K-State Wildcats vs. Iowa State Cyclones: Five things to know about ‘Farmageddon’ game
It’s always a big game when Kansas State meets Iowa State on the football field.
They call this rivalry Farmageddon, and the games in this series usually come down to the bitter end ... with the exception of last year, when K-State and its COVID-ravaged roster lost 45-0 at Iowa State.
This year’s game could be even bigger than normal. K-State (3-2, 0-2 Big 12) and Iowa State (3-2, 1-0) have already lost two games apiece. Both are coming off bye weeks. A win on Saturday could be the type of result that propels the winner to a strong finish. A defeat could leave the loser scrambling just to reach bowl eligibility.
Here is everything you need to know to start preparing for Iowa State at Kansas State.
The details
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Bill Snyder Family Stadium, Manhattan
TV: ESPN2
Radio: KCSP 610 AM in Kansas City; KKGQ 92.3 FM in Wichita
Line: Iowa State -4.5
Five things to know
1. Iowa State isn’t living up to preseason expectations. The Cyclones began the year with hopes of winning a Big 12 championship and reaching the College Football Playoff. One of those dreams already seems dead with Iowa State off to a 3-2 start. Quarterback Brock Purdy, running back Breece Hall (from Wichita) and a strong defense are all back this season, but that wasn’t enough for the Cyclones to beat Iowa or Baylor. They did bounce back with a 59-7 victory over Kansas in their last game, though.
2. Skylar Thompson has breathed life into K-State’s offense. The Wildcats are coming off a 37-31 loss against No. 6 Oklahoma, but no one can blame their offense for that defeat. Thompson, a senior quarterback, threw for 320 yards against the Sooners and led the Wildcats to a season-high 420 yards. K-State struggled to move the ball without him but it is playing with much more confidence now that he has returned to the lineup.
3. Reinforcements on the way? Chris Klieman said that he liked the timing of K-State’s bye week, because it gave the Wildcats an opportunity to get healthy at several positions. That could mean they have more players available than usual for this game. It will be interesting to see if injured defensive end Bronson Massie is healthy enough to play. Chabastin Taylor, Reggie Stubblefield and Daniel Imatorbhebhe might also be able to play more than they have while battling injuries during recent games.
4. Iowa State means business on defense. The Cyclones rank at or near the top of the Big 12 in every major statistical category after five games. They rank first in scoring defense (14.2 points per game), first in total defense (4.1 yards per play), fifth in rushing defense (2.9 yards per rush) and second in passing defense (6.2 yards per attempt). This might be the strongest defense K-State has faced this season.
5. Another game. Another touchdown on special teams? K-State is starting to create big plays on special teams. Junior receiver Malik Knowles returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown against Oklahoma State and then followed that up with a 93-yard touchdown return against Oklahoma. Can he make it three games in a row? Or will Iowa State’s Matt Campbell instruct his kickoff team to avoid him at all costs?
This story was originally published October 11, 2021 at 11:58 AM with the headline "K-State Wildcats vs. Iowa State Cyclones: Five things to know about ‘Farmageddon’ game."