Game Prediction: The Sunflower Bowl - Iowa State Cyclones at Kansas Jayhawks
Iowa State prepared for today’s game with Kansas like it was a bowl game. I have decided to call the game The Sunflower Bowl, Kansas is the Sunflower state after all. Lawrence may not be the best bowl destination, but it sure beats Boise, ID. The temperature is expected to be around 60 degrees at kickoff and the University of Kansas has a beautiful campus.
The Cyclones have nothing to lose in this game, while the Jayhawks could lose everything. Could undefeated Kansas be looking ahead to Missouri, Oklahoma or even the national championship game? Many have already put this game in the win column for the Fighting Mangino’s.
Is there any reason to believe the Cyclones can pull off the upset? Absolutely.
If the Cyclones are going to win they will need to play all four quarters, they can’t spot Kansas a 14-0 lead like they did at Missouri or a 21-0 lead like they did last week to Colorado.
Here are my keys to a Cyclone victory:
1. ISU must rush for 120 or more yards as a team - The Cyclones started playing well when they inserted Alexander Robinson in at running back. He is the X factor. When he started breaking big runs defenses added an extra man in the box to stop him, which opened up the deep ball to Todd Blythe. Iowa State has ran the ball well the last three weeks against teams that defend the run well, but Kansas will be a stiffer test. The Jayhawks currently rank 7th nationally in rush defense.
2. ISU must convert 3rd downs, control the clock - Iowa State wants to keep the 10th ranked Jayhawk offense off the field as much as possible. The Cyclones have been excellent all year in winning the time-of-possession and converting third down opportunities.
3. ISU must win the turnover battle - This is probably the biggest hurdle for the Cyclones to overcome. Kansas leads the nation in turnover margin and Iowa State ranks 96th. ISU has done a much better job of late in this category, over the last four games the Cyclones are +4 in the turnover battle.
4. Play all three phases - The special teams unit must show up big in this game. Kansas has the top ranked kickoff return unit in the country led by returner Marcus Herford. Iowa State will have a much better chance of pulling off the upset if they can win the battle of the special teams.
Kansas has won their home games by an average score of 58-12. I expect Iowa State to give the Jayhawks their first test at home. The Cyclones will leave everything on the field in their final game of the season.
Game Prediction:
Kansas 31
Iowa State 24
Iowa State seniors Bret Meyer, Todd Blythe and Alvin “Ace” Bowen deserve to end their careers with a win. Here is to hoping they can upset the Jayhawks and bring home The Sunflower Bowl trophy.
ABC Coverage Map November 17 - Iowa State Cyclones at Kansas Jayhawks
Cyclone Player of the Week (Week 11) - WR Todd Blythe
How fitting is it that Todd Blythe is the Cyclone Player of the Week for his performance in his final game at Jack Trice Stadium?
Blythe caught two touchdown passes last Saturday to help the Cyclones take down the Colorado Buffaloes 31-28. The senior who has broken almost every receiving record in school history, had four receptions for 124 yards and sparked the ISU offense in the third quarter with touchdown grabs of 12 and 55 yards.
Todd wears jersey #1 and it sure is fitting as he ranks first in career receptions, yards and touchdowns. He heads into his final game as a Cyclone with 174 receptions for 3,076 yards and 31 touchdowns.
Final Poll Results Week 11:
- WR Todd Blythe 44%
- RB Alexander Robinson 23%
- LB Alvin Bowen 14%
- QB Bret Meyer 12%
- S James Smith 8%
Cyclone Player of the Week:
Week 1 - RB JJ Bass
Week 2 - WR Marquis Hamilton
Week 3 - K Bret Culbertson
Week 4 - RB JJ Bass
Week 5 - RB Jason Scales
Week 6 - WR Todd Blythe
Week 7 - RB Jason Scales
Week 8 - WR Marquis Hamilton
Week 9 - RB Alexander Robinson
Week 10 - CB Chris Singleton
Week 11 - WR Todd Blythe
Stop back every week to www.isuisu.com to vote for the Cyclone Player of the Week.
Iowa State Cyclones Football Commitment - Doran Guillory
DE/ OT Doran Guillory
(Kelly High School) Beaumont, Texas
6-3, 270 pounds
If you want additional information on Doran Guillory and Cyclone recruiting subscribe to http://www.cyclonereport.com/
Photo Gallery: Iowa State Cyclones vs Colorado Buffaloes (Brad Fuller)
The Cyclones scored 31 unanswered points in the second half to beat the Colorado Buffaloes 31-28. The following photo gallery from the game features pictures from photographer Brad Fuller.
Photo Gallery: Cyclones / Buffaloes - Brad Fuller
