Betting lines, game preview, and prediction for Iowa State vs. Kansas

Even though Iowa State lost to Texas Tech last week, it is still very much in the running for the Big 12 title and/or a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Its last three games are against Cincinnati, Utah, and Kansas State. But first, it has to beat a Kansas team that is playing to keep its season going.

The Jayhawks have not played too badly, but they just can not do anything to win close games. After the tough 29–27 loss to Kansas State, they had two weeks to rest. Now they need to win out to go bowling.

That is not good; they need to close at BYU, Colorado, and Baylor.

Iowa State vs Kansas: How to Watch and Game Preview

Date: Saturday, November 9, 2024
Game Time: 3:30 pm ET
How to Watch: FS1
Venue: GEHA Field vs Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO
Teams: Kansas (2-6), Iowa State (7-1)

Why Iowa State Will Win

Kansas is one of those teams that does almost everything right but win.

The defense is not great and the passes are not completed enough, but it is more than that. There is something mysterious about it that just does not have that something in big moments to make plays that win.

It is too good for Iowa State. Their pass defense is third in the country and the best in the Big 12. It does not make mistakes that other teams can use against it, so it does not get punished and controls the turnover margin.

It will again be completions that matter. Kansas’s defense is not good enough, and Iowa State’s only lets quarterbacks connect 51% of the time, but

Why Kansas Will Win

And again, Kansas is RIGHT THERE.

It does need to be far more efficient throwing the ball, and the defense has to come up with more key stops, but the offense is great at moving the chains, is wonderful on third downs, and it’s getting enough solid plays out of the lines to hold up.

Everyone has to make their own breaks, but the Jayhawks are way overdue for a little – as the hockey types would say – puck luck.

Iowa State doesn’t generate enough of a pass rush to bother the Kansas backfield, the pass defense has been a bit leaky over the last few games – allowing 200 yards or more in three of the last four after not giving that many in the first four games – and …

Iowa State vs Kansas: Who Will Win?

For both teams, the running game will be the first step in all that talk about how KU needs something good to happen.

The Cyclones need to win the game on the ground because Kansas is at its best when it gets a lot of yards quickly. It should be able to average five yards per carry.

K-State will once more make a game interesting but still lose.