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In a battle of 8-4 teams, Texas A&M takes on Kansas State in the AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl at 9 p.m. ET Wednesday at Houston’s NRG Stadium.
The Aggies limp in to the bowl game having lost three of their final four games of the regular season, while the Wildcats are going in the opposite direction having won five of six.
Here’s how the game shapes up:
WHEN TEXAS A&M HAS THE BALL
Trevor Knight vs. Kansas State pass defense: Knight insists he will be on the field for his final game at Texas A&M. The Aggies QB missed two games with a shoulder injury. Apparently he has shelved his Oklahoma gear for one more game with the Aggies. In the past he has saved his best for bowl games. Perhaps he has one last big game in him. It will be pivotal for the Aggies that he does considering the Wildcats’ rush defense.
EDGE: Texas A&M
Texas A&M running backs vs. Kansas State run defense: The Wildcats led the Big 12 and ranked 11th in the nation in run defense, yielding 112.58 yards per game. Defensive end Jordan Willis was the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year for a reason. He not only helped stop the run, but also recorded a conference-best 11.5 sacks. The Aggies have been held under 200 yards rushing in their last four games and five of their last six.
EDGE: Kansas State
Texas A&M receivers vs. Kansas State secondary: Trying to get a handle on one of the talented Aggies receivers is a chore, but to limit both Josh Reynolds and Christian Kirk is a task few have dealt with successfully. Kansas State will have its hands full against that duo, which has combined for 126 catches for 1,727 yards and 19 touchdowns.
EDGE: Texas A&M
WHEN KANSAS STATE HAS THE BALL
Jesse Ertz (below) vs. Texas A&M pass defense: It’s weakness against weakness. Kansas State ranked last in the Big 12 in passing, throwing for 153.8 yards per game. The Wildcats ranked 118th nationally out of 128 programs. But Texas A&M ranked 13th in the SEC against the pass, yielding 254.6 yards per game. Only Mississippi State (283.1) gave up more.
EDGE: Texas A&M
Kansas State running game vs. Texas A&M run defense: The Wildcats ranked fifth in the Big 12 in rushing at 232.92 yards per game. However, it was Ertz rather than any of the running backs who led the team in rushing with 945 yards, though freshman Alex Barnes is a budding star. The Wildcats’ top two running backs after Ertz combined for 1,019 yards. Still, when factored in with Ertz, the Kansas State run game is its strength; and Texas A&M gave up rushing yards in bunches against good running teams.
EDGE: Kansas State
Kansas State receivers vs. Texas A&M secondary: The Wildcats haven’t thrown the ball much. Sophomores Byron Pringle and Dominique Heath were the team’s leading receivers. They combined for 77 catches, 937 yards and six of the team’s nine touchdown receptions. A talented Aggies secondary should be able to keep them in check.
EDGE: Texas A&M
SPECIAL TEAMS
Both teams are pretty good when it comes to special teams. Kirk is a weapon for the Aggies, but Kansas State has broken some big plays on special teams as well and does a good job defending on punts and kickoffs. This is a category that could go either way.
EDGE: Kansas State
Glenn Sattell is an award-winning freelance writer for Saturday Down South.
