Breaking down Colorado football's Week 7 opponent: the Iowa State Cyclones

The Colorado Buffaloes are now 2-4 on the season and still winless in Big 12 play after last week's 35-21 loss to TCU in Fort Worth. The defense continues to struggle with making timely stops, and the offense cannot consistently sustain drives. Put simply, Colorado could use a win to regain some positive vibes.

It won't be an easy task this week with the Buffaloes returning home to face No. 21 Iowa State. And while the season has been frustrating so far, there's reason to believe Colorado might have something brewing for the Cyclones.

Let's take a closer look at Iowa State and what the Buffaloes should expect on Saturday.

Rocco Becht

Becht has a legitimate case as a top-three quarterback in the Big 12. Through six games, he's been impressive. He is completing nearly 65 percent of his passes, has thrown for 1,417 yards, nine touchdowns, and just two interceptions. He's also added seven rushing scores, showing he can make plays with his legs when needed.

Even when he's off through the air, he finds ways to produce. Against Arizona, he didn't throw a single touchdown but rushed for three. The junior from Florida has the tools, but he's not without flaws. He can take bad sacks and sometimes struggles with his decision-making under pressure.

Cyclones' defense

It is tough to get a consistent read on Iowa State's defense. In some games, they look sharp and disciplined. In others, they give up big numbers. Last week against Cincinnati, they allowed 38 points and nearly 500 yards of offense. The week before, they held Arizona to just 14 points and mostly meaningless late-game yardage.

Cincinnati's formula was simple. Run the ball all game, then take shots downfield. It worked. Arkansas State did the same and nearly pulled off the upset, losing by only eight points.

One defensive standout is sophomore corner Marcus Neal Jr. He leads the team with 39 tackles and is tied for second in passes defended. He is a high-energy player the Buffs will want to avoid.

Fraud Alert?

Are the Cyclones a real threat in the Big 12, or are they just benefiting from a soft schedule? After an impressive season-opening win over Kansas State in Ireland, many were quick to buy in. However, since then, they have struggled against average teams like Iowa and Arkansas State, winning those games by just a single score. Last week's loss to Cincinnati exposed some flaws on both sides of the ball.

Oddsmakers seem skeptical, too. Iowa State opened as four and a half point favorites, but the line has since dropped to just two and a half. That movement is hard to ignore. Even after Colorado's rough showing against the Horned Frogs, Vegas clearly sees this as a closer matchup than most would expect.

X-Factors

For Iowa State, Becht is the key. If he finds his rhythm early, especially against a Colorado defense that has struggled to contain quarterbacks through the air and on the ground, he could take over.

For Colorado, the run game has to be the difference. Iowa State has had issues defending the run for a full four quarters. If the Buffs can stick with it and stay patient, deep passing lanes will open up. Cincinnati and Arkansas State already laid out the blueprint. Now it is up to Pat Shurmur and Kaidon Salter to follow it.

Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. MT on ESPN. It has been a tough stretch for Colorado, but Saturday in Boulder could be the turning point if they can put all the pieces together.

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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Colorado football vs. Iowa State preview: Can Buffs pull off upset in Boulder?