Kansas State @ Kansas preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 14, 2010 ) Kansas State 59, Kansas 7

THE STORY: No. 16 Kansas State secured a second consecutive bowl bid with last week’s 41-34 victory over Texas Tech. Now the Wildcats will try to go 7-0 for the first time since 1999 with a win against rival Kansas. The Jayhawks won three straight against Kansas State from 2006 to 2008, but have dropped two in a row since Bill Snyder returned to the Wildcats’ sideline in 2009. Snyder is 15-4 all-time against Kansas, which includes last year’s 59-7 victory at Memorial Stadium. Kansas leads the all-time series 65-38-5 but enters on a four-game losing streak, its last win coming Sept. 10 against Northern Illinois.

TV: FSN. Line: Kansas State -11

ABOUT NO. 16 KANSAS STATE (6-0, 3-0 Big 12): With the victory against the Red Raiders, Kansas State became the first BCS team since Virginia and North Carolina State in 2008 to win four straight games as an underdog. Oddly enough, the Wildcats were outgained in each of those wins. An opportunistic defense has helped Kansas State overcome its offensive deficiencies. The Wildcats forced four turnovers against Texas Tech and won despite being outgained 580-339. Five of Kansas State’s six wins have come by a touchdown or less, including the last four.

ABOUT KANSAS (2-4, 0-3 Big 12): Kansas’ defensive players held a players-only meeting prior to last week’s game against Oklahoma. It didn’t do much good, as the top-ranked Sooners racked up 610 total yards and defeated the Jayhawks 47-17. The Jayhawks have allowed 40 or more points in each of their last five games and have twice given up 66 or more. Add it all up, and Kansas ranks dead last in the country in points allowed (49) and yards allowed (565). Of particular concern is the rush defense, which allows 227 yards per game. The Wildcats own the 25th-best rushing offense in the country.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Kansas State is just 6-22 since 2004 in true Big 12 road games.

2. The Wildcats are 25 of 28 in the red zone this season.

3. The Jayhawks have the 23rd-best rushing offense in the country at 206.8 yards per game. Their 14 rushing touchdowns match last year’s total output.

PREDICTION: Kansas State 41, Kansas 14 – The Jayhawks will want revenge after last year’s 52-point home loss, but their defense isn’t strong enough to slow down K-State’s balanced offensive attack.