It’s been a tough road for the Iowa State football team.

Wins have been tough to come by, with six of their eight opponents being either ranked or receiving votes in the Associated Press or coaches polls this week. Fortunately for the Cyclones, the Kansas Jayhawks are not in the same club.

Iowa State (2-6, 0-5 Big 12) and Kansas (2-6, 0-5 Big 12) will battle to stay out of the conference cellar and pick up their first Big 12 win this season. Even staying positive, players are well aware of what this game means for the rest of the season.

“We don’t want to think about that,” said cornerback Sam E. Richardson about staying out of last place. “Subconsciously, yeah, we’re thinking about that, but we just want to get a win and focus on improving our record.”

But for a team that has been so close so many times, losing to Kansas is not an option. Heartbreaking losses against Kansas State and Texas spell the difference between last place in the Big 12 and seventh place. A growing list of injuries has kept the Cyclones from solidifying a solid core of starters. It’s been the little things that have made a big difference.

But with four games remaining and some of the tamest competition the Cyclones have seen this season in the next two games, the focus is on getting a win at Kansas. 

“If you’re going to win a fourth [game], you’ve got to win a third [game] first,” said coach Paul Rhoads. “When you’re at six losses already on your record and one more denies you post-season possibilities, it’s an important game.”

And the opponent couldn’t have come at a better time. With the offense falling apart against Oklahoma and the defense surrendering a season-high 59 points, Kansas gives the Cyclones some relief, being the worst scoring offense and defense the team has faced this season.

With linebacker Jevohn Miller going down with a season-ending knee injury, the Cyclones will be working with some different bodies on defense. But that hasn’t necessarily spelled trouble, bringing a new attitude to the team.

“Because there’s some new faces out there, it’s almost like there’s a freshness and a newness to [practice],” Rhoads said. “I’d say it’s a little different than normal… but there’s plenty of step out there.”

With players like Brandon Jensen, Robby Garcia and Nigel Tribune expected to play Saturday after sitting out most or all of the game against Oklahoma with injuries, the defense should look quite a bit different than the unit that allowed 510 yards rushing to the Sooners.

Kansas employs a two-quarterback system that focuses more on the pass, giving Tribune something to look for in his return. Richardson, who intercepted two passes against Oklahoma, is hoping to improve and bring home a win the team has been looking for.

“They’ve got some big receivers so [I will] just try my best to be physical with those guys,” Richardson said. “They’ve got a lot of playmakers on that offense so [we will] try to do our best with the defensive plan that we’ve got.”