Iowa State prepared for today’s game with Kansas like it was a bowl game. I have decided to call the game The Sunflower Bowl, Kansas is the Sunflower state after all. Lawrence may not be the best bowl destination, but it sure beats Boise, ID. The temperature is expected to be around 60 degrees at kickoff and the University of Kansas has a beautiful campus.
The Cyclones have nothing to lose in this game, while the Jayhawks could lose everything. Could undefeated Kansas be looking ahead to Missouri, Oklahoma or even the national championship game? Many have already put this game in the win column for the Fighting Mangino’s.
Is there any reason to believe the Cyclones can pull off the upset? Absolutely.
If the Cyclones are going to win they will need to play all four quarters, they can’t spot Kansas a 14-0 lead like they did at Missouri or a 21-0 lead like they did last week to Colorado.
Here are my keys to a Cyclone victory:
1. ISU must rush for 120 or more yards as a team – The Cyclones started playing well when they inserted Alexander Robinson in at running back. He is the X factor. When he started breaking big runs defenses added an extra man in the box to stop him, which opened up the deep ball to Todd Blythe. Iowa State has ran the ball well the last three weeks against teams that defend the run well, but Kansas will be a stiffer test. The Jayhawks currently rank 7th nationally in rush defense.
2. ISU must convert 3rd downs, control the clock – Iowa State wants to keep the 10th ranked Jayhawk offense off the field as much as possible. The Cyclones have been excellent all year in winning the time-of-possession and converting third down opportunities.
3. ISU must win the turnover battle – This is probably the biggest hurdle for the Cyclones to overcome. Kansas leads the nation in turnover margin and Iowa State ranks 96th. ISU has done a much better job of late in this category, over the last four games the Cyclones are +4 in the turnover battle.
4. Play all three phases – The special teams unit must show up big in this game. Kansas has the top ranked kickoff return unit in the country led by returner Marcus Herford. Iowa State will have a much better chance of pulling off the upset if they can win the battle of the special teams.
Kansas has won their home games by an average score of 58-12. I expect Iowa State to give the Jayhawks their first test at home. The Cyclones will leave everything on the field in their final game of the season.
Game Prediction:
Kansas 31
Iowa State 24
Iowa State seniors Bret Meyer, Todd Blythe and Alvin “Ace” Bowen deserve to end their careers with a win. Here is to hoping they can upset the Jayhawks and bring home The Sunflower Bowl trophy.
