The last three times an Oklahoma football team has faced off against Iowa State the cumulative point differential has been a meager four points.
Historically, though, the Sooners have dominated the Cyclones, winning 76 of the 84 games between the two schools. That’s a 92 percent winning margin. The games between the two teams have been much more competitive since Matt Campbell became the Cyclones’ head coach in 2016.
Iowa State upset then-No. 3 Oklahoma in 2018 in Norman and narrowly lost in their return visit to OU last season, outscoring the Sooners 20-0 in the fourth quarter only to come up one point short the result of an unsuccessful two-point conversion try.
Jack Trice Stadium in Ames has been a home away from home for Oklahoma over the years. The Sooners are 37-2-1 all-time when playing on the road at Iowa State and haven’t lost a game there since 1960.
Iowa State isn’t the only Big 12 team the Sooners have beaten up on the past five seasons. Since the 2015 season, which happens to coincide with the arrival of Lincoln Riley to the OU coaching staff. Since 2015, Oklahoma is 41-5 in regular-season Big 12 play leading to five consecutive Big 12 championships. One of those five losses was the 38-31 upset of the Sooners by the Cyclones in 2018.
Here are some other important numbers to know before Saturday’s 85th meeting between the Sooners and Iowa State:
.917 — Oklahoma’s 92 percent win percentage against Iowa State is the best in the country against another opponent in a series with a minimum of 50 games.
6 — Victories by Iowa State over ranked opponents since 2017.
9 — Oklahoma is allowing its opponents to complete third-down conversions just 9 percent of the time through two games this season. That ranks No. 1 in the country.
38-0 — Margin by which OU has outscored its two opponents in the first quarter this season. Moreover, the Sooners have held their two opponents to just 13 total yards in the opening quarter on 24 plays.
22 — Iowa State senior defensive end JaQuan Bailey holds the school record for career sacks with 22 and also has the record for tackles for loss, currently at 36.5.
44 — Career touchdown passes by ISU junior quarterback Brock Purdy, six shy of the school record.
60 — The Sooner defense is allowing just 60 rushing yards per game, fourth best in the country among FBS teams.
70 — Win margin by Oklahoma in 84 games against Iowa State, the second best among Power Five teams with at least a 50-game series edge against another team.
128.5 — Average rushing yards per game this season by Iowa State sophomore Breece Hall. That leads the Big 12 and is third best in the country. He rushed for 110 yards last season against OU as a freshman.
61,500 — Capacity at Jack Trice Stadium, football home of the Iowa State Cyclones. Although there will be far fewer than that number, if any fans, on Saturday night for the game with Oklahoma. Iowa State officials have not yet announced if or how many fans will be allowed to attend the game.