Previewing Iowa State - The Cyclone Defense

by ccmachine on Oct 13, 2010 4:43 PM CDT in Oklahoma Sooners Football

If DeMarco Murray was able to run for 100 plus yards against Texas (currently 2nd in the Big 12 against the rush) then you'd think that he's at least licking his chops about the potential of gashing through an Iowa State defense that is giving up over 200 yards a game on the ground and is 11th in the conference against the rush. That's not the only area the Cyclones struggle defensively though.

	DE Patrick Neal 15 Tkls/1 Sk		DT Bailey Johnson 7 Tkls		DT Stephen Ruempolhamer 24 Tkls/2 Sks	DE Rashawn Parker 14 Tkls
CB Ter'ran Benton 23 Tkls/1 Sk							CB Leonard Johnson 33 Tkls
		LB A.J. Klein 62 Tkls/3 Ints		LB Jake Knott 58 Tkls/3 Ints		LB Matt Tau'fo'ou 10 Tkls
			S Zac Sandvig 25 Tkls/1 Int		S Michael O'Connell 24 Tkls

Iowa State is ranked 88th nationally in points allowed by allowing 29.7 points per game and they're 9th in the Big 12 in passing defense, giving up 217.7 yards per game through the air.

The strength of the Cyclone defense is among the linebackers where A.J. Klein and Jake Knott are one of the top duos of linebackers in the conference. They are the team's top two tacklers and are tied for the team lead in interceptions. On top of that Klein is averaging 33.3 yards per return on interceptions which eludes to the fact that he can do something once the ball gets in his hands other than just fall on it.

In the same way that DeMarco Murray is licking his chops about facing the Cyclone rush defense, Landry Jones may have the same feelings towards the ISU pass rush. The Cyclones have only managed to produce six sacks this season and two of them are by Stephen Ruempolhamer who leads the team.

If they execute, the Sooners have the opportunity to be completely balanced Saturday night against the Cyclones. I would expect the offense to mix things up in play calling in an effort to keep the Iowa State defense guessing and not allowing them to pick up on any tendencies. There shouldn't be an area of advantage for the ISU defense unless they sell out to stop the run in which case should lead to another career day for Landry Jones.

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I would expect the offense to mix things up in play calling in an effort to keep the Iowa State defense guessing

I expect a steady diet of Halfback dives starting at 15:00 in the 3rd quarter, where even a defense like Iowa State can stack the line and stop it.

I hope I’m wrong and you’re right.

Colorado Rockies correspondent at My Team Rivals (www.mtrmedia.com/rockies) and my own site Rockies Reporter (www.rockiesreporter.wordpress.com)

by Redhawk on Oct 13, 2010 6:41 PM CDT reply actions

i can see wilson letting off the gas, as he's done...

but in all seriousness, if we put this game away it’s going to be the clay and finch show. maybe they’ll even throw calhoun a bone. i’m starting to think miller might redshirt— he hasn’t played yet, right? he was on the field with the team even in cincinnati.

anyway, my point is that we might keep running many of the same plays (i hope), only with drew allen throwing screens to finch and handing draws to clay.

by evenyoudorn on Oct 13, 2010 7:37 PM CDT reply actions

the only flaw in that logic

Is they don’t continue to run the “normal” offense in games like these (assuming we get up big). So they bring in these kids to run into what amounts to a ten man front with very little success. I’ve never really understood it, but then again I’ve never really understood anything Kevin Wilson tries to do with this offense.

Others receiving votes: Texas

by Jordan Esco on Oct 14, 2010 10:04 AM CDT up reply actions