GAME NOTES: The fourth-ranked Oklahoma Sooners are clearly favored in this weekend's Big 12 road clash with the Iowa State Cyclones in Ames. Oklahoma is 6-1 this season and has won back-to-back games since its lone loss of the season to Colorado. The Sooners improved to 2-1 in Big 12 play with a 41-31 triumph over a tough Missouri squad last weekend. Since winning the first four games of the campaign by no fewer than 38 points, each of the last three outings for Oklahoma has been decided by 10 or fewer points. While the Sooners have only lost one of their seven games overall, the Cyclones have won just once in seven outings. They are currently in the midst of a four-game skid, with three straight losses by 18 or more points. Last weekend, Iowa State was crushed at home by Texas, 56-3. The Sooners hold a dominant 66-5-2 series lead over Iowa State, including a 32-2-1 advantage in Ames. Oklahoma owns a 10-game winning streak against the Cyclones.

Oklahoma gained a solid total of 384 total yards last weekend against Missouri, but the 41 points that the Sooners managed were much more impressive. Chris Brown had three rushing touchdowns, and Sam Bradford threw for a pair of scores. A key to Oklahoma's success in the tilt was that it made good on 10- of-14 third down conversion attempts. Also, all five of its trips to the red zone resulted in points. Overall this season, the Sooners are averaging 48.4 ppg and 468.1 total ypg thanks to a balanced offense that posts over 200 ypg both on the ground and through the air. Bradford has been sensational, completing 70.7 percent of his passes for 1,689 yards and 20 touchdowns with four interceptions. Juaquin Iglesias leads the club with 42 catches for 635 yards and four touchdowns, while Malcolm Kelly has recorded 27 grabs for 512 yards and eight scores. Patrick Allen, DeMarco Murray and Brown are all outstanding tailbacks.

The fact that Oklahoma allowed 31 points to Missouri last week suggests that the Sooners could have played much better defensively than they did. To an extent that is certainly true. Missouri finished with 414 total yards, including 361 yards through the air. However, a closer look reveals that Oklahoma came up with four total takeaways and limited the Tigers to 57 rushing yards. Not only did the Oklahoma defense score a touchdown on a fumble recovery, the unit allowed one of Missouri's scores in the final seconds of the contest when the game was already out of reach. Opponents are scoring 18.0 ppg against Oklahoma, which is yielding a mere 65.1 rushing ypg on 1.9 ypg. Opponents have found much more success throwing the ball against the Sooners, but they have managed 13 interceptions and 25 sacks. Through seven games, Auston English has 11 TFLs, including 7.5 sacks.

Iowa State scored just three points against Texas last weekend, so it is fair to say that the offense struggled mightily. The Cyclones gained 228 total yards in the clash and turned the ball over three times. Bret Meyer finished 17-of-33 passing for 111 yards and was intercepted twice, numbers that aren't going to scare the Sooners heading into this weekend's tilt. The ground attack produced mediocre results, and there is obviously plenty of room for improvement. Iowa State is averaging 16.3 ppg and 333.1 total ypg, numbers that can obviously stand some significant improvement. Meyer has completed 60.5 percent of his passes for 1,390 yards with only five touchdowns against 10 interceptions. Todd Blythe leads the receivers with 35 catches for 456 yards and three touchdowns, while J.J. Bass paces the ground attack with 443 yards and four touchdowns.

The Iowa State defense was no match for the Texas offense last weekend, as the Longhorns were able to rack up 514 total yards en route to seven offensive touchdowns. With 216 rushing yards and 298 yards through the air, Texas was able to find success via both means of attack against the Cyclones. Iowa State failed to force a single turnover in the contest and managed only3 one sack. Opponents are averaging 32.7 ppg against the Cyclones, who are yielding 370.3 total ypg. They have held opposing rushers under 4.0 ypc in the ground game, but foes have racked up yards through the air. Iowa State has allowed 15 passing touchdowns while managing just six interceptions. Alvin Bowen leads the defense with 61 total tackles, including 6.5 TFLs.

It isn't difficult to identify the smart pick in this game. Iowa State was demolished on its home field last weekend, and there is no reason to expect anything different this time around.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Oklahoma 51, Iowa State 10