Iowa State an underdog for opener with Tulsa - KTIV News 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and Sports

Not many schools from a BCS conference are underdogs in their home openers. But Iowa State is a one and a half point underdog for Saturday's game against Tulsa. The Golden Hurricane are trying to beat a Big 12 team on the road for the first time in 16 years.

Iowa State head coach Paul Rhoads is 3-0 in season openers, with wins over North Dakota State, Northern Illinois and Northern Iowa. But Tulsa was 8-5 last season, and has had winning seasons in seven of the last nine years. The Golden Hurricane has four of their top five receivers back, and 85 percent of their rushing attack is back.

The Cyclones know this won't be easy.

"This is a scary football game for our program," said Rhoads. "I asked our staff a week ago, let's look at all four openers in our four years and unanimously they said this is the best football team we've faced in an opener since we've arrived."

"I embrace it," said ISU quarterback Steele Jantz. "Part of me doesn't care because I don't think it means anything but I also like it. I like being the underdog and so does a lot of guys on our team."

Iowa State and Tulsa play at 2:30 Saturday on Fox Sports Net.