Welcome Sooner Nation. I'm feeling like we may be set up for one of the best games of the year. The Sooners are playing their best football at the right time. This is probably the biggest game in the history of Iowa State football, at least in my lifetime and we've got a revenge factor and trophies on the line at a neutral site. Let's do this.
OFFENSE
Matt Campbell's defense is the only one that consistently gets under the skin of a Lincoln Riley offense. The Cyclones can frustrate and create scoring lulls. Spencer Rattler et al cannot get flustered. Rhamondre Stevenson can help with this. The boys up front need to establish dominance of the line of scrimmage early so Stevenson can be in Lincoln's back pocket any time he needs it.
Meanwhile, if Austin Stogner returns all bets are off. The Sooners have established a lethal supporting cast around Rattler with Marvin Mims, Stogner, Mikey Henderson and Theo Wease. But if Stogner is available as a security blanket and Rhamondre can be consistent then Lincoln can be ultra-creative.
I imagine the Sooners will have some challenges and I wouldn't be surprised if Rattler throws a pick or possibly two. He could easily start pressing. Lincoln will try to get him in a rhythm so he doesn't have to put it all on his shoulders. What Rattler cannot do is take sacks. The Cyclones will be dialing up pressure more often than not so Rattler will have to make quick decisions.
I'm picking Rhamondre for my OPOG because he can match the toughness of the Cyclones and be the kind of guy who can impose his personality on his teammates. They'll need that toughness today.
DEFENSE
I imagine this group can't wait to get on the field for some revenge today. Three time tractor pull champion Ronnie Perkins wasn't available last time and needless to say the Cyclones didn't catch the Sooners at their best. Today they will.
Like the Sooners offense, Iowa State will try to impose their will through the running game. Hot take alert: Breece Hall is one hell of a running back. I imagine the Cyclones will try to use a lot of play action and misdirection to get the Sooners on their heels and/or overrunning plays to find space for Hall.
The Sooner D, for their part, just need to keep doing what they've done for the last month. Play fast and get after the quarterback. This unit is so much better than they were in the first matchup it may make the Cyclones head spin. Fingers crossed.
For my DPOG I'm picking Bookie. Naw, blood, I'm kidding. Fuck that guy. I'll take Isaiah Thomas. He's been set to beast mode all season.
THE SCORE
This will be the game of the year in the Big 12. It's going to be hard fought and low scoring but lots of haymakers and back and forth.
Of course I like the Sooners to win their 6th 'ship in a row but it'll be close. I like the Sooners 27, Cyclones 21
Boomer to the motherfuckin Sooner
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