No. 13 Kansas State opens Big 12 slate at fellow unbeaten BYU

No. 13 Kansas State and host BYU both look to remain unbeaten when the unfamiliar 3-0 squads clash on Saturday night in their Big 12 Conference opener in Provo, Utah.These two schools have never met as conference opponents, splitting their eight previous meetings. The last time they squared off was in the 1997 Cotton Bowl, which BYU won with a game-saving interception. The last time K-State played in Provo was a 39-0 loss in 1977.Kansas State coach Chris Klieman is anxious to see how his team handles the new surroundings and a new rivalry.”It’s going to be a tough environment,” he said. “A lot of respect for (BYU coach) Kalani (Sitake) and BYU. It’s going to be a heck of an atmosphere and a great test for us.”Two weeks ago, we were talking about humidity and heat (before K-State’s game at Tulane) and now we’re talking about being cool and elevated (altitude). What a crazy league we’re in.”BYU trounced Wyoming 34-14 on the road last weekend.K-State showed newcomer Arizona what life in the Big 12 might be like, scoring the final 31 points in a 31-7 win over the then-No. 20 Wildcats.While Arizona is now in the Big 12, it was a nonconference game since it was scheduled before Arizona joined the conference.The Wildcats and Cougars rank near the middle of the Big 12 in scoring offense at seventh and ninth, respectively. They’re in the top half defensively, ranking fourth and fifth, respectively. But how they’ve gotten there is different.The BYU offense is doing it through the air, averaging 289.3 passing yards per game, fifth in the conference. K-State, meanwhile, is second in the league with 244.3 rushing yards per game. BYU is ranked fourth in rushing defense, allowing just 105.7 yards per game.

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