Max Dible (3-0)

Last week against Texas Tech, the Cyclones were embarrassed. It’s as simple as that.

In the process of a rebuild, there are undeniable deficiencies that permeate the team. But throughout the week, coaches and players alike have lamented one element of the team’s play over any other: effort.

A 66-31 wake-up call smacked the Cyclones across their collective face, and against Texas Christian this Saturday, a competitive effort will be a matter of pride.

TCU is the third-ranked team in the country and boast one of the best offenses in the nation, which led by Trevone Boykin, a mobile quarterback who can make plays with his legs just as effectively as he can with his arm.

Iowa State’s defense has struggled against speedy signal callers this season, but the Cyclones also return this weekend to the friendly atmosphere of Jack Trice Stadium, which can make all the difference.

The notion that Iowa State can win this game is far-fetched, to say the least. Vegas has TCU slotted as 21-point favorites as of Thursday afternoon, and there’s good reason for that.

But last season, a less athletic, less talented ISU team found a way to cover a similar spread against Baylor at home. I expect the coaching staff to pull out all the stops in this one. The Cyclones will take chances and play with a spirit under the lights rivaling the intensity the team brought in Ames early in the season against Northern Iowa and Iowa.

It won’t be a win for Iowa State, but it won’t be an embarrassing 35-point loss either.

TCU 51, Iowa State 31

Luke Manderfeld (3-0)

Another week and another high-powered Big 12 offense for Iowa State. 

This time it comes against the No. 3 Texas Christian Horned Frogs, who have Heisman Trophy favorite quarterback Trevone Boykin at the helm of the offense.

There isn’t much to say for this game except the Horned Frogs are a better, faster and stronger team. The Cyclones defense failed in its first test of the season against Texas Tech on Saturday, allowing 776 total yards, which may have led to the offense flopping as well. 

The defense may improve slightly, but it doesn’t matter against a team as skilled as TCU. The line is drifting to more than 20, but the Horned Frogs will cover the spread. 

I think we are all expecting this one. 

TCU: 52, Iowa State: 24 

Ryan Young (1-2)

Well, I guess I’ll be the one to ask.

Why not?

Why can’t the Cyclones beat Texas Christian on Saturday? Sure, No. 3 TCU is a very good team. There is no denying it. Their offense is incredibly fast paced, averaging 616 yards and nearly 52 points per game, some of the best in the country.

And on top of that, the Horned Frogs are led by Heisman hopeful Trevone Boykin, who many have struggled to stop all season long. His mobility has destroyed defenses all season, and if he isn’t checked will tear apart Iowa State’s too.

But why can’t Iowa State pull off an upset win? Yes, the Cyclones were embarrassed at Texas Tech. Losing by more than 30 points and let up 776 yards of offense is never a good sign. But that game is over, and I believe the Cyclones won’t let that happen again.

TCU is due for a loss, especially after narrowly escaping against both Minnesota and Texas Tech earlier in the year. And the setup is perfect, too. With the game under the lights and on national television, I bring you back to my original question.

Why not?

Iowa State 31, TCU 28 

Maddy Arnold, Former Daily Assistant Sports Editor Guest Prognosticator

Guest record (1-1)

Sorry, sports fans, but the numbers just don’t add up for the Cyclones this week. Beating the spread, let alone registering the season’s first major upset, is just not in the cards for Iowa State on Saturday.

The Horned Frog offense is just plain scary. And it is definitely not something that Iowa State can match on Saturday. Sure the Cyclones have had some decent offensive showings so far this season, but Sam Richardson and company certainly aren’t ready to jump into a shootout with one of the nation’s top offenses.

The most glaring number is TCU’s average points per game — a whopping 51 — but, if that’s not intimidating enough, the Horned Frogs have only scored fewer than 50 points in a game once this season.

Compare those numbers to the Cyclones, who are averaging just 28 points per game and haven’t scored 50 points at all this season as the top score came against conference bottom-feeder Kansas with 38 points.

This all adds up to no ISU win and no ISU cover.

52-28 TCU