Bill Connelly has an excellent preview of Saturday's showdown between Kansas State and West Virginia in Morgantown, noting that the two teams' styles couldn't be more different.
No other team in the country reflects its own coach's personality as much as both Kansas State and West Virginia reflect theirs'. Kansas State is crafty, conservative, and opportunistic. Under Dana Holgorsen, West Virginia is cocky, aggressive and explosive. The first-time head coach has led the Mountaineers to a 15-4 record in his first season and a half, and despite some ugly defensive play, WVU could once again be the favorite in the Big 12 if they are to take out Snyder's Wildcats on Saturday.
Connelly is right to note that it would be a shock if Geno Smith and the West Virginia offense were to put up another pedestrian performance after a very rough week against Texas Tech. But they'll still have to watch out for the Kansas State defense, and an important part of the battle will be on the Mountaineers' offensive line. Smith needs better protection this time out -- the Red Raiders got to him, and despite WVU's offensive outburst against Texas, the Longhorns sometimes got to him too, sacking him three times and forcing a fumble in the second quarter alone.
Ultimately, Connelly picks WVU to win by six, in part because Kansas State's margin for error always seems to be so small. But Mountaineers fans have to be nervous, particularly after last week's drubbing by a lesser team.