Opposing Player to Watch vs. West Virginia: Tony Fields II

Last week’s win over Texas seemingly cemented Iowa State football’s destiny this season, but don’t tell that to the West Virginia Mountaineers. The ‘Eers come into Saturday afternoon’s tilt having won four of their last six games, are hungry for an upset, and have playmakers that lead the league on both sides of the ball.

Tony Fields II will almost certainly make things difficult for the ISU offense all game long. The senior linebacker leads the conference with 79 total tackles this season, three more than Iowa State’s Mike Rose, despite having played one less game. Fields II has been almost unstoppable as of late, recording 14, 12, and 15 tackles over his last three games.

West Virginia’s defense in general presents a challenge for the Cyclones, considering it ranks in the top tier of all NCAA defenses this season. The Mountaineers rank fourth in total passing yards allowed per game (161.5), fifth in total team defense (274 total yards per game), and 22nd in rush defense (112.5 yard per game.)

A transfer from Arizona, it’s been speculated that Fields II has a good chance at earning Big 12 Newcomer of the Year honors.

HONORABLE MENTION Don’t sleep on WVU quarterback Jarret Doege, whose 2,219 passing yards this season are second only to Oklahoma QB Spencer Rattler. Doege has not thrown an interception since October 17, a span of 173 passes, and will be critical against a Cyclone defense that allows 252 passing yards per game