Paul Rhoads and the ISU football team have had a bad taste in their mouths for about two weeks now, and Saturday is their first shot at a cleanse. 

Iowa State (2-7, 0-6 Big 12) takes on Texas Tech (3-7, 1-6 Big 12) this Saturday after back-to-back sobering losses against Oklahoma on Nov. 1 and Kansas on Nov. 8. It is also the Cyclone’s first game back in Jack Trice since the Oklahoma game. 

Back in the starting lineup this Saturday, is quarterback Sam Richardson, who sat against Kansas due to a right shoulder injury. Offensive coordinator Mark Mangino said that he anticipates Richardson to be full-go against Texas Tech’s young secondary, which has given up 22 touchdowns through the air this season, the highest total in the Big 12. 

Mangino said that despite the youth of Texas Tech’s secondary, their defense is led by a stout group of defenders in the box, including linebacker Pete Robertson, who has notched nine tackles for loss this season and is second in the Big 12 with nine sacks. 

“They’ve got a couple big dudes inside at the tackle position. One defensive end, [Robertson], is a leading tackler and makes a lot of plays for them,” Mangino said. “A really impressive player. Their secondary is young, but very athletic and talented. They look like a team that in time is going to mature.”

Still lost in the shuffle, is Iowa State’s rushing attack, which has produced only 1,005 total yards this season. Against Kanas, running back Aaron Wimberly seemed to be getting into a groove as he carried the ball 15 times for 97 yards, good for a 6.5 yard average. Mangino expects Wimberly’s production to increase as the senior’s season winds down.

On offense, Texas Tech fits the bill of a Big 12 team with a potent air attack that ranks toward the top of the conference, just behind Baylor, with 327.6 passing yards per game. Whether quarterback Davis Webb, the usual starter, or back up Patrick Mahomes gets the starting nod, the ISU secondary will most likely have its hands full.

“They got some great receivers and based off their last game they like to throw it around,” said cornerback Sam Richardson.

Texas Tech can spread the ball around as well. Two Red Raider receivers, Jakeem Grant and Brad Marquez, rank inside the top ten of the Big 12 for receptions per game.

“They’re fast, really strong and have a number of guys that can make big plays,” said safety Kamari Cotton-Moya.

Iowa State plays Texas Tech at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22 at Jack Trice Stadium.