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Kansas State, Iowa State Renew Farmageddon Rivalry

Kansas State vs Iowa State 2023 — © Scott Sewell-Imagn Images

No. 24 Kansas State (8-3, 5-3) travels to Ames, Iowa, to face No. 19 Iowa State (9-2, 6-2) at 7:30 p.m. EST on Nov. 30 inside Jack Trice Stadium. The Big 12 Conference rivalry series between the Wildcats and Cyclones is the longest uninterrupted series in college football, at 107 straight years.

Iowa State averages 269 yards passing per game, focused on two outstanding wide receivers—Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel. The Cyclones' defense is strong against the pass, giving up only 151.2 yards and 19.5 points per game. However, the defense has struggled to stop the run at times this year, giving up 287 yards against Cincinnati (5-6, 3-5), 237 yards against Kansas (5-6, 4-4), and 354 yards against UCF (4-7, 2-6).

Kansas State is balanced on offense, throwing for 212.1 yards per game and averaging 210 rushing yards. The offense sets out every game to establish the running game in order to open up the passing attack. The offense did not get the running game going during the two-game slide against Houston (4-7, 3-5) and No. 16 Arizona State (9-2, 6-2). However, against Cincinnati in Week 13, quarterback Avery Johnson and running back DJ Giddens found running lanes, piling up 215 yards and 3 touchdowns combined, leading the Wildcats to a 41-15 win. K-State's defense is outstanding against the run, only giving up 108.4 yards per game, but has struggled against the pass, yielding 231.5 yards per game.

Key Players: Iowa State

Rocco Becht: Quarterback

Becht has thrown for 2,884 yards, 18 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. He also has 6 rushing touchdowns. The Iowa State offense has been inconsistent at times this season, but he has a winning mentality, leading his team to three fourth-quarter comeback wins. In seven out of the last 10 years, Farmageddon has been a one-score game, so Becht's late-game magic could be called on again.

Beau Freyler: Defensive Back

Second on the team in tackles with 67, Freyler also has 2 interceptions. He plays a critical role for the Cyclones' defensive schemes, filling gaps in the running game. It will be imperative for Iowa State to slow down Giddens and Johnson, making K-State one-dimensional and forcing the Wildcats to play into the strength of the ISU defense.

Key Players: Kansas State

Avery Johnson: Quarterback

He has thrown for 2,297 yards 19 touchdowns, with 9 interceptions. Johnson is an explosive runner, with 484 yards and 6 touchdowns. Addressing the media after the Cincinnati game, Coach Chris Klieman and Johnson discussed the circumstance that the QB's health is at 100 percent for the first time since the game with No. 25 Colorado (8-3, 6-2), during which he went down with a non-contact injury. When Johnson plays mistake-free football, the Wildcats win, but in the three losses he has thrown 6 interceptions. For the Wildcats to win, they need Johnson to play clean against a tough Cyclones defense.

Brendan Mott: Defensive End

Mott leads the Big 12 in sacks this season with 8.5. He has also had 43 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery. The K-State defense, led by Mott, will have to get pressure on Becht to have a chance of slowing down the Iowa State passing attack.

What to Watch For

Iowa State is coming into this game with everything to gain. A win against rival Kansas State would be a program record-setting tenth win and an almost guaranteed Big 12 championship game berth. If the Cyclones can slow down the K-State run game and get the passing attack going, Iowa State will be in great shape to beat its rival.

Kansas State still has a chance to make the Big 12 championship game but will need help. The Wildcats have a bad taste from last year's game in Manhattan, Kans., where they lost 42-35, but they have the chance to return the favor this season. K-State will have to get their running game working early and limit turnovers to have a chance to beat the Cyclones.