It may not be now or never time for the ISU football team just yet, but it’s close.

When Iowa State (3-4, 0-3 Big 12) takes on the Texas Tech Red Raiders (4-3, 1-2 Big 12) inside Jack Trice Stadium, the Cyclones will find themselves in a familiar position – with their backs to the wall.

For the fourth straight season, Iowa State has started 0-3 in the Big 12.

In 2003, the Cyclones failed to win another game, but in the last two seasons, the Cyclones rebounded to win four out of five games to close the season and earn a bowl trip.

It’s time to start that turnaround again, this time on Homecoming.

“Every team is different and every season is different,” coach Dan McCarney said. “We’ve dug out of this hole before. We have dug out of it because of the hunger and the drive to get into postseason play, but every team is different, so we’ll find out Saturday about this one.”

The task got even tougher for Iowa State in a 34-9 loss to Oklahoma last weekend when the team lost starting cornerback and co-captain DeAndre Jackson to a knee injury, leaving an already devastated defense even thinner.

The loss, coupled with the mounting injury situation, prompted McCarney to hold a team meeting Sunday night in which he addressed the defensive backs and the rest of the team.

Quarterback Bret Meyer said the meeting was definitely necessary.

“It was a different meeting than we’ve had before, but I think the situation warranted that we needed it,” Meyer said. “But we had a good meeting. Coach Mac let us know what we have to do and put everything that’s happened behind us.”

Meyer said the team realized that it has probably underachieved thus far and said he hopes the meeting will kick-start a potential turnaround going into the game with the Red Raiders.

“We’re not where we thought we’d be or where we’re capable of being,” Meyer said. “We’re 3-4. I guess we’re desperate.”

Desperation may be starting to set in with the team, but McCarney said all it takes is one win to lift the team’s psyche.

“It’s so important for anyone who’s had some hard losses like we have,” McCarney said. “I have great faith in this program and these kids and coaches. We can go on a run here and still have a great finish. It’s all about how we finish now.”

McCarney believes the Cyclones still have a good chance to compete in the Big 12 based on the quality of opponents they’ve already faced in conference play.

“The three teams we’ve lost to in the league are 16-3. I’m not looking for excuses, but those are three great teams we lost to. None of us like this losing,” he said.

If the Cyclones want to halt their three game losing streak Saturday, the start of the game may be a key for the Cyclones.

Iowa State has struggled to get the offense rolling and opposing teams have had great success getting points on their first possession, something the Cyclones can’t let Texas Tech’s top-ranked Big 12 passing offense do if they want to hang around.

“The defense has been doing a good job, but we haven’t been getting it done on the offensive side of the ball,” Meyer said. “If we get the ball first we need to get some first downs and get a rhythm going.”

McCarney agreed with his quarterback’s assessment.

“We’ve got to start settling down at the start and playing good defense,” McCarney said. “We have to get off to better starts and that’s something we’ll emphasize this week.

“We’ve got our hands full with another nationally ranked offense in Texas Tech. They’re coming off a couple of tough losses and we’re coming off a couple of tough losses and I think it will make for an excellent game here Saturday,” he said.

Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. inside Jack Trice Stadium. The game is not scheduled to be televised.