It's the Sunflower Showdown, and neither side is in a mood to share. Kansas (2-3, 0-2 Big 12) and Kansas State (3-2, 0-2) both come in hungry for a first league win. They meet at noon on FS1 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium, with bragging rights across the state at stake.
Kansas insider Fitz Calloway claims he showed up purely out of spite. He also loves Isaiah Marshall's deep shots, 1,143 yards at more than 15 yards a completion, along with a Jayhawk defense ESPN rates ahead of K-State's. Kansas State insider Hattie Brandvold, who explains defensive fronts with crop rotation, answers with Avery Johnson. The dual-threat quarterback has 1,092 passing yards and 330 rushing yards, and despite some confusion this week, he is not on the injury report.
The Wildcats' backup quarterback, Blake Barnett, is out, and cornerback Kaleb Patterson is doubtful. Kansas is missing receiver Keaton Kubecka and cornerback Syeed Gibbs, with guard Connor Stroh questionable. K-State lost 35-16 to Houston last Saturday, and Kansas fell 41-24 at Utah the next day. A rivalry crowd should bring out each team's best.
Our call: Kansas State 30, Kansas 26.