K-State Wildcats vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders: Five things to know about Big 12 matchup
The Kansas State football team is at a crossroads as it prepares for its next game against Texas Tech.
The Wildcats (3-3, 0-3 Big 12) have lost three straight games, but there is plenty of time left in the season for Chris Klieman to turn things around. The Red Raiders (5-2, 2-2) look like an improved team, but none of their victories have come against quality competition.
Both teams can make a statement this week.
Here is everything you need to know to start preparing for Kansas State at Texas Tech.
The details
Kickoff: 11 a.m. Saturday
Where: Jones AT&T Stadium, Lubbock, Texas
TV: FS1
Radio: KCSP 610 AM in Kansas City; KKGQ 92.3 FM in Wichita
Line: Texas Tech -1
Five things to know
1. This may be a revenge game for Skylar Thompson. K-State lost its starting quarterback with a season-ending injury when Thompson absorbed an illegal hit from Texas Tech linebacker Riko Jeffers last season. Both players will meet for the first time since that game on Saturday. Thompson has downplayed the significance of this game, saying there is no bad blood between him and the Red Raiders. But this game may feel personal for Thompson when kickoff arrives.
2. Chris Klieman has a perfect record against Matt Wells. The Wildcats have won both of their matchups with the Red Raiders since Klieman was hired as the team’s head coach. Klieman is 6-0 against Texas Tech, TCU and Kansas. Coincidentally, those are the Wildcats’ next three opponents.
3. Missing two key defensive players. When Khalid Duke and Bronson Massie went down with injuries, most assumed the Wildcats were deep enough at defensive end to keep making plays without them. But that hasn’t been the case. K-State has lost three straight games since losing Duke for the season with a knee injury, and the Wildcats weren’t able to record a single sack against Iowa State with Massie also on the sideline.
4. Texas Tech getting by with a backup quarterback. The Red Raiders lost starting quarterback Tyler Shough with an injury during a 70-35 loss to Texas. But backup Henry Colombi has filled in admirably since then. The senior has thrown for 1,066 yards and four touchdowns in five games. K-State has struggled against Big 12 quarterbacks this season. Colombi will be a challenge, even though he may be a step down from Spencer Sanders and Brock Purdy.
5. Can K-State get back to running the dang ball? Deuce Vaughn opened the season by rushing for more than 100 yards in K-State’s three straight games. Not surprisingly, the Wildcats won all three of those games. He has been held to a total of 160 yards in K-State’s three conference games. Not surprisingly, the Wildcats lost all three of those games. He will have a chance to get going again on Saturday. Texas Tech is allowing 4.5 yards per rush. If Vaughn can take advantage of a soft run defense, K-State will take its chances in this game.
This story was originally published October 18, 2021 at 10:38 AM with the headline "K-State Wildcats vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders: Five things to know about Big 12 matchup."