Overview
- Undefeated BYU (7-0) travels to Iowa State on Saturday, facing a Cyclones team trying to stop a two-game losing streak after a 5-0 start.
- Iowa State coach Matt Campbell lauded BYU’s culture and said he’d want his own son to play for Sitake, while highlighting the Cougars’ physical run game and freshman QB Bear Bachmeier’s toughness.
- BYU’s identity features a power ground attack behind LJ Martin, the Big 12’s rushing leader, and an attacking defense that ranks second in the league in red-zone defense and excels on third down.
- The Cyclones have been hit by injuries, including in the secondary, and have struggled on third downs and in the red zone, placing added pressure on quarterback Rocco Becht.
- Sitake cautioned against a post-Utah letdown and emphasized turnover discipline, as analytics such as ESPN’s FPI slightly favor BYU in Ames.