No. 17 K-State (7-1, 4-1)

Multiple factors led K-State to its rivalry win last week, but a game-winner by kicker Chris Tennant was the difference. The 51-yarder was the most important kick — also tying the longest — of his career.

Tennant, a senior, has put together his best season so far. He’s perfect on extra points and 12-for-14 on field goals. 

All-purpose back Dylan Edwards continues to be a spark plug, recording over 100 all-purpose yards last week. He averages a team-high 7.4 yards per run and looks for a bigger workload game by game. 

Safety Marques Sigle has recorded an interception in both of the last two games, totaling three on the season. He’s one of the best cover guys for the K-State defense and is no liability in the run game either. 

Houston (3-5, 2-3)

Houston pulled off an upset win over Utah last week, finding an identity running the ball and playing defense. They’ll look to play spoiler like Kansas nearly did while owning a losing record.

Houston’s Zeon Chriss is a run-first quarterback who rushed 17 times this past week and only completed six passes, although two of those passes went for touchdowns. Chriss also threw a pick and fumbled twice, setting up K-State for potential turnovers. 

Defense is the stronger unit for Houston with linebacker Michael Batton and defensive back A.J. Haulcy leading the charge. 

Batton leads the team in tackles and sacks as a versatile threat. Haulcy is a ball hawk with four interceptions on the year. Haulcy is the team’s second leading tackler on the season as well. 

Who to Watch:

K-State: RB Dylan Edwards, S Marques Sigle, S Colby McCalister

Houston: QB Zeon Chriss, LB Michael Batton, DB A.J. Haulcy

Nov. 2 @ 2:30 p.m. on FOX

Betting: K-State -13.5 (-650 ML), O/U 46.5

Prediction: K-State 27-10

Stats: K-State

Turnover margin: 3

QB rush yds: 373 yards

Sacks: 21

Opp. rush yds. / g: 105 yds

Stats: Houston

Turnover margin: -5

QB rush yds: 219 yards

Sacks: 12

Opp. rush yds. / g: 139 yds