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Midwest Sports headlines: 11/20/20

Sports

November 20th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press

UNDATED (AP) — No. 17 Iowa State leads the Big 12 going into its home game against Kansas State on Saturday. It’s the first time the Cyclones have been in first place this late in a season since they were tied at the top of the old North Division in 2004. Iowa State has been poised to make late-season runs in recent seasons under coach Matt Campbell but have been unable to finish the job. Kansas State began the week with 12 active COVID-19 cases. Wildcats coach Chris Klieman says he’s been on edge waiting for players’ test results this week.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Penn State backup quarterback Will Levis could make the second start of his career when the winless Nittany Lions host Iowa. Penn State head coach James Franklin said Levis provided “a spark” after replacing Sean Clifford in last week’s loss to Nebraska. Levis ran for 61 yards and added 219 yards through the air for the Nittany Lions, who are 0-4 after starting the season ranked in the Top 10. Iowa has won two straight following an 0-2 start, including a 35-7 romp over Minnesota last week.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The biggest downside to success in the NFL may come each April, when the team that wins the Super Bowl also wins the rather dispiriting opportunity to pick last in each round of the draft. Yet despite having to wait deep into the night to finally make their selections, the Kansas City Chiefs have managed to get a massive return on their draft investments, not only this past year but going back to the 2019 draft.

UNDATED (AP) — The Big 12 football championship game could have a very familiar look, or could have some new teams. No. 18 Oklahoma and No. 22 Texas could have another December rematch if they both win the rest of their regular-season games. The Sooners or Longhorns have won the last 10 Big 12 championship games. But there are five teams with one or two conferences losses with a month to go before the title game. No. 14 Oklahoma State and No. 17 Iowa State are the top two teams in the current standings. Neither of them have played in the league’s title game.

UNDATED (AP) — The No. 4 Baylor Lady Bears are the preseason favorite again in the Big 12 Conference. They won their 10th regular season title in a row last season, but didn’t get a chance to defend their 2019 national championship when the season was ended abruptly by the coronavirus pandemic. The virus is lingering at the start of a new season. Iowa State is No. 15. The Cyclones go into coach Bill Fennelly’s 26th season returning Big 12 scoring leader Ashley Joens. Baylor has preseason player of the year NaLyssa Smith and top newcomer DiJonai Carrington, the former All-Pac 12 guard at Stanford.