Iowa State's 24-10 loss to No.8 BYU exposed several issues the Cyclones must address moving forward, particularly their inability to sustain offensive drives and contain explosive plays.

Needless to say, the defeat also showed how much work Cyclones have to work on ahead if they want to compete and win in the Big 12. The offense struggled to finish drives, the defense gave up explosive plays, and Iowa State spent much of the night trying to catch up

The numbers told much of the story. BYU had 506 yards, while Iowa State managed just 200. The Cyclones gained 98 passing yards and 102 rushing yards and converted only two of 13 third down attempts. Those missed opportunities made it difficult to build momentum.

Jaylen Raynor completed 16 of 29 passes for 98 yards and a touchdown. His fourth quarter scoring pass to Christian Greenlaw gave Iowa State the spark it needed and cut BYU's lead to 21-10, but the offense couldn't turn that moment into sustained drives for a comeback.  Iowa State needs to help Raynor by protecting him, creating separation with its wide receivers, and making management plays on early downs.

The running game offers a starting point: Aiden Flora rushed for 86 yards, helping Iowa State finish with 102 yards on the ground. Establishing the run earlier could make the offense less predictable and create better situations for Raynor. The Cyclones also must improve on third down; converting two of 13 attempts is not enough against strong opponents.

Defensively, Iowa State must limit the explosive plays and make more tackles in space. BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier threw for 329 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing for 109 yards. The dual-threat ability hurt the Cyclones through the air and on the ground that put's pressure on the defense. Iowa State needs better containment and stronger communication.

The Cyclones' main focus should be on discipline and execution in critical moments. Stalled drives and missed chances can quickly widen a deficit without clear improvement during practice.

Iowa State has a bye week before its October 24 visit to Arizona. That break gives the team time to watch film on BYU, get healthy, and sharpen its approach. The Cyclones are 3-3 overall and 1-2 in conference play. To move forward successfully, they must pair a productive offense with a defense that limits big plays. Consistency will determine whether Iowa State can get back on track. They must also finish drives and protect the football.

Will the 'Clones put everything together when they head to Tucson in two weeks? We'll soon find out. 

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