Kansas State Football: 5 things to watch vs Mississippi State

MANHATTAN, KS - SEPTEMBER 01: Rrunning back Alex Barnes #34 of the Kansas State Wildcats leads the team out onto the field prior to a game against the South Dakota Coyotes on September 1, 2018 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan, Kansas. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images) /

4 of 6

MANHATTAN, KS – SEPTEMBER 01: Quarterback Alex Delton #5 of the Kansas State Wildcats rushes up field during the first half against the South Dakota Coyotes on September 1, 2018 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan, Kansas. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images) /

Kansas State Football must control possession

Ball control is something Bill Snyder’s teams are famous for. Like a game of keep away, the Wildcats have nearly always won the time of possession statistic.

Against South Dakota, the Wildcats controlled the ball. The difference was the turnover differential.

South Dakota had a short field to work with all night, plus they had an interception returned for a touchdown. The defense was not near as bad as initially thought.

10 of the 24 points scored came off Wildcats turnovers. The score could have easily been 45 to 14.

If the Wildcats can keep from turning the ball over and control time of possession, this game can easily be won.

This means converting third downs. They were 9/20 last week while holding South Dakota to 4/16 on third down. The defense also held South Dakota to 0/2 on fourth down.

The Wildcats held the ball for over 37 minutes. If they can repeat that performance, they can keep the game close enough to be in it or win it at the end.

Home/Kansas State Wildcats