Daily News Podcast
Daily Newsletters2-Minute Drill: Iowa State Cyclones at Kansas State Wildcats
Breaking down Saturday's Big 12 football game between Iowa State (7-4, 5-3) and Kansas State (6-5, 4-4) at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium in Manhattan, Kan. Kickoff is 2:30 p.m., televised on ESPN2.
Iowa State rush offense vs. Kansas State rush defense
Iowa State running back David Montgomery injured his ankle late in the fourth quarter in the game against Baylor last week. Montgomery and Coach Matt Campbell said he's fine and will play in Saturday's game. How effective he's going to be is a different story.
A healthy Montgomery has rushed for 1,080 yards and 11 touchdowns, both second in the Big 12. There's no doubt if he's healthy, he'll be a handful for Kansas State.
More: Sheldon Croney is Iowa State's next man in
Montgomery makes his living on his ability to cut, make guys miss and force arm tackle attempts. A bum ankle will certainly hamper his ability.
Even if he is healthy, the Wildcats pose a good run defense. It ranks third in the Big 12, holding teams to 122 yards per game.
Advantage: Kansas State
Iowa State pass offense vs. Kansas State pass defense
Kansas State has the worst pass defense in the Big 12. The Wildcats allow 314 yards per game. Campbell said on Monday he wasn't sure if quarterback Kyle Kempt would be healthy enough to play on Saturday, so Zeb Noland could get the reins once again.
Noland poses a big arm and a willingness to take risks. He completes just 55 percent of his passes, but when he does, they go for big gains. He averages 15 yards per completion.
Here is that Butler one-handed catch for a TD courtesy FSN. November 18, 2017
Here is that Butler one-handed catch for a TD courtesy FSN. #Cyclones pic.twitter.com/tVvtjh7Cu1
— Cyclone Football (@CycloneFB)
Last week against Baylor, Noland threw two touchdown passes, both greater than 35 yards. Given the Wildcats propensity to give up yards through the air, Noland could have a big day with receivers like Allen Lazard and Hakeem Butler.
Advantage: Iowa State
Iowa State rush defense vs. Kansas State rush offense
Kansas State runs the ball with a lot of success. The Wildcats rank second in the Big 12, averaging 194 yards. Running back Alex Barnes gets the bulk of the carries. He averages 5.3 yards per carry and 61.7 yards per game.
Bowl projections: Where the Cyclones are picked after Baylor win
Kansas State also likes to incorporate its quarterbacks into its run game. Current quarterback Skylar Thompson averages 42 yards per game.
Iowa State's run defense is normally stout against running backs, but mobile quarterbacks have found rushing lanes in the Cyclones' three-man front. If Iowa State doesn't close those down, the Cyclones could have trouble slowing down the Wildcats.
Advantage: Kansas State
Iowa State pass defense vs. Kansas State pass offense
Kansas State, like Iowa State, is on its third quarterback. Thompson is a redshirt freshman who led Kansas State to wins over Kansas, Texas Tech and No. 10 Oklahoma State.
Thompson doesn't put up gaudy numbers in the passing game, completing 60 percent of his passes and averaging just 85 yards per game.