Iowa State opens the Big-12 race in Arrowhead Stadium against Kansas State. The Cyclones need a better run defense than they displayed in a loss at Iowa. K-State running back Daniel Thomas is averaging 185 yards per game.

Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads says the Wildcats have more weapons and they need to slow Thomas down, as they probably can’t stop him. He says they need a better effort from the front seven on defense. Iowa rushed for 275 yards a week ago. Rhoads says that doesn’t mean the defensive linemen have lost confidence, they just have to step up and be in the right place and make plays.

Rhoads says the K-State defense is sound, maybe not as aggressive as last year, but that may be by design. Overall he says they are sound and well-coached and play hard.