Iowa State @ Kansas preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 14, 2017 ) Kansas 0, Iowa State 45

Brock Purdy has turned the season around for Iowa State and the freshman quarterback will try to keep the Cyclones on a roll when they travel to Kansas for a Big 12 game Saturday. Purdy stepped in for Zeb Noland on the second series against Oklahoma State four weeks ago, led Iowa State to a 48-42 win and he's been instrumental in stretching the winning streak to three games.

The three consecutive wins have allowed the Cyclones to stay a game behind No. 7 Oklahoma, No 10 West Virginia and No. 15 Texas for first place in the Big 12 with four conference games remaining. Kansas ended an 18-game losing streak in Big 12 play by defeating TCU 27-26 on Saturday, its first conference win since an overtime victory against Texas on Nov. 19, 2016. Kansas senior quarterback Peyton Bender will try to build off his performance against TCU, when he completed 19-of-29 passes for 249 yards and two touchdowns. One of his favorite targets has been freshman running back Pooka Williams Jr., who caught seven passes for 102 yards and two TDs against TCU.

TV: Noon ET, FSN. Line: Iowa State -14

ABOUT IOWA STATE (4-3, 3-2 Big 12): The Cyclones have been the toughest team to run against in the Big 12, but they lost a key member of the defense in a 40-31 win against Texas Tech last weekend. Defensive end Enyi Uwazurike, who has 23 tackles, including six for a loss, needs surgery to repair an injured hamstring and he's expected to be sidelined at least two months. Kansas is last in the Big 12 in rushing at 95.8 yards a game, so the Cyclones should be OK this week, but Uwazurike will be missed the rest of November and December.

ABOUT KANSAS (3-5, 1-4): The Jayhawks have some game changers on defense as well, led by senior linebacker Joe Dineen Jr., who set the school career record last week for most tackles for loss (41.5). Kansas has also combined for 13 interceptions from 11 different players, returning three for scores. Cornerback turned safety Hasan Defense has been a catalyst in the secondary for the Jayhawks this season, totaling three interceptions and a fumble recovery.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Noland announced on Monday that he will transfer at the end of the semester.

2. Iowa State went undefeated in October for the second consecutive season after accomplishing that feat just one other time before 2017.

3. Iowa State WR Hakeem Butler is second in the nation at 22.4 yards per catch, and his 18.7 career average is tops in program history.

PREDICTION: Iowa State 41, Kansas 24