ISU 2-Minute Drill: Texas

IOWA STATE RUSH OFFENSE VS. TEXAS RUSH DEFENSE

Texas' strength lies in stopping the run with big bodies up front, but Iowa State running back Mike Warren continues finding ways to gain momentum on the ground. Joshua Thomas' emergence and Joel Lanning in the backfield make the ISU running game even more of a threat. Advantage: Iowa State

ISU PASS OFFENSE VS. TEXAS PASS DEFENSE

Joel Lanning gave a glimpse last week of what he can do in the pass game — he threw three touchdowns on 17 pass attempts — but the key will be how he's prepared this week. He's had time to adjust to knowing he's the starter and prepare for a Texas defense that allows 257.3 passing yards per game. Advantage: Texas

TEXAS RUSH OFFENSE VS. ISU RUSH DEFENSE

Jerrod Heard is an athletic quarterback and has the ability to tuck the ball and run when the pocket collapses. He's averaged 70.6 yards per game rushing and will be a weapon Texas will use to keep the ISU defensive front off balance. The ISU defensive line will have shallow depth with Bobby Leath and Jhaustin Thomas both expected to be held out Saturday. Advantage: Texas

TEXAS PASS OFFENSE VS. ISU PASS DEFENSE

The strength of the Longhorns offense lies in Heard's ability to create with his feet and hasn't fully translated into a strong passing game. Texas averages 116.1 passing yards per game and doesn't have a true receiving threat. Iowa State will continue to adjust to life without Kamari Cotton-Moya and use Qujuan Floyd, Jomal Wiltz, De'Monte Ruth and Darian Cotton to fill the void. Advantage: Iowa State

SPECIAL TEAMS

Two special teams gaffs cost Texas two potential home wins. The Longhorns misfired on a game-tying extra point against California and a fumbled snap on a punt allowed a last-second field goal against Oklahoma State. ISU coach Paul Rhoads said kicker Cole Netten will be the placekicker while Chris Francis will handle kickoffs. Allen Lazard's health status will depend on the impact the usually potent return game has for the Cyclones. Advantage: Push

INTANGIBLES

1. Texas leads the all-time series with Iowa State 11-1, but the last two UT wins have come by a combined four points and each were decided in the final minute.

2. Mike Warren leads all FBS freshmen in rushing (797 yards) and needs to average 40.6 yards per game in the remaining five games to be the first 1,000-yard rusher for Iowa State since 2009.

3. Quenton Bundrage had a 97-yard touchdown catch against Texas in 2013, resulting in the longest pass play in school history. It was also the longest play from scrimmage in Jack Trice Stadium history.

3 AND OUT

1. New ISU offensive coordinator Todd Sturdy is the only position coach — besides head coach Paul Rhoads — that is an Iowa native. Sturdy is from Tipton and was an all-state quarterback.

2. Texas offensive play caller Jay Norvell was at Iowa State from 1995-97 serving as assistant head coach, quarterbacks coach and wide receivers coach.

3. Iowa State's only win against Texas was in 2010, when it upset the No. 22 Longhorns 28-21 in Austin. The Cyclones led 28-6 in the fourth quarter.

ISU WILL WIN IF ... it can contain the Texas running game and avoid getting in a hole early. Iowa State outscored Baylor 27-10 from midway through the second quarter on, but was in a 35-0 hole to begin. The Cyclones have to avoid digging themselves in another such hole.

TEXAS WILL WIN IF ... it can stop the ISU rushing attack and apply pressure to Joel Lanning. Lanning has been poised in the pocket when he's been put in the game, but heavy pressure could unsettle him early and throw the offense out of sink.

PREDICTION: Texas 28, Iowa State 27

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