It's Cyclone Week

Kansas State (5-3) takes on a 1-8 Iowa State squad this Saturday at 11:30 AM at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa. The Wildcats, 1-2 in road games this year, attempt to win their second versus a Cyclone squad that is searching for their second home victory of the year. Kansas State is favored by 14 points.

Recent trends: In their past 33 games, Kansas State is 25-8 versus the spread against teams with losing records. On ther other hand, the home team is 7-3 versus the spread in the last 10 meetings and Iowa State is 9-2 versus the spread in their last 11 games on grass.

Iowa State has had difficulty on both sides of the ball this year, trying to understand what new head coach Gene Chizik wants them to do. On offense, Iowa State is nationally ranked 91st running the ball (127.72 yards per game), 81st passing the ball (204.44 yards per game), and 99th in total offense (332.22 yards per game). The Cyclones scoring offense is among the nation's worst, as they score a meager 16.56 points per game, which is ranked 116th out of 119 teams. On defense, Iowa State is a little better. The rushing defense is ranked 42nd (131.78 yards per game), pass defense is ranked 74th (232.00 yards per game) and is overall ranked 49th (363.78 yards per game). Iowa State, though, gives up 32 points per game, which ranks 93rd.

In their past two games, a loss at home 17-7 to Oklahoma and a road loss 42-28 to Missouri, ISU has shown a bit more spark. Against Missouri, senior quarterback Bret Meyer was 33/47/0 for 237 yards and one touchdown. The Cyclones were able to get their running game going, with freshman Alexander Robinson taking 21 carries for 149 yards and a touchdown versus the Tigers. The Cyclones controlled time of possession 38:22 to 21:38, converted 11 of 20 third downs, and two of three fourth downs. ISU also outgained the Tigers 389 yards to 366. Iowa State exhibited the ability to play with a second top ten team, holding Missouri to roughly 110 yards less than their seaso average.

Against Oklahoma, Iowa State held a 7-0 halftime lead, and had they been able to kick field goals, ISU might have been able to extend that lead further. Iowa State played solid defense, holding Oklahoma to 316 yards of total offense, some 130 yards below their season average.

Iowa State, since a 56-3 drubbing at the hands of Texas, has played very well in losing to two top ten teams. I expect nothing different this weekend, with Kansas State winning a hard fought battle that goes to the end.