4 hours ago3 min read

Upset-Minded Houston Welcomes No. 17 Kansas State

Kansas State Running Back DJ Giddens — © Scott Sewell-Imagn Images

No. 17 Kansas State (7-1, 4-1 Big 12 Conference) travels to play Houston (3-5, 2-3) at 3:30 p.m. EST on Nov. 2 at TDECU Stadium in Houston. Both teams are coming off wins last week, where they kicked game-winning field goals in the final two minutes.

As time expired, Houston beat Utah (4-4. 1-4) 17-14 with a Jack Martin field goal. Chris Tennant kicked a 51-yard field goal with 1:42 to go in the game to propel Kansas State over Kansas (2-6, 1-4) 29-27. Houston has struggled on offense this season averaging only 11.3 points per game in Big 12 play.

Houston Cougars Kicker Jack Martin — © Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

What's at Stake?

Houston still has an outside chance to make a bowl game but does not have much wiggle room. The Cougars' defense is currently third in the Big 12 giving up 317.9 yards a game. Meanwhile, the offense is dead last, only averaging 301.3 yards. Head coach Willie Fritz changed from Donovan Smith to Zeon Chriss at quarterback after the second consecutive shutout loss to No. 11 Iowa State (7-0, 4-0). Since that change was made the Cougars have won two of three games.

Kansas State is attempting to keep pace in the Big 12 title race. After the shocking blowout loss to No. 9 BYU (8-0, 5-0) the Wildcats have won four straight games. Avery Johnson has developed since that game throwing for 10 touchdowns and 2 interceptions with every game over 220 yards passing. The Kansas State defense has forced 8 turnovers in the last four games and has become more opportunistic.

Key Players: Houston

Re'Shaun Sanford II, Running Back

The Houston offense will have to get its running game going against the best-rushing defense in the Big 12. Sanford has run for the team lead with 294 yards and 1 touchdown. K-State is averaging 32.8 points per game this season so Houston will have to put some points up and keep the ball out of the K-State offense's hands.

AJ Haulcy, Defensive Back

The second-leading tackler on the team with 46 tackles. Haulcy is also tied for the lead in the Big 12 for interceptions with 4. Kansas State has worked to be more balanced in the recent weeks throwing the ball more recently. While Johnson has gotten better he is still young and can make mistakes. If Houston wants to pull the upset off they will need to force mistakes from the K-State offense.

Key Players: Kansas State

Dylan Edwards, Running Back

Edwards is the No. 2 running back on the depth chart but he might be the most explosive player on the offense. He has 42 carries for 309 yards and 3 touchdowns with a 7.4 yards per carry average. While DJ Giddens is a workhorse at running back, the K-State coaching staff will find ways to get Edwards the ball. Coming down the final stretch of the season Edwards will get a bigger role in the K-State offense.

Austin Romaine, Linebacker

Romaine is the team leader in tackles with 57. Last week he forced Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels to fumble leading to the Tennant field goal. The Wildcats' defense led by Romaine needs to be sure they are not missing tackles allowing Houston extra yardage. A team who is struggling on offense this season will set up Romaine and the linebackers to have a big game stopping the run and harassing the quarterback in obvious throwing situations.

Trends to Watch

Will Kansas State's offense be able to keep progressing and score against one of the better defenses in the Big 12? The Wildcats are attempting to keep pace with BYU and Iowa State in the Big 12 standings. Will Houston keep improving and be able to pull off the upset at home after winning two of their last three games against TCU (5-3, 3-2) and Utah? If the Houston defense can slow down the Wildcats' offense the Cougars have a real chance to pull off this upset.