In early October, Iowa gave birth to a 37-30 Oklahoma turmoil to give the Sooners a second consecutive Big 12 loss for the first time in more than 20 years. The result threw the Big 12 race into chaos. Could it be the year that Oklahoma’s No. 10 takes a step back, paving the way for another program to steal the spotlight?
Yes and no. Oklahoma returned next week against Texas and did not look back. Six-time winners, the Sooners looked more like the Big 12 favorites we’ve known over the years under coach Lincoln Riley. The biggest story was improving the defense under Alex Grinch. This was a top 10 defense in November, and the defensive front is playing out. Imagining Oklahoma with a legitimate defense is a terrifying thing and this team has been scary lately.
At the same time, Iowa’s No. 6 is in a position to win its first conference championship since 1912. The Cyclones tore down Oklahoma earlier this year, when the latter were more vulnerable and defeated Texas in Austin on Thanksgiving weekend. putting them 2 -1 against the other top teams in the Big 12. Matt Campbell’s team had a window in 2020 to win a title and is capitalizing.
There is nothing outdated in this rematch. Oklahoma and the state of Iowa are playing great football right now, and the cyclones, in particular, are peaking at the right time. Here’s how to watch Saturday’s game along with the stories to follow.
Stories
Oklahoma: This is Sooners’ fourth consecutive Big 12 title game, but for the first time since the game returned in 2017, it could be their defense that will lead. The tandem of Isaiah Thomas and Ronnie Perkins has made Line D one of the best in the Big 12. They, along with the linebacker corps, will be instrumental in slowing down the Breece Hall runner, who has an All-American season and will likely get a few votes Heisman. Hall rushed at least 91 yards and a touchdown in every game, so reducing its impact is a key point for Oklahoma.
State of Iowa: With all the talk about Hall – and it’s more than deserved – quarterback Brock Purdy is finally in the season that many believed. In his last three games, Purdy completed 76% of his passes for 858 meters, seven touchdowns and zero picks, while being an active part of the running game. He was extremely accurate in the last game of the regular season against West Virginia, going 20 for 23. There is so much balance in Iowa’s passing game, with seven games scoring at least 15 receptions, including three wide receivers. three heads closed and Hall. The passing game has not traditionally been the goal of Iowa State, but it was indeed much more effective in the second half of the season.
Viewing information
Event: Big 12 championship game
Date: Saturday, December 19 | Time: Noon AND
Location: AT&T Stadium – Arlington, Texas
TV: ABC | Live broadcast: fuboTV (Try for free)
Oklahoma Vs. Iowa State prediction, election
Latest odds:
Oklahoma Sooners -6
The only hiccup in Oklahoma’s winning streak was a 27-14 victory over Baylor. Defending the Bears confuses Sooners, showing that, yes, it is still possible to make this group look human. Iowa State has some great defenders at all three levels and got the best of Oklahoma for the first time. Win or lose here, Iowa played well enough on both sides of the ball for Oklahoma to guess again. Choose: Iowa +5.5