Texas-Kansas State Preview Capsule

The Associated Press

Texas (3-4, 2-2 Big) at No. 11 Kansas State (5-1, 3-0 Big 12), Noon (ESPN)

Line: Kansas State by 10.

Series Record: Kansas State leads 8-6

WHAT’S AT STAKE

The Wildcats are trying to build on a victory over No. 17 Oklahoma while impressing voters in the new College Football Playoff. The Longhorns snapped a two-game skid by beating Iowa State last weekend, but they’re still in search of a signature victory under Charlie Strong.

KEY MATCHUP

Texas QB Tyrone Swoopes against the Kansas State defense. Swoopes threw for 321 yards and ran for 95 more last weekend against the Cyclones. The Wildcats have had a bend-but-don’t break attitude, giving up big chunks of yards to the Sooners but also shutting down Auburn earlier this season.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Texas: RBs Malcolm Brown and Johnathan Gray are one of six tandems that ran for at least 750 yards each last season. Their ability to keep the chains moving will take the pressure of Swoopes to carry the load.

Kansas State: DB Danzel McDaniel has earned a reputation for being one of the hardest hitters on the team. He also had a pick-six last weekend against Oklahoma.

FACTS & FIGURES

Kansas State is the only Big 12 school to lead an overall series against Texas. The Wildcats have won five of the last six. … Texas has 24 sacks through seven games, its best mark since 2008. … The Longhorns have 11 interceptions this season. They had 10 all of last year. … WR John Harris has six TD catches through seven games, third-most in Texas history. Jordan Shipley has the record with nine. … The Wildcats’ next victory will be the 500th in school history. .. Kansas State has scored at least 30 points 22 times in its last 32 games. … Wildcats QB Jake Waters has a 154.9 quarterback rating, the best in school history. His completion rate of 62.68 percent is third-best behind Carson Coffman and Matt Miller. … WR Tyler Lockett needs two receiving TDs to pass Quincy Morgan (23) for second-most in Kansas State history. His father, Kevin Lockett, holds the record with 26.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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