On the topic of college football’s worst teams in recent years, Kansas is up there with the worst of the worst.

During the past four seasons, the Jayhawks have a combined record of 11-35 (.239) and have won just two conference games (vs. Iowa State in 2009, vs. Colorado in 2010) in that time. That’s a whopping 19-game losing streak in conference play.

Iowa State, on the other hand, has been a program on the rise. Despite a couple shortcomings thanks to some unfortunate injuries, ISU coach Paul Rhoads has his team poised to become bowl-eligible for the third time in four years — something thought to be unthinkable when he first took over in 2009.

Iowa State faces Kansas this Saturday with a chance to attain bowl eligibility with a supposedly easy win against the seemingly worst team in the Big 12.

But honestly, Kansas has a legitimate shot at beating Iowa State. And if it does, you should not be surprised.

“Great spirit in this football team,” Rhoads said of Kansas. “There’s been plenty of fight, and it’s beyond that — it’s being in football games in the fourth quarter going to overtime [and] having a chance to win against quality Big 12 opponents.”

Kansas pulled within a touchdown to nearly beat Oklahoma State in a six-point loss Oct. 13; it held a three-point lead into the final minute against Texas before allowing a game-deciding touchdown with 12 seconds on the clock Nov. 3; it avenged a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter against Texas Tech to send the game into double overtime before falling just last week.

The combined record of those teams it nearly beat? 21-8.

Kansas is 1-9, but that’s not how 1-9 teams play.

“You look what they’ve done, especially recently in the games they’ve played and how close they’ve played them: They’re not showing signs of hangovers or ill effects,” Rhoads said. “They’re showing signs of a team that’s hungry for a victory.”

The last time Rhoads’ team was 5-5 came in 2010. That year, the Cyclones came off wins against Texas and Kansas before losing to Nebraska on a botched two-point conversion in overtime.

They needed one win to become bowl-eligible in Rhoads’ second year as coach with a seemingly easy matchup against Colorado — which, akin to this year’s KU team, was winless in conference play.

The Cyclones came out flat in a 34-14 loss to Colorado before losing to Missouri to finish 5-7 on the season and miss a trip to a bowl game.

I’d like to think Iowa State would be able to avoid a similar outcome this time around — Kansas has yet to beat an FBS opponent this season, unlike the Colorado team that came into the 2010 matchup with three nonconference wins.

But then again, with the injuries and fatigue that are plaguing the defense and the inconsistencies still looming on offense, there’s no telling which ISU team will show up against the hungry Jayhawks who have nothing to lose.

Sitting one win away from bowl eligibility after losing four of its last five games, however, Rhoads’ team is pretty hungry for a victory as well.

“I’d say they they’re starving,” Rhoads said with a chuckle. “Just like we are. Can you hear my stomach?”

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Jake Calhoun is a senior in journalism from Urbandale, Iowa.