K-State Wildcats vs TCU Horned Frogs: Five things to know about important Big 12 game
First place will be on the line when Kansas State takes on TCU at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Amon G. Carter Stadium.
The No. 17 Wildcats (5-1, 3-0 Big 12) and the No. 8 Horned Frogs (6-0, 3-0) are the only two teams in the Big 12 with an undefeated conference record, which means the squad that wins this game will reside all alone on top of the league standings at the end of the weekend.
Here is everything you need to know to start preparing for the important game.
The details
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, Texas
TV: FS1
Radio: KCSP (610 AM) in Kansas City and KKGQ (92.3 FM) in Wichita
Betting line: TCU by 3 1/2 with an over/under points total of 59 1/2
Five things to know
1. Sonny Dykes is off to a perfect start in Fort Worth. The Horned Frogs seem to like their new coach. Difficult as it was for TCU to part ways with a legendary coach like Gary Patterson, his replacement is off to a 6-0 start. TCU validated its 3-0 run through nonconference play with consecutive wins over Oklahoma, Kansas and Oklahoma State.
2. TCU has the best offense in the Big 12. Quarterback Max Duggan has finally hit his stride this season. He has guided the Horned Frogs to an average of 7.7 yards per play, 526.7 yards per game and 45.8 points per game. All three of those number are tops in the Big 12. The Frogs at their best when they keep the ball on the ground, as they average 6.3 yards per rush. But they also average 9.2 yards per pass attempt.
3. The Wildcats will counter with one of the best defenses in the Big 12. It’s safe to say that K-State has the best defense that TCU has faced so far this season. Oklahoma State (27.8), Kansas (30) and Oklahoma (31) all allow more than 27 points per game. K-State is only allowing 16.7.
4. Max Duggan is having his best season with the Horned Frogs. It’s hard to believe that Duggan started this season as a backup. He was only thrust into action after Chandler Morris suffered an injury in the first game of the year against Colorado. That may have been a blessing in disuise for TCU. Duggan has thrown for 1,591 yards and 16 touchdowns this season to go along with 261 yards and four touchdowns as a runner.
5. Chris Klieman is 3-3 coming off a bye week at K-State. It’s hard to predict whether some time off will help the Wildcats leading into their next game against TCU. Klieman has a .500 record coming off a bye with the Wildcats since 2019. His wins: TCU, Oklahoma and Kansas. His losses: Oklahoma State and Iowa State twice.
