No. 16 Kansas State (4-1, 4-0 Big 12) at West Virginia (3-2, 2-2), Saturday at noon (ESPN2).
Line: West Virginia by 3 1/2.
Series record: Tied 5-5.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
First-place Kansas State is looking for its first 5-0 start in the Big 12 since 2014. Fourth-place West Virginia already has two league losses and this will be its best remaining chance to get back into contention.
KEY MATCHUP
Kansas State freshmen Will Howard and Deuce Vaughn against West Virginia’s defense. Howard, a 6-foot-4 quarterback, has been steady since taking over for the injured Skylar Thompson in the third game with three TD passes, one interception and 116 total rushing yards. Vaughn, a running back, leads the Wildcats in rushing and receiving. West Virginia has the Big 12’s top defense and has the most sacks in the league while the Wildcats have allowed the second fewest.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Kansas State: WR Phillip Brooks. The sophomore became the first player in school history to return two punts for touchdowns last week in a 55-14 win over rival Kansas. The TD returns covered 55 and 52 yards.
West Virginia: WR Winston Wright. The sophomore converted a direct snap on a fake punt for a first down last week at Texas Tech and also had nine receptions for 126 yards, both season highs. He is tied with Iowa State’s Xavier Hutchinson for the most catches in the league with 28.
FACTS & FIGURES
Kansas State has blocked a kick in four games this season. … West Virginia is going after its fifth consecutive win over the Wildcats, including three straight at home. Defensive line siblings Darius and Dante Stills of West Virginia have combined for 12.5 tackles for loss, while freshman teammate Akheem Mesidor is second in the league with four sacks. … K-State is plus-eight in turnover margin this season, tied for the second most among the 101 FBS schools that have played.
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