The TCU Horned Frogs (4-1; 1-1 Big 12) travel to the Little Apple Manhattan, KS to take on the Kansas State Wildcats (2-4; 1-2 Big 12) in a rematch of the 2022 Big 12 Championship Game.
The Wildcats have
struggled this season after entering the year as one of the favorites to win the conference title. A Week Zero conference loss to Iowa State in Dublin, Ireland to open the season sent K-State into a tailspin, following it up with a very close call vs. FCS North Dakota and losses to Army, Arizona, and Baylor. That Arizona game was still considered non-conference, so the Wildcats remain alive in the Big 12 race, even with a daunting mountain to climb if it is expected to reach those heights again. KSU is coming of a brutal heartbreaking loss in Waco, surrendering a 31-17 4th Quarter advantage before allowing a last minute 53-yard field goal and then having its own game-winning blocked by Baylor in the final seconds. QB Avery Johnson also serves as the team’s leading rusher as dynamic RB Dylan Edwards was injured early in the Week Zero contest and is not expected to play vs. TCU today. Johnson has been solid as a passer, completing 63% of his passes with 10 TDs and just two interceptions. His top receiver has been the dangerous route runner Jayce Brown, logging three touchdowns and 390 yards on 29 catches.
The Horned Frogs bounced back from its own heartbreaking road loss with a win back in Fort Worth over the Colorado Buffaloes, taking the 14-point victory after falling behind 14-0 early. TCU QB is throwing for 303 yards per game with 15 touchdowns and just 4 interceptions, though those picks have come at horrible times either in the red zone or end of game opportunities. Despite missing two games with injury, Kevorian Barnes remains TCU’s leading rusher, boosted by an immense 113 yard performance at North Carolina in the season opener. Barnes is off of the injury report this week and will look to bring a boost to a Horned Frogs offense that ranks last in the Big 12 in rush yards per game. The TCU defense has had some success this season creating game-changing plays, with 14 sacks, four fumble recoveries, and six interceptions. The unit will be challenged again to contain a talented running QB and a tough-to-guard wideout.
Which team picks up the key Big 12 victory to remain in the conference contender race? Join the conversation in the comment section below as we ride the game day rollercoaster together. Go Frogs!
