Rob Gray

After five straight conference losses by an average of 5.6 points, how will Iowa State respond Saturday against West Virginia? Not with self-pity, nor a sense of despair.

Iowa State’s ground game bogged down yet again in Saturday’s 27-13 loss to Oklahoma at Jack Trice Stadium, managing to eke out a meager 66 yards on the ground against the worst rushing defense in the Big 12 by far.

Iowa State’s wide-ranging travails were on full display in a 27-13 loss to Oklahoma at Jack Trice Stadium and no single play, nor penalty, could serve as the reason why the Cyclones’ longest losing skid since 2016 swelled to five games.

Iowa State (3-4, 0-4 Big 12) hosts Oklahoma (4-3, 1-3) on Saturday, hoping to snap a four-game losing streak. Here are three keys to victory for the Cyclones.

Throughout Iowa State’s loss at Texas, one truth emerged about first-year Cyclone starting quarterback Hunter Dekkers: The game had finally slowed down, even as it slipped away late.

The biggest play of Iowa State walk-on linebacker Kendell Jackson’s college career proved to be a monumental one. He’s providing the Cyclones with a rare and precious on-the-field commodity: Consistency.

Iowa State’s recent bye week served its designated function for the Cyclones, who seek to rebound from four straight one-score losses in Saturday’s 11 a.m. Big 12 matchup with Oklahoma.

Saturday’s Oklahoma-Iowa State game will include Sooners QB Dillon Gabriel, who has returned after a concussion and is playing well.

Entering the team’s bye week, here are three reasons for optimism, as well as three causes for ongoing concern, for the Iowa State football team.

Iowa State remained winless in the Big 12 with a 24-21 setback at No. 22 Texas.

The Iowa State football team travels to Austin, Texas, Saturday to take on the No. 22-ranked Longhorns at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium, looking for its first Big 12 win. Here are three keys to victory for the Cyclones.

Iowa State needs to find some offense — maybe even a first-career touchdown for Jaylin Noel — in order to prevent Texas’ rise while simultaneously attempting to climb back from its first 0-3 start in Big 12 play since 2016.

Iowa State offensive tackle Jake Remsburg’s rare clean bill of health status vanished abruptly early this season after he suffered a lower leg injury. Remsburg is slated to make his second start of the season against Texas.

Every time the towering and talented Hason Ward of Virginia Commonwealth and Osun Osunniyi of St. Bonaventure clashed in the paint, trash talk didn’t accompany the bevy of blocked shots, array of dunks, nor numerous offensive rebounds. Verbal communication now flows freely for the former Atlantic 10 rivals-turned-Iowa State teammates.

This season, three-time Iowa State wrestling All-American David Carr will face a new challenge and opportunity: A bump up to 165.