The Big 12 title race isn’t just between Baylor and TCU. Kansas State shares a 6-1 conference record with the conference’s two playoff contenders, and could stay in the running for the title with a win against Kansas Saturday.
How to watch Kansas vs. Kansas State: Game guide, TV schedule, streaming, odds
Can the Wildcats avoid a Sunflower Showdown upset and keep their Big 12 title hopes alive?
The Jayhawks are in a transitional period after firing Charlie Weis following the team’s blowout loss to Texas. Kansas was 2-2 at that point, and are 1-6 since with interim head coach Clint Bowen. Kansas recorded a conference victory over Iowa State in early November and almost pulled off an historic upset the next week against TCU.
After nearly falling to Iowa State in their conference opener, Kansas State rebounded by nearly pulling off an upset of Auburn. They then rattled off five straight wins, including victories over Oklahoma, Texas and Oklahoma State before being blown out by TCU. Last time out, the Wildcats beat West Virginia, and have this game against Kansas and the season finale against Baylor before the regular season is done.
How to watch, listen, and stream
Game time: 4 p.m. ET.
TV: FOX Sports 1.
Online streaming: FOX Sports GO.
The numbers
Rankings and records: Kansas State is ranked No. 12 in the playoff rankings and No. 11 in both the AP and Coaches Polls. Kansas is not ranked in either poll. The Wildcats are 8-2, with a 6-1 record in Big 12 play. The Jayhawks are 3-8, with a 1-7 conference record.
Vegas: Kansas State opened as 28.5-point favorites. The line has since dropped to 27.5. The over/under is 51.5 points, per Odds Shark.
Weather forecast: High of 59 and partly cloudy.
Two things at stake
A win for Kansas State keeps them alive in the Big 12 title hunt.
A win for Kansas could give Clint Bowen the permanent head coaching job.
One big matchup
Kansas State rushing offense vs. Kansas rushing defense. The Jayhawks haven’t been all that bad defensively, but were burned for an FBS record 427 rushing yards by Oklahoma running back Samaje Perine last time out. They’ll have to face the Wildcats’ rushing attack, which may not be as efficient as in past years (3.9 yards per carry) but still scores at a high rate (25 touchdowns).
Further reading
For more on Kansas State, check out Bring On the Cats. For Kansas coverage, head to Rock Chalk Talk.
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