The No. 11 Cyclones are off to the program’s first 8-0 start as they enter a key matchup against Texas Tech.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Even though 11th-ranked Iowa State has completed the first two months of the season, coach Matt Campbell has his eye on the prize as the calendar turns to November. He expects his players to do the same.

“Whether you’re 5-2, 4-3 or 7-0,” he said, “it kind of goes away because the reality is you’re defined by how you play in November.”

The Cyclones (7-0, 4-0 Big 12) begin the month with a game against Texas Tech (5-3, 3-2) at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames on Saturday. A win would make them 8-0 for the first time and put them in a tie for first place in the conference with No. 9 BYU, which is idle this week.

GAME INFORMATION

WHERE: Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, Iowa.
WHEN: 14:30, Saturday, November 2.
LOOK: ESPN
LISTEN: Cyclone Radio Network
VEGAS BETTINGS: Texas Tech +13.5, O/U 56.5

Iowa State made it to the Big 12 championship game in 2020 but has never won a major conference title in its 133-year history.

“We know we have five games left and we know there are so many things in front of us that we can achieve,” defenseman Rocco Becht said. “Coach Campbell always tells us that because it gives us the momentum to go out there and play our best game. We really need to focus on Texas Tech to achieve this goal because if we don’t, we will fall behind.”

Texas Tech has lost two straight games after a 5-1 start and is tied for fifth place with four starts. The Red Raiders blew a 17-point lead midway through the third quarter last week in a 35-34 loss to TCU. Backup cornerback Will Hammond recovered the Horned Frogs’ 27th goal as they attempted a field goal with 1:38 left.

The Red Raiders entered this week with a grumbling fan base and 13 1/2-point underdogs, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. They haven’t lost three games in a row since 2020.

“There’s no one who wants to win more for the fans than I do,” third-year coach Joey McGuire said. “It bothers me that people are upset. It’s not that they’re offended by me—again, say what you want. It bothers me because we couldn’t take care of business on Saturday (and) that’s how people think of themselves as “Red Raiders.”

Tech QB situation

Tech guard Beren Morton injured his left (non-throwing) shoulder in the second quarter against TCU and his availability was questionable. McGuire said tests showed no structural damage. If Morton is unable to play, Hammond will start. Hammond played 50 snaps against TCU. His only other appearance was a mop-up in a lopsided win over North Texas.

I’m going 3 in a row

Texas Tech has won two straight against Iowa State after losing five straight in the series. The teams did not meet last year.

The Red Raiders went 14-10 in Ames in 2022, while the Cyclones went 1-for-5 in the red zone. In 2021, Tech won 41-38 in Lubbock on Jonathan Garibay’s school-record 62-yard field goal as time expired. Both victories secured Tech’s spot in the tournament. Another win on Saturday will do the same.

4000 in sight

Big 12 leader Taj Brooks needs 23 yards to become the third Texas Tech player and ninth from the Big 12 to score 4,000 career points. Brooks is averaging 132.1 yards per game, third in the country, and he and national leader Ashton Ginty of Boise State are the only rushers with at least 100 rushing yards in every game this season.

Getting the Excuse

Brooks gives Texas Tech a favorable matchup against an Iowa State defense that has struggled against the run. ISU is allowing an average of 170 rushing yards per game to rank second to last in the Big 12.

The Cyclones gave up 354 points in a 38-35 win over UCF two weeks ago, the most since Campbell’s freshman season (2016). Opponents completed four runs of more than 40 yards, including three of more than 50 yards.

8 would be great

Since 1929, the Cyclones have played eight seasons with at least eight victories. Earl Bruce (1976-78) and Campbell (2017-18, 2020) have coached three each. Dan McCarney (2000) and Johnny Majors (1971) each had one eight-win season.

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