3 Offensive Keys vs. Iowa State: Sooners need to get the ground game going

Oklahoma’s offense has to put forth a more complete performance against Iowa State on Saturday. Take a look at our offensive keys to a win.

Oklahoma will host their first Big 12 opponent of the year on Saturday night when Matt Campbell’s [autotag]Iowa State Cyclones[/autotag] come to Norman for what should be a rocking crowd.

Oklahoma looks to go 2-0 in Big 12 play and set up a massive matchup with arch-rival Texas next week in Dallas.

This week, though, the focus is on the Cyclones. For a Sooners team that looked resilient on the road against Cincinnati, they’ll have to be better this week. Otherwise, they could be on upset watch.

Offensively, they were good, not great.

Sure, Dillon Gabriel threw for 322 yards, completed 68% of his passes, threw a touchdown, and ran for a score. However, two missed throws that would have been sure-fire touchdowns took the luster off what would’ve been a great day.

On the ground against possibly the best defensive line in the conference, they ran the ball 34 times for 103 yards. It wasn’t good in the first half, but improved to average more than four yards a carry in the second.

That efficiency level must be more consistent against an Iowa State team that will employ a defense begging Oklahoma to run against it. With that said, here are three keys to a more complete offensive showing and for the Sooners’ offense to help pull out a victory.

Up Next: Keys to the Game

Three Iowa State Cyclones to know for Saturday’s matchup with the Oklahoma Sooners

Okahoma hosts Iowa State on Saturday and comes in with a talented cast of players. Here are three Cyclones to know.

Oklahoma returns home after starting their Big 12 campaign on the road against a tough Cincinnati team in a game they won 20-6. They’ll be under the lights for a primetime kick against the Iowa State Cyclones (2-2, 1-1 Big 12).

This isn’t the same Iowa State team that Oklahoma had some very close contests with a few years ago. However, Matt Campbell is an excellent coach and will have his guys ready to play hard.

Oklahoma is in a prime spot to look ahead to their monumental matchup with Texas next weekend. But for that game to mean nearly as much as it can, Oklahoma, like Texas, needs to take care of business this weekend.

Players have reiterated that they look at themselves as 0-0 every week, which must be displayed on Saturday night.

Who are some of the Iowa State names Oklahoma will need to be on the lookout for? We took the liberty of listing the three players to know below.

Up Next: Three Cyclones to Know