Oklahoma football: 6 bold predictions for Oklahoma vs. Iowa State

Now that we’ve broken down the preview of Oklahoma football and Iowa State, let’s get to some of the fun stuff.

Here are six bold predictions for the Sooners going into the Iowa State game (plus a bonus).

Iowa State will have a different gameplan than they did last year

There has been a lot of talk about the Cyclones’ umbrella defense  and how effective it was at frustrating the Sooners last year, but this is a different Iowa State team and a different Oklahoma team. Don’t be surprised if the Cyclones come out, load up the box while playing a three-deep over the top  to prevent the deep ball. They will try to force Kyler Murray to make some intermediate throws into zone coverage, similar to what UCLA did last week.

It will probably become a trend for OU opponents.  Not because teams doubt Murray’s abilities to make accurate throws as much as other teams’ fear what he can do both with his feet and with the longball. This game plan leads to my next prediction.

Grant Calcaterra will have a career day

The Cyclones are strong at both corner positions, but inexperienced at safety and linebacker. This is the perfect recipe for Calcaterra to have a big game. Murray has shown faith in his receivers by throwing up some jump balls in the first two games and Calcaterra might be the best possession receiver on the team. It’s just a matter of time before he breaks out and this is looking like a great time for it to happen.

No running back will get more than 20 carries

The Sooners are going to go about replacing Rodney Anderson by committee. Though Trey Sermon looks like the leader in the clubhouse to become the No. 1 back, there’s just so much talent behind himl. I think Sermon gets some early carries and then finishes strong to go over 100 yards, but Marcellious Sutton, Kennedy Brooks and T.J. Pledger will all get their shots with the ball. The Sooners will finish with over 200 yards on the ground, but they will be hard-earned all day.

The OU defense scores a touchdown

The Sooners have been more aggressive so far this year on defense and that has paid off with some sacks and tackles for loss, but only one turnover so far. Against either an injured and less-mobile Kyle Kempt or a backup Zeb Noland the Sooners are going to come after the Cyclones. This will lead to either a strip sack or a passing hanging in the flat that will end up going the other way for a touchdown. The No. 1 candidate to come up with the turnover in my mind? Brendan Radley-Hiles. He came close to taking the ball right out of the air at the line of scrimmage last week in what looked like a Troy Polamalu play. He’s going to get one of those and it could very well come this week.

We will see our first trick play of the year for Oklahoma

Whether it comes on special teams or just a trademark Lincoln Riley gimmick play on offense, the Sooners will have something up their sleeve when they take on Iowa State. Kyler Murray’s speed seems to scream quarterback throwback. I also think there will be a time when Riley gets Kyler Murray and Marquise Brown running in opposite directions to use their speed against a defense. Get ready Iowa State because there’s some razzle dazzle headed toward the Midwest.

Oklahoma will win going away

Iowa State is a good team, but probably not in Oklahoma’s class as long as the Sooners are playing their brand of football and not beating themselves. Still the Cyclones will keep things within arm’s reach for most of the first half much like UCLA did last week. The Sooners will take a 24-7 lead into the locker room, then explode for two quick third quarter touchdowns to put the game away. We will see one of the three backup quarterbacks by the fourth quarter and Oklahoma will pull away for a 45-13 victory to start Big 12 play 1-0.

BONUS PREDICTION

The Sooners will make some headway in the polls not only based on their performance, but also because of a big upset in Arlington. TCU uses its defensive speed and a smart game plan to knock off Ohio State 27-24 at Jerryworld, giving the Big 12 something to cheer about.