Three-minute preview: K-State football at TCU
When/where: 11 a.m. Saturday at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas
TV/radio: Fox Sports 1; WHB (810 AM)
The series: TCU leads 5-4
The line: TCU by 4 1/2
What’s at stake
A trip to the Texas Bowl, among other things. K-State can finish fourth in the Big 12 standings with a win. TCU can tie for fourth with a win.
Cheers if …
K-State continues its hot secondary play and intercepts Kenny Hill a few times. TCU is at its worst when it turns the ball over.
Jeers if …
Jesse Ertz is unable to play the entire game. The Wildcats got by without him in the second half against Kansas, but it will need him for four quarters against the Frogs.
Three things about TCU
1 The Horned Frogs have several skilled pass-rushers on their defensive line. TCU rankes third nationally with 3.64 sacks per game. Josh Carraway and Aaron Curry both lead the way with eight sacks this season.
2 Texas A&M transfer Kenny Hill has led the way at quarterback for TCU this season. It’s been an up-and-down transition for him. He has thrown for 3,010 yards and 15 touchdownos and rushed for 487 yards and nine touchdowns, but he has also thrown 13 interceptions and split time with backup Foster Sawyer.
3 TCU has not won back-to-back games since Sept. 23 when it followed a home victory over Iowa State with a win against SMU. A lack of home success has led to those inconsistent results. The Frogs are 2-4 in Fort Worth this season.
Key matchup
Alex Barnes vs. TCU’s front seven: K-State has won four of its past five games by running the ball for an average of 281 yards, but those results may be more difficult to come by against TCU, which is allowing 168.8 rushing yards per game. If the Wildcats can ride Barnes to another 200-yard day, they will take their chances. If TCU forces them to throw, the Frogs hold the advantage.
Kellis Robinett’s pick: K-State 28-24
After correctly picking the winner in K-State’s first 11 games, it all comes down to this. The Wildcats have found their identity on offense in recent weeks and the Horned Frogs have been shockingly vulnerable at home. K-State is in good position to pull a road upset.
Kellis Robinett: @KellisRobinett
This story was originally published December 1, 2016 at 2:09 PM with the headline "Three-minute preview: K-State football at TCU."