Game Day Primer / Sat, Oct 31
AWAY TEAM
5–2
HOME TEAM
3–4
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01 / Why this game matters
Oklahoma State scored 57 last week. Iowa State has managed 13 across its last two games. That is an uncomfortable comparison to put on the stadium screen. But the Cyclones have won the last two meetings in Ames and beat the Cowboys last season. No. 24 Oklahoma State brings the hotter offense; Iowa State needs to show that its recent grip on this matchup still counts for something.
02 / Know these people
Drew Mestemaker / The quarterback driving a large passing total
Oklahoma State · Quarterback (QB)
He has 2,326 passing yards and 20 touchdowns. Iowa State needs to make his completions difficult and keep modest catches from becoming explosive gains.
Aiden Flora / The runner who can give Iowa State a way forward
Iowa State · Running Back (RB)
He has 716 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Productive carries would help the Cyclones sustain possessions instead of trying to match every Oklahoma State score with a deep throw.
03 / Watch for this
Find Oklahoma State receiver when drops back. Young averages nearly 18 yards a catch. Iowa State will have to decide how to play Young. Do they shadow him in man? Bring in extra help? Do they try to contain him with a zone? Making him catch underneath, with a defender ready to bring him down, would force the Cowboys to take more plays to reach the end zone.
04 / Sound smart
Oklahoma State scored 57 last week. Iowa State scored three. The Cyclones would like a different conversation by halftime.
The central storyline
Oklahoma State scored 57 last week. Iowa State has managed 13 across its last two games. That is an uncomfortable comparison to put on the stadium screen. But the Cyclones have won the last two meetings in Ames and beat the Cowboys last season. No. 24 Oklahoma State brings the hotter offense; Iowa State needs to show that its recent grip on this matchup still counts for something.
A read on both sides
Oklahoma State
Team vibe
No. 24 Oklahoma State is 5-2 overall and 3-1 in the Big 12 after beating Colorado 57-24. It averages 40 points and 529.1 total yards, while allowing 23.7 points. Quarterback has thrown 20 touchdowns; the Cowboys have enough passing production to force an opponent away from a patient offensive plan.
Iowa State
Team vibe
Unranked Iowa State is 3-4 and 1-3 in conference after losses to BYU and Arizona. Its offense averages 25.9 points but managed only 10 and three in those games. The defense allows 24.1 points, so the Cyclones need to contribute more offensively rather than ask the defense to survive alone against another ranked team.
Current storylines
Teach Me What to Notice
On screen
Look for: Watch Iowa State’s nearest defender when an Oklahoma State receiver catches the ball.
If you see it: The receiver turns upfield before anyone can make contact.
Here's what it means: The Cowboys have gained more than the throw itself. Iowa State needs quick tackles to keep the passing game from repeatedly skipping whole chunks of field.
On screen
Look for: Watch Iowa State running back on first down.
If you see it: He reaches four or five yards before the play ends.
Here's what it means: The Cyclones can still choose a run or pass next. That helps them sustain a drive without needing a difficult throw immediately.
The central storyline
Oklahoma State scored 57 last week. Iowa State has managed 13 across its last two games. That is an uncomfortable comparison to put on the stadium screen. But the Cyclones have won the last two meetings in Ames and beat the Cowboys last season. No. 24 Oklahoma State brings the hotter offense; Iowa State needs to show that its recent grip on this matchup still counts for something.
A read on both sides
Oklahoma State
Team vibe
No. 24 Oklahoma State is 5-2 overall and 3-1 in the Big 12 after beating Colorado 57-24. It averages 40 points and 529.1 total yards, while allowing 23.7 points. Quarterback has thrown 20 touchdowns; the Cowboys have enough passing production to force an opponent away from a patient offensive plan.
Iowa State
Team vibe
Unranked Iowa State is 3-4 and 1-3 in conference after losses to BYU and Arizona. Its offense averages 25.9 points but managed only 10 and three in those games. The defense allows 24.1 points, so the Cyclones need to contribute more offensively rather than ask the defense to survive alone against another ranked team.
Current storylines
Teach Me What to Notice
On screen
Look for: Watch Iowa State’s nearest defender when an Oklahoma State receiver catches the ball.
If you see it: The receiver turns upfield before anyone can make contact.
Here's what it means: The Cowboys have gained more than the throw itself. Iowa State needs quick tackles to keep the passing game from repeatedly skipping whole chunks of field.
On screen
Look for: Watch Iowa State running back on first down.
If you see it: He reaches four or five yards before the play ends.
Here's what it means: The Cyclones can still choose a run or pass next. That helps them sustain a drive without needing a difficult throw immediately.
Players & Coaches
Players & Coaches
Oklahoma State · Quarterback (QB)
He has 2,326 passing yards and 20 touchdowns. Iowa State needs to make his completions difficult and keep modest catches from becoming explosive gains.
Players & Coaches
Iowa State · Running Back (RB)
He has 716 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Productive carries would help the Cyclones sustain possessions instead of trying to match every Oklahoma State score with a deep throw.
Players & Coaches
Oklahoma State · Wide Receiver (WR)
His 36 catches have produced 639 yards and six touchdowns. That is nearly 18 yards per catch, enough to make a missed assignment costly.
Players & Coaches
Iowa State · Linebacker (LB)
He has 71 tackles for Iowa State. Finishing plays before the first-down marker would help keep Oklahoma State from moving at its preferred pace.
The Stakes
Oklahoma State has one Big 12 loss and can keep pace with the conference contenders. Iowa State is trying to stop a two-game losing stretch against ranked opposition.
Why it matters
Iowa State’s best chance starts with giving its offense something dependable. His 716 rushing yards offer a reason to keep handing him the ball, but those carries need to lead to scoring chances. Long possessions that end in punts still leave another turn. I’d back Oklahoma State’s offense unless the Cyclones show early that they can do more than slow the game down.
History & Context
History & Context
Iowa State has won the last two meetings played at Jack Trice Stadium. It also won the most recent meeting, 20-13 in Stillwater in 2025. Saturday is the 60th game in the series.
Conversation Starters
Conversation Starters
Oklahoma State scored 57 last week. Iowa State scored three. The Cyclones would like a different conversation by halftime.
Conversation Starters
Iowa State has won the last two meetings in Ames. The Cowboys’ offense has been warned.
Conversation Starters
’s ordinary first-down runs could be the most useful plays Iowa State makes.