Mahommes is an amazing performer. He had a couple of his best games against ISU. With some irony, he had possibly his worst game ever in their blowout loss in Ames this last year. (
I said ... their blowout loss in Ames in reference to a gridiron opponent ... it kinda makes me tingle!! 
) . Of course, he was playing injured. It was also a rare, northern, late November, cold weather game. The best case scenario for the home squad. But stats are stats. ... Anyway, I wish all the best for Mahommes in his NFL career, and hope he becomes the KC Chiefs long time starting QB. Of course, I am primarily greatful he chose to enter the draft in his junior year.
As to the prospect of winning in Lubbock. The last win there was a blowout for ISU following a really odd week for the Tech-sters. They came off a 3 am Sunday win in Norman, and their body clocks were all out of whack. A great opportunity for a Rhoads road win, but as we were to learn, it was no kind of trend.
For this year, yes, on paper, ISU has better overall talent, superior special teams, and superior coaching. But lets not forget the Red Raider intangibles. First, location, which (like a Trump tweet) is self explanatory. Second, they've got tremendous home state pride down there, a Texas home turf swagger. Third, they can bring in top shelf, true freshman talent that does not show up in the summer magazines. And fourth, it is gonna be hot down there early in the season. So, while I like the match up, winning will take a level of maturity and toughness we haven't seen much of in this millennium. It will be a test of mettle, and I think this years most important game. This team has it in them, but a win in Lubbock this year, even a close one, will prove this team is exceeding expectations in CMC year 2. And because the win might even be "expected", it would maybe even be a bigger deal than last years blowout win.
