There’s the Big 12’s One True Champion goal that everyone is shooting for, and then there’s this. Kansas (0-3) hasn’t been completely and utterly miserable in a total gut job of a first season under David Beaty, but it’s going to take something extraordinarily weird to come up with any sort of a win this season. Iowa State (1-2) has been okay with a good passing game and some nice moments, but this needs to be a layup. Check out the Iowa State vs. Kansas prediction and game preview.

Iowa State vs. Kansas Game Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, Oct. 3
Game Time: 12:00 pm
Venue: Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA
Network: FSN

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Why You Need To Care

Iowa State might be far, far better than the 1-2 record might indicate. The Cyclones lost to Iowa and Toledo teams that remain unbeaten, and now this become more of a true indicator of where the team is at as it dives into the Big 12 season. Likely an underdog in every game the rest of the way – unless Texas totally falls off the map – this is the game to get the offense cranked up full before a brutal three game stretch of at Texas Tech, TCU, and at Baylor.

Kansas has tried to fight the good fight, and provided a little bit of a push against a depleted and demoralized Rutgers last week, but with little to show for it. The effort is there, and there are a few nice parts being put together, but it’s going to be a long, long work in progress. Not only will the Jayhawks be underdogs the rest of the way, they could be 20+ point dogs against the rest of the Big 12 slate. This is it, and if they win this, Jayhawk fans will be allowed to tear down the opposing goal posts after ripping down their own following last year’s win.

Why Kansas Will Win

So what are the Jayhawks doing well? The running game is working, and they need to get it rolling to keep the defense off the field and control the game as much as possible. Iowa State hasn’t been totally gashed against the run, but the front four wasn’t able to slow down Iowa or Toledo getting hit by each for over five yards per carry. There wasn’t anything happening on the ground against Rutgers, but Kansas was terrific against Memphis and South Dakota State. However, it wasn’t enough because …

Why Iowa State Will Win

The Jayhawk run defense has been a nightmare. Rutgers isn’t supposed to be able to run the ball, and it did for 312 yards a week after Memphis came up with 281. There aren’t enough stops behind the line, and first and second downs have been way too easy for offense early on. The Cyclones finally got the ground game rolling two weeks ago with 207 yards against Toledo thanks to …

Player Who Matters

Iowa State freshman running back Mike Warren might be just the find the offense has been needing. A strong, quick back out of Oklahoma, he came up with 126 yards on 21 carries against Toledo and turned into the top option to settle down the attack. The Cyclones lost, but he was fantastic – and now he’s rested.

What’s Going To Happen?

Everything will work for Iowa State. Running the ball won’t be a problem, but it’ll be the deep ball that does in a Kansas defense that’ll spend way too much time cheating up trying to make big things happen up front.

Iowa State vs. Kansas Prediction

Final Score: Iowa State 37, Kansas 20, Line: Iowa State -16, o/u: 58.5

Must See Rating: 5: Steve Jobs – 1: Dr. Ken … 2

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