SW Iowa Times

What was once billed as a marquee matchup between two nationally ranked teams, Saturday’s football game between Iowa State and Texas has turned into a chance for both teams to stay relevant in the Big 12 this season.

The 5-3 Cyclones will host the 4-4 Longhorns at 7:30 p.m. and according to Sports Illustrated, Iowa State has a 6.5 advantage on the betting line. Cyclone games thus season have averaged 49.7 points, which is 10.8 fewer than the over/under. Texas games have averaged 60.3 total points.

Iowa State and Texas started the season with thoughts of a title run, according to longhornswire.usatoday.com, but after Iowa State dropped two of its first four games and Texas fell in three straight, the teams have become a glimmer of thought in the Big 12 race.

The Sports Illustrated article gives four predictions for the game, including that Texas would win. It also predicts that Texas quarterback Hudson Card might get considerable playing time if Casey Thompson struggles against Iowa State’s fifth-ranked defense.

It also predicted that the Longhorns' Bijan Robinson would have a bounce-back day after a poor showing against Baylor where he averaged 2.5 yards per carry, and that Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy would have some trouble with the Texas defense and throw a second-half pick in a time where Texas has struggled lately.

Cyclone fans took to Twitter with excitement about the team’s future.

“For Iowa State fans ... Saturday is a chance to beat Texas, be 6-3 ... where have we come to not cheer that on,” Iowa State fan @CloneV96 tweeted on Nov. 4. “This year shouldn’t be just the one shot year, but yet another brick to building more. Lots of young players to keep developing. Those jumping ship were not true fans.”