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Matthias Schwartzkopf of Wide Right & Natty Lite drops by to discuss Breece Hall, Iowa State’s offense, George Washington Carver and more!
After a rough weekend on the gridiron, the Oklahoma Sooners face yet another program that has given them trouble in recent years. Here to discuss the matchup is Matthias Schwartzkopf of Wide Right & Natty Lite — SB Nation’s Iowa State Cyclones site.
After gaining just a shade over 300 yards of total offense in the loss to Louisiana, Iowa State looked a bit more like the Iowa State we envisioned in its victory over TCU. What seemed to be the key to this improvement?
I think it was just another week of improvement in the run game and Brock Purdy made a few plays with his arm. He didn’t seem to hold back much like he did against Louisiana. Iowa State has always been ones to start off slow at the beginning of the season. This seems to be the case once again. Hopefully another step is taken this weekend.
Speaking of the Iowa State offense, Breece Hall led the way with a solid rushing performance. What aspects of his skill set make him so dangerous?
Hall has great vision. He can see holes where other running backs may not and he takes advantage of that. He also has a little bit of David Montgomery in him where he is very hard to bring down on first contact. I wouldn’t say his top speed is fully developed yet but he has shown to run away from a defense. So you pile that all together and what he is doing thus far, he has a chance to go down as one of the best backs in Iowa State history.
OU fans are plenty familiar with Hall, Purdy and Norman’s own Charlie Kolar , but outside of that group, which offensive player should they keep an eye on this weekend?
I think if Iowa State can really get their receivers going our JUCO transfer Xavier Hutchinson is one that may be a name you will know. He has all the tools to be a big time receiver in the Big 12, we just need the passing game to really take off.
In its first two games, has Iowa State experienced many absences due to positive tests and contact tracing? If so, were any notable players missing from action during that time?
No, we really haven’t that we know of. Most of, if not all the absences have been due to injury.
Based on what you may have seen from Oklahoma’s loss to Kansas State, which area or areas of OU’s defense or offense do you think the Cyclones can exploit?
I am just waiting for the OU offense to really take off. Lincoln Riley is one of or if not the best offensive coach in the country. So the fact they played not to full potential last saturday has me worried in that regard. Though Spencer Rattler is a tremendous talent and he probably will be very very good. I think Heacock has the ability to confuse him or force him into mistakes being so young into his tenure as the Oklahoma quarterback. If they can exploit some of the questions on the offensive line for Oklahoma and apply pressure. That is all the better.
Defensively, Iowa State has shown to be more consistent running the ball and Kansas State had some success with that as well. If Iowa State cang get Breece Hall in space and let him go to work, that seems to be the best option there.
Oklahoma is currently favored by 7, so do you think Iowa State beats the spread this week?
I wouldn’t doubt that it just hangs around there. Seems to be a good line, I am guessing Vegas is just waiting for that OU explosion.
Who’s your favorite Iowa State alum outside of sports?
George Washington Carver, obviously. The dude had a lot to do with peanut farming and without the development of that. We would never have peanut butter and how many great things have peanut butter. A ton.
What’s your favorite Halloween candy?
Reese’s Pumpkins. Any holiday candy that is made like that. Get me in there, coach.
Why are Iowa State fans so enamored with Busch Light in particular? I mean… I dig it, but why not Natty or Keystone?
Iowa Corn Water. That is why.
You know, I don’t really know why. It’s one of those things we just all drink and it has never been questioned by anyone here. Though, Natty Lite: As our name has in it, I drank plenty of that in college. It’s not that bad of a beer.