No. 6 Iowa State has already proven it can beat No. 10 Oklahoma.
The question is, can the Cyclones do it again?
Iowa State will get its chance on Saturday when it takes on the Sooners in the Big 12 Championship game.
Will Iowa State still have Oklahoma’s number and possibly sneak its way into the College Football Playoffs?
How to watch the Big 12 Championship game
- What: No. 10 Oklahoma (7-2, 6-2 Big 12) vs. No. 6 Iowa State (8-2, 8-1)
- When: 11 a.m. CST, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020
- Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
- TV: ABC
- Online livestream: ESPN+
- Radio: Cyclone Radio Network
- Online radio stream: TuneIn
- Live Stats: Cyclonestats.com
Oddsmakers not expecting a repeat performance
Though Iowa State picked up a 37-30 win at home over Oklahoma back on Oct. 3, oddsmakers see the Sooners to avenge that loss on Saturday.
| Iowa State vs. Oklahoma Big 12 Championship Odds | DraftKings | FanDuel | PointsBet | William Hill |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Point spread (-110 juice unless noted) | OKL -5.5 ISU +5.5 | OKL -5.5 -114 ISU +5.5 -106 | OKL -5.5 ISU +5.5 | OKL -5.5 ISU +5.5 |
| Moneyline | OKL -195 ISU +155 | OKL -235 ISU +186 | OKL -221 ISU +175 | OKL -220 ISU +180 |
| Total points (-110 juice unless noted) | O 57.5 -113 U 57.5 -108 | O 58.5 -106 U 58.5 -114 | O 58 U 58 | O 58 U 58 |
Across the board, Oklahoma is being listed as a 5.5-point favorite against the Cyclones.
Where the odds seem to differ is in the moneyline. Oklahoma is listed from -195 to -235. Iowa State is getting odds from +155 to +186.
The over/under is also a little varied. It is ranging from 57.5 to 58.5 points.
History strongly backs the Sooners
The Oct. 3 victory for Iowa State was a rarity, to say the least.
It was just the Cyclones’ seventh win over Oklahoma in their history of 85 meetings.
Oklahoma has a 76-7-2 record in the all-time history with Iowa State.
While Iowa State hasn’t been able to come through with many wins in this series, the Cyclones have made Iowa sports bettors very happy over the years.
The Cyclones have covered the spread in five straight in this series, all as an underdog of greater than 5.5 points.
Iowa State is very confident in the underdog role. The Cyclones are 20-8-1 ATS in their last 29 games as an underdog.
Oklahoma comes into the game just 4-11 ATS in their last 15 neutral site games as a favorite.
The trends and previous results aren’t swaying the public betting for this game. Currently, 57% of the wagers are going on Oklahoma -5.5.
Iowa State swimming in new waters
It’s safe to say that Saturday’s game could be the biggest game in the history of the Iowa State football program.
The Cyclones are making their first appearance in a Big 12 Championship game, for starters.
Secondly, a win could see Iowa State earn a spot in the playoffs. Currently sixth, all five teams in front of them in the playoff standings will be in action on Saturday against ranked opponents.
DraftKings is listing the Cyclones as +15000 to win the College Football Playoffs. FanDuel lists Iowa State at +10,000.
The strong year has made Matt Campbell a hot name in the Coaching Carousel for the offseason.
Campbell is 34-27 in five seasons at Iowa State and 69-42 over 10 seasons as a college head coach (Iowa State & Toledo).
Campbell was named Big 12 Coach of the Year on Thursday.
Hall leading Cyclones toward title
Iowa State is riding a five-game winning streak coming into Saturday, with its run game leading the way.
Sophomore running back Breece Hall is leading the nation in rushing with 1,357 yards. He has also found the endzone 17 times on the ground while adding two TD receptions as well.
FanDuel considers Hall as a Heisman Trophy contender, listing him as a +4000 long shot to win the honor.
Hall rushed for 139 yards and two scores in the win over Oklahoma. He has put up at least 91 yards rushing in every game this season.
The Sooner rush defense actually ranks fourth nationally, allowing just 89.2 yards per game.
Should Hall struggle, quarterback Brock Purdy will have to step up.
Purdy has thrown for 2,272 yards and 17 TDs in 2020. He was 12 of 24 passing for 254 yards and a score in the Oct. 3 win over Oklahoma.
Sooners haven’t lost since ISU
The loss to Iowa State was a second straight loss for the Sooners, who also lost to Kansas State 38-35 the week prior.
Since then, Oklahoma has won six straight games, with the last five coming by double figures.
No program has appeared in more Big 12 Championship games than Oklahoma. The Sooners are 10-1 in this championship game and making a fourth consecutive appearance.
Offense continues to be the strength of Oklahoma. The Sooners average 43.4 points per game.
Quarterback Spencer Rattler has thrown for 2,512 yards and 24 touchdowns. He has a balanced set of receiving options, with three ranging from 410-482 receiving yards.
In the loss to the Cyclones, Rattler threw for 300 yards on 25 of 36 passing with a pair of touchdowns.
Defensively, Oklahoma is allowing just 22 points and 323 yards per game. Iowa State managed to put up 417 yards on that defense in the first meeting.
