2-Minute Drill: Kansas Jayhawks at Iowa State Cyclones

Breaking down Saturday's Big 12 football game between Kansas (1-4, 0-2) and Iowa State (3-2, 1-1) at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames. Kickoff is 11 a.m. and TV is Fox Sports Net.

Iowa State rush offense vs. Kansas rush defense

Kansas' front seven was supposed to be the best part of its defense coming into this season. And while that might be true, it still ranks among the worst in college football.

The Jayhawks have surrendered an average of 204 yards on the ground through five games, which is No. 206 in college football and No. 8 in the Big 12. Against the Texas Tech air-raid offense last week, Kansas gave up an astonishing 313 yards on the ground and six yards per carry in a 65-19 loss.

Iowa State star running back David Montgomery could have a field day if Kansas plays like it did against Texas Tech. If the Cyclones hold their blocks and allow Montgomery space to work, he has an opportunity to break off some big runs.

Advantage: Iowa State

Iowa State pass offense vs. Kansas pass defense

The Jayhawks' pass defense is worse than its run defense. Kansas' pass defense has allowed 305 yards a game, which is the worst in the conference. Iowa State playmakers Allen Lazard, Hakeem Butler, Trever Ryen, Marchie Mudock and Deshaunte Jones could all have a big game. Even Montgomery, as a pass catcher out of the backfield, could make an impact.

The Cyclones have five receivers with more than 200 yards.

Offensive coordinator Tom Manning called a masterful game with new quarterback Kyle Kempt under center against Oklahoma. He used swing passes, screens and quick-hitting routes without a lot of progressions for his first-time starter. The Cyclones only took the occasional shot down field, and even on those plays, Kempt didn't have to make a progression through his receivers.

Congrats October 9, 2017

Congrats @KyleKempt - Offensive Player of the Week!#RaiseTheStandardpic.twitter.com/ULsEZrRdoX

— Cyclone Football (@CycloneFB)

If Manning and Kempt can find that same rhythm, and Kempt finds guys in open space like he did against Oklahoma, Iowa State should have no problem picking apart the Jayhawks.

Advantage: Iowa State

Kansas rush offense vs. Iowa State rush defense

The running game is the best part of Kansas football. Running back Khalil Herbert has 503 yards rushing this season with 7.4 yards per carry.

But this won't be the first time Iowa State has gone up against a stellar running back. The Cyclones have held in check the likes of Iowa's Akrum Wadley and Akron's Warren Ball.

Khalil Herbert takes one for sixty yards, than immediately busts into the end zone the next playSeptember 23, 2017

Khalil Herbert takes one for sixty yards, than immediately busts into the end zone the next play#Kansas #westvirginia #CollegeGameDay pic.twitter.com/oN39uzSFWh

— Nolan (@nolankisting)

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Iowa State is anchored up front by Ray Lima and Vernell Trent. Behind them are the No. 2 and No. 3 leading tacklers in the Big 12 in Joel Lanning and Marcel Spears, respectively.

Safety Kamari Cotton-Moya doesn't mind helping in run support either, acting like an undersized linebacker. If Kansas falls in love with the run, Cotton-Moya could start creeping up into the box more and more.

It wouldn't be surprising to see the Cyclones put eight in the box against the Jayhawks, especially in the early downs.

Advantage: Iowa State

Kansas pass offense vs. Iowa State pass defense

Kansas is in the middle of a quarterback controversy. Payton Bender and Stanley Carter are splitting time, and it's not a situation where one is a passing quarterback and the other a running quarterback. Kansas Coach David Beaty is going with the 'trial by fire' method to determine his quarterback.

Bender started the season at quarterback, but he's thrown eight interceptions through five games, including one against Texas Tech. Carter's first meaningful playing time came against Texas Tech where he went 11 of 19 for 110 yards, but also threw an interception.

Iowa State's secondary is going to have an opportunity to take some chances against the Kansas passing attack. Iowa State is fourth in the Big 12 with six interceptions.

The Jayhawks' top target is Steve Sims Jr., who has 400 yards receiving and three touchdowns. If the Cyclones can hold him in check, Iowa State should have no problem defending the Kansas passing game.

Advantage: Iowa State

Special teams

Iowa State kicker Garrett Owens and Kansas kicker Gabriel Rui have only missed one field goal each this season. Owens is 7-for-8 on field goals and Rui is 8-for-9.

The forecast calls for rain on Saturday, and Owens, an Oregon State transfer, said he played in six rainy games last season, so he's comfortable kicking a heavy, wet ball.

Both punters also are fairly even, with Iowa State's Colin Downing getting the slight yardage edge. Downing has averaged 42.4 yards, while Kansas' Cole Moos has averaged 41.6 yards. Each punter has pinned teams inside the 20-yard line 11 times, which leads the Big 12.

Kansas has the edge in kick returns with Ryan Schadler returning 10 kicks for an average of 26 yards. The Cyclones have sent Landen Akers deep to return kicks, but he hasn't had any opportunities. Iowa State hasn't had the opportunity to return a kick in two weeks as Texas and Oklahoma kicked touchbacks every time.

Advantage: Iowa State

Intangibles

1. Road woes — Kansas hasn't won a road game since 2009.

2. Rainy day — Expect each team to try to move the ball on the ground on Saturday. The team that controls the football and limits turnovers in the wet conditions will be in good shape.

3. Comfortable Kempt — Kempt burst onto the scene last week, winning the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback of the week, and gets his first home start Saturday. If he stays within himself, he should have another successful week.

3 and out

Three keys for an Iowa State victory:

1. Run, run, run — Get David Montgomery going early and often. Iowa State needs to pound the Kansas front line and establish the line of scrimmage, especially in a rainy game.

2. Game plan — Take what's there on offense. Kansas' defense ranks last the Big 12, surrendering more than 500 yards to opposing offenses. The Cyclones should have no problem moving the ball methodically in the rain, and every so often taking a shot down field.

3. Happy returns — The Jayhawk kicker doesn't routinely kick the ball through the end zone, so whatever opportunities Iowa State gets in the return game, it should take advantage of.

Iowa State-Kansas prediction

Iowa State will win if ... Kempt plays within himself and Iowa State controls the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.

Kansas will win if ... It establishes the run game and Iowa State can't get anything going offensively.

Prediction: Iowa State 45, Kansas 13