After a strong 55-7 victory over Bowling Green last weekend, things are getting a bit tougher for Iowa State now. 

The Cyclones will host the 15th-ranked Utah Utes for a pivotal Big 12 opener at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday (2:30 p.m. CT, FOX) 

Iowa State is the underdog, but an upset win isn't out of the question, especially after it took No. 17 Iowa down to the wire at Kinnick Stadium a few weeks ago. 

Here are three reasons why the Cyclones could beat Utah: 

Iowa State comes off a game against Bowling Green in which they rushed for 365 yards and five rushing touchdowns. The run game is a pivotal part of this team's success, and they must bring that physical and explosive run game with them as they take on Utah.

It won't be easy, as the Utes have added size and depth to their defensive line over the offseason to correct the interior line's consistency. Under defensive coordinator Colton Swan, their physical front seven only allows 75 yards per game and 2.7 yards per carry.

But if Iowa State can replicate their performance from last week and this offensive line can lean on its strengths and allow Aiden Flora to get into open space, it would be a big reason why they could pull off this major upset in their first Big 12 matchup of the season.

The Cyclones have struggled with the passing game at the start of this season. Offensive coordinator Tyler Roehl has talked about fixing it for the past two weeks, and Iowa State has an opportunity to do just that by taking shots down the field this week.

But it won't be easy against an elite Utah defense. 

Play action could heavily benefit Iowa State, though. The Utes often use single-high or split-field coverages, allowing safety Nate Ritchie to move into the box as an eighth defender. Utah’s aggressive pursuit may give quarterback Jaylen Raynor opportunities to attempt deep passes over the top of the defense on play action plays.

For the Cyclones to win this game, they need to play well on the defensive side of the ball. Their secondary has been good to start the season, while their defensive line has performed well against the run. Pass rushing remains average with only six sacks so far, but it's safe to say Iowa State needs the entire unit to be well-rounded to pull out a win on Saturday. 

Utah's offense has had an impressive performance this season, scoring an average of 47.3 points and 518 total yards per game. The Utes have been good in both passing and running the ball in part because of quarterback Devon Dampier, who has tossed 690 yards and seven touchdowns through three games. 

Playing good complementary football across all three levels of defense is a must against this Utah team.

Don't miss out on our Roundtable community and the latest news! It's completely FREE to join.

Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members in the community section! Download the FREE Roundtable APP and stay even more connected!

Click here to join the fun and potentially win some FREE Cyclone swag!