Week 10 of the college football season is here and despite there being only five games this weekend in the Big 12, there is still plenty on the line with conference play in full swing. One of the most important games of the weekend took place in Ames, Iowa as the Iowa State Cyclones hosted the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
Texas Tech was fresh off a disappointing loss to TCU on the road while Iowa State had a bye week last weekend. Both teams are still in the hunt for a conference title and this game had a significant impact on the Big 12 title race. In a wild, rainy game, the Red Raiders pulled off the 23-22 upset. Here are my top three takeaways from the game.
Iowa State Was Sloppy
The Cyclones played a lot like the weather in Ames, Iowa, sloppy. They had a season high ten penalties against Texas Tech which was crazy considering the fact that they had 23 total in their first seven games. Offensively, Rocco Becht made way too many mistakes. While he ended up with only two interceptions, he could have very easily had four of five because a few of them were dropped. But my biggest issue with Iowa State was their offensive line. They couldn’t get much of a push and it looked like they were on roller skates in pass protection. It also didn’t help that they had some head scratching play calling especially in key situations. If not for the defense, I am not sure if Iowa State would have been in a position to win the game at all.
Texas Tech’s Defense Showed Up
Coming into this game, I gave the Red Raiders a tough time because of how they have been playing defensively. In their last two games they had given up over a total of 1,000 yards and 94 points. In fact, they have the worst pass defense not just in the Big 12 but in the entire country. On Saturday afternoon in Ames, Iowa, this defense played arguably their best game of the season.
They held Iowa State in check on the ground for most of the game holding them to just 3.5 yards per carry. What impressed me was the way they dominated the line of scrimmage. Their defensive front was able to get a push all game long and it certainly put pressure on Iowa State offensively. While they gave up a big play late in that game, they were able to keep points off the board. I know most people are going to give the offense credit and that late drive was certainly important, but Texas Tech won this game because their defense stepped up.
The Big 12 Title Is Still Up for Grabs
A loss here for Texas Tech would have sealed their fate in the Big 12 title race. Losing a third game in conference play would have eliminated them but instead, they kept their small hopes alive for at least one more week. If they can win that game against Colorado in two weeks, they are still very much in the hunt.
As for Iowa State, their undefeated streak ends but not their Big 12 title hopes. This team still controls their own destiny as long as they win out and of course that game against Kansas State in the final week of the regular season could determine who makes it to Jerry World.
