When Kansas has the ball
Kansas rush offense vs. Iowa State rush defense
Despite featuring the Big 12’s leading tackler (linebacker Jeremiah George, 112), the Cyclones rank last in three defensive categories, including scoring defense (39 points per game), total defense (471 yards per game) and rushing defense (229 ypg). That may be expected based on Iowa State’s 1-9 record, but it certainly is a rarity for a Paul Rhoads-coached squad. During the past few seasons, the Cyclones have made life tough on KU running back James Sims, who enters this weekend on the heels of a career-high 211 yards during the Jayhawks’ 31-19 victory over West Virginia. In that game, Sims averaged 9.6 yards per carry and took advantage of a physical offensive line that had its best day of the season. With the line coming into its own and Sims charging toward the finish line of an excellent college career, the Jayhawks appear to have rediscovered their power running identity.
Edge: Kansas.
Kansas pass offense vs. Iowa State pass defense
Kansas freshman Montell Cozart attempted just 12 passes during last week’s victory but still played a huge part in the Jayhawks’ upset of West Virginia. KU coach Charlie Weis said this week that he would like to do more with Cozart in the passing game before the season’s over but added that, if opposing teams are not stopping the run, there’s no need to throw it. Given that the Cyclones rank eighth in pass defense and give up more than 240 yards per game through the air, it seems logical Kansas would look to throw more against ISU. But with the running game going and the conditions expected to be cold and windy, Weis may again limit Cozart’s pass attempts. The Jayhawks likely will be without leading receiver Tony Pierson the rest of the way, so there’s room for a go-to wideout to emerge.
Edge: Push.
When Iowa State has the ball
Iowa State rush offense vs. Kansas rush defense
The Cyclones feature five running backs with experience and talent but seem to favor senior Shontrelle Johnson, who’s listed atop the ISU depth chart at tailback. Johnson has 202 yards and a touchdown on the season, and the Cyclones’ rushing attack is led by athlete Aaron Wimberly (466 yards, 2 TDs) and quarterback Sam B. Richardson (358, 2). Senior Jeff Woody, who has had past success against the Jayhawks, leads ISU with five rushing touchdowns, and the Cyclones’ ability to turn to any number of backs may keep the Jayhawks from settling into a rhythm defensively. Still, ISU ranks just eighth in the Big 12 in rushing offense (128 ypg), and the Jayhawks rank ninth in the league in rush defense (188 ypg).
Edge: Push.
Iowa State pass offense vs. Kansas pass defense
Like seemingly every other coach in the Big 12, Rhoads has been forced to play musical quarterbacks this season, with Sam B. Richardson (the breakout hero of last year’s ISU victory in Lawrence) and red-shirt freshman Grant Rohach splitting snaps during recent weeks. Each QBs’ completion percentage hovers around 55 percent, and Richardson has thrown for 1,397 yards and 11 TDs (with 7 interceptions) compared to just 577 yards and 2 touchdowns (with 5 interceptions) in about half the time for Rohach. ISU features four receivers with 18 receptions or more and is led by wideout Quenton Bundrage’s 520 yards and six touchdowns on 38 receptions, all team bests. KU cornerbacks Dexter McDonald and JaCorey Shepherd have been steady throughout the season, and quarterbacks have struggled to beat either guy deep this season. What’s more, KU’s pass rush has shown up big-time for the Jayhawks during most weeks.
Edge: Kansas.
Special teams
Iowa State punter Kirby Van Der Kamp has long been one of the top punters in the Big 12, but this year he ranks just seventh in the Big 12 in punting average (42.1 yards per punt) and has company at the top of the punting ranks in Kansas junior Trevor Pardula, who ranks third (44.2). In the six major kicking and return categories, the Cyclones rank in the bottom half in five of them, while the Jayhawks rank in the top half in three. Kansas kickoff returner JaCorey Shepherd continues to shine in his new role, with a 26.3-yards-per-return average (third in the Big 12), and Connor Embree remains one of the top punt returners in the conference, ranking third with an average of 12.1 yards per punt return.
Edge: Kansas.
Kansas rush offense vs. Iowa State rush defense
What once was viewed as a strength of the Kansas University offense has fallen on hard times during the past few games. In losses to Oklahoma, Kansas State and Texas, KU rushed 95 times for 218 yards. That’s an average of 2.3 yards per carry, and very few of those yards actually mattered to the outcome of the game. Part of the problem has been the scoreboard. With the Jayhawks trailing by so much, so often, they’ve had to turn to the pass a little more than in previous weeks. In addition, the offense as a whole has lacked rhythm and had a difficult time staying on the field. With James Sims, Darrian Miller, Tony Pierson and Brandon Bourbon all healthy, KU still has the horses to be a good running team, but it’s no longer a given that it will be.
Edge: Push.
Kansas pass offense vs. Iowa State pass defense
Iowa State is not the kind of team that’s going to make opposing quarterbacks uncomfortable by bringing pressure over and over. In eight games, the Cyclones have just five interceptions and 11 sacks. However, the Cyclones are the kind of team that’s going to make its opponents work for everything they get. ISU plays straight-up coverages, keeps everything in front of the defense and challenges opposing offenses to put together long, time-consuming drives in order to score. As long as he gets protection, this should suit Jordan Webb’s strengths. But with the way KU’s passing game has gone lately and the continued struggles of the Jayhawks’ wide receivers, it’s hard to give the advantage to Kansas.
Edge: Iowa State.
Iowa State rush offense vs. Kansas rush defense
Talk about catching a team at the wrong time. What once was an average Iowa State rushing attack enters this week with a ton of confidence after ripping off 368 yards — the school’s most since 1996 — in a 41-7 victory against Texas Tech last week. ISU had two 100-yard rushers in last week’s win, as James White ran for 138 yards and Duran Hollis backed that up with 101 yards. The Cyclones, led by left tackle Kelechi Osemele (6-foot-6, 347 pounds), are big up front and like to be physical all game. They should have no problem handling KU’s defensive line and, for yet another game, it’ll be up to the Kansas linebackers and defensive backs to make tackles.
Edge: Iowa State.
Iowa State pass offense vs. Kansas pass defense
The Cyclones don’t do anything special in the passing game, but they do enough to create space for their rushing attack. So far this season, ISU has averaged 214 yards per game through the air and thrown 12 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Those numbers have been split between two quarterbacks, as junior Steele Jantz started the first seven games of the season but gave way to freshman Jared Barnett after suffering an injury. Barnett’s first start came last week, but he has played in four games. Barnett’s inexperience could benefit a KU defense that’s in serious need of a good showing. But until the Jayhawks deliver, the nod has to go to the opposing offenses every time.
Edge: Iowa State.
Outside of KU returner D.J. Beshears, there’s not much to write home about with either special-teams unit this week. KU’s punting game continues to be a bright spot, but, most weeks, KU’s punts have not been much of a factor because of the numbers on the scoreboard. In last year’s game, a punt return by ISU’s Josh Lenz turned the tide of the game and put the Cyclones on track for a comeback. Lenz is back this season, and something as simple as a punt return could play a big role again today. Edge: Push.
