With games against Baylor, Texas A&M and Missouri still on deck, the Kansas Jayhawks game at 4-4 Iowa State this weekend is probably their best chance to get a Big 12 victory this season.
But even a match-up against a fellow Big 12 cellar dweller hasn't changed the odds-makers' opinion of the Jayhawks' chances, as they are a +14 underdog against the Cyclones.
Their historically inept performance against a rebuilding Texas team last weekend certainly did them no favors. The Longhorns held the Kansas to 48 total yards and only 3 first downs, romping to a 43-0 victory in Austin.
The game was particularly gruesome on the line of scrimmage. Even discounting the -21 yards in sacks QB Jordan Webb endured, the Jayhawks had 19 yards on 16 carries. On the other side of the ball, Texas racked up 441 yards on 72 carries for 4 TD's.
Iowa State, meanwhile, is coming off their best performance of the year, as they shocked Texas Tech 41-7 in Lubbock, only a week after the Red Raiders had upset previously unbeaten Oklahoma. It was the second career start for freshmen QB Jared Barnett, and Barnett's athleticism allowed the Cyclones to use a run-heavy game-plan most of the day.
They will undoubtedly look to continue that against Kansas' porous run defense, as Barnett and starting RB James White, who has rushed for 582 yards on 120 carries with 7 TD's this season, will try to have big days on the ground.
For more on Kansas football, head over to Rock Chalk Talk. Iowa State fans can check out Wide Right and Natty Lite. And for the latest lines, spreads and over/unders, head on over to our partners at Odds Shark.