Kansas Football: Iowa State Gameday Preview

Iowa State vs. Kansas

Saturday, November 17th – at Memorial Stadium; Lawrence, Kansas

Cyclones: 5-5, 2-5 (8th in Big 12) | Jayhawks: 1-9, 0-7 (10th in Big 12)

• Kickoff – 6:00 p.m. (CST)
• Television – FSN
• Radio – Sirius/XM Radio (117/202)
• Weather – Mostly sunny, 62-35 degrees 1% precipitation (via accuweather).
• Odds – Cyclones listed as 8-point favorites (via oddsshark).

Quick History

• 92nd meeting, Jayhawks lead series (49-36-6).
• Iowa State has won two-straight in the series.
• Kansas owns a 27-15-3 mark vs. ISU in games played in Lawrence.
• The Jayhawks lead the all-time series in the Big 12, 9-7.
• Kansas is 8-9 all time in games played on Nov. 17.

Nov 05, 2011; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones nose guard Stephen Ruempolhamer (97) sacks Kansas Jayhawks quarterback Jordan Webb (2) during the fourth quarter at Jack Trice Stadium. Iowa State defeated Kansas 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-US PRESSWIRE

This week, Charlie Weis talked about many things at his weekly press conference at the University of Kansas. During this press conference, he discussed senior night, Kansas’ seniors, and the Iowa State offense.

Weis on Senior Night

“Alright, let’s get ready for Senior Night; (it’s) this Saturday at 6 p.m. I see the student newspaper is well represented (at the press conference). I would expect that our student newspaper would be encouraging our students to show up in force on Saturday night. It’s supposed to be a beautiful night. 6 p.m. is too early to go out. (The game will) get over about 9:30, you know, it’s just about right. We’ve got over 30,000 people at this school; it would be really good if a whole bunch of them came and spent the evening with us getting ready for this game.” (Source: kuathletics)

Weis on KU’s seniors

“And my last note before we get going, being that this is the last home game, I’d just like to tell you how much I’ve appreciated this group of seniors that are going out. A lot of these guys are on their third coach. I can’t even imagine that. During their timeframe going from, Coach (Mark) Mangino, to Coach (Turner) Gill, to Coach (Charlie) Weis and the trials and tribulations they’ve been through. They’ve gutted it out and bought in (to all three coaching systems). And, you know, there’s two different ways as a coach you can approach guys when you’re a new coach. There are some coaches that are under the mentality, ‘well wait until I get my guys in here.’ Well, these are my guys, and I’ll be there for them forever; whatever they need from me, within reason. I’ll be there, I’ll be there for them. I don’t need to have recruited them and I don’t need to have coached them (for very long) to respect them. And I hope that together with the coaches, the underclassmen and the fan base, I’m hoping we can provide enough inspiration and motivation to go ahead and knock off a touch Iowa State team and let them leave with a good taste in their mouths.” (Source: kuathletics)

Weis on ISU’s offense

“Now on offense – here’s the key thing: they’ve got eight returning starters on offense, but all five of their offensive linemen. Usually I talk about the quarterback first or the skill players first, but I’d like to start talking about their offensive line. They are a physical, workmanlike, well-coached group of linemen. And together as a unit, they play very well. (Carter) Bykowski is their left tackle; he’s 6-foot-8, over 300 pounds. (Ethan) Tuftee is their left guard. He’s 6-foot-4, 310; he’s a road grader. Their center, (Tom) Farniok, he’s the lightest of the bunch at 6-foot-4, 290 pounds. At right guard, (Kyle) Lichtenberg is 6-foot-6 and over 300 pounds. And right tackle, (Brayden) Burris is 6-foot-6, 300 pounds, as well. So, it seems like every week we’re playing a bunch of big guys. But the thing about these guys, they were all the starters last year, so they’ve been used to playing together for quite some time.” (Source: kuathletics)

[Also read: Jantz Leads Run-Heavy Iowa State Attack]

Three Keys to Victory

1. Speed. All the teams who have beaten Iowa State this season, have speedy players. For Kansas to win on Saturday they need to employ this factor to their advantage and use it.
2. Run the ball. Sims, Pierson, and Cox should get the bulk of the offensive play calls once again. For the Jayhawks to win, they need about 300 yards rushing.
3. Pressure the quarterback. Jantz has had issues against teams who like to blitz like Texas last week. If the team can pressure the senior quarterback, then they have a chance.

[Also read: Breaking Down the Iowa State Defense]

Gameday Thoughts

• The Jayhawks need to let the past play into affect today. Kansas has a 9-7 advantage over Iowa State in past Big 12 conference play, and a 6-1 mark over the team at home.
• Iowa State has lost the last two games vs Texas and Oklahoma. The team gave up 35 points to Oklahoma and 33 to Texas, so they will look to get back on the right track vs the Jayhawks here.
• Kansas has developed one of the nation’s strongest rushing games led by James Sims and Tony Pierson. Sims has rushed for 100-yards in the last six games for Kansas.

[Also read: Kansas and Iowa State News and Notes]

Injury Report

Sep 22, 2012; DeKalb, IL, USA; Kansas Jayhawks running back Tony Pierson (3) rushes the ball against the Northern Illinois Huskies during the second half at Huskie Stadium. Northern Illinois defeats Kansas 30-23. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-US PRESSWIRE

There are no new injuries for the Kansas Jayhawks going into the ISU game. This week though, Charlie Weis discussed Tony Pierson’s performance since taking off his elbow brace.

He discussed that Pierson is a nice complament to James Sims and that, without the brace, the Jayhawks can turn to him when opponents zero in on Sims. James goes up the middle while Tony goes to the outside.

Prediction

This is the Jayhawks last possible shot at winning a Big 12 conference game this season. Yes, they play WVU in two weeks, but KU most likely will lose that game.

If the Jayhawks can stop Jantz, they can stop ISU. Its that simple.

The run game will need to be key, but the pass game will need to be better than if has been in past games. Kansas will get a spark from it being senior night, but will it be enough to help them win?

We can only hope. Charlie Weis is doing his part by trying to get students in the stands by buying their tickets to the game.

Final score: Iowa State 28, Kansas 24

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