File this under “The Eyes of (Non) Texas Are On You”.
Just at a quick glance, Texas has a good offense. They’re second in the league in scoring at 40.4 ppg. For comparison’s sake, ISU is now 3rd, at 34.4 ppg.
Now, considering that ISU is about as far behind UT as UT is behind OU’s 45.5 ppg, that might seem like a fairly substantial difference.
However, when we’re talking total offense, ISU is actually even with UT, or slightly ahead, 437.6 ypg to 437.1 ypg.
We’re deep enough in the season for stats to even out. And those numbers are, well ... astonishingly even. If you break that down a bit more, Iowa State runs the ball better than Texas (less carries, but 5.6 ypc to 4.5 ypc), while ISU also passes less frequently—but about even in yards per attempt, 7.6 to 7.3.
*please note that I chose not to use the “conference games only” stats, trying to be more objective.
In a complementary stat, ISU leads the B12 with only nine sacks allowed in eight games, while UT has allowed 17 sacks in 7 games.
Across Herman’s tenure, the offensive line has been his Achilles heel, especially in recruiting. Even touted potential 1st round pick Samuel Cosmi hasn’t developed as hoped.
On the other hand, stud running back recruit Bijan Robinson has slowly worked his way into more playing time. He’s one of a handful of backs in the conference with Breece Hall level talent, so keep an eye out.
For the sake of this exercise, I’m calling the Ehlinger/Purdy QB matchup a wash.
Defensively, UT supporters are gloating about new Defensive Coordinator Chris Ash, and their defense’s improvement. Indeed, the Longhorns are one of only four teams in the conference rushing defense standings allowing 3.3 ypc or less (Cyclones lead at 3.0), so they’re salty up front.
The problem on defense for Texas is, they’re dead last in the conference in passing defense—yards allowed. Now, I’m not completely sure why that is, because in some ways their pass defense is statistically better than ISU’s—which is 5th in the conference in yardage allowed.
Of course, I’m expecting Ash to follow everyone else’s blueprint, and blitz at every opportunity. That said, I’m hoping a fairly green Cyclone OL has learned to pick it up a bit better at this stage of the season.
I do know that their designated disruptor is Joseph Ossai, who leads the conference in tackles for loss by a substantial margin. Essentially, he’s their JaQuan Bailey—though not as many sacks, three in seven games compared to JaQuan’s six and Will McDonald’s league leading six and a half in eight games.
In the sacks department, ISU is 3rd in the conference with 22 in 8 games, while UT is 7th with 14 in 7.
One last interesting stat is that ISU is first in the league in penalties committed, while Texas is...last. Just sayin’.
One factor that will be interesting to see play out will be the effects of Texas having their game with Kansas canceled last week. And that’s not solely a matter of “more time to prepare” vs “more rusty after 20 days”.
But that’s not all. An important factor for UT will be the guys they’re getting back from injury, plus the fact that they didn’t have to take the risk of incurring further injuries by playing a game against Kansas. They’ll be delighted to be getting those players back.
To counterbalance that, I think it’s only fair if we get, say, Joey Ramos or Tarique Milton back healthy, don’t you think? Only seems fair!
In summary, I’m just going to say. I know that the early line has Texas favored—but I think this matchup has us in a much better position to win that most people think.
Go Cyclones!
Just at a quick glance, Texas has a good offense. They’re second in the league in scoring at 40.4 ppg. For comparison’s sake, ISU is now 3rd, at 34.4 ppg.
Now, considering that ISU is about as far behind UT as UT is behind OU’s 45.5 ppg, that might seem like a fairly substantial difference.
However, when we’re talking total offense, ISU is actually even with UT, or slightly ahead, 437.6 ypg to 437.1 ypg.
We’re deep enough in the season for stats to even out. And those numbers are, well ... astonishingly even. If you break that down a bit more, Iowa State runs the ball better than Texas (less carries, but 5.6 ypc to 4.5 ypc), while ISU also passes less frequently—but about even in yards per attempt, 7.6 to 7.3.
*please note that I chose not to use the “conference games only” stats, trying to be more objective.
In a complementary stat, ISU leads the B12 with only nine sacks allowed in eight games, while UT has allowed 17 sacks in 7 games.
Across Herman’s tenure, the offensive line has been his Achilles heel, especially in recruiting. Even touted potential 1st round pick Samuel Cosmi hasn’t developed as hoped.
On the other hand, stud running back recruit Bijan Robinson has slowly worked his way into more playing time. He’s one of a handful of backs in the conference with Breece Hall level talent, so keep an eye out.
For the sake of this exercise, I’m calling the Ehlinger/Purdy QB matchup a wash.
Defensively, UT supporters are gloating about new Defensive Coordinator Chris Ash, and their defense’s improvement. Indeed, the Longhorns are one of only four teams in the conference rushing defense standings allowing 3.3 ypc or less (Cyclones lead at 3.0), so they’re salty up front.
The problem on defense for Texas is, they’re dead last in the conference in passing defense—yards allowed. Now, I’m not completely sure why that is, because in some ways their pass defense is statistically better than ISU’s—which is 5th in the conference in yardage allowed.
Of course, I’m expecting Ash to follow everyone else’s blueprint, and blitz at every opportunity. That said, I’m hoping a fairly green Cyclone OL has learned to pick it up a bit better at this stage of the season.
I do know that their designated disruptor is Joseph Ossai, who leads the conference in tackles for loss by a substantial margin. Essentially, he’s their JaQuan Bailey—though not as many sacks, three in seven games compared to JaQuan’s six and Will McDonald’s league leading six and a half in eight games.
In the sacks department, ISU is 3rd in the conference with 22 in 8 games, while UT is 7th with 14 in 7.
One last interesting stat is that ISU is first in the league in penalties committed, while Texas is...last. Just sayin’.
One factor that will be interesting to see play out will be the effects of Texas having their game with Kansas canceled last week. And that’s not solely a matter of “more time to prepare” vs “more rusty after 20 days”.
But that’s not all. An important factor for UT will be the guys they’re getting back from injury, plus the fact that they didn’t have to take the risk of incurring further injuries by playing a game against Kansas. They’ll be delighted to be getting those players back.
To counterbalance that, I think it’s only fair if we get, say, Joey Ramos or Tarique Milton back healthy, don’t you think? Only seems fair!
In summary, I’m just going to say. I know that the early line has Texas favored—but I think this matchup has us in a much better position to win that most people think.
Go Cyclones!
