Last time Iowa State made a trip to Lubbock, Texas — back in 2011 — it left with a 41-7 victory against then-No. 19 Texas Tech. It was the largest margin of victory for an ISU team against a ranked opponent.

Fast-forward to this season’s matchup between the Cyclones’ (1-3, 0-1 Big 12) and the Red Raiders (5-0, 2-0 Big 12), and the similarities from 2011 end at where the game is being played. ISU running back Jeff Woody feels Texas Tech is much different from its 2011 version, especially on defense.

“They do a lot of goofy stuff,” Woody said of Texas Tech’s defensive front. “They’ll run three-down; they’ll run five-down; they’ll run four-down; they’ll run three linebackers down and two guys all the way inside the guards and leave the tackles uncovered. That wasn’t really the case when we played them back then, so defensively it’s a little different.”

Also different from Texas Tech teams in recent years is the return of Kliff Kingsbury, this time as the Red Raiders’ head coach. Kingsbury was the quarterback in Lubbock from 1999-2002 and is in his first year as his alma mater’s head coach.

In Kingsbury’s untarnished as a head coach, 5-0 in just this season, it is easy for ISU coach Paul Rhoads to pick out something Kingsbury has been able to do well in his first job as the leader of a program.

“He doesn’t lose, first off. Undefeated as a head football coach, that’s a pretty clean record to have. His football team is one that plays with great calmness and poise,” Rhoads said of Kingsbury. “They went on the road and found themselves down quickly to a team that was playing very inspired, emotional football and they just kept on doing what they do. Winning on the road is hard; it’s especially hard in this league, and they did it with a great sense of poise, and I think that comes from the very top.”

Rhoads has also taken notice to Texas Tech’s improved defense. In five games this season, two of which were against Big 12 opponents, the Red Raiders have not given up more than 23 points in a single game.

In Iowa State’s 2011 victory in Lubbock, the Cyclones jumped out to a 21-0 lead after the first quarter. Starting fast on the road is something Iowa State will try to do again against a defense that Rhoads feels has come a “long ways.”

“They’re energized; they’re confident; they’re playing that way. New schemes that they’re utilizing and certainly fits their personnel,” Rhoads said of Texas Tech’s defense. “They’re playing with some guys that are undersized, but it fits their scheme, and they really fly around to the football. I think similar to their demeanor on offense, they stayed the course [last] Saturday against Kansas and really buckled down.”

Kickoff is slated for 11 a.m. in Lubbock, Texas and will be televised on Fox Sports 1.