Cyclone 2-Minute Drill: Kansas Jayhawks

ISU RUSH OFFENSE VS. KANSAS RUSH DEFENSE

Iowa State's running game has shown flashes of potential at times this season, but the Cyclones are far from hitting their stride. Ranked last in the Big 12 in rushing as a team, Iowa State averages just 113.4 yards per game and 3.5 yards per carry. Kansas linebacker Ben Heeney leads the conference in tackles, averaging 11.8 per game. The Cyclones might have to use the pass game to try to open up the running game. Advantage: Kansas

ISU PASS OFFENSE VS. KU PASS DEFENSE

ISU quarterback Sam Richardson struggled to find his receivers in last week's loss to Oklahoma. Kansas allows just 245.9 yards per game to its opponents, but with big receivers on the outside like Allen Lazard and D'Vario Montgomery as well as tight end E.J. Bibbs, Richardson's weapons in the passing game should get him back on track against a Kansas team that gave up 343 yards through the air last weekend in a loss to Baylor. Advantage: Iowa State

KU RUSH OFFENSE VS. ISU RUSH DEFENSE

The Jayhawks are ninth in the Big 12 in rushing - ahead of only Iowa State - but have a few options to go to in the ground game. Freshman Corey Avery, junior De'Andre Mann and senior wide receiver Tony Pierson all provide different skill sets in the backfield. Iowa State will get senior Brandon Jensen and freshman Robby Garcia back in the lineup, but linebacker Jevohn Miller was lost for the season due to a torn ACL, so Iowa State will have a lot of youth and inexperienced in the middle of the defense. Advantage: Kansas

KU PASS OFFENSE VS. ISU PASS DEFENSE

While Kansas has options when running the ball, there are questions in its passing game. The Jayhawks rank last in the Big 12 in passing offense and are the only team in the league that averages less than 200 yards per game through the air. After not playing against Oklahoma because of a groin injury, ISU sophomore Nigel Tribune will return to the ISU lineup and bolster the young secondary opposite Sam E. Richardson, who recorded two interceptions against the Sooners last weekend. Advantage: Iowa State

SPECIAL TEAMS

Iowa State and Kansas will bring weapons to special teams, specifically in the punt return game. Kansas' Nick Harwell and Iowa State's Jarvis West rank first and second, respectively, in average yards per punt return. ISU kicker Cole Netten continues to be a reliable piece of the Cyclones' special teams unit, making all eight of his kicks. Advantage: Iowa State

ISU WILL WIN IF ...

Its defensive front seven can find a way to fill the void left by Jevohn Miller and keep Kansas' offense off the field. The ISU offense, especially passing game, will be poised to score points against the Jayhawks defense so it will be up to the Cyclones' defense to stifle the running game and get off the field quickly.

KU WILL WIN IF ...

It can take advantage and push around the interior linemen and middle linebackers in the ISU defense. Red-shirt freshman Alton Meeks and sophomore Kane Seeley will share the middle linebacker position left open by Jevohn Miller, and will have to be sound in the gaps to keep Kansas from getting any momentum and making it another long day for the defense.

Iowa State 38, Kansas 28

- Dylan Montz