K-State (4-5,1-5 Big 12)
Blake Barnett and Dillon Duff are competing for the starting quarterback job as K-State looks to snap a three-game losing streak against TCU in Fort Worth, Texas.
K-State is coming off a 66-28 loss to Oklahoma State on Nov. 7, a game that featured three turnovers and a difficult defensive performance. Head coach Collin Klein called it one of the most frustrating losses of his coaching career and said the team must improve its fundamentals on both sides of the ball.
One of the biggest questions Saturday is who will lead the offense. K-State has started four different quarterbacks in four consecutive games, a first in program history. Klein said Barnett and Duff will both compete throughout the week and indicated both could see playing time against the Horned Frogs.
The challenge will be significant. Klein called TCU one of the best defensive teams K-State will face this season, pointing to its physical and disruptive front seven.
“It’s their front seven,” Klein said. “They’re extremely disruptive. They can rush the passer. They really get off blocks and destroy blocks in the run game. They play hard. They’ve got a very multiple scheme that you know they’re not just going to sit there and let you know where they’re at.”
The Wildcats look to lean on a rushing attack averaging 196.8 yards per game while protecting the football against a defense that has created havoc this season.
TCU (4-5, 2-4 Big 12)
TCU returns home after a heartbreaking 29-28 loss to No. 22 Arizona on Nov. 6. The Horned Frogs held an 8-point lead with less than seven minutes remaining before Arizona scored late, recovered a fumbled pooch kick and kicked the game-winning field goal with 38 seconds left.
Quarterback Jaden Craig accounted for all three of TCU’s touchdowns, throwing for 232 yards and a score while adding two rushing touchdowns. Craig completed 28 of 41 passes and connected frequently with tight end Kari Ashley, who caught a career-high 14 passes for 95 yards. Jordan Dwyer added nine receptions for 86 yards and a touchdown.
TCU’s defense also showed its playmaking ability against Arizona. Linebacker Hudson Hooper returned an interception 93 yards for a touchdown and finished with 12 tackles. The Horned Frogs rank among the nation’s top scoring defenses, allowing 15.8 points per game.
TCU looks to protect Amon G. Carter Stadium against a K-State team it has struggled to contain in recent meetings. The Wildcats lead the all-time series 11-8 and have won the last three matchups, including a 41-28 victory in Manhattan on Oct. 11, 2025.
However, K-State’s last trip to Fort Worth came in 2022, when the Horned Frogs erased a 28-10 deficit to win 38-28. TCU holds a 5-3 home advantage in the series.
