FACTS & STATS: Site: Memorial Stadium (50,071) — Lawrence, Kansas.
Television: FSN. Home Record: ISU 1-4, Kansas 2-2. Away Record: ISU 1-2,
Kansas 0-4. Neutral Record: ISU 0-0, Kansas 0-0. Conference Record: ISU 0-5,
Kansas 0-5. Series Record: Kansas leads, 49-38-6.
GAME NOTES: Two teams circling the drains of the Big 12 Conference meet on
Saturday afternoon, as the Iowa State Cyclones visit the Kansas Jayhawks at
Memorial Stadium.
With a record of 2-6, ISU’s hopes at playing in the postseason have all but
disappeared. The Cyclones were pounded by Oklahoma in Ames last weekend,
59-14, marking their second straight loss and fifth in as many tries against
conference competition. The rest of the schedule won’t be easy, with tests
against Texas Tech, West Virginia and TCU on the horizon.
Kansas is still seeking that elusive first Big 12 victory as well. The
Jayhawks came nowhere close to securing one last weekend, as they were ripped
apart by Baylor in a 60-14 final. The loss was the fifth straight for the
Jayhawks, who are also 2-6 overall.
Although this rivalry has historically gone the way of the Jayhawks, the
Cyclones have been dominating recently, with wins in four straight meetings.
That includes a 34-0 rout last season, which was one of only three wins on the
season for Iowa State.
It should come as no surprise that a team faring so poorly this season like
Iowa State is struggling on offense. The Cyclones are next-to-last in the
conference in total offense (360.3 ypg) and third-worst in scoring (25.8 ppg).
They didn’t do much to help those numbers against Oklahoma, finishing with
just 334 total yards and a single touchdown on two trips to the red zone.
Sam B. Richardson leads the team both in passing and rushing, as he has
accumulated 1,938 yards and 14 touchdowns, as well as six interceptions, on
58.2 percent passing this season, while logging 339 yards and three scores on
the ground. He leads the team in rushing attempts (96) as well. He had a very
difficult time against Oklahoma, completing only 15-of-40 passes, while
picking up a mere 20 yards on 10 carries.
Aaron Wimberly, who is second on the team in rushing yards (293) and the
leader in rushing scores (four), also had a tough time against the Sooners,
finishing with all of 25 yards on eight attempts.
Allen Lazard (34 receptions, 443 yards, three TDs) and E.J. Bibbs (34
receptions, 302 yards, six TDs) are the most utilized receivers on the roster.
Bibbs is averaging less than 10 yards per catch, but he has been an effective
target in the red zone. D’Vario Montgomery (24 receptions, 318 yards, TD) has
eclipsed the 300-yard mark as well.
For how weak the offense was against Oklahoma, the Iowa State defense fared
even worse, allowing 751 total yards and 41 first downs to the Sooners. It was
just another in a growing list of defensive disappointments for the Cyclones,
who are next-to-last in the Big 12 in total defense (492.6 ypg) and points
allowed (38.3 ppg).
They get a break this weekend as they clash with the worst offensive team in
the Big 12. Kansas is at the very bottom of the Big 12 in total offense (332.3
ypg) and scoring offense (16.3 ppg). It certainly looked the part against
Baylor last week, topping out with only 304 yards of total offense.
Michael Cummings leads the team from under center, although Montell Cozart has
gotten into some games as well. Cummings has completed 59.3 percent of his
pass attempts and only been intercepted twice all season. However, he has just
882 yards and four touchdown passes to show for his effort. Cozart has been
even worse, completing a dismal 49.6 percent of his passes to go with seven
interceptions.
Of the receiving options on the roster, Nick Harwell is the best. He leads the
way in receptions (32), receiving yards (338), and touchdown catches (four).
Jimmay Mundine (27 receptions, 325 yards, TD) and Nigel King (18 receptions,
283 yards) are the secondary targets.
Corey Avery (434 yards, three TDs) is the primary running back for the
Jayhawks, averaging 4.1 yards per carry. He has also accumulated 171 yards
through the air. De’Andre Mann (362 yards) and Tony Pierson (186 yards, TD)
have gotten work, albeit limited.
Kansas is actually the better defensive team in this matchup, but not by much.
The Jayhawks rank eighth in the league in both total defense (443.5 ypg) and
scoring defense (32 ppg). In the loss to Baylor, one of the best offensive
teams in the country, the Jayhawks were unable to make many plays defensively,
allowing 669 yards. They allowed over 300 yards both on the ground and through
the air.
Neither of these teams has much to play for beyond pride at this point. Kansas
has the advantage of getting this one at home, and it has been slightly better
defensively, but Iowa State has a few more wrinkles on offense and that may
prove to be the difference.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Iowa State 27, Kansas 20
