Kansas State University

K-State’s Big 12 title-game chances, Keyontae Johnson’s start: SportsBeat KC podcast

Kansas State running back DJ Giddens (31) runs between Baylor linebacker Matt Jones (2) and Baylor linebacker Jackie Marshall (35) in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Jerry Larson)
Kansas State running back DJ Giddens (31) runs between Baylor linebacker Matt Jones (2) and Baylor linebacker Jackie Marshall (35) in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Jerry Larson) AP

Kansas State has an inside track in the race to be TCU’s opponent in the Big 12 Championship Game. The Wildcats can clinch a spot this weekend.

For that to happen, the Cats would have to win at West Virginia and Texas would need to lose at Kansas. Easier still: K-State would also be in with two straight wins: at WVU and against KU the following week.

K-State’s Big 12 title-game chances have seesawed in recent weeks, but one common thread is the performance of backup quarterback Will Howard. The Wildcats’ offense has run better with Howard under center than starter Adrian Martinez, and that’s in spite of the fact Martinez is having a good season.

Injuries have forced coach Chris Klieman to make some pivotal decisions about playing time. On today’s episode of The Star’s SportsBeat KC podcast, beat writer Kellis Robinett speculates about where the Cats will go from here.

Also, we talk K-State basketball and the return to action of Keyontae Johnson. Once an SEC preseason player of the year at Florida, Johnson has missed most of the past two seasons while recovering from a heart ailment. He was named the Big 12’s newcomer of the week and is off to a great start in 2022-23.

Story link:

How K-State can earn a berth in the Big 12 championship game as early as this week

Blair Kerkhoff
The Kansas City Star
Blair Kerkhoff has covered sports for The Kansas City Star since 1989. He was elected to the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2023.
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