On Saturday, a clash is set between two ranked College Football teams: the Kansas State Wildcats and the Kansas Jayhawks. The Wildcats, holding the 25th spot nationally, boast a 7-3 record following a decisive home victory against Baylor. Meanwhile, the 16th-ranked Jayhawks, also at 7-3, are recovering from a challenging home defeat to Texas Tech. Kansas State is -8 in this game over the Jayhawks.
Wildcats Still Trying to Get to Big 12 Title Game
As Week 12 unfolds, the Kansas State Wildcats are in contention for a spot in the Big 12 title game. With one loss, the Texas Longhorns lead the pack, while the Wildcats are among four teams with two losses. The upcoming two weeks will determine the conference title game contender for the Longhorns. It’s worth noting that the Wildcats faced a setback against TCU in the previous season’s matchup.
In their recent triumph, Wildcats quarterback Will Howard displayed exceptional performance, setting the all-time passing record in Kansas State history. Howard has maintained consistency throughout the season, amassing over 2,100 yards and 21 touchdowns. His primary target, Phillip Brooks, has contributed significantly with over 555 yards and five touchdowns.
Running back DJ Giddens is on the verge of reaching 1,000 rushing yards for the season, needing 141 more yards. With 143 rushes and 7 touchdowns, Giddens has been a crucial asset. Following this rivalry game, Kansas State is gearing up to host the Iowa State Cyclones in another pivotal matchup next week. Notably, the Wildcats have a more favorable injury report compared to the Jayhawks, giving them a strategic advantage.
Jayhawks Seeking Bounce Back
Lance Leipold and the Kansas Jayhawks expressed disappointment over their recent outing against Texas Tech. The Jayhawks failed to score until the fourth quarter, where they managed to tie the game with 13 consecutive points. However, the Red Raiders secured victory with a game-winning field goal.
Kansas faced a setback with the loss of Jason Bean in that game, prompting third-string quarterback Cole Ballard to step in, completing only 9 out of 20 passes. Bean had replaced the injured Jalon Daniels, who had only completed 56 passes before succumbing to injury.
The pivotal factor for the Kansas offense lies in the performance of running back Devin Neal, who needs 35 more yards to achieve 1,000 for the season and has contributed 10 touchdowns. Daniel Hishaw Jr is also getting opportunities, boasting 8 rushing touchdowns. Kansas is set to conclude the regular season on the road against Cincinnati next week, navigating a roster challenged by injuries throughout the season.
Close one in Lawrence
While this game could have been even more enticing with both teams fielding their starting quarterbacks and fully healthy squads, it still promises to be a compelling matchup. The Jayhawks, regardless of their quarterback situation, are expected to prioritize ball security and lean on Neal’s running prowess.
Kansas State, on the other hand, will likely employ a more pass-oriented strategy, complemented by Giddens’ rushing capabilities to advance down the field. In the end, Kansas State is predicted to come away victorious, but the Jayhawks are going to keep it close and make their rival sweat. Consider taking the Kansas Jayhawks +8 against the Kansas State Wildcats this Saturday!
