Kansas State Wildcats: 5 Things to Watch VS TCU

The Kansas State Wildcats and TCU Horned Frogs face off this Saturday night in a Big 12 showdown. This game is huge, as both teams are ranked in the top 10 in the nation. Saturday’s game is the start of a brutal stretch for Kansas State who are currently ranked ninth in the country and are in thick of the college playoff hunt.

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With road wins this season against Big 12 rivals Iowa State and Oklahoma already under their belts, the Cats will look to take down the sixth ranked Horned Frogs who are very much improved. Here are five things to look for on Saturday night.

1) Time of possession

K-State averages just over 32 minutes of having the ball per game. Even though the defense has played well, K-State will need to make plays and keep the ball away from Trevone Boykin and the big play Horned Frogs offense. Keeping the ball is the first step in disrupting any kind of momentum that the Frogs could gather.

2) Protect the quarterback

K-State did a much better job of protecting Jake Waters last week in their win against Oklahoma State. TCU has talent on the defense to put the pressure on Waters. If the O-Line is up to the task, Waters will be able to make plays downfield, which puts the Wildcats in a better position to win. You can’t win unless you put points on the board and keeping Waters well protected will help with that.

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3) Confuse Boykin

Trevone Boykin has been on top of his game this season and is up there as the most improved quarterback by far. On the defensive side, the Kansas State Wildcats will need to put the pressure on the junior quarterback and force him to make smart decisions. Even just one interception or fumble from the TCU quarterback could be the difference maker in a game that’s sure to be a high scoring affair (even with two good defenses).

4) Keep those big plays coming

This one is kind of a no brainer. This game could come down to big plays throughout and with that, whichever defense can step up in this game and make a play or two could be the difference. We know on offense that both teams have that big play ability and it will be showcased.

5) Kansas State running backs need to be at their best

K-State, on the road in by far their biggest game of the season, have to get production from their main running backs Demarcus Robinson and Charles Jones. Jones has 11 touchdowns thus far and hopefully can rack up a few more on Saturday. This goes back to point number one. If the Cats can run the ball effectively other than Waters, KSU could really be in good shape keeping TCU’s defense on the field.

Final say

The Kansas State Wildcats will be on the road in a National broadcast game. If the Wildcats can do what they have been doing plus get a big play here or there, Kansas State has the ability to knockoff TCU at home. I have full confidence that the Cats will come back to Manhattan with a win once this game is all said and done.