Required reading! Matchup Breakdown (By: Lukus Alderman)

[HornSports Staff]

OFFENSE
For much of the year, Texas has faced a fast-paced no-huddle offense. This week, Kansas State brings the look of that style of offense, but plays it much differently. When on offense, the Wildcats run almost exclusively out of the shotgun with multiple formations, including one-back, basic two-back, and two-back with an offset FB/HB.

(Single back offense)

(Shotgun two-back offense with FB)

(Shotgun with RB and offset FB)

The offense will huddle and get to the line with the original play, but the QB will look back and almost always get a new play and run to the line to change it within 10 seconds of the playclock expiring. The Wildcats will often shift their look when the play is called unless the time is within 7 seconds of the playclock.

When the ball is snapped, Kansas State will almost always give the look of a run play with play-action or the QB rolling or running toward the line prior to a pass. Much like the BYU QB ran, the Wildcats also execute a run/pass option where the QB will sprint toward the line in the look of a run but will pull up and pass to a receiver if one is open.

Kansas State runs a very proficient offense that manages the clock well. The Wildcats rank 24st nationally in Time of Possession and rarely make mental mistakes that kill drives as they rank 3rd in penalties per game with 3.67 and 9th in turnovers lost with 6 (3 fumbles and 3 interceptions.

Other Notes:
- While Kansas State gives the look of a high-powered multiple offense, they have an average offense in terms of yards as they rank 48th in total offense (434 ypg – 184 rushing and 250 passing), but they are high scoring as they average 39.2 ppg (13th nationally)

- When the Wildcats are in the Red Zone, they score over 90% of the time. Most of their TDs in the red zone are scored on rushing TDs (18) as opposed to passing (6).

- The biggest problem that Kansas State faces on offense is allowing sacks as they have given up 14 sacks in 6 games (88thnationally)


DEFENSE

The Wildcats are average defensively, surrendering 352 yards per game (39th) along with 22.5 points per game (41st).

(Basic 4-3 defense)

Kansas State runs a basic 4-3 defense, much like the one that Texas saw last week against Iowa State. The Wildcats’ secondary lines up between 7-10 yards from the receiver, but LBs will cover up inside receivers at about 5 yards from the line.

(Secondary and LBs covering WRs)

Kansas State’s defense has done a very good job of stopping the run this season, only giving up 100.8 rushing yards per game along with 4 rushing TDs. The biggest problem that the Wildcats have had is stopping the opponent’s passing attack as they’ve allowed an average of 251.2 pass yards per game as well as allowing 13 TDs in the air.

Other Notes:
- When facing a short yardage or red zone offense, K-State will remain in a 4-3 defense, but will move the LBs and secondary in close to load the box.

(Defensive against short yardage offense)

- When opponents score in the red zone, they do so more often by passing the ball as the Wildcats have surrendered 8 passing TDs to 3 rushing TDs and 3 FGs on 18 attempts (31st).

- The Kansas State Defense does not blitz often which is one of the reasons why they rank 112th nationally in total sacks with 7 in 6 games.


SPECIAL TEAMS
When it comes to special teams, Kansas State is very good at a few areas and poor in others. The Wildcats are the best in the nation when it comes to returning punts as they average 24.7 yards per return along with 1 TD from their returner Lockett. They are also very successful in kickoff return defense, ranking 2nd in the nation as they only allow 14.8 yards per return.

On the other hand, Kansas State is very poor at punt return defense as they allow 18.6 yards per return (122nd) to go with one punt returned for a TD. They also only average 18.7 yards per kickoff return, which ranks just two spots above Texas at 108th.

As Mike Roach mentioned on his Quick Takes this week, the Wildcats have had issues with their placekicking department (they switched kickers mid-season). Their current FG kicker is 100% on the year, but he has only attempted 3 FGs, each no longer than 27 yards.

Kansas State has blocked 2 kicks and 1 punt, but they’ve also had a punt and a kick blocked themselves.


MATCHUPS

Texas QB/WR/TEs v. K-State DBs:

This area is a good matchup for Texas. Swoopes has been hitting his stride lately as he’s been able to settle in a groove and build confidence after two straight 300+ yard performances to go along with improving his running attack.

Kansas State, on the other hand, is coming off of two straight games where they’ve allowed over 300 yards passing against OU and Tech and they rank 89th nationally in passing yards surrendered per game.

The Wildcats do a good job of not allowing many big plays, but they do have a propensity to give up long drives, which the Longhorns have shown to be good at completing.

Advantage:

Texas RBs v. K-State LBs:

The Texas RBs continue to struggle with shedding blocks and finding their burst through holes. Even against poor rushing defenses, the Longhorns have had a difficult time finding decent running gains from the RBs.

The Kansas State defense seems to be built to stop the run as they rarely seem to blitz but the LBs and DEs often stick to assignments and do not often make mental mistakes that lead to long gains by the opposition.

Advantage:

Texas OL v. K-State DL:

This matchup goes both ways. On one hand, the K-State defense allows very little in terms of rushing yardage and have only allowed a total of 4 rushing TDs on the season. On the other hand, the Wildcats get very little in terms of a pass rush as they’ve only recorded 7 sacks on the year (112th) and give up 251 passing yards per game (89th).

Texas’ offensive line started the year very poorly in terms of discipline as it relates to penalties and run blocking. As the season has progressed, the offense as a whole is improving as seen by fewer penalties and better offensive production.

The advantage here is fairly even considering that the Longhorns do a good job of protecting the QB but have difficulty running the ball, while the Wildcats have difficulty pressuring the QB but stop the run well.

Advantage: Even

Texas DBs v. K-State QB/WR/TE:

Last week Texas’ secondary was burned against a good ISU passing game featuring a mobile strong-armed QB with big, physical receivers. Even with the statistically poor performance against the Cyclones, the Longhorns still rank 5th nationally in passing yards allowed.

Kansas State has been very proficient when passing the ball as their passing game, led by Jake Waters, ranks 15thnationally in efficiency with 9 TDs to 3 Interceptions. The WRs are led by the seemingly ageless wonder in Tyler Lockett, but also features Curry Sexton who has more receptions (36) than Lockett’s 35.

Texas took a slight step back last week with their performance against Iowa State. While KSU doesn’t have the same type of passing game that the Cyclones do, Texas will still have to maintain assignments in the secondary to prevent Waters from burning them with his arm.

Advantage:

Texas LBs v. K-State RBs:

The Texas LBs were improving every game up until last week. With the injury to Edmond, the Cyclones were able to take advantage of the weak MLB position and run through the middle of the defense.

Kansas State has had an average running game that, much like Iowa State, features several rushers and is led by their QB. The Wildcats have been very good in extending drives on the ground and making the most of their rushes as they average 4.6 ypc and score most of their TDs on the ground as they’ve scored 19 rushing TDs as opposed to 9 passing TDs.

Texas will have their hands full with the K-State running game and will need Edmond to be at his best to slow down the Wildcats.

Advantage:

Texas DL v. KState OL:

Texas’ defensive line has played well over the course of the season. They’ve attacked and pressured the QB, culminating in 24 sacks (13th) and leading to 14 turnovers (3 fumble rec., 11 int.). The Longhorns have, however, had issues in stopping the run as they give up 182 rushing ypg (91st).

As mentioned previously, Kansas State is a very average but balanced offense as they average 184 yards rushing per game (51st) with 19 rushing TDs and are 50th in passing offense with 250 ypg. While the Wildcats are very good at being disciplined and only average 3.67 penalties per game, they have difficulty protecting the QB as evidenced by the 14 sacks given up in 6 games played (89th).

The Longhorns should be able to pressure Waters, but they have had difficulty stopping the rushing attack of opposing offenses.

Advantage: Even


Special Teams:

Prior to the ISU game, Texas’ special teams have been a big problem. Aside from punting, the Longhorns were below average in almost every category including FG kicking and kick returns.

Kansas State has also had their problems, allowing 18.6 yards per punt return (122nd) and being very inconsistent in their FG kicking. But they’ve also been very good at some areas such as punt returning (1st) and kickoff return defense (2nd).

While Will Russ has been very good punting the football, the fear is that he will outkick the punt coverage and allow room for Lockett to return the football.

Advantage: