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) /

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MANHATTAN, KS – SEPTEMBER 01: Defensive end Wyatt Hubert #56 of the Kansas State Wildcats and linebacker Da’Quan Patton #5 of the Kansas State Wildcats get set on the line 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) /

The defense must stop the big plays from happening

Against a team that isn’t in the same football division as the Wildcats, the defense allowed six plays over 20 yards, two over 30, and a handful of plays that gained upwards of 15 plus yards.

For the most part, Kansas State did pretty well stopping South Dakota. Again, it was the perfect storm. Eli Walker had an interception called back because of a penalty that canceled out the turnover. Like I said before, this game was close to being a blow out than the basic stats show.

The defense will definitely be tested. Senior quarterback Nick Fitzgerald is back after serving a one-game suspension. The combo of Fitzgerald and running back Aeris Williams ran for over 2,000 yards together in 2017.

All five of things to watch will be keys to either victory or defeat. That and whoever scores the most points.

Kansas State can win this football game if they score 30 or more. Without sounding like a homer, I predict they do win this game 34 to 27. That being said, this game could easily go the other way with a score of 66 to 12.

dark. Next. Top 5 games under Snyder

*Note: All stats are credited to sports-reference.com

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