The Iowa State Cyclones will once again look to become bowl eligible on Saturday afternoon when Colorado comes to town. Let’s go inside the numbers to preview the match-up.
Offensive Numbers
We’ll start things off by breaking down Iowa State’s lackluster offensive performance on Saturday. When the Cyclones have been successful this year, it’s all began with a solid rushing attack. That absolutely did not occur against the Cowboys as Iowa State mustered up a grand total of 54 rushing yards on the day. That performance not only hurt Iowa State on the field but in the stat book as well. Iowa State entered Saturday as the top-ranked rushing team in the Big 12 Conference. This week, the Cyclones are third on the league’s rushing list averaging 185.70 yards a game.
Individually, Alexander Robinson’s average dropped to 96 rushing yards per game. That stat still ranks him 29th nationally. Robinson ran for 51 yards in the loss.
It’s hard to pass if you can’t run. Iowa State learned that the hard way against Oklahoma State, as the Cyclones passed for only 188 yards. Iowa State’s pass offense is now ranked 11th in the Big 12, averaging 181 yards a game. Kansas State is the only team ranked behind the Cyclones. Quarterback Austen Arnaud’s efficiency rating is currently 83rd nationally.
After Saturday, senior wide receiver Marquis Hamilton continues to lead the offense in receptions with an average of 3.80 per game. Iowa State’s offensive line has dropped off a bit of the past few weeks but are still ranked 19th nationally in the sacks allowed category. The Cyclone big men are giving up .90 sacks per game this season.
Defensive Numbers Iowa State’s defense has seen two prolific offenses since forcing eight turnovers against Nebraska on Oct. 24.
On Saturday, Oklahoma State’s rushing attack ran wild inside of Jack Trice Stadium. The Cowboys rushed for 331 yards against the Cyclones, while 206 of those came from Keith Toston, who averaged an impressive 8.2 yards per carry. It didn’t stop there. Zac Robinson, Beau Johnson and Kendall Hunter all ran for over 30 yards on the day as well.
That number dropped Iowa State’s rushing defense number to 93rd nationally, as the Cyclones are now giving up an average of 169.80 rushing yards per game. Iowa State’s pass defense is ranked 81st giving up an average of 234.50 yards per contest. That ranks Iowa State’s total defense 94th nationally and 11th in the Big 12.
Senior linebacker Jesse Smith continued to pad his tackling stats against the Cowboys. After recording 10 tackles against Oklahoma State, Smith is the nation’s sixth leading tackler as he’s averaging 11 per game.
A Quick Look at Colorado Total Offense: 111 Rushing Offense: 113 Passing Offense: 64 Total Defense: 74 Pass Defense: 70 Rush Defense: 72
Needless to say, the Buffs are not Oklahoma State. There’s no reason to not be optimistic about this one Fanatics.
