TCU Football Week 8 Opponent Preview: Kansas State Wildcats

The wheels are back on the tracks for TCU, who begins their toughest stretch of the season with Kansas State.

The TCU Horned Frogs (4-3, 2-2 Big 12) managed to notch a huge win under backup QB Josh Hoover, upending BYU for a much-needed momentum swing. However, the uphill battle begins Saturday. On deck for TCU is a road date with the Kansas State Wildcats (4-2, 2-1), followed by the bye week. After that, TCU handles Texas Tech, Texas, Baylor, and Oklahoma to close out the regular season.

TCU at Kansas State kicks off Saturday, October 21 at 7:00 p.m. CT in Manhattan, KS. Catch the game on ESPN2 or on the radio at 88.7 FM KTCU.

Oct 14, 2023; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs tight end Jared Wiley (19) and wide receiver Dylan Wright (16) celebrate after Wiley scores a touchdown against the Brigham Young Cougars during the game at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports / © Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Kansas State vs. TCU Series History

Before joining the Big 12, TCU and Kansas State had five all-time matchups, with TCU edging out the series 3-2. The Wildcats have been a difficult foe for the Horned Frogs since joining Big 12 play, owning a 9-8 lead in the all-time series, including winning four the last five, including last year's Big 12 Championship Game.

The first-ever meeting came all the way back in 1922, when Kansas State blanked TCU 45-0 for the largest deficit in series history. TCU then won three of four between 1983-86 in a double home-and-home set.

TCU won the regular season matchup in 2022, inadvertently kicking off the Will Howard era for Kansas State football. Howard would get his revenge in Arlington, upending TCU to win their first outright Big 12 title in nearly 20 years.

Dec 3, 2022; Arlington, TX, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Will Howard (18) in action during the game between the TCU Horned Frogs and the Kansas State Wildcats at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports / © Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Kansas State Players To Note

Howard needs no introduction for TCU football fans. After the December 3 matchup, Horned Frog faithful are all-too familiar with the QB. However, his cast around him as changed quite a bit after three big-time players left for the NFL.

However, the QB in need of introduction might just be freshman Avery Johnson. He's K-State's highest-rated recruit in program history and made his debut last week (more on that below).

DJ Giddens commands the backfield, rushing for the fifth-most yards in the Big 12 through seven weeks (541). Florida State transfer Treshaun Ward has been a solid complement, rushing for 337 yards and three scores. Out side, Phillip Brooks leads the receiving room, but tight end Ben Sinnott leads the team in targets.

The offensive line is perhaps the most notable unit, with multiple NFL Draft picks in the starting lineup. Cooper Beebe has played at an All-American caliber for the past two seasons while Christian Duffie returned to the lineup after missing the team's first three games.

Defensively, safety Kobe Savage leads the team in tackles after landing on the preseason all-conference roster. Savage also leads the team with two interceptions on the season. Corner Jacob Parrish returned to the lineup last week after missing a game to injury and leads the Wildcats with five pass breakups, also tied for the third-most in the Big 12.

Oct 14, 2023; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats defensive safety Kobe Savage (2) reacts after intercepting a pass against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the second half at Jones AT&T Stadium and Cody Campbell Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports / © Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Sizing Up The Wildcats

After losing on a walk-off 60-yard field goal at ranked Missouri, the AP decided it was time to kick Kansas State from the top 25 rankings. After laying a dud in Stillwater on a Friday night, the Wildcats really dropped in polls and likely won't return for some weeks. But the public at large was ready to write this team off after the first loss and questions really began to bubble after the Oklahoma State game.

But Kansas State is still one of the top teams in the Big 12.

They turned the ship around with a win in Lubbock in Week 7 to climb to 4-2 on the season. Johnson came in relief of Howard and rushed for five touchdowns in the game. As a team, K-State attempted just 18 passes, completing 14 of them for 163 yards. The game plan against Texas Tech was clear: run the football.

Rolling into this game against TCU, Kansas State may look to their talented freshman again. After all, a five-touchdown debut should be enough to garner snaps. But TCU's rushing defense is vastly superior to Texas Tech's and the Wildcats may still rely on Howard – who is much better at home than on the road – to throw the ball more frequently.

The issue comes on the other side of the football. Though Kansas State has allowed more points per game than last year's unit (who lost two early-round NFL Draft prospects), they're still incredibly disruptive, notching three interceptions against Tech.

Expect plenty of disguised looks and exotic blitzes against Hoover in just his second college start. While he played exceptionally well against BYU last week, we've all seen the young phenom QB flutter out after one explosive start before (see: 2021 Chandler Morris).

TCU Football: What Did We Learn From The BYU Game

Opponent Rundown

Team: Kansas State Wildcats

Record: 4-2 (2-1 Big 12)

Coach: Chris Klieman (5th season)

Scoring Offense: 34.4 points per game (21st)

Scoring Defense: 24.8 points allowed per game (54th)

Kansas State 2023 Schedule

Date	Opponent	Result
Sept. 2	SEMO State (FCS)	W 45-0
Sept. 9	Troy	W 42-13
Sept. 16	at Missouri	L 30-27
Sept. 23	UCF	W 44-31
Sept. 30	BYE
Oct. 6	at Oklahoma State	L 29-21
Oct. 14	at Texas Tech	W 38-21
Oct. 21	TCU
Oct. 28	Houston
Nov. 4	at Texas
Nov. 11	Baylor
Nov. 18	at Kansas
Nov. 25	Iowa State

TCU vs. Kansas State Game Info

• When: Saturday, Oct. 21, 7:00 p.m. CT
• Where: Bill Snyder Family Stadium (Manhattan, KS)
• TV: ESPN2

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