No. 18 Iowa State looks for 1st 4-0 start since 2000 when Cyclones visit Houston Cougars

No. 18 Iowa State (3-0, 0-0 Big 12) at Houston (1-3, 0-1), Saturday, 7 p.m. ET (FS1)

BetMGM College Football Odds: Iowa State by 13 1/2.

Series record: First meeting.

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

Iowa State looks to open a season 4-0 for the first time since 2000, and Matt Campbell tries for his program-record 57th coaching win. He shares the record with Dan McCarney, who coached the 2000 team. It also is the Big 12 opener for the Cyclones. Houston will try to snap a four-game losing streak in Big 12 games and to prevent its first 1-4 start since 2004. The Cougars have lost four straight games to ranked teams, with their last win coming in a 44-37 win over No. 19 SMU on Oct. 30, 2021.

KEY MATCHUP

Iowa State's pass defense vs. Houston’s quarterbacks. The Cyclones are best in the Big 12 against the pass and the Cougars are lacking confidence after getting shut out at Cincinnati last week. The Cyclones have intercepted five passes and have allowed just one passing touchdown. Houston coach Willie Fritz said Donovan Smith will start Saturday, but Zeon Chriss will also play as the Cougars look for a spark. Smith was 11 of 16 for 73 yards and an interception, while Chriss was 2 of 5 for 19 yards against Cincinnati.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Iowa State: RB Jaylon Jackson is emerging in an offense that likes to rotate backs. The Eastern Michigan transfer provided a spark against Iowa two games ago and he ran 10 times for 53 yards in last week’s win over Arkansas State.

Houston: LB Michael Batton has become a major factor on the Houston defense. Batton leads the team in tackles with 29 and has three tackles for losses, including two sacks, which is tied for the team lead. He also has a fumble recovery this season.

FACTS & FIGURES

Campbell is 56-48 in nine seasons at Iowa State and is the only coach with a winning record among those who stayed at least five years. … Houston is 6-8 against ranked teams at home since TDECU Stadium opened in 2014. … The Cyclones have converted 38 consecutive trips to the red zone. … Houston ranks 24th nationally in total defense allowing 269.5 yards per game. … ISU has won the turnover battle in all three of its games and is 35-9 under Campbell when doing so. … ISU’s Rocco Becht has two or more touchdown passes in seven straight games. … ISU’s Jayden Higgins has caught a TD pass in five straight games, tying the school record.

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The Associated Press