# 17 Kansas State at Missouri: Game Preview

The Kansas State Wildcats (2-0) head to Columbia Missouri to take on the Missouri Tigers (2-0) to renew an old Big 8/12 rivalry. Missouri leads the series all-time series 60-33 with Kansas State being 15-5 against Missouri in the last 20 games.

Broadcast Information

Date: Saturday, September 16, 2023

Time: 12:00 PM/11:00 AM EST/CST

Where: Faurot Field Columbia Missouri

T.V.: SEC Network

What's At Stake?

A chance for Missouri to redeem themselves after getting beaten down in Manhattan Kansas last year 40-12. This is an opportunity for Kansas State to show they are a legitimate Big 12 Championship contender again this season. Both teams are looking to be shown as a legitimate threat this year and this game is the chance to prove that.

Key Players- Kansas State

QB Will Howard - It is no question how Will Howard goes, the Kansas State offense will go. Last week against Troy, Will Howard threw for 250 yards with 3 touchdowns and 1 interception. Will Howard also rushed for two touchdowns. This will be his first matchup against Missouri.

DE Khalid Duke - Last week against Troy Khalid Duke had two sacks and another tackle for loss. The defense up front will have to be stout against the run and create a pass rush and that will start with Khalid Duke.

Key Players- Missouri

QB Brady Cook - Against Middle Tennessee last week Brady Cook had 204 yards passing and 2 touchdowns. Last year against Kansas State he had a rough day throwing for 128 yards and 2 interceptions. Brady Cook will have to play better this year for the Tigers if they want to win.

DL Nyles Gaddy - He gave Middle Tennessee State fits last week being a disrupter up front having two sacks in that game. Missouri will have their hands full with an experienced Kansas State offensive line and the Missouri defense will need another big game out of him.

Analysis/Prediction

Missouri's last two games were against South Dakota winning 35-10 and Middle Tennessee State winning 23-19. Missouri will have to improve on those games facing a top 20-ranked Kansas State. Kansas State did what good teams should do against "lower" opponents winning 45-0 against Southeast Missouri and 42-13 against Troy.

Kansas State comes into this game with the number one rush defense in the country only giving up 38 yards a game and 256 yards total a game. Missouri will have to figure out a way to get a run game going against a stout rush defense. Meanwhile, Missouri has a good-looking defense too giving up 239 total yards a game with 59 of those being rushing yards.

The Kansas State offense is putting up pretty good numbers so far averaging 492 yards a game. Meanwhile, Missouri is averaging 376 yards a game on offense.

Kansas State is favored in this game by 4 points on the road. I believe that line is about right for this game, and it will be a closer game than last year, but the Kansas State offense will find enough against the Missouri defense. Kansas State wins this one 38-27.