ugly, blowout losses. Texas isn't likely to score more than 50 points, but the margin of victory could be big if ISU's offense doesn't figure out a way to be more productive than it's been lately.

The Cyclones historically don't fare well and don't have the caliber of athletes to go up against a defense like Texas'. They could be OK defensively, but are going to have a hard time moving the ball on offense. A turnover or a special teams play is needed to spark ISU and keep this one close.

Texas 27, Iowa State 6

- Eric Petersen