KANSAS STATE PASS OFFENSE VS TEXAS PASS DEFENSE
No matter who the quarterback is, the passing game isn't working for K-State. Part of the issue is the quarterback play of Jesse Ertz and Joe Hubener, part of it is wide receivers dropping passes. Overall, the group has been really out of sync. Ertz is the best passer but has an injured throwing shoulder so nobody really knows how effective he will be. Bill Snyder said on Monday that Ertz should be fine by Saturday, but people close to the program aren't sure if they believe him. The team's best wide recevier is Byron Pringle, a JUCO transfer. He's the biggest of the receivers. Dominique Heath, a smaller, quicker guy, has the most receptions. Isaiah Zuber, a freshman, has had some drops but he can also turn in some big plays.
Edge: Texas *
KANSAS STATE RUN OFFENSE VS TEXAS RUN DEFENSE
K-State would like to utilize its quarterbacks heavily in the run game, but has been reluctant to do it with Ertz. The junior is coming off a knee injury from last year and now has a banged up shoulder, which actually happened earlier in the season though it wasn't publicized. Due to those injures, the coaches have been protective of him, but for this offense to work, it has to run the quarterback. KSU has four RBs it kind of moves in and out, plus a fullback. RB Charles Jones is the most reliable to not make mistakes, but he's also the least explosive.
Edge: Texas*
KANSAS STATE OFFENSIVE LINE VS TEXAS DEFENSIVE LINE
It's a really young o-line unit for K-State, with just one returning starter. Former center Dalton Risner has moved to right tackle. The line seemed to settle down a bit against Texas Tech a couple weeks ago when they moved Abdul Beecham, a JUCO recruit, out to left guard. Overall, the line is playing much better than it did earlier in the year. It's not a group that's really great at anything in the run or pass game, but it's not horrible at anything either.
Edge: K-State*
TEXAS PASS OFFENSE VS KANSAS STATE PASS DEFENSE
Kansas State's pass defense has been taking more chances in the back end of late, including pressing at the line of scrimmage on the outside. The secondary is skilled at corner with Duke Shelley and D.J. Reed, but it will give up plays. Dante Barnett is back at safety after being injured last year, which has been big to get everyone lined up right. People have been testing Reed, a JUCO transfer, the most. He has been burned from time to time, but also makes big plays.
Edge: Texas**
TEXAS RUN OFFENSE VS KANSAS STATE RUN DEFENSE
K-State leads the conference in rush defense by a wide margin, giving up just 90 yards per game on the ground (Oklahoma is second at 136 ypg) and 3.0 yards per carry. The Wildcats are really good at linebacker this year. Charmeachealle Moore and Elijah Lee are both really good against the run. They're both ball hawks who really get after it and are the strength of the KSU defense. KSU has spent a lot of time in nickel due to the teams in the Big 12, but will probably try to play Texas a little more honest.
Edge: Texas*
TEXAS OFFENSIVE LINE VS KANSAS STATE DEFENSIVE LINE
Defensive end Jordan Willis has turned in to something special for KSU's defense. He has always been solid, but is now a playmaker at a level he hasn't been before and he's tied for first in the conference in sacks (6). Part of what has made it easier on Willis is that the other DE, Reggie Walker, is a freshman who is really good. You can't ignore one for the other. The d-line has been pretty solid in the middle as well. Interestingly, the line starts two veterans and two redshirt freshmen.
Edge: K-State*
SPECIAL TEAMS
K-State has gone to double returners, even on punts, where Dominique Heath and Byron Pringle are both capable of taking one back for a big return. Punter Nick Walsh has been solid. Placekicker Matthew McCrane set a school record for continuous makes earlier in the year, then missed a potential game-winning field goal against WVU, so he's been up and down.
Edge: K-State*
INTANGIBLES
This one's pretty easy to call. The Longhorns are bad on the road and Bill Snyder has traditionally owned Texas, although the Horns did get the win last year.
Edge: K-State ***
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