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.
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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 (88th nationally)
DEFENSE
The Wildcats are average defensively, surrendering 352 yards per game (39th) along with 22.5 points per game (41st).
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<p> 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.</p>
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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.
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<p> – 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 (31<sup>st</sup>).</p>
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<p> – The Kansas State Defense does not blitz often which is one of the reasons why they rank 112<sup>th</sup> nationally in total sacks with 7 in 6 games.</p>
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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 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:
