Kansas State football faced off against the Iowa State Cyclones on Saturday, Nov. 21 in what was without a doubt its worst game of the season. The Wildcats got blown out with a score of 45-0, but this is not the end of the season for them.
While the Wildcats did get blown out, there is an upside for them heading into their game on Saturday. The Wildcats have had upwards of 20 players out to due to the COVID-19 outbreak these last two weeks, but some of those players who were out sick will be able to come in a play this weekend.
With more players returning to the roster, Kansas State will have an opportunity to have longer practices. According to an article by the Associated Press, Wildcats coach Chris Klieman said “this has been a problem because the players wouldn’t be able to practice as long like we normally do and the outbreak is a good reminder to everyone on the roster that it only takes one positive test to cause problems.”
Many of the players that have been out sick due to COVID have been mostly younger players who are on the scout team. With this inclusion of the younger players again, Kansas State will have an opportunity to have longer and more beneficial practices.
Kansas State is heading into Week 9 and is set face the Baylor Bears, who have a record of 1-5 in the conference.
Baylor’s main linebacker Terrel Bernard, who is the Bears leading tackler is out for the season because he suffered a shoulder injury during the game with Iowa State in the previous week. Junior linebacker Abram Smith is listed as Bernard’s backup at weakside linebacker. Smith, a converted running back, has 10 career tackles and has appeared in 24 career games.
Craig Williams, the Bears leading rusher, will miss the rest of the season because of a knee injury. Williams, a freshman, injured his ACL and MCL in the loss to Iowa State. He has rushed for 197 yards and two touchdowns this season.
The Bears having more injuries than the Wildcats, coupled with the fact that Kansas State will have most of their team back that have recovered from Covid-19, means the Wildcats should have a good shot a winning their game this Saturday.
The Wildcats are currently fifth in the conference and the Bears are currently ninthbut the last thing Kansas State wants to be is overconfident. Baylor lost all of its last five games while the Wildcats are 4-4 and have lost their last three games.
Kansas State needs to utilize the time in practice it has in this upcoming week to make sure it does not underestimate the Bears.
Both of these teams are thirsty for a win and will collide Saturday, Nov. 28 at 7 p.m. ET, which should be a close and exciting game.
Photo courtesy of KStateSports.com
