Kansas State is riding high off its most dominant performance over in-state rivals Kansas.

Now, there is a much bigger challenge ahead this Saturday against No. 13 Texas Tech. Even with the dip in AP ranking, the Red Raiders remain one of the country's best teams this season, and are easily the Wildcats' stiffest competition this year.

And unfortunately, they will once again have to do so without running back Dylan Edwards, who's been a regular on the Kansas State injury report this season.

“He’s going to be out again this week,” K-State coach Chris Klieman said in his Texas Tech pregame press conference. “There's something going on with the lower extremity that we continue to do imaging on. The imaging we received on Monday or Tuesday morning says that it wasn't healed. If it's not healed, he’s not gonna play. We're not gonna put him out there. Trust me, Dylan wants to play. But his body’s not there yet. So we have to revisit that, but I want to make sure the kid gets healthy. That’s the most important thing.”

Edwards was anticipated to have a breakout season, but he hasn't been healthy enough to make a consistent impact. His 166-yard performance against UCF illustrates his potential as the star rusher, but that's the only full game he's played this year.

Thankfully, though, the Wildcats have done well in his absence. They blew out Kansas and TCU behind Joe Jackson, who has emerged in his own right. He's logged 47 rushes for 179 yards in the last two games, mobilizing a rushing attack that was previously dead last in the Big 12.

KANSAS STATE MAY HAVE MISSED ON THE TOP 2026 CLASS DRAFT PICKS

Kansas State fans are likely satisfied with their squad this upcoming season, as it boasts the best unit on paper they've had in a long time.

But it's hard not to imagine what they could've had either. AJ Dybantsa (BYU) and Darryn Peterson (Kansas) are the top two projected draft picks next year, both of whom came out of high school as highly sought-after picks across the nation. Both visited Kansas State but ended up with the Wildcats' Big 12 rivals instead.

Dybantsa is a forward out of Utah Prep, who visited the Wildcats in late August. Ironically, the same day they lost the star wing was the day they acquired five-star tight end Linkon Cure. Meanwhile, Peterson is a guard out of Prolific Prep, who visited Kansas State in late September. Peterson had Ohio State and USC on his wish list as well before committing to the Jayhawks.