Four things to know about TCU’s next opponent, the Iowa State Cyclones
After a much-needed bye week, TCU football returns to action this week against Iowa State in a pivotal Big 12 matchup that could start a late-season push to the College Football Playoff.
As frustrating as losses to Arizona State and Kansas State were earlier in the season, everything is still on the table for the Horned Frogs (6-2, 3-2 Big 12) with BYU being the lone undefeated team in the conference.
Before the Horned Frogs can think about their path to the Big 12 title game, they’ll first need to handle a reeling Iowa State team that has lost four straight after starting 5-0.
Every game from here on out is a must-win for TCU, and considering the remaining gauntlet — at No. 8 BYU, at Houston, vs. No. 25 Cincinnati — the Cyclones (5-4, 2-4) may be the “easiest” team left on the Horned Frogs’ schedule.
Here are four things to know about Iowa State:
A wounded defense
The Cyclones entered the season with arguably the top cornerback duo in the country with preseason All-Big 12 selections Jeremiah Cooper and Jontez Williams.
The versatile defensive backs would’ve been likely selections in the upcoming NFL draft, but both players suffered season-ending injuries in September.
It’s not a coincidence that the Cyclones haven’t won a game since both of their stars left the lineup. It’s already a daunting task to replace one all-conference-caliber player, but two? Even the biggest programs like Ohio State and Texas would be hard-pressed to replace that type of talent halfway through the season.
The Cyclones have allowed nearly 240 passing yards per game during the four-game losing streak, including allowing 307 to BYU true freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier. Without its stud defensive backs, Iowa State’s defense just isn’t as strong.
Inconsistent QB play
The Horned Frogs will face another solid quarterback in the Cyclones’ Rocco Becht. The junior led Iowa State to the Big 12 title game last season with 25 touchdowns and nine interceptions, but he hasn’t been able to match that production this season as he’s been tasked with carrying more of the offense.
Becht got off to a strong start with seven touchdown passes and two interceptions during Iowa State’s 5-0 surge at the start of the year. But in the past four games, Becht has four touchdown passes and five interceptions and has had an ESPN Total QBR below 50 in each game. His lowest during the winning streak was 66.8.
At his best, Becht is one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the country, but at his lowest, he can be turnover-prone. While he’s a capable runner, he’s not the same athlete as some of the other quarterbacks TCU has faced.
Two-headed monster
The Cyclones’ running back duo of Carson Hansen and Abu Sama III has been a bright spot during the losing streak, with both players averaging 5.4 yards per carry for the season.
Hansen leads the team with 613 yards and four touchdowns. He rushed for 113 yards on 18 carries Saturday against Arizona State and brings physicality to the running game.
Sama was limited to two carries against the Sun Devils, but on the season he has 558 yards and four touchdowns. Sama had 177 yards in Iowa State’s upset loss to Colorado on Oct. 11.
Making Iowa State one-dimensional will be the key for TCU, as that is when Becht tends to press.
Exploitable weakness?
Iowa State’s passing defense isn’t the only thing that has taken a step back during the losing streak; the Cyclones also have one of the worst rushing defenses in the Big 12. Iowa State ranks 11th in the league in rushing defense with teams averaging 153.8 yards per game on the ground against the Cyclones.
Arizona State rushed for 290 yards Saturday, with backup quarterback Jeff Sims amassing a staggering 228. Even Colorado managed to top 100 yards against Iowa State, and the Buffaloes’ rushing attack has struggled almost as much as TCU’s has.
Will the Horned Frogs be able to take advantage of that weakness? That remains to be seen, but TCU’s rushing attack has performed much better at home than on the road this season.
This story was originally published November 3, 2025 at 12:31 PM.
