Kansas State @ West Virginia preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 5, 2015 ) West Virginia 23, Kansas State 24

Someone may finally have to take notice - of either Kansas State or West Virginia - after the teams meet Saturday in their Big 12 opener in Morgantown, W.Va. Both teams have received moderate national attention as West Virginia is one of two undefeated teams left in the conference and Kansas State is starting to turn heads with one of the nation's best defenses.

The latest coaches poll has West Virginia (30th) and Kansas State (41st) listed in "others receiving votes'' and this matchup features teams with opposite strengths. West Virginia ranks No. 13 nationally in total offense and has used victories over Missouri and BYU to open at 3-0 for the second straight season. Kansas State, which has won two straight since opening with a 26-13 loss to No. 6 Stanford, yields a nation-fewest 179 yards per game. Kansas State defensive back D.J. Reed said the Wildcats are playing with confidence, telling reporters: “We have high expectations for ourselves. We are going to transition into the Big 12. I just feel like we are closely knitted. Nothing can break us. Our defensive line is really good. They can get to the quarterback fast. That is making our job in the secondary easier, and I feel like Dante (Barnett), Kendall (Adams), Duke (Shelley), Donnie (Starks) and me are really strong.”

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPNU. LINE: West Virginia -3.5

ABOUT KANSAS STATE (2-1): The Wildcats have allowed only 33 points in three games, although last week's 35-0 victory over Missouri State was called at halftime because of lightning. The defense - led by linebacker Elijah Lee (19 tackles) and defensive end Jordan Willis (two sacks) - has forced seven turnovers in 10 quarters and is also ranked No. 1 nationally in passing yards allowed (106.7). Junior quarterback Jesse Ertz has been solid after missing last season with injury, leading the team in rushing (145 yards) and throwing for 418 yards - to 10 different receivers - with four touchdowns.

ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA (3-0): Quarterback Skylar Howard threw for 974 yards and six touchdowns against an early-season schedule that included two teams (Missouri and BYU) with defenses ranked in the top 60. Top targets are Daikiel Shorts Jr. (19 receptions, 246 yards, two TDs) and Shelton Gibson (16, 354, 2), while Justin Crawford (227 rushing yards) and Rushel Shell III (209) anchor the run game. “When you look at what they do and how frequently they do it and the stats behind it, it’s a very balanced football team,” Wildcats coach Bill Snyder told reporters. “They run it and throw it and have experienced people at skill positions. They do a nice job up front protecting, and you’ve got to do well up front to run it and throw it, and they do that.”

EXTRA POINTS

1. West Virginia has won eight of its last nine games, with the loss 24-23 at Kansas State on Dec. 5, 2015.

2. Kansas State is 16-for-16 in red zone scores this season and perfect in its last 10 games.

3. Kansas State is 4-0 against West Virginia as Big 12 foes and 5-1 all-time.

PREDICTION: West Virigina 26, Kansas State 20