By The Associated Press
No. 18 Kansas State will play Tennessee-Martin on Saturday night to open the season. The Wildcats are coming off a nine-win season that ended with a victory in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. Avery Johnson will be taking over at QB for Will Howard, who transferred to Ohio State. He starred when given the chance to play last season. The Wildcats also return RB D.J. Giddens, who will split carries with Colorado transfer Dylan Edwards. Tennessee-Martin is coming off three consecutive conference titles, including the inaugural Big South-OVC championship last season.
Tennessee-Martin at No. 18 Kansas State, Saturday, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
BetMGM College Football Odds: No line.
Series record: First meeting.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Kansas State is coming off a nine-win season capped by a victory in the Pop-Tarts Bowl, where QB Avery Johnson replaced Will Howard and showed star potential. Johnson is the starter now after Howard's transfer to Ohio State, and he has running back D.J. Giddens and Colorado transfer Dylan Edwards alongside him in an explosive backfield. The Wildcats' defense returns eight starters, including five of its six tacklers from last season. Tennessee-Martin is coming off three consecutive conference titles, including the inaugural Big South-OVC championship last season.
KEY MATCHUP
Johnson against the Tennessee-Martin defense. The sophomore could be the fastest QB in college football, and his ability to beat teams with his legs was in evidence last season at Texas Tech, when he ran for five touchdowns. But he also has a strong arm and the Wildcats are hopeful of more big-play strikes from the offense this season.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Tennessee-Martin: QB Kinkead Dent threw for 2,295 yards and 25 touchdowns last season after winning an open competition for the starting job. He has a capable backup in Kentucky transfer Kaiya Sheron.
Kansas State: DJ Gidden ran for 1,226 yards and 10 touchdowns last season while catching 29 passes for 323 yards and three scores. He finished the season with at least 100 yards rushing in four consecutive games. His powerful running style is offset by the speed of Colorado transfer Dylan Edwards.
FACTS & FIGURES