Rob Gray

All of Iowa State football’s lofty goals — including competing for a Big 12 title — remain fully in play, but a hiccup on Saturday night would temper those aspirations significantly. Here are three keys for the Cyclones against Baylor.

Iowa State defensive lineman J.R. Singleton entered the season with 3.5 career sacks, but he’s nearly doubled that number by striking for a team-leading three sacks in four games. The Cyclones are averaging 2.25 sacks after ranking 11th in the Big 12 in 2023 with an average of 1.62.

Jaylon Jackson’s quick-cutting speed has helped him carve out a role in Iowa State’s three-back rotation alongside Abu Sama and Carson Hansen. The two-time transfer has become the Cyclones’ most consistent back.

Here are five Baylor players to watch in Saturday’s game at Iowa State. QB Sawyer Robertson has filled in nicely for the Bears.

Iowa State seized control in the second half to record a convincing 20-0 victory at Houston. The Cyclones notched their fifth straight conference road victory dating back to last season — a feat never previously accomplished in program history.

Iowa State is convinced it can compete for and win a Big 12 football title — and losing to a Houston team firmly entrenched in rebuilding mode would greatly diminish any such hopes. Here are three keys for the Cyclones.

When the stars seemingly align early in a football season, it’s tantalizing for fans to look ahead. Iowa State is 3-0 for the second time in the past three seasons, but Matt Campbell and the Cyclones know there is no guarantee those stars stay aligned instead of falling from the sky.

Iowa State defensive lineman Domonique Orange tipped the scales at 350 pounds as a freshman. Now, as a junior “Big Citrus” weighs in at a relatively lithe 325 pounds, and he’s an interior anchor on an ISU defense that ranks ninth nationally in points allowed per game at 9.7.

Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht described star receiver Jayden Higgins as “a 5-year-old off the field.” And he meant it as a compliment.

No. 18 Cyclones face a Cougars team that is trending downward in recent weeks

Now No. 18 in AP poll, Cyclones looking forward to Big 12 challenge ahead, including Saturday at Houston

Notes from Iowa State’s 52-7 win over Arkansas State, including Darien Porter’s fourth career blocked punt and a bit of trickery from the offense.

Gaping holes opened up. Carson Hansen dodged and darted through them. Iowa State’s powerful tailback then bulldozed any resistance Arkansas State attempted to muster, surging for two touchdowns in the No. 20 Cyclones’ dominant 52-7 win Saturday at Jack Trice Stadium.

Matt Campbell yearned to pay homage to what Dan McCarney had done to turn around a forlorn Iowa State program before — and he’s humbled to be approaching McCarney’s 18-year-old school wins record in just his ninth season at the helm.

Here are three keys and a score prediction for Iowa State football against Arkansas State. If the Cyclones truly are Big 12 championship contenders, they’ll be sharp on Saturday in advance of that nine-game conference slate.