Everything you need to know about the Kansas State Wildcats [VIDEO]

Photo Courtesy: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

On Saturday, the Texas Longhorns will look to overcome their biggest hurdle of the second half of the season – the Kansas State Wildcats. Today, watch our Devon Messinger and Dylan DeRaud discuss what makes the Wildcats so special in the YouTube video above.

If you also want to watch their discussion surrounding this week’s College Football Playoff rankings (with Texas being the seventh-ranked team), simply click here.

Messinger’s Scouting Report of the Kansas State Offense:

At quarterback, senior Will Howard leads the way with 1,628 passing yards, 14 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Additionally, Howard adds 313 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the ground as well. Passing-wise, Howard has been a middle of the pack quarterback in terms of the Big 12 Conference, however the Longhorns have struggled mightily against the pass at times.

Howard’s top receiving target has been senior wide receiver Phillip Brooks, who has packed a punch, standing in at 5’8″, with 437 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Along with Brooks, 6’4″ junior tight end Ben Sinnott (364 receiving yards & 3 TDs) and sophomore running back DJ Giddens (240 receiving yards & 1 TD) have been Howard’s other top passing targets.

Along with his receiving ability, starting running back DJ Giddens is also a serviceable rusher – with 722 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns. Moreover, senior Treshaun Ward also adds 458 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the year as Kansas State’s change-of-pace back.

Lastly, the Kansas State offensive line is incredibly experienced with three of their starters being sixth-year seniors. This experience has paid off in results as the unit is the 28th-best in the country in sacks allowed (only allowing 1.38 sacks per game).

While the team may not possess any ‘name brand’ players, Kansas State has quietly been the 13th-best scoring offense in the country.

DeRaud’s Scouting Report of the Kansas State Defense:

The Kansas State Wildcats boast a Big 12-leading defense, allowing just 15.9 points per game, making them the best defense Texas has faced since Alabama. They excel in several key areas, including rush defense, where they allow only 109.4 yards per game and rank second in the Big 12 in yards per attempt at 3.7. However they have struggled In the passing game, where they rank ninth in the Big 12, allowing 234.4 yards per game.

This defense is anchored by a group of standout players, including LB Austin Moore, who is fifth in the Big 12 with 9 tackles for loss. LB Desmond Purnell is a solid playmaker with 30 tackles, an interception, and a forced fumble. The secondary is fortified by safety Kobe Savage and Marques Sigle, both contributing heavily in tackles and pass breakups. Cornerbacks Will Lee III and Jacob Parish are ball-hawks, disrupting passing lanes and generating turnovers. Up front, edge rusher Khalid Duke leads the team with 5 sacks, and defensive edge Nate Matlack is a dynamic pass rusher with 4 sacks. Defensive tackle Jevon Banks clogs up the middle, adding to the team’s rush defense.