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15/15 BAYLOR (4-0, 1-0) vs. NR/NR KANSAS STATE (2-3, 0-2) Oct. 12, 2013 | 2:30 p.m. CT Manhattan, Kan. | Bill Snyder Family Stadium (50,000) TV: FOX |
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OPPONENT: Kansas State Wildcats (Big 12)
OFFICIAL WEBSITE: KStateSports.com
BAYLORBEARS.COM PREVIEW: Outstanding stuff.
2013 ROSTER, DEPTH CHART (still looking for an official Media Guide to this game)
LAST MEETING: 52-24 Baylor win, ODB Game Hub, Highlights
LAST GAME (for KSU): 33-29 loss to #21 Oklahoma State
SB NATION BLOG: Bring On The Cats
SPREAD: Baylor -17 (Over: 72)
TV COVERAGE: FOX
INFO ON KSU'S STADIUM RENOVATIONS: Check it out.
WEATHER FORECAST: High of 73 for Saturday, 30% chance of rain (in Manhattan)
SB Nation Preview: Pros, Cons, and Kansas State
To say things started out poorly for the Snydercats, with a stunning loss to the North Dakota St. Bison that probably shouldn't have been so stunning, would be an understatement. Since then, however, things have arguably gotten better, though the 'Cats have lost their last two games to Texas and Oklahoma State, respectively. We should note that both of those games were away, and this will be KSU's first home Big 12 game of the season. Obviously that means it will be our first road game of any kind in 2013. That presents its own challenges, altogether.
Kansas State feels to me like a team that doesn't know who it is yet, especially on offense. When Collin Klein graduated, he left in his wake a fully-fledged QB controversy between the runner, Daniel Sams, and the passer, Jake Waters. For my money, the offense has looked better, albeit more limited, with Sams. You rarely see as stark a difference between two players as this, when each have clear roles that the team absolutely will not go outside of for any reason, but that's where KSU is.
The way I see it, there are two major issues facing the Kansas State offense going into this week, one of which is the aforementioned QB controversy. The latest reports say that Waters will start, but it's hard to know if that is true or the Magician is just trying to put one over on us. Like I said, Sams looks like he gives the 'Cats the best chance to win, but neither is particularly good at keeping the football, something that eventually doomed them against the Cowboys last week.
The other is the availability of KSU's two best receivers: Tyler Lockett and Tramaine Thompson. Lockett is listed as doubtful for our game due to a hamstring injury, while Thompson is facing some kind of undisclosed discipline. Snyder has been somewhat vague thus far in even discussing the possibility that either might play on Saturday. My guess is that neither play, and KSU's offense loses two of the only weapons it truly has.
Kansas State Team Statistics
| Team Stats - Through games 10/05/2013 | ||
| Stat | Rank | Value |
| Total Offense | 82 | 391.4 |
| Rushing Offense | 75 | 155.6 |
| Passing Offense | 63 | 235.8 |
| Team Passing Efficiency | 44 | 143.49 |
| Scoring Offense | 57 | 31.2 |
| Total Defense | 46 | 368.2 |
| Rushing Defense | 72 | 165.4 |
| Passing Yards Allowed | 26 | 202.8 |
| Team Passing Efficiency Defense | 41 | 117.77 |
| Scoring Defense | 50 | 24.4 |
| Turnover Margin | 121 | -1.8 |
| 3rd Down Conversion Pct | 24 | 0.492 |
| 4th Down Conversion Pct | T-31 | 0.600 |
| 3rd Down Converstion Pct Defense | 103 | 0.451 |
| 4th Down Conversion Pct Defense | T-51 | 0.444 |
| Red Zone Offense | 45 | 0.867 |
| Red Zone Defense | 71 | 0.857 |
| Net Punting | 88 | 35.89 |
| Punt Returns | 1 | 26.80 |
| Kickoff Returns | 84 | 19.89 |
| First Downs Offense | 84 | 102 |
| First Downs Defense | 53 | 99 |
| Fewest Penalties Per Game | T-49 | 5.60 |
| Fewest Penatly Yards Per Game | 55 | 46.00 |
| Time of Possession | 49 | 30:36 |
| View Complete Ranking Summary | ||
Look for the full breakdown of the advanced stats tomorrow. Suffice to say, as you've seen here several times over the last few days, our offense is considerably better than theirs, statistically. Our defense, strangely enough, is also better. Kansas State, though, is decent enough against the pass in absolute statistics, slightly worse against the rush, and solid on both third and fourth downs. If we thought we were getting our strongest test yet last week against West Virginia, we probably actually are this week against the Snydercats, especially considering it is an away game.
Whether that makes a difference isn't really clear. As I'll show in more depth tomorrow, Baylor took over the #1 spot in F/+ in the latest update today, which places Kansas State 47th in the country. On the defensive side, the Cats come in at 54th by S&P+, which has Baylor 38th. Offensively, they are 58th to our 1st ... in everything.
Saturday's game will take place at 2:30 in Manhattan and will be broadcast nationally on Fox. This post will go in the Baylor vs. Kansas State 2013 hub that I have created (link at the top of the page), where everything else of consequence on this game will also be collected. As the week goes on, we'll have more information about this matchup, so check back!
SnyderQuotes:
Bill Snyder on the toughest thing about facing Baylor: "Keeping them from scoring 100 points."
— David Ubben (@davidubben) October 7, 2013
"We're going to take the first snap, run into the locker room & stay there until halftime" says K-State's Bill Snyder http://t.co/AkWsbw1UQU
— Callie Trueblood (@callietrueblood) October 8, 2013
Bill Snyder says offensive lineman Boston Stiverson, who has been out with an injury, is making progress but will once again sit Saturday.
— Kellis Robinett (@KellisRobinett) October 8, 2013