No. 6 West Virginia (5-0, 3-0 Big 12) travels to Ames, Iowa to take on the Iowa State Cyclones (2-3, 1-2) Saturday night. If you didn’t make the trip, these are the best ways to catch the game.
GAME TIME: 7 p.m. EST
TV: FS1 (Tim Brando, Spencer Tillman, Holly Sonders)
Radio (Morgantown): 100.9-FM (Tony Caridi, Dwight Wallace, Jed Drenning)
Listen Online: WVUSports.com
Watch Online: WatchESPN
Mobile: TuneIn
Betting Line: West Virginia opened as a 4.5-point favorite
Three keys to the game
Third down: West Virginia is one of the nation’s most efficient offenses on third down, converting 56.9 percent of its opportunities. Only N.C. State, Central Florida and Alabama are better. Iowa State, on the other hand, ranks 118th in third-down defense — one spot below Rutgers.
Red zone finishes: Teams are able to drive the ball on Iowa State, but the Cyclones stiffen in the red zone. Iowa State holds opponents to a 50 percent touchdown ratio in the red zone, which is the second-best in the Big 12. After three Will Grier interceptions at the goal line last week, this is an area West Virginia needs to tighten up.
Stay ahead of the chains: Iowa State’s defense ranks ninth nationally in tackles for loss with an average of 8.8 per game after monster 16-TFL performance at Oklahoma State. The same key applies to Iowa State’s offense. West Virginia ranks third nationally with 9.6 TFL per game.
More game coverage from the Dominion Post
Five questions for Saturday’s game
T.J. Simmons is making a name for himself at receiver
Running backs are becoming pass targets in Mountaineers’ offense
Brock Purdy is a star in the making at quarterback for Iowa State
Derrek Pitts is moving back to his natural position of safety
It seems nobody was happier for Reese Donahue’s proposal than Ezekiel Rose
West Virginia loses commitment from 4-star linebacker Lee Kpogba
