Kansas State and Missouri are set to face off in a highly anticipated Big 12 showdown this weekend. The unbeaten Kansas State Wildcats will be battling their former rival, the Missouri Tigers, in what promises to be an exciting game.
Last year, Kansas State emerged victorious with a 40-12 win over Missouri in their first meeting since 2011. This marked the final season before Missouri made the move from the Big 12 to the SEC. The Wildcats will be looking to continue their winning streak and maintain their unbeaten record.
Kansas State has been in excellent form, scoring at least 40 points in each of their last four regular-season games. This is their longest streak since 2002. With their switch to a 3-3-5 defensive alignment at the start of the 2021 season, the Wildcats have only allowed an average of 20.4 points per game.
This match is one of two opportunities this week for the Big 12 to prevail in a Southeastern Conference stadium. Last week, Texas, in their final season in the Big 12, secured a remarkable victory over then-No. 3 Alabama. Additionally, Big 12 newcomer BYU will be making their first trip to Arkansas, seeking a win after suffering a defeat to them last October.
In another intriguing clash, TCU will face off against Houston in the Big 12’s first conference game of the season. Both teams have a record of 1-1. TCU coach Sonny Dykes and Houston’s Dana Holgorsen have a long history, having been assistants together for the late coach Mike Leach at Texas Tech from 2000-2006.
Oklahoma, ranked 19th, will rely on linebacker Danny Stutsman, who is currently the leading tackler in the Big 12. Stutsman’s impressive performance includes a total of 17 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery in Oklahoma’s recent win over SMU. Stutsman led the conference last season with 125 total tackles, placing him 18th nationally.
Despite having eight undefeated teams, the Big 12 is also the only Power Five conference with two winless teams. Texas Tech and Baylor, both standing at 0-2, will be playing against FCS teams in hopes of securing their first wins of the season.
Texas, ranked 4th in this week’s AP poll, will face Wyoming. Iowa State, on the other hand, has shown strength by not allowing a sack in consecutive games for the first time since 2012. They will be playing against Ohio, a team known for their strong pass rush.
Kansas, enjoying a 2-0 record for the second consecutive season, will play their first game in the Pacific time zone since 2002 when they face Nevada.
In other matchups, Cincinnati will host Miami (Ohio) in the 127th Battle for the Victory Bell, while West Virginia will face their longstanding rival Pittsburgh in the Backyard Brawl. Oklahoma State, after a strong start to their previous season, has experienced a drop in scoring, with an average of 17.4 points in their past eight games.
As the Big 12 continues its action-packed season, fans can expect fierce rivalries, impressive performances, and intense battles on the field. Each team will be aiming to secure victories, solidify their rankings, and make a strong statement in this highly competitive conference.
