Collegiate Times

Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein (7) runs 28 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter against Kansas on Saturday, October 6, 2012, in Manhattan, Kansas. K-State defeated Kansas, 56-16. (Bo Rader/Wichita Eagle/MCT)

On Oct. 20, the Kansas State Wildcats will enter Morgantown with — barring an Oklahoma State-like collapse — an undefeated record. The game will showcase two of the best offenses in the country, with two completely unique styles. 

Smith and the Mountaineers will run their spread offense that has resulted in the second-most passing yards in the nation and the fifth most points, and the Wildcats led by Collin Klein enter with the sixth most productive offense.

The Wildcats have not found their success through the air, but rather on the ground. Klein leads an offense that averages 262 rushing yards a game on 42 attempts. The ability to put up those numbers promises two things vital to winning all games, especially those in the national spotlight — consistency and ball control. 

Although greatly varied in methodology, the offenses are not what separate the two teams atop the Big 12 — it’s their defenses. 

The Mountaineers have been able to put up insane numbers, but they have needed every point they have scored. In their past three wins, they have been victorious by a total of 20 points, allowing almost 35 points a game — good for No. 4 in the country.

On the other hand, Bill Snyder has kept his defense in the top 20 once again, allowing less than 16 points a game. 

To put how good this team is in perspective, they beat the perennial ACC powerhouse Miami Hurricanes, 52-13. Miami is undefeated in ACC play.

I cannot predict improbabilities and outliers. I cannot assume when once-in-a-lifetime events will happen. I can only use previous data and combine that with my knowledge of the game that I have built over 19 years.

Based on what how Kansas State has played thus far this season, along with the proven success of a team that can keep opposing offenses off the scoreboard while being able to run the ball effectively, I predict that they will go into Morgantown 6-0 and leave it 7-0. 

Oregon will hiccup at some point along the way either in Los Angeles, Eugene or Corvallis and as long as the Wildcats stay consistent, something Snyder has preached for decades, they will find themselves in a position to take home some serious hardware come January.

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A version of this article appeared in the Oct 10 issue of the Collegiate Times.