After a tough loss to Baylor, head coach Matt Campbell and the Cyclones need to have a short memory as Big 12 conference play rolls on. In the Big 12 conference, there are not many easy wins and the Cyclones know this.

Next up for the Cyclones is a matchup that has been a rare easy win in the Big 12 in recent years: Kansas. Iowa State won its previous seven games against the Jayhawks, but this year poses a different challenge.

Kansas enters the game with a 4-0 record, with major wins over West Virginia, Houston and Duke. Campbell said that the depth of the Big 12 causes his team to have no weeks off.

“You’ve got to play everybody, which I think the rest of the so-called big conferences don’t do that,” Campbell said. “You better bring your ‘A game’ or you’re gonna get beat.”

Campbell saw the success of Kansas coming last year when the two teams faced off. He saw both the talent of the players that were returning and the passion that the team played with.

Despite the 2-10 season, all signs pointed to a turnaround for the Jayhawks, and what a turnaround it was.

“You saw a really good football team on the verge of becoming really good,” Campbell said.

Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels is quietly posting one of the better seasons in college football so far.

Daniels has 11 passing touchdowns this season with just one interception and did a ton of damage with his legs, leading the team in rushing yards at 326 and punching in four touchdowns.

Campbell said a lot of the talk around Daniels is about his rushing ability, but really it is the accuracy and efficiency that makes him so great.

Campbell also mentioned that he feels Daniels has played so well because of the trust he has built in himself and with his teammates.

“The kids believe in him, he believes in him, he’s having fun playing,” Campbell said.

Overall, Campbell said the Baylor game was one the young players could learn from. Taking control of the momentum is something that will win or lose games for teams, and Campbell felt that the team was unable to do that in the third quarter against the Bears.

As for the weekly injury update, some fans were concerned with Cartevious Norton’s lack of touches in his return from injury, but Campbell said he is fully ready to go this week against Kansas.