AMES, Iowa (AP) – No. 19 Oklahoma State will open the second half of the season unsettled at quarterback and with an offense that’s been somewhat average of late. What a perfect time to play Iowa State. The Cyclones (1-5, 0-3 Big 12) are coming off the worst loss in school history, a 71-7 shellacking at No. 6 Baylor. They’ve given up 113 points since a heartbreaking one-point loss to Texas and are on pace for their worst finish in the five-year tenure of coach Paul Rhoads.  Still, the Cowboys (5-1, 2-1) aren’t nearly as certain at quarterback as they’d like to be by now.

Sophomore J.W. Walsh was pulled in favor of senior Clint Chelf after throwing a pair of early interceptions last week against TCU. Chelf’s first pass was also picked off, but he eventually led Oklahoma State past the Horned Frogs 24-10. The Cowboys don’t intend to announce who will start today ( Saturday). The Cyclones – and everyone else – will probably find out who they’re facing when either Walsh or Chelf trots out for the first play. “We feel we have two good quarterbacks and we need to make sure we’re doing what we can to help them improve and get them playing at a high level. It starts with ball security,” Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich said. “It’s about getting the ball to our playmakers and creating space for them.”

Iowa State is also a bit shaky at quarterback. But coach Paul Rhoads said Tuesday that he’s sticking with sophomore Sam Richardson even though he, like Walsh, was pulled during last week’s game. Richardson is just 22 of 52 passing in losses to Texas Tech and the Bears in the past two weeks. “He’s got to make smarter decisions and quicker judgments,” Rhoads said.

Kick-off is set for 11-a.m. at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames.