Temperature Check: A Look At KSU’s Remaining Schedule

Kansas (2-3) 

KU is similar to Kansas State, as they still haven’t won a game in Big 12 play. KU has lost to Missouri, Arizona State, and Utah. As wildcat fans know, Dylan Edwards transferred along I-70 from Kansas State to Kansas, and the move hasn’t worked out for either side yet. 

This season, Edwards leads the Jayhawks in rushing with 318 total yards on 59 carries. While averaging over 5 yards per carry sounds solid, 137 of those rushing yards came in the Jayhawks’ blowout win against Middle Tennessee just two weeks ago. Dylan Edwards is likely the X-factor in the Jayhawks potentially turning their season around. Edwards’ usage and production are one of the main things to watch for when the Wildcats take on the Jayhawks this Saturday. 

Arizona State (3-2) 

The Sun Devils’ only Big 12 win so far this season came against Kansas on September 19. Coach Kenny Dillingham has openly said the team has not met expectations. After a 55–19 home loss to Baylor, he handed play-calling back to offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo and reportedly emphasized shorter, more intense, and more competitive practices. 

Freshman running back Cardae Mack has become a real spark for Arizona State: he ran 13 times for 154 yards and two touchdowns against Hawaii, including a 67-yard score, and was named Big 12 Freshman of the Week. Freshman defensive end Julian Hugo also had a breakout game with two sacks. 

With the Sun Devils getting starting offensive linemen Wade Helton and Tana Ala-Tupuola back this week, that could help get the team on track. More protection for Cutter Boley up front could also help the offense get into a rhythm. 

Colorado (2-3) 

Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes are 2-3 entering the midpoint of October. Colorado picked up two wins to start the season, but the last three weeks have looked like nothing but doom and gloom. 

Colorado’s biggest issue has been turnovers and execution. In its 29–7 loss to Texas Tech, the Buffs threw four interceptions, were penalized eight times for 84 yards, and managed only their opening-drive touchdown. 

Throughout the season, special teams have been a major issue for the Buffaloes, as has the quarterback room. Five-star freshman Julian Lewis has been benched in favor of transfer quarterback Isaac Wilson. Now, while Colorado has negatives, Receiver Joseph Williams has been the clearest bright spot, with 32 catches for 454 yards and five touchdowns through five games. 

Deion Sanders is under a lot of scrutiny after Colorado’s start, and local Colorado reporters are calling for his job. We will see how Colorado performs this weekend against Utah. 

Oklahoma State (4-1) 

Oklahoma State is arguably one of the biggest surprises in the conference. The Cowboys are ranked 18th in the nation and are riding a four-game winning streak. 

After a season-opening 24–10 loss at Tulsa, OSU upset then-No. 6 Oregon, then beat Murray State, West Virginia, and UCF. They have scored at least 39 points in each of their four straight wins. 

Quarterback Drew Mestemaker, who followed head coach Eric Morris from North Texas, drives the turnaround and leads the Big 12 at 315 passing yards per game. His top target, Wyatt Young, has 462 receiving yards and three touchdowns; the pair has four 40-plus-yard completions, the third-most nationally. OSU’s remaining schedule is favorable, and if the offense keeps humming, Oklahoma State has no reason not to be relevant in playoff talks. 

TCU (2-3) 

TCU opened with a 15–10 loss to North Carolina in Dublin, then looked better with wins over Grambling State and Arkansas State. After that stretch, TCU has dropped close conference games against UCF and BYU. The loss to BYU was especially telling. TCU stayed within one possession, but they hurt themselves with costly mistakes; quarterback Jaden Craig also threw for only 187 yards, his season-low total so far. 

Coach Sonny Dykes has pointed to the running game as an area needing improvement. Running back Jeremy Payne has 432 rushing yards and two touchdowns, but TCU’s offense has been too inconsistent in conference play. 

Right now, it looks like TCU will be playing to keep its bowl hopes alive, but the rest of their schedule doesn’t look inviting; if TCU can clean up their miscues, anything can happen. 

Arizona (5-1) 

Arizona is 2-1 in conference play, with their lone loss coming on the road at undefeated BYU. Arizona has won four straight since the BYU loss, including a 34–7 win over Cincinnati and a 52–31 road win at West Virginia. Quarterback Noah Fifita threw for 341 yards and three touchdowns against West Virginia, with Isaiah Mizell catching two of those scores. 

What makes that offensive output even more encouraging is that the offense is dealing with multiple injuries. The defense has looked extremely stout, but it is worth noting that they were gashed on the ground against West Virginia. Arizona has positioned itself as a legit conference contender, and, like OSU, Arizona could and should be in playoff conversations if it can maintain its dominant play. 

Iowa State (3-3) 

Iowa State is the final matchup on the Kansas State Wildcats’ regular-season slate, and luckily for Kansas State, they look very beatable. 

First-year coach Jimmy Rogers has Iowa State at the midpoint of his debut season, and the Cyclones are 10th in the Big 12 standings. They are 3–1 at Jack Trice Stadium, but 0–2 on the road, a major concern as their next game is also away from Ames. 

Iowa State’s offense has been inconsistent, and its defense allowed BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier to have one of his best games of the season. If the Cyclones can tighten up defensively and play with more consistency on the road, a bowl game is still realistic—but their Arizona matchup on Oct. 24 is likely the swing point for the second half of the year.