Max Dible 

If something is strange in your neighborhood, you call the Ghostbusters. If your team is in the midst of a losing streak and needs a little confidence, not to mention a tally in the win column, you call the Kansas Jayhawks. 

Kansas isn’t just the worst team in the Big 12. After an 0-3 start that included a home loss to South Dakota State, it’s becoming readily apparent via advanced analytics that the Jayhawks are one of the worst groups in the NCAA’s Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). 

According to Sports-Reference.com’s simple rating system (SRS), which measures a team’s rating based on strength of schedule and margin of victory, Kansas ranks 126th in the nation.

Only 128 teams are evaluated. 

A sub-par team offensively, the Jayhawks’ defense is simply abysmal, surrendering nearly 550 offensive yards as well as 41 points per contest — against the 113th-ranked schedule in the FBS, no less. 

Iowa State stumbled two weeks in a row, and snatching defeat from the jaws of victory like the Cyclones did 13 days ago at Toledo isn’t easy to shake off. 

Still, Iowa State has proven to be a more athletic group than in the past, and the 34-14 loss in Lawrence last year — and the subsequent rushing of the field by KU students — won’t be far from the ISU players’ minds come Saturday.

The Cyclones bounce back against the Jayhawks and move to 2-2. Bet. 

Iowa State 45, Kansas 31

Luke Manderfeld

It hasn’t been the easiest start to the season for the Cyclones. A big win against Northern Iowa in the season opener gave fans hope, but back-to-back losses to Iowa and Toledo, respectively, have taken the hope right under their feet. 

That has been a familiar feeling for ISU football fans during the last two seasons, in which the Cyclones have won two conference games. 

This weekend, however, Iowa State enters as a heavy favorite and has the potential to start Big 12 play 1-0 for the first time in more than 10 years. 

A heartbreaking loss to Toledo in double overtime coupled with a bye week may give the Cyclones a little extra motivation to start the conference season out on the right foot.

On the flipside, Kansas comes in limping, losing three straight games to open the season, including a loss to Football Championship Subdivision opponent, South Dakota State. But, as may fans remember, the Jayhawks upset the Cyclones last season in Lawrence, Kan., so they aren’t a team to take lightly.

And I doubt the Cyclones are. Iowa State will win the game (and cover the spread) with a victory over Kansas. 

Iowa State: 28 Kansas: 10 

Ryan Young

A win this week puts the Cyclones back on track – it’s that simple.

The overtime loss to Toledo hurt, there is no hiding it. A win over the Rockets would have sent the Cyclones into Big 12 play with a winning record, and a legitimate chance to reach bowl contention early on in the season.

But, with Kansas up next, Iowa State has a big opportunity.

They’ve entered the game as a heavy 16-point favorite, and are facing a Jayhawk team that has struggled to get much of anything going this year. And while a win seems probable, it’s not that easy. Kansas found a way to beat Iowa State last season in similar fashion, and they aren’t a team to be taken lightly. Overlook them, and the Jayhawks may surprise some people.

A win this week not only gives the Cyclones their first 1-0 conference start since 2002, but also keeps hope for postseason play alive and puts them in a good position heading into the rest of conference play.

But it won’t happen. Kansas will find a way to win this game.

Kansas: 21, Iowa State: 20