For the second straight year, the Cyclones have started conference play 0-1 after a bye week.

On Saturday, Iowa State (3-1, 0-1 Big 12) will travel to Fort Worth, Texas, to play the No. 16 Texas Christian (4-0, 1-0). The Horned Frogs hold an all-time record of 3-0 against the Cyclones.

Entering Saturday, the Horned Frogs hold the longest active NCAA winning streak at 13 games.

“We embrace that challenge that we are the Big 12 and we get these opportunities, and this is another one of them,” said ISU coach Paul Rhoads. “That’s a great challenge and a great opportunity.”

After a loss to Texas Tech last weekend, the Cyclones will head down to Texas with hopes of avoiding another four-game losing skid like the one the team experienced last season after starting 3-0.

The offense has been hard at work perfecting the key components within its system and trying to pick apart a possibly confusing TCU defense, which ranks seventh in the nation in fewest yards allowed.

“We have got to spend a lot of time this week and have spent a lot of time this week getting to know their [types of] coverage,” said offensive coordinator Courtney Messingham.

TCU is tied for second nationally in interceptions with nine. In the loss against Texas Tech, Iowa State’s Steele Jantz threw three interceptions and now has seven for the season.

In order to keep the TCU interception statistic at just nine, the offense has been working on the running back rotation this week in practice.

“We need to run the ball well, but we also have to understand if it’s Shontrelle, if it’s James [White], Jeff Woody or DeVondrick Nealy, we have to block it up front and make a crease so they can go make a safety miss,” Messingham said.

The Horned Frogs’ rush defense is currently ranked No. 8 in the nation, allowing just 78.75 yards per game.

ISU running back Jeff Woody said the offensive line and running backs have been working together to clear up some running lanes.

“The splits for the offensive line got a little tight; they started to condense down, which clogs down the running lanes,” Woody said. “So, opening those back up is good for the running backs.”

TCU’s true freshman Devonte Fields leads the Big 12 in sacks with five; he also has 8.5 tackles for loss.

Rhoads said when the offense isn’t moving, there is more to the art of keeping the quarterback safe.

“It’s not just the running backs, and it’s not just Steele Jantz when the offense isn’t moving,” Rhoads said. “It’s the receivers blocking down field at the second level, the offensive line opening up holes and the running back pressing the right spot.”

Rhoads and Woody both said sound decision-making will play a key part in this week’s game against TCU. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. Saturday, and the game will be televised on Fox Sports Network.