Three-minute preview: K-State vs. Arkansas in the Liberty Bowl
When/where: 2:20 p.m. Saturday at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tenn.
TV/radio: ESPN; WHB (810 AM)
The series: K-State leads 3-2
The line: Arkansas by 13
What’s at stake
K-State can finish the season with a winning record if it defeats Arkansas in the Liberty Bowl, and head into the 2016 season with loads of momentum. The Razorbacks are trying to finish 8-5 and position themselves well for next season.
Cheers if …
The Wildcats find a way to effectively use Joe Hubener and Kody Cook. Bill Snyder hasn’t named a starter, but there’s a decent chance they split snaps. It would be nice to see both play to their strengths.
Jeers if …
Arkansas runs the ball effectively. It will be hard for K-State’s defense to slow the Razorbacks if they establish a run-oriented attack.
Kellis Robinett’s pick: Arkansas 35, Kansas State 27
The Razorbacks are bigger and more talented than the Wildcats. They will have an advantage playing in front of a large contingent of friendly fans.
KANSAS STATE (6-6, 3-6 Big 12)
Date | Opponent | Result/time |
Sept. 5 | South Dakota | W, 34-0 |
Sept. 12 | at UTSA | W, 30-3 |
Sept. 19 | Louisiana Tech | W, 39-33, 3OT |
Oct. 3 | at Oklahoma State | L, 36-34 |
Oct. 10 | TCU | L, 52-45 |
Oct. 17 | Oklahoma | L, 55-0 |
Oct. 24 | at Texas | L, 23-9 |
Nov. 5 | Baylor | L, 31-24 |
Nov. 14 | at Texas Tech | L, 59-44 |
Nov. 21 | Iowa State | W, 38-35 |
Nov. 28 | at Kansas | W, 45-14 |
Dec. 5 | West Virginia | W, 24-23 |
ARKANSAS (7-5, 5-3 SEC)
Date | Opponent | Result/time |
Sept. 5 | UTEP | W, 48-13 |
Sept. 12 | vs. Toledo* | L, 16-12 |
Sept. 19 | Texas Tech | L, 35-24 |
Sept. 26 | vs. Texas A&M** | L, 28-21, OT |
Oct. 3 | at Tennessee | W, 24-20 |
Oct. 10 | at Alabama | L, 27-14 |
Oct. 24 | Auburn | W, 54-46, 4OT |
Oct. 31 | Tennessee-Martin | W, 63-28 |
Nov. 7 | at Mississippi | W, 53-52, OT |
Nov. 14 | at LSU | W, 31-14 |
Nov. 21 | Mississippi State | L, 51-50 |
Nov. 27 | Missouri | W, 28-3 |
*at Little Rock, Ark.; **at Arlington, Texas
Three things about Arkansas
1 The Razorbacks mirror the Wildcats in many ways. They started the season slow, and closed strong. They also take a methodical approach on offense that favors the run.
2 Arkansas coach Bret Bielema used to coach at K-State under Bill Snyder as a defensive coordinator. He considers Snyder a mentor.
3 Razorbacks tight end Hunter Henry may be the best player in college football at his position. The Mackey Award winner is versatile enough to catch passes and strong enough to block on running plays.
Key matchup
K-State’s front seven vs. Arkansas running back Alex Collins. The Wildcats were stingy against the run much of the year, but surrendered big rushing yardage against Texas Tech and West Virginia. It needs to get back to its run-stuffing ways against a powerful SEC opponent.
KANSAS STATE OFFENSE
P | No. | Player | Ht. | Wt. | Yr. |
WR | 6 | Deante Burton | 6-2 | 205 | Jr. |
WR | 19 | Kody Cook | 6-1 | 200 | Sr. |
LT | 55 | Cody Whitehair | 6-4 | 305 | Sr. |
LG | 77 | Boston Stiverson | 6-4 | 316 | Sr. |
C | 71 | Dalton Risner | 6-5 | 300 | Fr. |
RG | 68 | Luke Hayes | 6-6 | 295 | Sr. |
RT | 65 | Matt Kleinsorge | 6-5 | 310 | Sr. |
TE | 80 | Cody Small | 6-5 | 241 | So. |
WR | 4 | Dominique Heath | 5-9 | 175 | Fr. |
QB | 8 | Joe Hubener | 6-5 | 211 | Jr. |
RB | 24 | Charles Jones | 5-10 | 206 | Jr. |
K | 3 | Jack Cantele | 6-0 | 175 | Sr. |
KANSAS STATE DEFENSE
P | No. | Player | Ht. | Wt. | Yr. |
DE | 75 | Jordan Willis | 6-5 | 250 | Jr. |
DT | 95 | Travis Britz | 6-4 | 293 | Sr. |
DT | 60 | Will Geary | 6-0 | 297 | So. |
DE | 45 | Marquel Bryant | 6-3 | 254 | Sr. |
LB | 9 | Elijah Lee | 6-3 | 218 | So. |
LB | 35 | Will Davis | 6-0 | 224 | Jr. |
LB | 52 | Charmeachealle Moore | 6-0 | 221 | Jr. |
CB | 33 | Morgan Burns | 5-11 | 201 | Sr. |
SS | 24 | Nate Jackson | 5-11 | 185 | Sr. |
FS | 4 | Kaleb Prewett | 6-1 | 204 | So. |
CB | 8 | Duke Shelley | 5-9 | 160 | Fr. |
P | 14 | Nick Walsh | 5-11 | 212 | So. |
ARKANSAS OFFENSE
P | No. | Player | Ht. | Wt. | Yr. |
WR | 80 | Drew Morgan | 6-0 | 195 | Jr. |
WR | 87 | Dominique Reed | 6-3 | 180 | Jr. |
LT | 55 | Denver Kirkland | 6-5 | 340 | Jr. |
LG | 73 | Sebastian Tetola | 6-5 | 334 | Sr. |
C | 65 | Mitch Smothers | 6-3 | 322 | Sr. |
RG | 72 | Frank Ragnow | 6-5 | 312 | So. |
RT | 70 | Dan Skipper | 6-10 | 331 | Jr. |
TE | 84 | Hunter Henry | 6-5 | 253 | Jr. |
WR | 1 | Jared Cornelius | 5-11 | 202 | So. |
QB | 10 | Brandon Allen | 6-2 | 210 | Sr. |
RB | 3 | Alex Collins | 5-11 | 215 | Jr. |
K | 9 | Cole Hedlund | 5-10 | 165 | Fr. |
ARKANSAS DEFENSE
P | No. | Player | Ht. | Wt. | Yr. |
DE | 97 | Tevin Beanum | 6-4 | 280 | So. |
DT | 93 | DeMarcus Hodge | 6-1 | 340 | Sr. |
DT | 94 | Taiwan Johnson | 6-2 | 290 | Jr. |
DE | 55 | Jeremiah Ledbetter | 6-3 | 280 | Jr. |
SLB | 35 | Dwayne Eugene | 6-1 | 235 | So. |
MLB | 51 | Brooks Ellis | 6-2 | 242 | Jr. |
WLB | 23 | Dre Greenlaw | 6-0 | 222 | Fr. |
CB | 29 | Jared Collins | 5-11 | 172 | Jr. |
FS | 28 | Josh Liddell | 6-1 | 210 | So. |
SS | 26 | Rohan Gaines | 5-11 | 195 | Sr. |
CB | 2 | D.J. Dean | 5-11 | 202 | Jr. |
P | 37 | Toby Baker | 6-3 | 202 | Jr. |
Kellis Robinett: @KellisRobinett
This story was originally published January 1, 2016 at 6:15 PM with the headline "Three-minute preview: K-State vs. Arkansas in the Liberty Bowl."