No. 13 Kansas State and host BYU both look undefeated when odd 3-0 teams meet Saturday night in their Big 12 Conference opener in Provo, Utah.
The two schools have never met as conference opponents, splitting their last eight meetings. The last time they squared off was in the 1997 Cotton Bowl, where BYU won with a game-saving touchdown. The last time K-State played in Provo was a 39-0 loss in 1977.
Kansas State coach Chris Klieman is eager to see how his team handles the new environment and rivalry.
“It’s going to be a tough place,” he said. “Respect for (BYU coach) Kalani (Sitake) and BYU. It’s going to be hot air and a big test for us.
“Two weeks ago, we were talking about the humidity and the heat (before K-State’s game at Tulane) and now we’re talking about the coolness and the (elevation). What a crazy league we’re in.”
BYU defeated Wyoming 34-14 on the road last weekend.
State showed freshman Arizona what life in the Big 12 can be like, scoring the final 31 points in a 31-7 win over No. 20 Wild deer.
While Arizona is now in the Big 12, it was a non-conference game as it was scheduled before Arizona joined the conference.
The Wildcats and Cougars rank near the middle of the Big 12 in scoring offense at seventh and ninth, respectively. They are in the top division defensively, ranked fourth and fifth respectively. But the way they got there is different.
BYU’s offense does it through the air, averaging 289.3 passing yards per game, fifth in the conference. State is second in the league with 244.3 rushing yards per game. BYU ranks fourth in rushing defense, allowing just 105.7 yards per game.
Sitake knows the competition will be tough, as the conference season begins. He believes that his team is ready for the challenge.
“It didn’t go well, but there were some really good things to work on, some really good things to do better,” he said following BYU’s win over Wyoming. “I feel like we improved from last week to this week, and I’m looking forward to improving from this week to the next.”
BYU’s Jake Retzlaff completed 22 of 36 passes for 291 yards with three touchdowns and one pick. He was also BYU’s leading rusher against the Cowboys with six carries for 62 yards.
K-State’s Avery Johnson rushed for 110 yards and was 14-of-23 passing for 156 yards with two touchdowns against Arizona. Johnson passed on the debt.
“It starts with coach Riles (offensive coordinator Conor Riley),” Johnson said. “He came out firing. And credit coach Klieman. We could have opened with three outs but he said, ‘Go for it’ and in the end we ended up playing 15 games.
“But it all starts with Coach Riles.”
–Field Level Media