As you read this, the TCU football team is en route to a top 25 matchup in Ames, Iowa.

Yes, I said Ames, Iowa.

It’s been awhile, 15 years to be exact, since the No. 25 Cyclones hosted such a tilt. Iowa State is arguably the hottest team in the Big 12 and Cyclone fans are excited. They should be. An Iowa State win Saturday would: A. Put the Cyclones in a tie for first place in the Big 12 and B. Make them bowl eligible for the first time since 2012.

TCU fans celebrate a touchdown in the homecoming game against Kansas. Photo by Leo Wesson

What ISU head coach Matt Campbell has achieved is a Jamie Dixon-type quick turnaround. Iowa State is 5-2 with a win on the road at then-No. 4 University of Oklahoma. Campbell has recruited well and has gotten the most out of transfers. The latter has added experience and instant depth to a team that I thought, before the season, would be “sneaky good.” They’re better than that. Much better.

The Iowa State offense has been taken over by transfer quarterback Kyle Kempt who beat OU in his first start. Kempt had been hiding out at Oregon State for three years before finding his way to ISU. Add tailback David Montgomery and a fleet of big receivers – who make short passes into big plays – and you have an efficient offense that attacks the defense in a number of ways. They remind me of Kansas State on offense, except the Cyclones are healthy.

On the defense side, ISU runs a 3-4 that’s designed to create a lot of traffic in the secondary. Recruiting has helped enlarge the Cyclones’ defensive line. The move of Joel Lanning from starting quarterback to middle linebacker has proven genius – he had 20 tackles in the game against Texas. The secondary, who has eight interceptions this year, is solid. They are pretty basic on defense, either they play coverage or they’re coming after you.

Keys for the No. 4 Frogs’ success at Jack Trice Stadium:
1. Secure with the ball in iffy weather conditions.
2. Run the ball with authority.
3. Force ISU to throwing the ball so the Killer B defensive line can go to work pressuring.
4. Come out strong.

It’ll be cold and raw at game time with the high temperature in the low-40s. It may be wet, too. Plus 63,000 people will be in the stands. Cyclones fans always show up.

Sit back on the couch and enjoy this one with us on the TCU Sports Network. We’re on the air at 1:30 p.m. CT. I’ll talk to you then.

Kick ‘Em High!