Oklahoma @ Iowa State preview

Oklahoma at Iowa State

Last Meeting ( Nov 26, 2011 ) Iowa State 6, Oklahoma 26

Perennially underachieving Oklahoma saw its slim national championship hopes evaporate last week. The No. 12 Sooners will try to shake off the disappointment and earn a 14th straight victory Saturday over Iowa State in Jack Trice Stadium – one of the toughest venues in college football. Oklahoma came up short in another big game as its three-game winning streak was snapped in a 30-13 loss to now-No. 4 Notre Dame in Norman. The odds say the Sooners will bounce back; Oklahoma is 19-0 following loss since 2004 and hasn’t lost to Iowa State in 22 years. They’ll face a Cyclones team that is looking to become bowl eligible after posting an impressive 35-21 victory over Baylor last week. Oklahoma earned a 26-6 home victory over the Cyclones in blustery conditions last season and leads the series 69-5-2.

TV: 12 p.m. ET, ABC. LINE: Oklahoma -11

ABOUT OKLAHOMA (5-2, 3-1 Big 12): The Sooners, similar to their loss to Kansas State, were dominated at the line of scrimmage against Notre Dame. Oklahoma managed only 15 yards rushing on 24 carries and couldn’t get off the field defensively (the Irish were 7-of-15 on third down). The offense moved the ball, but couldn't finish drives. Landry Jones was 35-of-51 for a season-high 356 yards and an interception and Fresno State transfer Jalen Saunders caught a school-record tying 15 passes for 181 yards in his third game since becoming eligible. Backup quarterback Blake Bell ran for a touchdown out of the “Belldozer” package and has nine rushing touchdowns over the last five games. Oklahoma could be without leading rusher Damien Williams (581 yards, seven touchdowns), who sprained his ankle against Notre Dame.

ABOUT IOWA STATE (5-3, 2-3): The Cyclones snapped a two-game skid behind Steele Jantz, who passed for 381 yards and five touchdowns – three to Jarvis West – while setting a school-record with 36 completions. It was Jantz’s first start since September 29 (he was benched for the past three games) and the senior helped Iowa State rack up 557 yards – its highest total in Big 12 play this season. Steady quarterback play will help improve an offense that is 83rd in scoring (25.0). The Cyclones have relied on a defense that has generated the second-most turnovers in the Big 12 (19).

1. Cyclones’ star LB James Knott is out for the season after undergoing shoulder surgery Monday. Knott had 11 tackles and a forced fumble in the victory over Baylor.

2. Oklahoma is third in the nation in red-zone efficiency (95.0) and 20th in third-down conversion percentage (47.8).

3. Iowa State is one of the least penalized teams in the nation (27th - 4.8 per game).

PREDICTION: Iowa State 31, Oklahoma 28