K-State Wildcats vs. Baylor Bears: Five things to know ahead of important Big 12 game

With three games remaining in the regular season, time is running out for every football team in the Big 12 to make a conference championship push.

Baylor and Kansas State can both get one started with a victory this weekend.

The Bears (6-3, 4-2 Big 12) will host the Wildcats (6-3, 4-2) at 6 p.m. on Saturday in a game that will impact the conference -title picture. Baylor can clinch a berth in the Big 12 championship game by winning its final three games. K-State can do the same with three more wins and one loss from Texas, or three from TCU.

K-State is no longer in control of its own destiny after losing to the Longhorns 34-27 over the weekend. Baylor doesn’t need any help after reeling off wins against Kansas, Texas Tech and Oklahoma.

Here is everything you need to know to start preparing for the game.

The details

Kickoff: 6 p.m. Saturday

Where: Bill Snyder Family Stadium, Manhattan

TV: FS1

Radio: KCSP (610 AM) in Kansas City and KKGQ (92.3 FM) in Wichita

Betting line: Baylor by 3 with an over/under points toal of 52 1/2

Five things to know

1. Deuce Vaughn is heating up as a receiving threat. The junior running back was an afterthought in the passing game at the beginning of the season, but K-State is beginning to target him much more frequently. He caught four passes for 38 yards at TCU, then four passes for 18 yards and a touchdown against Oklahoma State and then seven passes for 86 yards and a score against Texas. Baylor will need to account for Vaughn whenever he lines up as a slot receiver this week.

2. Baylor has owned K-State in recent years. The Bears have won four straight games in this series dating back to the 2018 season. Their winning streak began under former coach Matt Rhule and continued with Dave Aranda. Chris Klieman is 0-3 against Baylor.

3. The Bears are one of the hottest teams in the Big 12. Many gave up on the Bears when they lost games early on against BYU, Oklahoma State and West Virginia, but they have bounced back nicely since then. Baylor has won its past three games against Kansas, Texas Tech and Oklahoma to remain in the Big 12 championship race.

4. K-State will once again face quality running backs this week. After allowing 269 rushing yards against Texas stars Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson last week, the Wildcats will try to tackle another stable of strong runners against Baylor. The Bears rushed for 281 yards against Oklahoma with four different players doing damage. Craig Williams rushed for 192 yards and two touchdowns, Qualan Jones had 47 yards and a touchdown, Jordan nabors finished with 33 yards and a score and Richard Reese also found the end zone.

5. Ty Zentner is doing it all on special teams. Seriously, is there anything he can’t do? The senior connected on both of his field-goal attempts against Texas and also averaged 53.7 yards per punt and 65 yards per kickoff. K-State may ask him to make some pressure plays against Baylor if the game is as close as expected.