No. 17 K-State (5-1, 2-1)

Running back DJ Giddens is nothing short of amazing this season. The junior ranks fourth across the nation in rushing yards, totaling 786 this season. 

Quarterback Avery Johnson exited last week’s contest briefly with an injury. While the sophomore returned and led K-State to the win, the key scrambling part of his game was limited. 

Johnson said his body feels good but if he remains limited in a game between two run-heavy offenses, Giddens’ number will be called once again.

Linebacker Austin Romaine had a limited role in last week’s defensive scheme defending Colorado’s pass-first offense. Now facing a rush-first team, the sophomore is primed to stand out on Saturday. 

West Virginia (3-3, 2-1)

K-State will have to shift gears toward defending the three-headed rush attack of the Mountaineers this week. 

While the 5-foot-7 back Jahiem White leads the way with 398 rushing yards, quarterback Garrett Greene and 6-foot-2, 238-pound back CJ Donaldson Jr. are right behind him with 382 and 378 yards respectively. 

Facing a ranked opponent in K-State is nothing new for West Virginia. WVU’s losses came against No. 3 Penn State, No. 20 Pittsburgh and now-No. 9 Iowa State. 

WVU coach Neal Brown claimed two of his three career ranked wins against K-State, upsetting the Wildcats in 2019 and 2020. He’ll look for his third against K-State behind a home environment.

Who to Watch: 

K-State: RB DJ Giddens, LB Austin Romaine, DT Uso Seumalo

West Virginia: QB Garrett Greene, RB Jahiem White, RB CJ Donaldson Jr.

Oct. 19 @ 6:30 p.m.

Betting: K-State -3 (-165 ML), O/U 55.5 

Prediction: K-State 24-13

Stats: K-State

Turnover margin: 0

QB rush yds: 324 yards

Rush yds. / g: 241 yds

Opp. rush yds. / g: 71.7 yds

Stats: West Virginia

Turnover margin: -5

QB rush yds: 445 yards

Rush yds. / g: 210.5 yds

Opp. rush yds. / g: 130 yds