Saturday’s matchup in Manhattan, Kansas, carries some massive implications among title contenders. Texas Tech is 4-1 in conference play, while Kansas State is 3-2, but whichever program comes out with the loss can effectively kiss their dreams of hoisting the Big 12 trophy goodbye. K-State has dominated the series in recent history, winning nine straight against the Red Raiders and 12 of the last 13 overall. Still, Texas Tech has been a much better team this year and will enter the game with a shot to end Kansas State’s streaky run.
Texas Tech is favored by 7.0, and the over/under is set at 52.5 points. Here are two key players to watch in this game, followed by the top storylines for each team, and a prediction from Heartland College Sports.
Two Key Players to Watch
Avery Johnson, Kansas State Quarterback
Sometimes it’s lame to include two quarterbacks as the players to watch in a key matchup, but in this one, it’s about as real as it gets. Kansas State’s Avery Johnson has been incredible lately and has largely conquered his turnover issues. In his last three outings, the Kansas native has accounted for 891 yards of total offense with 10 touchdowns and just one interception.
Behren Morton, Texas Tech Quarterback
A name that every Big 12 fan should be familiar with, Behren Morton, is widely known as one of the best passers in America when healthy. The issue is that those last two words have become a bigger part of the puzzle in Lubbock, as the team deals with multiple injuries at quarterback. Morton enters the game on two weeks rest, hungry and eager to put on a show. Now it’s up to Texas Tech’s offensive line to keep him upright.
Top Storylines
Keep the Dream Alive
Look, I won’t sugarcoat it; it’s not very likely Kansas State can overcome its poor start and advance to Arlington for the Big 12 Championship Game, but it’s not impossible. The Wildcats are sitting at 3-2 in conference play with games against Utah and Texas Tech still on the schedule. They’d need some key help, but if Chris Klieman’s group can win this game, they still have a lot more to fight for in 2025.
Get Your Revenge
Flashback time: the last time K-State and Texas Tech clashed was two seasons ago in Lubbock. For fans that may need a refresher, true freshman Avery Johnson took the field and ran for five touchdowns in the 38-21 win, and Joey McGuire’s group cannot let that happen again. I have to imagine that Avery Johnson making national headlines against Texas Tech’s defense left quite a bad taste in their mouths, and they’ll be ready to face off with the dynamic quarterback again on Saturday.
Prediction: Kansas State 38, Texas Tech 30
I bet against history last week, anticipating that Kansas would lift its 16-year weight off its chest and beat K-State, and boy, was I wrong. It will take a near-perfect day for Kansas State to beat Texas Tech, but the Red Raiders are beat up and dealing with some recent demons in Manhattan. This week, I’m rolling with the Wildcats, who have been one of the hottest teams in football lately.
