On Saturday, the Iowa State Cyclones have a chance to put together a winning streak as they host the Kansas Jayhawks. The Cyclones have an easy opponent this week, but will need to make sure that they can avoid an emotional letdown after their big upset victory over Oklahoma last week. Will the Cyclones keep that momentum going or will the Jayhawks pull off the big upset this weekend? Kickoff inside Jack Trice Stadium is at 12 PM ET.
The Cyclones (3-2, 1-1 Big-12) might just have turned their program around with the biggest upset this century – at Oklahoma last week. This week they get the lowly Kansas Jayhawks who have been downright awful this year. Can the Cylones win this one easily or will they play down to their competition?
The Jayhawks (1-4, 0-2 Big-12) are coming off a blowout loss to Texas Tech 65-19. The Red Raiders did anything they wanted on offense and just demolished the Jayhawks. This has been a trend all season as Kansas is giving up almost 45 points per game. Will they be able to shock the college world just like Iowa State did last week?
The spread opened with Iowa State favored by 21.5 points. It has since come down to 21 points. The Over/Under opened at 66.5 points and has gone up to 67 total points.
I sat here last week writing about how Iowa State had no chance going into Norman, OK, and upsetting the Sooners. Well, they not only had a chance, they actually pulled off the biggest upset in recent memory. Wouldn’t it be crazy if Kansas could pull off a huge upset this week? I don’t see it happening.
The Jayhawks are a terrible football team. In their 2 Big-12 games, they have given up 121 total points while only scoring 53. On the season, their defense allows over 500 total yards per game and they just can’t stop anyone. So, I don’t see them being able to stop Iowa State this weekend.
The Cyclones are 1-1 in conference play. Two weeks ago they lost to Texas 17-7. It was a solid defensive effort, but they still fell short. Their win last week against Oklahoma should jumpstart them to start putting together some wins.
During their game against Oklahoma, quarterback Kyle Kempt was thrown into the fire as the new starting QB. He responded with 343 passing yards and 3 touchdowns. Can we say a star is born? Kempt gives this offense new life and I see them carrying that momentum into this game against a bad Kansas football team.
With Kempt at the helm, the Cyclones are a different team. Look for them to continue throwing the ball and running to pick up first downs. The Jayhawks won’t be able to stop the Cyclones who should be able to score their highest total of the season, which currently stands at 42 points.
Kansas has a decent running back in Khalil Herbert who averages 100 rushing yards per game. But, the rest of their offense is just average at best, and they typically gain their yards in garbage time. So, I don’t see them having as much success this week as they have had earlier in the season when they put up 38, 27, 30 and 34 points.
Iowa State is 10-4-1 ATS in their last 15 games. They are 6-2-1 ATS in their last 9 home games, 6-3 ATS in their last 9 games against Kansas and 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games at home against Kansas. The Jayhawks are 1-4 ATS this season and 4-12 ATS in their last 16 games on the road.
As mentioned, Iowa State has won 6 out of the last 7 games against Kansas and I see them extending that streak this weekend. Look for Kempt to lead the Cyclones to a blowout victory and another 300+ passing yard performance. I expect Iowa State to win 44-17.