Who: Texas Longhorns 3-3 (1-2) vs. Kansas State Wildcats 3-3 (1-2)
When: Saturday, October 22nd at 11 AM Central
Where: Bill Snyder Family Stadium – Manhattan, KS
Television: (ESPN2)
Odds: Kansas State -3
The Good:
Kansas State continues to operate business as usual under Bill Snyder. The Wildcats rely on defense, physical running, and disciplined play. Jesse Ertz will start at quarterback according to Snyder, and appears to be a slightly lesser version of Collin Klein. Ertz is just south of 50% passing on the year, but he does present a run threat with a big physical body. Ertz is assisted in the run game by Charles Jones, who is averaging 5 yards per carry and leading the team in rushing. Byron Pringle is the man to watch in the passing game for K-State. Pringle is averaging nearly 17 yards per reception, and he teams with Dominique Heath to create a formidable receiving duo. The defensive side of the ball is carrying this team so far this season. The Wildcat defense ranks tops in the conference against the run holding opponents to around 90 yards per game on the ground. In home games this season, Kansas State is only allowing 58.3 rushing yards per game in Manhattan.
The Bad:
Kansas State has been pretty lucky to avoid injuries, but Ertz does enter the game banged up. Backup quarterback Joe Hubener drains what little punch their offense has. Snyder’s offense relies on a slow and steady approach while they wait to exploit a defensive mistake. Kansas State averages around 340 yards per game offensively, and are worse at home than they are on the road.
The Uncertain:
This game will come down to the K-State ability to stop D’onta Foreman and the Texas run game. If the K-State offense hopes score often, they will need to keep Jesse Ertz clean. The shoulder injury Ertz suffered could come into play as well if he is not completely healed.
What’s at Stake:
Both teams hold identical overall and conference records, and a win would put both taems above the .500 mark. Kansas State fans hold a special pleasure at the pain they’ve inflicted on Texas fans over the last decade, and they’d probably love to keep that going. For Texas, every game is a big game as Charlie Strong tries to rally and hold on to his job. The Longhorns are also trying to get a win in Manhattan for the first time since 2002. If the Longhorns can enforce their run game on the Wildcats stingy defense, and continue their own defensive improvement they might be able to generate some momentum as they enter the second half of the schedule.
