Cyclone 2-Minute Drill: Oklahoma State

ISU RUSH OFFENSE VS. OSU RUSH DEFENSE

It's been no secret in Ames this week that Iowa State's rushing attack leaves a lot of be desired. Quarterback Sam Richardson has been the Cyclones' leading rusher and against Baylor, running backs Aaron Wimberly and DeVondrick Nealy rushed for 11 and 2 yards respectively. Freshman Martinez Syria provides a bigger, more physical running back for Iowa State, but the Cowboys are allowing just 111.5 yards per game. Advantage: Oklahoma State

ISU PASS OFFENSE VS. OSU PASS DEFENSE

Although injuries have hit the ISU wide receivers hard - Quenton Bundrage, P.J. Harris and Brett Medders are out for the season - the Cyclones have had a next-man-in mentality to try to overcome that. Freshman Allen Lazard has emerged as a reliable target and Dondre Daley and Tad Ecby recorded their first touchdown catches of the season against Baylor. Oklahoma State ranks last in the Big 12 in pass defense. Advantage: Iowa State

OSU RUSH OFFENSE VS. ISU RUSH DEFENSE

Oklahoma State might be averaging 171.8 yards per game rushing as a team, but OSU coach Mike Gundy isn't satisfied. The Cowboys are getting just 4.1 yards per carry, but will be going up against an ISU front that still is finding its identity. Mitchell Meyers moved inside to defensive tackle with Trent Taylor starting at defensive end, while Cory Morrissey is tied for third in the Big 12 with 3.5 sacks this season. Jevohn Miller leads the conference in tackles with 46 total, but the OSU running game could come alive because of the passing attack of the Cowboys. Advantage: Oklahoma State

OSU PASS OFFENSE VS. ISU PASS DEFENSE

In just his second start as the quarterback, Oklahoma State junior Daxx Garman made his presence felt. He threw for 370 yards and four touchdowns - rushing for another - in a 45-35 OSU win against Texas Tech last week, earning him Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week honors. The young ISU secondary is showing flashes of improvement. Advantage: Oklahoma State

SPECIAL TEAMS

Iowa State and Oklahoma State will feature players capable of making a game-changing play with Jarvis West for the Cyclones and Tyreek Hill for the Cowboys. West is averaging 29.2 yards per punt return - largely thanks to his 82-yard punt return for a touchdown against Kansas State - and Hill is averaging 8.3 yards on 10 returns. Advantage: Iowa State

ISU WILL WIN IF ...

The running game starts to come together. The Cyclones will have to find a way to run the football with some success in order to get the OSU defense on its toes instead of becoming one-dimensional with the passing attack.

OSU WILL WIN IF ...

The Cowboys can stifle the Cyclones' running game as well as continue to effectively throw the deep ball. The Cowboys were able to rack up points with a couple big plays against Texas Tech, so the ISU defense being able to affect that will be crucial.

Oklahoma State 41, Iowa State 24

- Dylan Montz