Texas Tech football: Scouting the Kansas State Wildcats

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Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Marvin Mims (17) runs with the ball as Kansas State Wildcats defensive back Ross Elder (19) defends during the first half at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

KSU is No. 9 in the Big 12 in total defense

For years, KSU built its program around solid defense. In fact, in 2019, they were No. 2 in the league in scoring defense (21.4 points per game), and No. 4 in total defense (368.4 yards allowed per game).

But so far this year, the Wildcats are not playing that level of defense. Currently, they rank No. 9 in the conference in total defense by giving up 503 yards per game. What’s more, they are allowing 35 points per game, which is No. 7 in the Big 12.

No one is going to fault the Wildcats for giving up a ton of yards to Oklahoma last week. That’s just what happens to any Big 12 team when playing the Sooners.

In that game, KSU surrendered 517 yards of total offense, 387 through the air. But what kept the Wildcats alive was the fact that they forced four turnovers, three coming off of interceptions.

What was strange though, was the performance KSU put up in the opener. Granted, we will never know how much of a role COVID-19 played in that showing, but allowing 489 yards of offense to Arkansas State is not what Wildcat fans expected.

That day, they gave up 330 yards through the air. 98 of those yards went to WR Jonathan Adams Jr. who had three touchdown catches in the surprising 35-31 upset in Manhattan.

Tech has one of the most potent offenses in the Big 12 ranking No. 3 at 532 yards per game. Thus, look for the Red Raiders to try to take advantage of a surprisingly weak KSU defense this weekend.

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