Iowa State may not have been as ready as it thought. In a matchup of the No. 2 and No. 9 teams in the country, the Oklahoma Sooners (7-0, 3-0 Big 12) blew by the Cyclones (6-2, 3-1) 49-3 Saturday, and in the process dealt a crushing blow to ISU quarterback Seneca Wallace’s Heisman Trophy hopes. “Everyone takes responsibility for this loss …coaches, players, everyone,” ISU head coach Dan McCarney said. “This was a total team loss. Now, we have to move on to Texas. I know this team will come back.”

Amid the rain and cold, Wallace had trouble the entire day, finishing 4-for-22 for 43 yards and three interceptions. Quentin Griffin and Kejuan Jones each ran for two touchdowns, but it was Oklahoma’s defense that was most productive, creating turnovers and making sure their offense stayed on the field. “Our defense was out there a lot, unfortunately,” ISU defensive end Tyson Smith said. “And that’s not what you want against a good team.” McCarney agreed.

“Oklahoma is a truly outstanding team. In all my years of coaching, in the Big Ten, Big Eight, Big 12…they have one of the better defenses I’ve ever seen,” he said. “They have great schemes, they play fast, and they break on the ball.”