clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Kansas State at Texas Tech: Open Game Thread

It’s a must-win game for both teams.

NCAA Football: Kansas State at Kansas Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas State Wildcats played a football game in Lawerence last weekend, and while leaving after scoring more points that the hosting Kansas Jayhawks, coaches, players, and fans had a hard time calling it a “victory”.

Today, the Cats still face significant questions on both offense and defense.

Can whoever is taking snaps lead the Cats down the field and score some touchdowns? Will Dana Dimel let Justin Silmon and Dalvin Warmack compliment Alex Barnes (and give all three plenty of carries)? Will the receivers continue to improve their pass catching ability?

Will the defensive coaches finally realize they need to help their linebackers and not scheme against them? Will they try anything new or potentially boat-rocking, like having D.J. Reed shadow Keke Coutee instead of having Reed just play one side of the field? Can Will Geary and his boys up front get some pressure on Nic Shimonek?

It’s troubling as fans that going into the ninth game of the season we still have so many questions, and for units that are largely playing the guys they started the season with. Really the only major change has been at QB, and Alex Delton and Skylar Thompson are both known commodities to their teammates.

Whatever the questions, this is a must-win game. The Cats have four games left to find two wins to become bowl-eligible, and none of them look easy. The Texas Tech Red Raiders are in the exact same situation, sitting at 4-4 and needing to pick up two of their last four (though they at least still have Baylor left) to get Kliff Kingsbury off the hot seat and into a job-saving bowl game.

Be sure and check out our pregame content: TB’s Kicking the Tires preview of the Red Raiders and all-important How to Watch information from Jon.

Beat the Red Raiders!

Go Cats!