TCU-Iowa State preview: Stats, trends, key matchups
Iowa State RB Mike Warren vs. TCU rush defense
Warren rolled up a school record 245 yards last week against Texas Tech. That’s the most by a freshman running back this season and he’s already set a school record for rushing yards by a freshman with 574. He’ll have a chance to add to that against a TCU that allows 183 yards per game on the ground. The Horned Frogs gave up 228 rushing yards to Kansas State.
TCU WR Josh Doctson vs. the Iowa State secondary
No one has stopped Doctson this year, so why should the Cyclones? Doctson has garnered Heisman talk for his record-setting start. He’s the Big 12 leader in receptions and receiving yards too, averaging 146.2 yards a game. Iowa State is allowing 258 yards per game, and hasn’t faced a passing attack like TCU’s and a receiver like Doctson. It could be a long day in Ames for the Iowa State secondary.
TCU vs. last-second magic
The Frogs are 6-0 and ranked third in the country because they’ve been able to find a way to win games late. But how long can that magic last? TCU tempted fate against Texas Tech and needed a dramatic catch to win the game. TCU needed a furious Trevone Boykin-led rally Saturday to beat Kansas State. That’s a sign of a team on the way to a special season or of a team that’s been lucky to get by. One way to not push the luck is to go out and have a dominant, drama-free performance.
Streaks
▪ The Horned Frogs have had the Big 12 offensive player of the week four consecutive weeks: Boykin nabbed the honor after SMU, Doctson after Texas Tech, KaVontae Turpin was awarded for his four-touchdown game against Texas and then Boykin took the honors again for his performance against Kansas State. It’s only the second time in Big 12 history the same team has had the offensive player of the week four consecutive weeks (Oklahoma, 2004)
▪ Iowa State rushed for at least 200 yards for three consecutive games for the first time since 2009.
▪ The Horned Frogs have scored first-quarter touchdowns in a Big-12 record 19 straight games, the longest streak in the nation.
Tarrant ties
Iowa State has 22 players from Texas on the roster, but only one player from Tarrant County: junior defensive back Matt Swoyer (Southlake Carroll).
Record watch
The Frogs have won 14 straight games, tied for the longest streak in school history with the 1937-38 and 2008-09 teams.
The basics
When: 6 p.m. Saturday
Where: Jack Trice Stadium, 61,500
Records: TCU (6-0, 3-0 in Big 12); Iowa State (2-3, 1-1 in Big 12)
Last week: TCU beat Kansas State 52-45; Iowa State lost to Texas Tech 66-31
Rankings: TCU No. 3 in AP; Iowa State not ranked
Series record: TCU leads 5-1
Last meeting: TCU won 55-3 in Fort Worth last year
TV: ESPN2
Radio: WBAP/820 AM, KTCU 88.7 FM
Forecast: 56 and clear
Point spread: TCU by 20
This story was originally published October 14, 2015 at 1:51 PM with the headline "TCU-Iowa State preview: Stats, trends, key matchups."