No. 17 Iowa State (7-1, 4-1 Big 12) is set to face Kansas (2-6, 1-4) this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. EST in Kansas City, Missouri, broadcasted on ESPN.
BetMGM’s betting odds favor Iowa State by three points in this matchup.
Historically, Kansas has the upper hand in the series with a record of 52 wins, 45 losses, and 6 ties.
The stakes are high for both teams in this encounter. Iowa State, following a surprising defeat against Texas Tech, is looking to rebound. This loss marked their first defeat of the season, tying them with Colorado for the second position in the Big 12, trailing only unbeaten BYU. For Iowa State to remain contenders for the conference championship, a victory over Kansas is essential. Meanwhile, Kansas finds itself in a critical situation, needing to secure wins in all remaining games to have any chance of bowl eligibility.
A key battle to watch will be Iowa State’s rushing attack against Kansas’ run defense. The Cyclones aim to control the game clock, relying heavily on their stable of running backs. This trio, consisting of Carson Hansen, Abu Sama III, and Jaylon Jackson, has collectively averaged 179 rushing yards per game. Kansas has struggled defensively against teams committed to running the ball, having conceded 226 rushing yards in one game and an astounding 309 yards in another.
Player performances will be pivotal in determining the outcome. For Iowa State, wide receiver Jayden Higgins has become a key target for quarterback Rocco Becht, especially in high-pressure situations. In last week’s match against Texas Tech, Higgins recorded 10 receptions for 140 yards and a touchdown; however, Becht’s inability to connect with him in crucial moments during the second half was a setback for the team. On the Kansas side, Jalon Daniels initially seemed to have resolved his turnover issues from earlier in the season, but those problems resurfaced in a recent game against Kansas State, where he threw an interception and lost a fumble, assisting the Wildcats in their comeback victory.
Several intriguing facts surround this matchup. Kansas has secured victories in their last two encounters against Iowa State, having previously lost seven straight games to the Cyclones before that. The game will take place at Arrowhead Stadium, as Kansas currently works on renovations to its home stadium. Iowa State has managed to intercept a pass in every game this season, marking the first time they have accomplished such a feat in eight consecutive games since 2009. Quarterback Rocco Becht has thrown a touchdown pass in 12 straight games, a streak that ties him with former Cyclones player Brock Purdy for the longest in the program’s history. Kansas’ running back Devin Neal is on the cusp of breaking a significant career rushing record, needing just seven yards to surpass June Henley’s record of 3,841 yards set from 1993-1996. Additionally, Neal requires only one more touchdown run to break Henley’s record of 41. Meanwhile, Kansas cornerback Cobee Bryant has tied for the most interceptions among active FBS players, having recorded 13 picks in his career.