The Kansas State football team has turned its season around by winning three of four.
But the Wildcats are still searching for their first truly impressive victory of the season, the type of win that will make the college football universe take notice.
Head coach Chris Klieman and his roster will get an opportunity to change that at 2:30 p.m. Saturday: The Wildcats play host to No. 13 Texas Tech at Bill Snyder Family Stadium in a game that will be televised nationally on FOX.
If the Wildcats (4-4, 3-2 Big 12) win this game they could become a factor in the race for a conference championship after starting the season at 1-3.
If the Red Raiders (7-1, 4-1 Big 12) are victorious, they will remain the betting favorite to win the league.
Here’s everything you need to know about the high-stakes game …
Texas Tech at K-State: Game details
Kickoff: 2:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan
TV/stream: FOX
Radio: KCSP (610 AM) in Kansas City, KFH (1240 AM and 97.5 FM) in Wichita
The line: Texas Tech by 7.5 with an O/U of 51.5.
Prediction
This figures to be one of the hardest games on Kansas State’s football schedule.
On paper, Texas Tech is far and away the best team that the Wildcats have gone up against this year.
The Red Raiders lead the Big 12 in many defensive statistics, including points allowed (12.4 per game), rushing yards allowed (68.1 per game), sacks (26) and fumbles forced (13).
Unlike many of the Texas Tech teams of the past, this group is nasty on defense. Its front seven is one of the most formidable groups in the nation.
It won’t be easy for K-State to move the ball or score points against this opponent. The Wildcats will need to get crafty on offense to find the end zone. Rushing the ball, especially without top running back Dylan Edwards, figures to be an uphill battle.
But the Wildcats might be able to exploit the Red Raiders through the air. K-State quarterback Avery Johnson has thrown for 1,792 yards and 15 touchdowns this season, with some of his best games coming in recent matchups against Big 12 teams.
Texas Tech is at its weakest in the secondary. Johnson will need to take advantage of that by throwing the ball to Jayce Brown, Jaron Tibbs and Jerand Bradley.
Arizona State is the only team that has defeated Texas Tech this season. The Red Raiders have beaten everyone else on their schedule by at least 24. But the Sun Devils beat them by throwing for 319 yards and a touchdown on 47 attempts from Sam Leavitt.
K-State would be wise to try and duplicate that formula.
If Johnson plays one of his best games and the K-State defense can limit Texas Tech to fewer than 24 points, then the Wildcats will have a shot at an upset.
But if Behren Morton looks sharp in his return to quarterback and the Texas Tech offense scores early, it could be game over. The Red Raiders tend to get stronger as games go on. Playing catch-up is not easy against them.
K-State is playing good football at the moment. I expect the Wildcats to push Texas Tech in front of a noisy home crowd.
But the Red Raiders are the best team in the Big 12 for a reason. Their defense should force K-State into a few mistakes, which could ultimately win them the game.
Texas Tech 24, K-State 20
Last game prediction: K-State 33, KU 30 ✅ (Final score: K-State 42, KU 17)
Season prediction record: 6-2
Season prediction record ATS: 7-1
Season record O/U: 5-3.
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Kellis Robinett
The Wichita Eagle
Kellis Robinett covers Kansas State athletics for The Wichita Eagle and The Kansas City Star. A winner of more than a dozen national writing awards, he lives in Manhattan with his wife and four children.
