Five questions with Iowa State

Clark- Players and coaches would never admit they have a problem with it. But nobody expects to play a true road game in a bowl. Although few of the players or coaches would even know about it or remember it, Iowa State has experience with this: the 2002 Humanitarian Bowl vs. Boise State. The Cyclones lost, 34-16, and it was a forgettable bowl experience all the way around. A lot of fans remember the ambush quality to that game and don't like the idea of a repeat. A big difference is that ISU team was running on fumes and really didn't want to be there. This I-State team is excited to be back in the post-season for the first time in five seasons and there shouldn't be any lack of "want to be there" on the Cyclone sideline.

TSR 2. Matt Campbell has turned around ISU pretty quickly, how did he do it?

Clark- Huge upset wins over Oklahoma and TCU were the difference this fall as they got Iowa State to 7-5 and bowl eligibility. The Cyclones have actually struggled in close games against more beatable opponents the past two seasons, so it's a bit unconventional how they got to bowl eligibility in year two. It also holds a lot of promise for the future, knowing that turning around one-score losses against good-but-not-great opposition is really all that stands between ISU and a 10-win season. Campbell has gotten increased support from the university in terms of funding a larger support staff and that has helped fuel improvement behind the scenes. He and his staff are passionate recruiters that really seem to enjoy the sales process and it has shown out on the trail. Campbell was rewarded with a new contract and big raise after the season and the hope in Cyclone Country is that he can be kept content in Ames and that the improvement will continue over the next several years.

TSR- 3. What does ISU like to do on offense and who are the individual players to watch when the Cyclones have the ball?

Clark- Iowa State runs what I would call a conservative spread. Even though ISU will have four receivers on the field a lot of the time, it really wants to be a run-first offense. The Cyclones would run the ball 60 times if the results were there, but Iowa State's offensive line is stronger as a pass-blocking unit and so the offense has gravitated that way. The Cyclones will also make use of a tight end or H back when it doesn't deploy four or five receivers. Sophomore David Montgomery is ISU's feature running back and his health will be important Saturday as he was injured late in the year. Senior quarterback Kyle Kempt also had some injury issues but should be close to 100 percent. The receiving corps is deep and talented, led by senior Allen Lazard. But he's far from the only weapon as Hakeem Butler, Marchie Murdock, Matt Eaton, Trever Ryen and Deshaunte Jones have all made big plays this season.

TSR- 4. What does ISU like to do on defense and who are the defensive individual players to watch when the Tigers have the ball?

Clark- The Cyclones made a major switch during the season and got good results from it, using a bye week to shift to a three-man front base defense. The lynchpin is sophomore nose guard Ray Lima because he is a disruptive force that can't be blocked one-on-one. Lima's ability to man the middle freed up the Iowa State defensive coaches to add another player on the back end and the Cyclones held most of their opponents well below their season norms for yards and points after making the change to the three-man front. Linebackers Joel Lanning, Willie Harvey and Marcel Spears and defensive backs Kamari Cotton-Moya and Brian Peavy are among the key defensive players for ISU.

TSR- 5. What are the keys to the game for a ISU victory and how do you see the game playing out?

Clark- First and foremost, can Montgomery play the whole game and play effectively? Iowa State needs its running game in a match-up where it has a chance to control the ball. If Montgomery plays and plays well, it will be a huge benefit to the Cyclones. The ISU offense has to take care of the football as Memphis has feasted on turnovers this season. I-State hasn't turned it over much this season so that is a pivotal strength-on-strength category. The Cyclone defense knows it will be tested by Riley Ferguson and Memphis, but there's confidence that the Big 12's best offenses have provided excellent preparation for that. The Iowa State D will want to come up with a couple of takeaways of its own and also win a fair share of third downs to get off the field. Assuming a healthy Montgomery for the whole contest, I'll take Iowa State in a one-score game, 31-27.