Iowa State Preview: 27 Days Until Kansas Football

The Jayhawks will look to win its second in a row against the Cyclones when it travels to Ames this year.

Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell was often used as an example for the type of coach and program-builder that the Kansas Jayhawks had needed as it struggled to work its way out from the cellar. But the programs are now currently heading in opposite directions as Campbell and the Cyclones recorded only their second losing season since he arrived in 2016, going 4-8 in 2022.

And the matchup in Lawrence when KU came away with an ugly 14-11 win spoke strongly of Iowa State’s struggles and what needed to be fixed if 2023 is going to be more successful.

Pre-Game Notes

Kansas’ win last year snapped a seven-game winning streak for Iowa State in this series. KU hadn’t beaten the Cyclones since 2014, when Clint Bowen led the Jayhawks to a 34-14 win in Lawrence. In another recent change, Kansas is expected to have a better year in 2023 than ISU, as Iowa State came in a spot below KU in the Big 12 preseason rankings, but earning 127 fewer points.

But even with ISU’s recent success, Kansas still owns the all-time series with a 51-45-6 record. This is also one of the oldest rivalries, with KU and ISU first facing off in 1898 (an 11-6 win for KU). They then played again in 1916, facing off more regularly after that.

The Mike Plank Four-Down Scouting Report

First Down

The major development heading into fall camp is the recent charge against ISU starting quarterback Hunter Dekkers. Dekkers was charged with “tampering with records” in an investigation into Iowa State and Iowa players gambling on their university’s games. Dekkers allegedly placed bets, including on a 2021 Cyclones football game, as his parents to try and keep his identity hidden.

Dekkers isn’t participating in fall camp and if he ends up not playing for a time, it sounds like it’s either going to be Rocco Becht – who attempted 15 passes last year for 65 yards and an INT – or true freshman JJ Kohl. Even if he does end up playing, the lack of reps in the preseason could be a factor.

Second Down

Big 12 opponents will also be relieved that their defenses don’t have to try to contain receiver Xavier Hutchinson anymore. Hutchinson put the Cyclones offense on his back last year, recording 107 catches, 1,171 yards, and six touchdowns when only one other receiver had more than 35 receptions last year. Iowa State’s No. 2 and No. 3 receivers, Jaylin Noel and Dimitri Stanley, will now look to fill that void and increase their production.

Third Down

Defense was a bright spot for the Cyclones last year, and it looks to have the potential to be solid again this year. Will McDonald (7.5 tackles for loss and five sacks) and MJ Anderson (nine tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks) are both gone, so Iowa State will have to find replacements to rush the passer. But both of ISU’s corners are back, as is Beau Freyler, who was second on the team in tackles last year.

Fourth Down

It’s not often we’d be talking about kickers in these previews, but after last year, it feels relevant. From what I can tell, kicker Jace Gilbert is back for the Cyclones. Kansas fans will remember how he went 1-4 on field goal attempts in the loss in Lawrence. But it wasn’t just at KU where he struggled. He went 12-20 on the season, which will have to be better this year if Iowa State wants to improve its record.

Matchup On Paper

Last year, the Cyclones’ offense went as Dekkers went, which is why it’s going to be fascinating to see how his situation plays out this year. ISU only averaged 108 yards on the ground last year (for 3.3 yards per carry), which was a huge drop off from the Breece Hall days.

But as I mentioned, the defense was strong. Iowa State only gave up 285 yards per game and its 20.2 points allowed was 18th nationally. KU realized that first hand when it only compiled 213 yards, including 112 yards on the ground on 31 carries. Another interesting area to watch is the turnover battle. ISU turned it over nearly twice per game last year while only causing 1.3 turnovers per game. That proved accurate in the KU matchup, where Iowa State turned it over twice and turned KU over just once.

Final Whistle

Through some personnel losses and unfortunate circumstances, Iowa State is in a difficult spot as it tries to get back to a bowl game, as it has been so accustomed to reaching in recent years. But for Kansas, this looks to be (at least as of early August) the Jayhawks’ best chance to go to Ames and come away with a win in a handful of years.

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