Iowa State has pressing concerns after a 41-point loss to the No. 11 Utah Utes, especially with No. 6 Oklahoma waiting for them in just three days. Iowa State is tired heading into week seven of the season, and nagging injuries and worn-out bodies might start to take their toll, especially with elite competition.

The Cyclones hit the road the next two weeks, with Norman, Okla., and Austin, Texas, typically being two of the toughest places to play in the country. The Sooners’ current home winning streak began Sept. 1, 2005, and has stretched 33 games.

A-Rob’s health

Starting running back Alexander Robinson scored Iowa State’s first touchdown against Utah, but was held to a season low in total yardage, on just 15 combined touches. Robinson was held out from practice for most of the week leading up to the Utah game, but aggravated his foot during the game, and is now doubtful for playing against Oklahoma.

“Nay, if I had to guess right now,” said coach Paul Rhoads. “And, at best, he’ll be limited if he is healthy and ready to play.”

X-rays came back negative on the senior’s foot, but the injury is on the same leg as his prior ankle sprain. Robinson was able to play on the ankle sprain and healed up, but currently in a protective boot for his foot, is working out in Iowa State’s Swim-X in order to exercise without putting pressure on the injury.

“No crutches, but the boot will help to restrict the movement. In his mind, I guarantee he thinks he’ll be playing Saturday night,” Rhoads said.

Robinson has been the team’s leading rusher for the last three years, and is still the leading rusher on this year’s team, despite averaging 25 less yards per game than he did in 2009. Backups Shontrelle Johnson and Jeff Woody will likely see the bulk of the carries, and have combined for 323 yards on the ground.

“You can’t replace a No. 33, he’s so knowledgable in this offense,” said quarterback Austen Arnaud. “He’s a vital tool in this offenses progress, but when you have Shontrelle, and Jeff, and James [White], it helps.”

Bye weeks

Baylor and Iowa State are the only Big 12 teams without off-weeks during the long football season, and the Cyclones are starting to feel the wear-and-tear. Robinson’s leg injuries are notable concerns, but on a defense that has faced more than 160 snaps in the last two weeks, players are getting worn out.

Middle linebacker Matt Tau’fo’ou’s broken leg early in the season put added pressure on a young linebacker corps, and sophomores Jake Knott and A.J. Klein have been on the field for almost every snap this season, and are ranked No. 26 and No. 13 in the country in tackles per game. Both linebackers also play special teams on the punt unit.

“We’d like to be able to rest them, but probably we’ll change our practice schedule around to accommodate that for our entire football team,” Rhoads said.

While the timing of each team’s off-week varies, the Cyclones being without one during the difficult schedule this season is causing problems. The team isn’t begging to sit down and relax, but taking on No. 11 Utah, No. 6 Oklahoma and another road game at traditional power Texas on three consecutive weeks mean the Cyclones could use some time to heal.

“It would be good to have an open date right now, or even last week, just because of where we’re at in the season, and what our health situation is,” Rhoads said. “Utah was clearly a faster football team than we were. They were also clearly a fresher football team than we were.”

The Cyclones currently have bye weeks on schedules in the next few years, as the team switches to three non-conference games. Next season, the bye week comes Sept. 24, after a road trip against Connecticut, but before hosting the Texas Longhorns.

Team speed

Rhoads described the main difference between Iowa State and Utah as speed, after the game Saturday night. Utah’s special teams edge and success in spreading the field for 7.5 yards per offensive play means the Cyclones have plenty to work on before taking on Oklahoma. The Sooners surely won’t be any slower than the Utes were on the grass at Jack Trice.

“They’re every bit as good. It’s hard to accurately gauge something like that until you get on the field,” Rhoads said. “You recruit speed first and foremost, then you develop it.”

The Sooners are one of the most explosive teams in the country, with running back Demarco Murray and receiver Ryan Broyles ranking near the top of the Big 12 in yardage at their positions. Broyles even leads the nation in receptions per game and has 25 career touchdowns in just his junior season.

“You have guys in the gap where they’re supposed to be, and guys taking care of the up-field shoulder. There’s time where you can’t bleed slowly like we did with some intermediate throws, you’ve got to take risks,” Rhoads said. “We’ve done that on previous weeks, and some of the deep balls on Saturday night, we did not do that.”

Giving up 106 points and 1,101 yards in the past two weeks, the Cyclones are struggling with spread out attacks, and Oklahoma is yet another spread offense team with plenty of speed on the edges.

Sooner quarterback Landry Jones is 11th in the nation in passing yards per game.

Capello’s playing time

Redshirt freshman quarterback James Capello was trotted out for some clean-up action against Utah on Saturday, and despite not throwing a pass, led the Cyclones down the field. Capello capped the drive with a 19-yard touchdown run, a positive ending to an otherwise destructive second half for Iowa State.

“I thought it brought a lot of confidence to me. I know it wasn’t the first string, but they’re still the No. 10 team in America,” Capello said.

In a town more famous for its bologna than its football, the Lebanon, Pa., native was the Pennsylvania AAA-level Player of the Year as a senior, and the Utah game was the second time he’s seen the field for the Cyclones. Sitting in the depth chart behind Arnaud and Jerome Tiller, Capello will have to be patient for now, but is learning in the film room and on the practice field from the starter Arnaud.

“I learn a lot from Austen, he’s a really smart quarterback. I watch what he does, and in the film room I see what his thoughts are. Basically, he’s what I look to, to learn this offense,” Capello said.