The Kansas State Wildcats play at the Cincinnati Bearcats Saturday in the Big 12 opener for both teams
What: Kansas State Wildcats at Cincinnati Bearcats
When: Saturday at 7 p.m.
Where: Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
TV: ESPN2
Expected temperature: 74 degrees, sunny, 10 percent chance of rain
Betting Line: Kansas State +6.5
VITALS: This is the Big 12 conference opener for the Wildcats and Bearcats. Both teams are undefeated at 3-0. K-State opened with victories against the Nicholls Cowboys, Washington State Cougars and Tulane Green Wave. Cincinnati has wins over the Miami of Ohio Redhawks, Boston College Eagles and Western Carolina Catamounts. The Wildcats are led by quarterback Avery Johnson, who is in his third year as the starter. Last week he had a career-high 152 yards rushing in the victory against the Green Wave. The Bearcats have opened the season with three straight victories and three straight 30-plus point performances for the first time since 2021. Behind the eighth-ranked rushing offense in the nation (269.7) and one of the most precise passers in the country (JC French, 76.5% completion percentage), the Bearcats’ offense has averaged 43.7 points per game through the first three weeks of the year.
QUOTABLE:
K-State coach Collin Klein on the state of the team: "I think we're learning more every day. I think we're learning more every week. You're never a finished product. We're constantly growing, and I think that's something that we put a lot of emphasis on as a staff and our players are embracing, too. We have new opportunities, we have new challenges that we've got to find a way to overcome together this week, and that's going to shape who we become."
QUOTABLE II:
Cincinnati coach Scott Satterfield on the game: "This will be a great matchup to watch. The normal fans, they like to watch all the skill guys. But this game, it will be the defensive line vs the offensive line. That is going to be incredible to see."
MORE KANSAS STATE NEWS
Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson getting all the attention from opponents
Did K-State get enough preparation during non-conference schedule?
The Wildcats could have some depth issues at quarterback this weekend
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Shandel Richardson is the publisher of KStateRoundtable. He can be reached at [email protected]
