Iowa State football can't seem to get things in gear on the road. Following last weekend's two-score loss to Baylor in Waco, there are some questions that are lingering into a home date against Cincinnati on Saturday. 

Without further adieu, here are three questions I have about the Cyclones after Baylor: 

Road games in power conferences are not easy, and the Big 12 is no exception. With another loss now in the majority column, you almost wonder how much of a factor the crowd is becoming. 

At home, it poses no issue. There's likely even a case to be made that it's what has pushed the Cyclones over the hump, especially in the close single-score games against both West Virginia and Oklahoma State. 

But for some reason, the Cyclones appear like a different team entirely on the road. The high-scoring games are traded for low-scoring, defensive affairs that haven't seen a successful trip yet this season. 

Now returning home against Cincinnati on Saturday, we'll have to wait and see how much of a factor it's really going to play.

Clutch performances are an area where Iowa State has an arguably favorable edge over any other team in the Big 12. Whether that's a game-winning drive or the field goal unit trotting onto the field late in the game, there's never much doubt that starting kicker Kyle Konrardy is going to connect. 

But will Saturday's matchup against Cincinnati actually come down to a single score, or will the Cyclones need that kind of late-game execution? The former seems likely, but there are other factors worth some consideration. 

The Bearcats sit a similar 2-4 in the Big 12, but their conference slate hasn't necessarily been predictable. There are single-score wins over Kansas State and a close non-conference game against Miami (OH), but also a convincing 13-point victory over then-No. 8 Texas Tech.

That sort of resume makes a prediction more than difficult. Not only that, it adds a level of difficulty that may or may not see the crowd as the determining factor late in the game.

Back to the original point: there's something to be said about playing in front of your home crowd, especially at the point in the season where bowl eligibility becomes a factor. Given that this game is at home, and is a predicted close matchup, the shootout scenario favors the Cyclones. 

And sure, the wins over West Virginia and Oklahoma State weren't necessarily convincing from the start, but come out swinging like they did against Baylor, and jump out to a two-score lead, and this one should be in the bag no problem. 

The answer here: Iowa State is very much battle tested, and can take on just about any opponent that stands in its way. But given that the Bearcats find themselves in a similar position looking for a late-season push, don't expect this one to come easy just because it's in front of the home crowd.

Should it come down to the wire, expect Flora and the ground game to be the determining factor.