Texas defensive tackle Paul Boyette had some interesting things to say about the ISU football program.

And, when he addressed reporters Monday, Boyette didn’t hold back anything.

“We know Iowa State is not a very good football team,” Boyette said, according to the Austin American-Statesman. “I’m not taking anything away from them. But they can come out one week and put up numerous points, and the next they can be flat.”

The Cyclones didn’t take too well to the comments, with some taking to social media for their response.

Talking can only get you so far during the week!! Prove it on Saturday

— Jordan Harris #2 (@Jordan2_iam) October 26, 2015

“That’s his opinion,” said defensive lineman Dale Pierson when asked about his thoughts on Boyette’s comments. “There are a lot of people out there that don’t think we are a good team or think we are a good team and we’ve had hiccups.”

Iowa State (2-5, 1-3 Big 12) will host Texas (3-4, 2-2 Big 12) at 6 p.m. Saturday in the Cyclones’ annual homecoming game, where they will attempt to break a three-game losing streak. This week, though, presents a new challenge for Iowa State.

For the past three weeks, Iowa State has been pitted against three of the nation’s top offenses that seem to have perfected the air raid style of play that is increasingly popular in the Big 12.

But the Longhorns have a different style. Of their 450 offensive plays this season, 313 of them have been run plays. The Longhorns are averaging more than 237 yards per game in Big 12 play on the ground, the second best mark in the league.

They also boast the league’s best rush defense, allowing only 179.3 yards per game. And when the two teams play each other Saturday night, it will be a race to see which can first establish the run game.

“If you [establish the run] in a way that you can complement your passing game … I think that is where the upper hand is,” said ISU coach Paul Rhoads. “If you can’t run it effectively enough where you can just rely on it or set up the things you want in the passing game and be efficient at it, you can run for 200-plus [yards] and not necessarily have the upper hand.”

Redshirt freshman quarterback Jerrod Heard brings another dimension to the Longhorn run game. Heard is averaging 69.9 yards on the ground and is the team’s leading rusher. He ran for more than 100 yards against Oklahoma two weeks ago. Against California on Sept. 19, Heard ran for 163 yards and three touchdowns, a season best.

And after watching Heard’s recent success on the ground, there is no doubt in Rhoads’ mind about what Heard will be looking to do against the Cyclones.

“Heard is going to run it,” Rhoads said. “They’re going to get him into space, and they’re going to try to get him a lead blocker. He’s extremely gifted, he’s fast, agile and picks up a lot of yards in a hurry.”

As for Wally Burnham, ISU defensive coordinator, his plan to stop Heard is simple — get to the quarterback.

“That’s going to be a challenge, there’s no doubt about it,” Burnham said. “You can’t spy on him. Other people have spied on him, and heck, they can’t catch him. So why waste a guy? Just everybody go to him, and hit him up as fast as we can.”