Oct 31, 2020; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Iowa State Cyclones running back Breece Hall (28) breaks a tackle attempt from Kansas Jayhawks linebacker Jay Dineen (43) during the second half at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Chris Williams, Publisher – Iowa State 45, Kansas 10
This feels a lot like the UNLV game to me, although believe it or not, the Jayhawks are a much better team than what Iowa State saw in Sin City. I feel like the Cyclones are better too. I just hope Iowa State doesn’t screw around here. They need to make a statement with the Jayhawks, who haven’t won a Big 12 road game since Mark Mangino was the head coach in Lawrence (he beat a guy named Gene Chizik).
Jared Stansbury, Managing Editor – Iowa State 45, Kansas 14
Kansas is going to get better under Lance Leipold, but I’m not sure how fast the process will move. The Jayhawks’ defense just isn’t good enough to keep Iowa State’s offense locked down for an extended period of time. Meanwhile, Jason Bean and the Kansas offense aren’t good enough to put pressure on the Iowa State defense consistently, unless they’re able to establish the run early with true freshman tailback Devin Neal, which seems like a tall task. Cyclones run away in the second quarter.
Rob Gray, Senior Writer – Iowa State 38, Kansas 10
Lance Leipold has as good a chance — better, maybe — as anyone in the past decade-plus to turn Kansas football around. The Jayhawks have bought in but simply aren’t good enough to put up much of a fight against good teams. ISU cleans up some woeful special teams issues and the defense is elite again. The game might be close much of the first half, but the Cyclones’ superior talent will grind KU down.
Jay Jordan, Football Analyst – Iowa State 34, Kansas 13
I have a feeling that the rest of the Big 12 isn’t going to like playing Iowa State after the bye week. I wish I felt better about offensive line play, but this is a challenge game heading into the bye. The defense will carry the team as always after halftime, but will the offense be able to answer early scores? IDK. A comfortable win not unlike KU’s other opponents.
Jeff Woody, Football Analyst – Iowa State 42, Kansas 17
As hard as it may be to hear after the disappointment of the Baylor loss, this Cyclone team is getting leaps and bounds better week-to-week. That continues against a much lesser opponent, but the propensity for shooting themselves in the foot isn’t completely gone yet. Kansas gets a couple of wonky scores on field position set up by turnovers or special teams mistakes but this game is never in doubt.
Todd Blythe, Football Analyst – Iowa State 34, Kansas 10
Much like the UNLV game, we get Kansas at a time when the Cyclones desperately need some confidence and momentum heading into a long, hard Big 12 season. Breece is looking more and more like the elite RB we all know he is and the Cyclone D has been consistently good all year.
