The Kansas State Wildcats return to Bill Snyder Family Stadium on November 1, 2025, seeking to protect their home turf and pull off a defining upset against a powerhouse Texas Tech team that has dominated the Big 12 headlines this season. Under head coach Chris Klieman, Kansas State has built its identity on physicality, toughness, and efficiency, though inconsistency has been the theme of their 4-4 campaign. The Wildcats have shown flashes of brilliance but have struggled to maintain momentum against more complete teams, particularly those with elite offensive balance. Hosting a top-10 Texas Tech squad gives Klieman’s program an opportunity to measure its progress and reignite postseason hopes. The offense, led by sophomore quarterback Avery Johnson, remains the focal point of Kansas State’s game plan. Johnson’s dual-threat ability has injected energy into the Wildcats’ attack, with his quick decision-making and athleticism allowing the offense to stay versatile. When he’s in rhythm, Kansas State’s offense thrives through a mix of designed quarterback runs, play-action passes, and RPO concepts that stress defenses horizontally. Johnson’s chemistry with wideouts Jayce Brown and Sterling Lockett gives the Wildcats potential for explosive plays, but the real engine of the offense continues to be the ground game. Running back DJ Giddens is the workhorse, a physical, patient runner who has surpassed 700 rushing yards this season behind an offensive line that prides itself on zone blocking and pulling movement. For Kansas State to compete with Texas Tech’s explosive attack, establishing the run early will be paramount—not only to control the tempo but to keep the Red Raiders’ offense off the field.

Defensively, the Wildcats face a monumental challenge. Texas Tech boasts one of the nation’s most efficient and balanced offenses, meaning Kansas State must tackle with precision and play assignment-perfect football. The defense, anchored by linebacker Austin Moore and defensive lineman Uso Seumalo, must win at the point of attack to disrupt Texas Tech’s rhythm. Generating pressure on quarterback Behren Morton without overcommitting blitzes will be critical, as Tech’s quick passing scheme punishes undisciplined rush lanes. The Wildcats’ secondary, led by Jacob Parrish, will have its hands full trying to contain Texas Tech’s deep and dynamic receiving corps. Expect defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman to mix coverages, alternating between zone and man looks to confuse Morton and limit big plays. On special teams, Kansas State’s traditionally strong unit could play a pivotal role—return specialist Phillip Brooks is capable of flipping the field, and kicker Chris Tennant has the leg to make long-range field goals under pressure. Emotionally, this game will carry weight for the Wildcats, as the home crowd in Manhattan remains one of the most passionate in the Big 12, often giving Klieman’s teams an extra edge in close contests. From a betting standpoint, Kansas State enters as a home underdog, likely around +7, and while the spread leans heavily in Texas Tech’s favor, the Wildcats have a history of thriving in these spoiler situations. For Kansas State to cover—or even pull the upset—they must win the turnover battle, dominate time of possession, and capitalize on short-field opportunities. The formula for success is simple but difficult: play disciplined, physical football, limit Tech’s explosive plays, and finish drives with touchdowns rather than field goals. If Johnson can make plays outside of structure, Giddens can control the tempo on the ground, and the defense can generate a few timely stops, Kansas State could turn this matchup into a four-quarter fight. For a program that prides itself on toughness and execution, this home game represents more than just another date on the schedule—it’s a chance to prove that the Wildcats can still stand toe-to-toe with the Big 12’s elite when it matters most.