Oct. 24, 2024 10:53 AM EST

No. 16 K-State Welcomes Kansas On Saturday Night For The Annual Sunflower Showdown

By The Associated Press
Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman talks with Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson (2) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against West Virginia, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Morgantown, W.Va. (AP Photo/William Wotring) William Wotring, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman talks with Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson (2) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against West Virginia, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Morgantown, W.Va. (AP Photo/William Wotring)
Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels runs the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Houston, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. Kansas won 42-14.(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas head coach Lance Leipold stands with his players before running onto the field before an NCAA college football game against Houston, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas State running back Dylan Edwards (3) reacts after picking up yards against West Virginia during the second half of an NCAA college football game against West Virginia, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Morgantown, W.Va. (AP Photo/William Wotring)
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Kansas (2-5, 1-3 Big Ten) at No. 16 Kansas State (6-1, 3-1), Saturday, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)

BetMGM College Football Odds: Kansas State by 10.

Series record: Kansas leads 65-51-5.

What’s at stake?

Kansas State still has its eye on playing for the Big 12 championship and a spot in the College Football Playoff after bouncing back from its lone loss to BYU with three impressive wins. The Jayhawks snapped a five-game skid last week with a win over Houston, and their hopes of qualifying for a bowl game could depend on a brutal three-game stretch.

Key matchup

Kansas QB Jalon Daniels against Kansas State QB Avery Johnson. Sure, they don't actually face each other, but the quarterback who performs better on Saturday will almost certainly be the one that walks off the field a winner. Daniels had struggled with turnovers but accounted for four touchdowns without a pick against Houston. Johnson proved he is much more than a running QB by throwing for 298 yards and three scores without an interception against the Mountaineers.

P layers to watch

Kansas: RB Devin Neal has been the only steady star for the Jayhawks this season, and he was at perhaps his best last week against Houston. Neal ran 17 times for 108 yards and two scores in the 42-14 win at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.

Kansas State: RB D.J. Giddens is the nation's ninth-leading rusher with 843 yards, even though West Virginia was willing to sell out on defense to stop him last weekend. He only ran for 57 yards but had two more touchdown runs.

Facts & figures

Kansas State has won the last 15 matchups dating to Nov. 1, 2008. The Jayhawks have not won on the road since a 30-24 victory on Oct. 6, 2007. ... Kansas State and Kansas have played every year since 1911. The only uninterrupted rivalries that are longer are Minnesota Wisconsin (1907) and NC State-Wake Forest (1910). ... The Jayhawks are tied for first nationally in third-down conversion rate and red zone offense, scoring on all 24 of its trips this season. ... Kansas CB Cobee Bryant tied the school record with three interceptions last week against Houston. He has 13 for his career, tied with Aqib Talib for second in school history. ... Neal needs 73 yards rushing to pass June Henley (3,841) for the Kansas career record. He needs one more TD to break Henley's record of 43 set from 1993-96.

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