IOWA STATE PASS OFFENSE VS TEXAS PASS DEFENSE
Joel Lanning is going to be the starter. Typically, Jacob Park has been scripted to come in for the third series, but in the Baylor game, Lanning was red hot so the coaches left him in and he played the whole game. So there's no guarantee Park will play, but the plan coming into the game is to rotate. Those close to the ISU program actually feel like Park is the better pure passer, but Lanning has more experience and the stronger arm. Lanning is more of a runner in terms of designed QB runs, but Park can make things happen when he scrambles. The Cyclones do spread it around in the passing game among several different receivers. Allen Lazard leads the team with 27 receptions. Trever Ryen was injured last week, and his status this week is up in the air, but he has been heavily involved with 25 catches. Deshaunte Jones, a true freshman, has emerged as big-play wide receiver. Dondre Daley and Carson Epps have both been pretty reliable.
Edge: Iowa State ***
IOWA STATE RUN OFFENSE VS TEXAS RUN DEFENSE
Mike Warren is the feature back. He got off to a slow start this year, but has had good games against San Jose State and Baylor. Last week, ISU didn't use him a lot, giving him just 9 carries. Warren is averaging 4.4 yards per carry on the year. David Montgomery, a true freshman, gets most of the other snaps at running back but QB Lanning has the second most carries on the team. Both running backs will be used in a variety of ways - ISU will run them both inside and outside. Warren can get loose, but he isn't going to outrun the entire defense. His long run this year is just 20 yards. Montgomery is a little bigger and more physical. He has a long run of 17 yards.
Edge: Iowa State *
IOWA STATE OFFENSIVE LINE VS TEXAS DEFENSIVE LINE
This group has been a work in progress all year. The Cyclones hardly had any returning stats coming back. Jake Campos, an expected starter at tackle, is out for the year. Brian Bobek is at center and he has been anchoring the line. Patrick Scoggins at left guard has been solid. Beyond that, there are a couple seniors who were walk-ons to start their career. It's kind of a patch-work unit, fairly inexperienced, but the line has played better lately.
Edge: Texas *
TEXAS PASS OFFENSE VS IOWA STATE PASS DEFENSE
This is really the strength for the Iowa State defense, checking in at No. 2 in the conference with just 218 yards given up per game. There are plays to be made though, as ISU ranks sixth in the Big 12 in pass efficiency defense. Safety Kamari Cotton-Moya has been banged up and missed the Oklahoma State game last week. His status is still somewhat questionable as of midweek. Brian Peavy and Jomal Wiltz are the corners and both have been solid.
Edge: Texas **
TEXAS RUN OFFENSE VS IOWA STATE RUN DEFENSE
If the pass defense is the strength, the run game is the other side of the coin for Iowa State. The Cyclones rank last in the Big 12, giving up 235.5 yards per game, 5.2 yards per carry and 15 touchdowns on the ground through six games. ISU did have a decent game in this area last week against Oklahoma State, but teams who are good with their ground game have really had a lot of success. Reggan Northrup leads the team in tackles but actually is listed as a back-up to Willie Harvey this week. Harvey started slowly due to injury but is picking up his play of late.
Edge: Texas *****
TEXAS OFFENSIVE LINE VS IOWA STATE DEFENSIVE LINE
Nose Guard Demond Tucker at is solid for Iowa State along the line. He's got good size (295 pounds) but is quick and will try to beat UT's interior offensive linemen off the snap to make plays in the backfield. Overall, the Cyclones' line has had some troubles holding up against the run and has been getting pushed around in that area. Jhaustin Thomas, a defensive end, is leading the team in sacks. The line hasn't necessarily been great with the pass rush, but it has been able to get pressure on occasion.
Edge: Texas ***
Special Teams
Overall, ISU's special teams have been good. Cole Netten has made 12 consecutive field goals going back to last year. Chris Francis is the kick-off guy and has been putting most of his in for touchbacks. Trevor Ryen is the lead punt returner and at one point was number one in the country. He currently leads the Big 12 with a 16.3 average. Kene Nwangwu, is the main kick return guy and averages 24.6 yards per return. The coverage units have been good but not great.
Edge: Iowa State **
Intangibles
This is kind of like picking the lesser of two evils. Iowa State has played well of late but hasn't been able to get over the hump with a big win. And the Cyclones embarrassed Texas in Ames last year. Texas is licking its wounds after a three-game losing streak, but the Longhorns are returning home for the first time in a while so that gives the slight edge to UT.
Edge: Texas *
