Iowa State linebacker Will McLaughlin (23) goes for a tackle against Cincinnati quarterback Brendan Sorsby (2) during the fourth quarter at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Ames, Iowa. © INirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Iowa State returns to the field on Utah’s Senior night to take on the Utes in the penultimate game of the regular season.
Game Day Info
No. 22 Iowa State (8-2, 5-2 Big 12) vs. Utah (4-6, 1-6 Big 12)
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Stadium: Rice-Eccles Stadium (53,644)
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m.
TV: FOX (Chris Myers, Robert Smith)
Radio: Varsity Network (John Walters, Eric Heft, Ryan Harklau)
Line: Iowa State -7 (via Action Network updated Friday)
Over/Under: 42
Series Results
Iowa State leads the all-time series 4-1.
Recent Results
2010: Utah 68, Iowa State 27 (Ames)
1976: Iowa State 44, Utah 14 (Ames)
1975: Iowa State 31, Utah 3 (Salt Lake City)
1972: Iowa State 44, Utah 22 (Ames)
1970: Iowa State 16, Utah 13 (Ames)
Players to watch
Gabe Burkle, tight end (Iowa State)
The sophomore tight end led Iowa State in receptions against Cincinnati, coming up big with his best receiving game of the season. His 73 yards against the Bearcats essentially doubling his season total. Iowa State needs that production out of him in the passing game.
Will McLaughlin, linebacker (Iowa State)
The highly touted linebacker returned to the field after recovering from back surgery last week against Cincinnati. He was supposed to be on a pitch count, but ended up playing more than 30 snaps in Iowa State’s win. The Cyclones have talked about redshirting him, and still can as long as he appears in three or fewer games the rest of the way, but he should be on the field this weekend.
Micah Bernard, running back (Utah)
The Utes running back has been a force for the team all season, eclipsing 100 yards in four games. However, he hasn’t done that in over a month, with the last time coming against Arizona State. Bernard was limited last week out by Colorado, rushing for just 20 yards on 11 carries along with a lost fumble.
Lander Barton, linebacker (Utah)
The junior linebacker brings the size with a 6-foot-4, 236-pound frame while leading the Utes in tackles with 64 this season. Barton had one of his best games of the year a week ago in the loss to Colorado, securing a fumble and grabbing his first interception of the season.
Keys to the game
Get after the quarterback
It’s been a long season for Utah since an injury took out starting quarterback Cam Rising, but it’s been made longer with Isaac Wilson taking snaps for the Utes. When pressured, Wilson tends to misfire. He’s thrown for 11 interceptions to 10 touchdowns on the year – that’s where this Iowa State defense has got to capitalize.
Air it out
Colorado was able to throw for 340 yards last week on the Utah defense, scorching the Utes up and down the field while putting 49 points on the board. Iowa State can gain an advantage behind stars Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, but would really benefit to get the games out of tight end Gabe Burkle and freshman wideout Brett Eskildsen that it got against Cincinnati.
Just win
There’s 2 billion (ok, not really) scenarios in which Iowa State can make a trip to the Big 12 championship game in a couple of weeks, but that’s only if the Cyclones win their final two games. And food for thought – should Oklahoma State and Kansas win Saturday, the Cyclones will again control their own destiny.
In the Big 12
| Big 12 Standings | ||
| Team | OVR | Big 12 |
| No. 14 BYU | 9-1 | 6-1 |
| No. 16 Colorado | 8-2 | 6-1 |
| No. 21 Arizona State | 8-2 | 5-2 |
| No. 22 Iowa State | 8-2 | 5-2 |
| Kansas State | 7-3 | 4-3 |
| Texas Tech | 6-4 | 4-3 |
| TCU | 6-4 | 4-3 |
| Baylor | 6-4 | 4-3 |
| West Virginia | 5-5 | 4-3 |
| Cincinnati | 5-5 | 3-4 |
| Kansas | 4-6 | 3-4 |
| Houston | 4-6 | 3-4 |
| UCF | 4-6 | 2-5 |
| Arizona | 4-6 | 1-5 |
| Utah | 4-6 | 1-6 |
| Oklahoma State | 3-7 | 0-7 |
Saturday, November 23
2:00 p.m. | Arizona (4-6, 2-5) @ TCU (6-4, 4-3) ESPN+
2:30 p.m. | No. 14 BYU (9-1, 6-1) @ No. 21 Arizona State (8-2, 5-2) ESPN
2:30 p.m. | No. 16 Colorado (8-2, 6-1) @ Kansas (4-6, 3-4) FOX
2:30 p.m. | Texas Tech (6-4, 4-3) @ Oklahoma State (3-7, 0-7) ESPN+
2:30 p.m. | UCF (4-6, 2-5) @ West Virginia (5-5, 4-3) ESPNU
6:00 p.m. | Baylor (6-4, 4-3) @ Houston (4-6, 3-4) Fox Sports 1
6:30 p.m. | No. 22 Iowa State (8-2, 5-2) @ Utah (4-6, 1-6) FOX
7:00 p.m. | Cincinnati (5-5, 3-4) @ Kansas State (7-3, 4-3) ESPN2
