Cyclone coach Paul Rhoads.(file photo)

Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads says Kansas is much better than their 1-9 record. The Cyclones visit the Jayhawks this weekend still needing one more win to become eligible for a bowl.

Rhoads says they have a great spirit in their football and there has been plenty of fight and they have been in football games into the fourth quarter with the chance to win against quality Big 12 opponents. The Jayhawks are still without a Big-12 win under first year coach Charlie Weis but they have been competitive.

There was a loss at home on a late touchdown to Texas and this past weekend they lost in double overtime at Texas Tech. “I don’t think at this point in the season there’s any doubt that the Big 12 is the deepest, toughest conference in college football, and there’s not many people who can dispute that,” Rhoads says. He says when Kansas competes the way they do, that backs up that statement.

One bright spot coming out of a 33-7 loss at Texas was a ground game which generated 144 yards. Rhoads says the offensive line did a good job of opening up some holes. Rhoads says they made more people miss and that added up to extra yardage and that was something he paid attention to in grading the film of the game.

Rhoads says the Cyclone defense is tired and needs additional rest this week. The Cyclones have given up more than 30 points the past two weeks. He says that happens at some point in the season and they will cut back on practice a little this week as they move into the final two games.

Iowa State is 5-5 and all five losses have been to teams in the top 25 of the latest BCS standings, and Rhoads says that’s an indication they are right on the cusp of getting to the level where they aspire to be.