Kansas State Wildcats at Arizona State Sun Devils

Injuries noted

Kansas State Wildcats: Avery Johnson (doubtful) — QB #2 listed Doubtful on the Big 12 Update 2 report; Blake Barnett (questionable) — QB #3 listed Questionable on the Big 12 Update 2 report; Garrett Oakley (doubtful) — TE #86 listed Doubtful on the Big 12 Update 2 report

Arizona State Sun Devils: Lyrik Rawls (out) — DB #2 listed Out on the Big 12 Update 2 report; Jalen Williams (out) — DB #24 listed Out on the Big 12 Update 2 report; Filiva'a Lokotui (probable) — OL #57 listed Probable on the Big 12 Update 2 report; Wade Helton (doubtful) — OL #64 listed Doubtful on the Big 12 Update 2 report; Luke Baklenko (doubtful) — OL #78 listed Doubtful on the Big 12 Update 2 report; Harry Hassmann (out) — WR #89 listed Out on the Big 12 Update 2 report

QUARTERBACK

• Mikey Keene is ASU's confirmed starter

  7.02 Y/A

  Mikey Keene is ASU's confirmed starting quarterback. On October 23, Kenny Dillingham confirmed Keene will start against Kansas State, replacing Cutter Boley. The current game-specific injury list could not be verified from successfully opened dated reporting; the empty injuries array means unknown. 2026 line: 288 passing yards, 70.7% completions, 7.02 yards per attempt, 2-0 TD-INT over 2 games.

TRENCHES

• KSU: 240.8 rushing yards per game to ASU's 143.7

  97.2 YPG

  Kansas State is running for 240.8 yards a game through 6 games, well above 171.3 last season. Arizona State has slid to 143.7 from 193.6 last season. Six games is a short sample, so Kansas State's number could cool on the road. The Wildcats are the team likelier to dictate a run-heavy style in this one.

PACE & SCRIPT

• KSU: 20 points allowed per game to ASU's 32

  12 PPG

  Kansas State allows 20 points a game over 6 games while Arizona State gives up 32 over 6. Both moved hard from last season: Kansas State improved from 26.7, Arizona State got worse from 24.5. Swings that big in six games can partly reflect opponents, so expect some drift back toward last year. Arizona State's defense is the side more likely to get exposed if this pattern holds.

MISMATCH

• KSU: 240.8 rush yards a game to ASU's 143.7

  240.8 VS 143.7

  Kansas State runs for 240.8 yards a game over 6 games, up from 171.3 last season, while Arizona State has slipped to 143.7 from 193.6. That is a big jump in a short sample, so expect some cooling. When one team can grind out yards like this, it controls possessions and the clock. Arizona State needs early stops on first down to force Kansas State into passing situations, otherwise the game shrinks and every Sun Devil drive carries more weight.

COVERAGE

• KSU: 136.3 passing yards allowed per game to ASU's 216.3

  80 YPG

  Kansas State allows 136.3 passing yards a game over six games, and Arizona State allows 216.3 over six. The sheet doesn't say which quarterbacks Kansas State has seen, so the number could be helped by schedule. Six games is still a decent read on a pass defense. Arizona State's passing props face the tougher front, and Kansas State's passers draw a more generous secondary.

REPLACEMENT

• Lyrik Rawls (DB) is out for ASU

  OUT

  DB #2 listed Out on the Big 12 Update 2 report Big 12 availability report (Update 2, published 2026-10-23 21:00:00 CT) (2026-10-23)

• Jalen Williams (DB) is out for ASU

  OUT

  DB #24 listed Out on the Big 12 Update 2 report Big 12 availability report (Update 2, published 2026-10-23 21:00:00 CT) (2026-10-23)

• Harry Hassmann (WR) is out for ASU

  OUT

  WR #89 listed Out on the Big 12 Update 2 report Big 12 availability report (Update 2, published 2026-10-23 21:00:00 CT) (2026-10-23)

SITUATIONAL

• KSU: 59.5% third-down conversion rate to ASU's 30.8%

  28.8 PP

  Kansas State is converting 59.5% of third downs through 6 games, a huge leap from 37.2% last season, while Arizona State is at 30.8%, near its 33.2%. A third-down rate that high rarely holds over a full season, so expect it to come down. Arizona State's number looks like who they are, which means the gap should narrow but Kansas State likely still sustains drives better.

• ASU: 2.83 fourth-down attempts per game to KSU's 0.67

  2.17 ATT/G

  KSU is at 0.67 fourth-down attempts per game over 6 games; ASU is at 2.83 over 6 games. Those are this season's games through Oct 23. Last season KSU was at 2.67 over 12 games and ASU at 2.77 over 13 games.

• ASU: 276.7 team passing yards per game to KSU's 223

  53.7 YPG

  KSU is at 223 team passing yards per game over 6 games; ASU is at 276.7 over 6 games. Those are this season's games through Oct 23. Last season KSU was at 198.8 over 12 games and ASU at 223.7 over 13 games.

TEAM RECORD

• Big 12 game: KSU 1-2, ASU 1-2 in conference

  CONFERENCE

  These two share the Big 12. KSU is 1-2 against it, ASU is 1-2. 2026 standings through 2026-10-24.