The Daily Texan Double Coverage 2020-11-23

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Storm T H E D A I LY TEXAN PRESENTS

Double Coverage VOL. 15 ISSUE 8 | Nov. 24, 2020

katie bauer

/ the daily texan file

HOLIDAY TRAVEL MADE EASY AS PIE. Leaving town for Thanksgiving?

Take MetroBus Route 20 to the airport — running every 15 minutes, 7 days a week — and say so long to the Forty Acres.

Just sw valid U ipe your T ID t for freeo ride .

GE T AN

le ie Ro Cass

CAP METR O

E DUCAT ION ‘Tis the season for safety, so don’t be a Grinch and ruin someone else’s holiday. Wear a face covering when riding; it’s required to use CapMetro services.

Plan your trip at CapMetro.org/planner

4

DOUBLE COVERAGE overall standings

1.

1.

Jack Myer, Myah Taylor

T-3. Nathan Han, T-4. Carter Yates, T-4. Daniela Perez

TEXAN Myah Taylor

Stephen Wagner

Nathan Han

Carter Yates

Brittany Archer

Matthew Boncosky

Daniela Perez

Brett Hintz

Jack Myer

No. 15 Iowa State @ No. 20 Texas

Texas

Texas

Texas

Iowa State

Texas

Texas

Texas

Texas

Texas

No. 2 Notre Dame @ No. 25 UNC

Notre Dame

Notre Dame

Notre Dame

Notre Dame

Notre Dame

Notre Dame

Notre Dame

Notre Dame

Notre Dame

No. 22 Auburn @ No. 1 Alabama

Alabama

Alabama

Alabama

Alabama

Alabama

Alabama

Alabama

Alabama

Alabama

LSU @ No. 5 Texas A&M

Texas A&M

Texas A&M

Texas A&M

Texas A&M

Texas A&M

Texas A&M

LSU

Texas A&M

Texas A&M

Texas Tech @ No. 21 Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State

Nebraska @ Iowa

Iowa

Iowa

Iowa

Iowa

Iowa

Iowa

Nebraska

Iowa

Iowa

No. 9 Oregon @ Oregon State

Oregon

Oregon

Oregon

Oregon

Oregon

Oregon

Oregon

Oregon

Oregon

No. 14 Oklahoma @ West Virginia

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Penn State @ Michigan

Michigan

Michigan

Michigan

Penn State

Michigan

Michigan

Michigan

Michigan

Michigan

T-6. Brittany Archer, T-4. Brett Hintz 8.

Stephen Wagner

9.

Matthew Boncosky

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EDITOR’S NOTE Another week, another test for a Texas team barely clinging to its Big 12 Championship hopes. Texas no longer has the luxury of losing games with the hope that other events across the conference will thrust the Longhorns back into the Big 12 Championship game.

It’s time for Texas to put up or shut up against an unlikely contender in Iowa State, seeking its first-ever appearance in the conference championship game. But if Texas can weather the storm, its road to the Big 12 Championship game will be incredibly optimistic.

DOUBLE COVERAGE Double Coverage Editors Myah Taylor, Stephen Wagner Design Editor

Myah Taylor & Stephen Wagner

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Photo Editor

Jack Myer

Copy Editor

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Writers Nathan Han

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2020

GAMEsTO WATCH

By Brittany Archer

|

@brittanyarcher_

No. 15 iowa state at No. 20 texas

No. 22 auburn at No. 1 alabama

Nov. 27, 11 a.m. CT, ABC

Nov. 28, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS

Texas is back on the gridiron hosting Iowa State after a double-bye week. The Cyclones head south to the Forty Acres after shutting out Kansas State in Ames last weekend. Eyes will be on Iowa State junior quarterback Brock Purdy and Texas senior quarterback Sam Ehlinger in what could be considered the Big 12 Championship semifinal game. Purdy and Ehlinger have split their first two matchups, with the Cyclones winning a thriller in Ames last season 23-21.

Alabama-Auburn is one of the most intense rivalries in college football. The Crimson Tide is enjoying its consistent top-two ranking after throttling Kentucky 63-3 in Tuscaloosa. Alabama’s redshirt junior quarterback Mac Jones, a former four-star recruit, has played his way into Heisman contention this season.

Jones has completed 77.1% of his passes and ranks second nationally in yards per attempt with 12.1. Not only will the Auburn defense have to find a way to contain Jones, they’ll also have a challenge with senior wide receiver DeVonta Smith, who broke an SEC record for career touchdown receptions last weekend with 32.

No. 2 notre dame at No. 25 north carolina Nov. 27, 2:30 p.m. CT, ABC The Fighting Irish are enjoying the ride to the College Football Playoff after handing Clemson their first loss of the season and bulldozing Boston College a week later. This week against the Tar Heels, Notre Dame will need its defense on its top game to outmatch North Carolina’s hot offense. The Tar Heels are currently averaging 51 points and 607 yards in the last four games behind sophomore quarterback Sam Howell. However, its defense has struggled, giving up at least 21 points in all but one game this season.

pittsburgh at No. 4 clemson Nov. 28, 2:30 p.m. CT, ESPN COVID-19 issues are beginning to plague the Tigers, though the Tigers return quarterback Trevor Lawrence and others from protocol. Last weekend’s matchup against Florida State was canceled hours before the game after the two schools’ medical teams “were unable to mutually agree on moving forward with the game.”

But finally, after back-to-back bye weeks, Clemson will return to play when it hosts the Pittsburgh Panthers in Death Valley.

lsu at No. 5 texas A&M Nov. 28, 6 p.m. CT, ESPN After postponing two consecutive games due to COVID-19 contract tracing, the Aggies are set to host the LSU Tigers. While many thought they would plummet in the rankings, the Aggies have maintained their position thanks to their upset win against Florida and the success of senior quarterback Kellen Mond. This trip will be the first time the defending national champions have traveled to Aggieland since they lost in seven overtimes in 2018. While the Tigers found redemption for their 2018 loss season, the Aggies are poised to take this matchup. However, the Tigers have found their momentum after a disappointing start to the 2020 season with wins over Vanderbilt, Arkansas and South Carolina, while the Aggies still have a few starters sitting out because of SEC COVID-19 protocols.

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5

6

DOUBLE COVERAGE

FLEXING ALL THE WAY

7

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2020

Chris Brown’s infectious swagger has Texas’ defense rejuvenated and primed for a Big 12 Championship run.

By Stephen Wagner @stephenwag22

F

lexing comes to Chris Brown’s mind when he breaks up a pass or delivers a big hit to a ball carrier.

The motion wasn’t intended to be the redshirt senior safety’s signature celebration. Brown said fans and outsiders made it popular, and he ran with it even though his teammates sometimes joke about it in the locker room.

“Honestly, it can (become) contagious,” Brown said. “You see other guys out there flexing, doing it. I kind of felt like it sends a message of ‘We’re here.’”

Brown is definitely “here” this year. He’s coming down the home stretch of a breakout senior season that has seen him jump into some early NFL Draft projections.

In Texas’ last game against West Virginia, his fourth-down pass breakup in the fourth quarter sealed the win for the Longhorns.

Naturally, Brown flexed as he ran off the field.

“I’m kind of a guy that the guys rely on as far as energy and things like that,” Brown said. “Regardless of the situation, regardless of the circumstances, I’m going to bring it. If I gotta be that plug, if I gotta be that electrifying force to get my guys going, they’ll get joshua guenther

/ the daily texan file

going. (We’re) definitely bringing that swag back. We’re here, and we’re here to stay.”

His energy has started to spread to his defensive teammates this season. Junior defensive back D’Shawn Jamison threw up a flex seconds after Brown did in the game against WVU. Junior jack Joseph Ossai has flexed after sacks. Senior defensive lineman Jacoby Jones has too.

“

If I gotta be that electrifying force to get my guys going, they’ll get going. (We’re) definitely bringing that swag back. We’re here, and we’re here to stay.”

CHRIS BROWN

redshirt senior safety

“I know (flexing) makes them sick, but that’s what we’re here for,” Brown said. “We’re here to piss people off. We’re trying to get back to that ‘05 (defense). That’s what we’re trying to do.”

Defensive coordinator Chris Ash isn’t bothered by the celebrations, though he joked that the team spent a lot of time practicing flexing. If a

player makes a play, he’s OK with some celebration given how hard the defense practices.

Ash said he often cracks jokes at Brown for being undersized for his position, standing at only 5 feet, 11 inches tall. Brown doesn’t seem bothered. He gave himself the nickname “BiG CB” with a lowercase “i.” He calls himself the baddest man in the Texas secondary because of the work he puts in. Ash said his small stature makes him play with a chip on his shoulder because he has something to prove.

“He is really, really competitive,” Ash said. “He’s tough, and he works really hard. He’s been here as long as anybody, and it’s good to finally see here in his fifth year that a lot of his hard work is starting to pay off and he’s contributing to this defense and this team.”

Brown’s career hasn’t been what he envisioned, but he’s grateful for what it is. He experienced a 5–7 season that bottomed out when the Longhorns lost to Kansas for the first time in almost 80 years but then felt the joy of winning the Sugar Bowl two seasons later. He’s now the most tenured member of the secondary and a captain.

Ash said Brown wants to leave a legacy at Texas, but Brown is much more humble in his approach.

“Just check us out when it’s time for us to play,” Brown said.

8

DANIELA’S

DIGS

DOUBLE COVERAGE

Herman, locker room leadership should get credit for remaining COVID-19 free.

By Daniela Perez @danielap3rez

N

ormalcy is sparse in 2020, yet college football fans have seen glimpses of it this season. Contested matchups and upsets have dominated the national conversation along with news of program outbreaks and sidelined players who tested positive for COVID-19.

A lot of negative opinions can be said about Texas this season, but its off-field discipline has been consistent. Fans may consider remaining COVID-19 free throughout this year an expectation, though Kansas, Kansas State, Baylor and TCU have had to deal with outbreaks. Clemson junior quarterback Trevor Lawrence missed two games for the Tigers after testing positive in late October.

It’s not to say that other Power Five teams are not taking the virus seriously.

But the list of outbreaks has grown throughout the 2020 season — and Texas has not been on it.

Remaining COVID-19 free during an unprecedented season is a feat.

joshua guenther

Texas’ postponement with Kansas came from the Jayhawks, not the Longhorns.

It speaks volumes to how head coach Tom Herman commands the locker room and the players themselves. Texas hasn’t had a player test positive since June. One could chalk it up to luck, but as cases rise in Austin, it sounds more like leadership.

However, Herman continues to feel the mounting pressure of the Longhorns’ unhappy fanbase.

After back-to-back losses to TCU and Oklahoma, rumors began circulating that

former Florida and Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer could replace the four-year head coach.

There’s a section of people ... that know the truth, and then there’s rumors.

TOM HERMAN head coach

Herman was asked by a reporter Nov. 16 what he thought of his job

security and the rumors that he could be replaced by Meyer. It’s nothing new for a head coach to have a potential replacement namedropped at a press conference. But the mention begs the question: What sort of expectations are reasonable at a marquee football program during a global pandemic? Where do fans and critics draw a logical line during an unexpected and challenging season?

“The players, these guys, they’ve seen it all, done it all,” Herman said in response to the Meyer question. “… There’s a section

of people, which is our program, our coaches (and) the people intimately involved in the day-to-day operations of our enterprise, that know the truth, and then there’s rumors.

The player part is really easy, almost comical to the point where sometimes a kid will come up to me and say, ‘Coach, you’ll never guess what lunacy just came across my feed. This is crazy, right?’”

Replacement rumors will never stop in any program, and especially not in Texas.

Football is deeply ingrained in Texas culture; Texas is

/ the daily texan file

home to America’s team, and the Longhorns are the highest-grossing college football program in America. Rumors fuel football. Speculation is half of what makes watching the sport fun. Why wouldn’t the chatter exist, especially when Meyer is a free agent?

Texas fans know that competing this season has been anything but easy, and Texas has handled the pandemic smoothly. At the end of the day, fans want to watch football, but some credit must be paid to the leadership in the locker room — and that includes Tom Herman.

M O R E I N F O : T E XA S S P O RTS . C O M / G O M O B I L E

10

BIG 12

DOUBLE COVERAGE 1. Iowa state cyclones

By Matthew Boncosky

|

@mboncosky

POWER RANKINGS

Iowa State dominated Kansas State last week 45-0 to improve to 6–1 in Big 12 play. Junior quarterback Brock Purdy threw three touchdowns, and star sophomore running back Breece Hall continued his strong season by rushing for 135 yards and two touchdowns. The Cyclones will put their top spot on the line against No. 20 Texas this week.

2. Oklahoma Sooners

3. TEXAS LONGHORNS

Oklahoma made a statement with its Bedlam win over rival Oklahoma State last week. The Sooners raced out to an early 21-0 lead and held onto it the rest of the game. They currently sit in second place in the Big 12 after five straight victories, and redshirt freshman quarterback Spencer Rattler continues to make a name for himself with his impressive play.

Texas received an extra bye last week after Kansas was unable to suit up because of COVID-19 and injury issues.

No. 20 Texas now looks forward to hosting No. 15 Iowa State in Austin on Friday. Since Oklahoma keeps winning, the Longhorns need to beat Iowa State to keep their Big 12 title hopes alive.

4. Oklahoma state cowboys

5. WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS

Oklahoma State lost to in-state rival Oklahoma for the 16th time in the last 20 seasons last week. You have to wonder how many more beatings head coach Mike Gundy can survive, as he is now 2–13 against Oklahoma in his current role. The Cowboys have lost two out of their last three but still sit at fourth in the conference with a slim chance at a title game appearance.

West Virginia is coming off a bye week in preparation for its meeting with No. 14 Oklahoma this week. Although the Mountaineers defense has been solid all year, the Sooners pose a greater threat than any team they’ve played this season. Forcing mistakes and turnovers will be crucial to West Virginia’s hopes of earning a win.

6. TCU HORNED FROGS

7. texas tech red raiders

TCU sits at 3–4 heading into its matchup against winless Kansas this week. Sophomore quarterback Max Duggan is the star of the Horned Frogs offense, leading the team in both passing and rushing yards this season. Anything other than a horrible showing will be enough to beat the Jayhawks.

Coming off the heels of a nail-biting win over Baylor and a bye last week, Texas Tech will be rested and energized for its matchup with No. 21 Oklahoma State on Saturday. The Red Raiders have had a revolving door at quarterback and are scoring less than 30 points a game, so a win this week would be a big accomplishment.

8. KANSAS STATE WILDCATS

9. baylor bears

Kansas State was humiliated by No. 15 Iowa State last week, unable to score a single point against the Cyclones’ defense.

The Wildcats managed just 149 yards of total offense, committed three turnovers and gave up 539 yards on defense. Kansas State will look to end its three-game skid in its upcoming matchup against Baylor.

Baylor has only one win this season, which came against Kansas, the only team below it in the rankings. The Bears were on bye last week, and only time will tell if they took advantage of it before heading into their matchup with Kansas State.

10. kansas jayhawks Kansas couldn’t suit up enough players against Texas last week, meaning its matchup with the Longhorns won’t take place until Dec. 12. The Jayhawks are currently scheduled to play TCU this week. Expect their winless streak to continue.

11

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2020

By Nathan Han

Before the Big 12 lost four of its members and shrunk to a 10-team conference in 2011, Iowa State and Texas had only played seven times, with the Longhorns undefeated despite the fact that the Cyclones are one of the original 1996 Big 12 members.

Then, the conference eliminated divisions and instituted a round-robin format for football conference play. Texas added Iowa State to its list of annual opponents. But that addition hasn’t been the smoothest transition for the Longhorns, who are now 7–3.

The most recent loss to Iowa

|

@NathanHan13

State came just one year ago, when Texas lost on the last play of the game. The Longhorns were riding high after defeating No. 16 Kansas State in Austin and looking forward to a marquee matchup against then-undefeated Baylor the week after.

But the game on the road against the Cyclones in Jack Trice Stadium would bring cold temperatures and a critical offsides mistake on a fourth-and-5 that gave Iowa State the game.

It’s a mistake Tom Herman and the Longhorns can’t afford in Friday’s matchup against the

Cyclones. Texas might comfortably hold the all-time series 14–3, but as recent history has shown, Iowa State is no easy matchup.

GAME TO REMEMBER: This week’s game to remember is the Longhorns’ 2014 win over the Cyclones. Both recently and historically, matchups against Iowa State haven’t been shootouts for Texas. In fact, the next year, Texas would be shut out in an embarrassing 0-24 loss.

But in 2014, then-sophomore quarterback Tyrone Swoopes

had perhaps the finest game of his career.

The Longhorns limped into the Saturday contest against Iowa State with a 2–4 overall record and 1–2 record in Big 12 conference play. But Swoopes and the Texas offense came out of the gates showing no signs of their past imperfect play.

Swoopes went a perfect 7-for7 passing for 108 yards and a touchdown on the first two possessions as the Longhorns jumped ahead 14-0. Texas needed only 55 seconds on its first possession for Swoopes to throw a 28-yard touchdown pass to then-junior wide receiver Marcus Johnson.

But the Cyclones didn’t rest, battling back into the game in the first quarter as Swoopes committed his only major mistake of the game: a goal-line interception with a first-and-goal at the Iowa State 8.

The two teams traded trade scores in a back-and-forth affair, totaling over 1,000 yards of offense in a style of play that would come to define the Big 12.

Swoopes finished the game with 321 yards passing and a touchdown on 24-36 passing, along with 95 yards rushing on 14 carries and a rushing touchdown. At the time, his total 416 yards of offense was the ninth-highest total in school

Nov. 16, 2019

HISTORY IN THE MAKING:

University,

University,

UT-Austin @ Iowa Jack Trice Stadium, 17-7

State

University,

UT-Austin @ Iowa State Jack Trice Stadium, 0-24

University,

Oct. 31, 2015

Oct. 15, 2016 UT-Austin vs.

Iowa State DKR Memorial Stadium, 27-6

UT-Austin @ Iowa State Jack Trice Stadium, 21-23

Sept. 28, 2017

Nov. 17, 2018 UT-Austin vs. Iowa State DKR Memorial Stadium, 24-10

history, and he coordinated seven scoring drives in the game.

His seventh and last scoring drive would be the most important.

With Iowa State tying the game on a touchdown with only 22 seconds left, the quarterback took over with the ball at the Texas 28.

But Swoopes didn’t need a minute of time to score, throwing two beautiful passes down the left sideline for 39-yard and 29-yard gains to set up a game-winning field goal by then-junior kicker Nick Rose.

University,

12

DOUBLE COVERAGE

NOTES FROM THE OPPONENT

By Myah Taylor @t_myah

The Daily Texan spoke with Zane Douglas, sports editor of The Iowa State Daily, ahead of the Texas football team’s game against Iowa State on Friday.

The Daily Texan: For the

last few seasons, a popular narrative has been that it’s “Iowa State’s year” and that (the team) is the dark horse in the Big 12. And that actually seems to be happening this year. So in your opinion, what’s clicking?

Zane Douglas: Really these last couple years … it’s been like, “Are they going to break out this year?” And then they’re always kind of around seven, eight wins.

And it’s like, they don’t really break out, but they’re a pretty good team. This year … I think what’s happening is, one, they have talent …

at every position and every position group, ... and also, they have (junior quarterback) Brock Purdy. He’s had kind of a tough year, but (on Saturday) played really well. And you can kind of see what happens when you combine a good defensive game, a good game from Brock Purdy, and then everything pretty solid done this year.

DT: Speaking of Purdy, he’s been making some NFL buzz even though his numbers aren’t what they were in previous seasons. Based on the eye test, what is he doing away from the numbers?

ZD: For Purdy, this entire year has been a little bit of a down year. He was, I wouldn’t say one of the best quarterbacks in the FBS last year, but he was definitely a top-20 talent as far as the quarterback goes last

katie bauer

season. … But this year, I think what he’s doing well right now is he is letting (sophomore running back)

Breece Hall kind of be the focal point of the offense a little better.

DT: Iowa State is going to be coming to Austin, where they lost in 2018.

How well does this team typically do on the road?

ZD: Well, this season, they have only lost one game on the road. That was to Oklahoma State. They’ve taken down some pretty big teams on the road in previous years, or at least years with (Matt) Campbell as the head coach.

So yeah, I think they’re a pretty good road team.

DT: The game on Friday will be pivotal, not just for Iowa State, but also for Texas. Both are vying for a Big 12 Championship appearance. What do you think will be the key for a Cyclone win?

I would say there’s a pretty good chance that Iowa State can hang with Texas, but Texas definitely has more experience.”

ZANE DOUGLAS iowa state daily sports editor

ZD: I think the key is how

balanced the offense can play. … I keep saying it, but Breece Hall has been excellent all year. But if you have just Breece Hall doing well, then Texas can sell out for the run a little bit. Brock Purdy might not be able to exploit that. But if he plays

/ the daily texan file

like he did (against Kansas State) and you’re able to balance the offense a little bit, it’s really going to be hard to stop.

DT: Texas likes to keep things interesting. That’s what they’ve been doing all season. They’ve been in three overtimes. Do you think that Iowa State could hang if it came down to it?

ZD: If you’d asked me a year or two years ago, I would have said, “Maybe not, I think Texas has the upper hand in that area.” But this year, Iowa State’s had some close games. And I think they’ve played pretty well down the stretch. So I would say there’s a pretty good chance that Iowa State can hang with Texas, but Texas definitely has more experience and has been there before, especially this year.

13

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2020

NOTES ON THE

COACH

By Brett Hintz @BHintzUT

Most of the top head coaches across college football have enjoyed the luxury of beginning their coaching career with a graduate assistant gig at a prominent Power Five school, never coaching at anything other than Division I programs throughout their career.

Texas head coach Tom Herman got his start as a graduate assistant at the University of Texas. Clemson’s head coach Dabo Swinney began his coaching journey at the University of Alabama. Georgia head coach Kirby Smart began his coaching career as an administrative assistant for the Bulldogs.

Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell has much humbler beginnings. In addition to beginning his career as a graduate assistant at Bowling Green, the nearly 41-yearold from Ohio got his first coordinator job at his alma mater The University of Mount Union, a Division III program that seats only 5,600 fans at home games.

Although Campbell started his coaching career at a far less distinguished school than most of today’s household coaching names, it’s seemingly only a matter of time until he joins them at the top of the coaching ranks.

Since taking the Iowa State job at the end of the 2015 season, Campbell has reportedly fielded interest from Florida State and even rejected an interview with the New York Jets back in 2018.

While the prospect of Campbell walking the sidelines for the New York Jets seems markedly different from his past coaching for a Division III school like Mount Union, Campbell’s experience at smaller schools is what has laid the foundation for his success at a Power Five school like Iowa State.

When Campbell was named the

copyright iowa state daily, and reproduced with permission

head coach at Toledo at the end of 2011, he was the youngest head coach in the FBS at 32 years old and went on to compile a 34–15 record over four seasons en route to amassing the third-best winning percentage in program history.

After leading Toledo to a 9–2 record and winning 2015 MAC coach of the year, Campbell took the reins of an Iowa State program that was historically a cellar dweller before he arrived in Ames.

When Campbell was hired prior to the 2016 season, the Iowa State head coaching job was probably one of the least attractive in college football. Due to its lessthan-ideal geographic location and lack of winning tradition, drawing high-level recruits to compete with the rest of the Big 12 was a challenge not many coaches have the persistence or ability to overcome.

Campbell’s prior experience of leading smaller schools to

unprecedented success seems to be carrying over to the Cyclones, resulting in Iowa State extending his contract twice since he took over.

Campbell has led the Cyclones to three consecutive winning records for the first time since 1976-78, has won two Big 12 Coach of the Year awards and is the first and only Iowa State head coach to defeat every team in the conference at least once during his tenure.

Sitting atop the conference at

6–1 in Big 12 play, Iowa State is in a prime position to win the Big 12 Championship this year. To accomplish this, the Cyclones desperately need a win over Texas on the road Friday.

Going to Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium to play against Texas may seem like a tall task, but Campbell has proven his ability to put his team in the absolute best position to win, no matter the circumstances.

14

DOUBLE COVERAGE

OPPONENTS TO WATCH Carter Yates @Carter_Yates16

The Iowa State Cyclones are first in the Big 12 standings with a 6–1 conference record, but they must beat Texas on Friday if they want any chance of playing in the conference championship game. Iowa State is firmly in Big 12 title contention despite the regression of ju-

nior quarterback Brock Purdy. Purdy, a second-team All-Big 12 performer in 2019, has thrown for a paltry 13 touchdowns to six interceptions and is tied for 35th in the nation with a QBR of 73.4.

The good news for the Cyclones? They have developed other key prospects who have made up for Purdy’s middling play.

Here are four Cyclones to watch on Friday:

No. 28 Breece Hall — Running back

Iowa State running back Breece Hall has torched opposing defenses this year on his way to a Division I-leading 1,169 rushing yards. Hall, a sophomore out of Wichita, Kansas, has rushed for more than 100 yards in every single game he has played this season.

A four-star prospect coming out of high school, Hall was named to the first-team True Freshman All-American team in 2019 and has developed into arguably the best running back in the nation as a sophomore. The 6-foot-1-inch, 215-pounder is physically imposing on the field and is averaging 6.5 yards per carry. Look for Hall to provide the Texas run defense, which has allowed 2.4 yards per carry in the team’s last three games, with its toughest test of the season.

No. 3 JaQuan Bailey — Defensive end The Cyclones defense has benefited tremendously from the return of redshirt senior defensive tackle JaQuan Bailey. Bailey played in only four games last season and suffered a season-ending leg injury. He is back to his 2018 form this year and has racked up six sacks. The defensive tackle has also notched 32 total tackles on the season and has even broken up two passes. Bailey has been a huge factor in run defense as well, and his efforts have enabled Iowa State to only give up 72.33 rushing yards per game over the Cyclones’ last three contests. Look for Bailey to make his presence felt in the backfield against Texas, whether that be rushing in for a sack or stuffing a run at the line. copyright iowa state athletics, and reproduced with permission

No. 88 Charlie Kolar — Tight end One of the lone bright spots in the Iowa State passing attack this season has been redshirt junior tight end Charlie Kolar. The 6-foot-6-inch, 257-pounder out of Norman, Oklahoma, has only caught 25 balls this year, but he is tied for the team lead with four touchdown catches. The 2020 preseason first-team All-Big 12 selection has proved valuable in the run game while serving as an extra blocker on the line of scrimmage. He is a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses — too big for many secondary players to cover, but also too quick for many linebackers to take down. Look for Kolar to take advantage of a thin Longhorns linebacker crew, which too often miscommunicates on assignments and leaves men open.

copyright iowa state daily, and reproduced with permission

copyright iowa state daily, and reproduced with permission

No. 23 Mike Rose — Linebacker Manning his linebacker position, Mike Rose is the lynchpin of the Cyclones’ defense. The junior currently leads the team with 63 total tackles and four interceptions. Originally overlooked as a three-star prospect from Brecksville, Ohio, Rose has blossomed into one of the most valuable players on the team this season.

A two-time Honorable Mention All-Big 12 performer, Rose is known for his relentless effort and leadership skills, which have translated into him being named a captain for the 2020 season.

He is a big reason why the Cyclones rank third in the Big 12 in terms of total defense. Look for Rose to fly around the football field and be involved in almost every tackle against Texas. copyright iowa state daily, and reproduced with permission