Kansas football: 5 pivotal Jayhawks for road clash against Iowa State

NORMAN, OK - OCTOBER 15: Wide receiver Quentin Skinner #83 of the Kansas Jayhawks takes a lateral pass for 20 yards to the 11-yard line against the Oklahoma Sooners in the first quarter at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma won 52-42. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

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Oct 28, 2023; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks running back Devin Neal (4) runs the ball as Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. (2) defends during the first half at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

Kansas Football Key Player No. 2. RB Devin Neal

Iowa State has one of the best defenses Kansas football will face off against this season. However, we know that opposing teams dread defending the two-headed monster of Devin Neal and Daniel Hishaw Jr. With Jalon Daniels expected to remain sidelined for this contest, Andy Kotelnicki will have no issue pounding the rock for 60 minutes.

Neal earned 25 totes against Oklahoma, the second-highest number in his collegiate career, and put together a 112-yard performance. He continues to impress Kansas football fans and has established himself as one of the best tailbacks in school history. The question is whether he can receive that much volume again while working through the knacks and bruises he has sustained across the season.

We just mentioned Iowa State doesn’t run the ball too well, but they do rank 39th in FBS in rushing defense. It will be the kind of game where every inch the running backs gain matters. Nothing will come easy against a stingy defense in a hostile road environment.

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