MANHATTAN, Kan. -- The Big 12 has developed a reputation over the years for high-flying offenses, mainly because of the pass-happy exploits of teams like Texas Tech, Baylor, Oklahoma State and Oklahoma.Kansas State and Texas are bucking the trend.The two teams meet Saturday in what can only be described as an old-school matchup between teams that take pride in pounding the football. The Wildcats average more than 175 yards rushing per game and the Longhorns (3-3, 1-2 Big 12) nearly 240.Texas also has the leagues top running back in DOnta Foreman. The 250-pound bruiser averages 146 yards, second nationally to San Diego States Donnel Pumphrey, and has reached the end zone eight times through the Longhorns first six games.That man right there is rolling right now. Hes really impressive, Texas quarterback Shane Buechele said, and hes fun to watch. Just seeing what he can do with the ball, hes a great player, and just being able to hand it off to him and seeing what he can do, its a lot of fun.Not so much fun is trying to stop him.But if the Wildcats (3-3, 1-2) has one thing going for them, it just may be that they have the best run defense in the conference. They held the Sooners in check last weekend -- they were ripped apart through the air -- and have generally made things tough on opposing runners.Then again, Foreman serves up a totally different test.Hes a very powerful runner, stays on his feet extremely well, has excellent lower-body strength but can bounce the ball out as well, Kansas State coach Bill Snyder said. Hes a very talented, young back, and what is impressive to me is hes been consistent about it throughout the season.The Wildcats counter with a committee approach to running the ball -- Charles Jones, Dalvin Warmack, Justin Silman, Alex Barnes and fullback Winston Dimel all have had a part this season.Their performance will be especially crucial with quarterback Jesse Ertz dealing with a nagging shoulder injury . It prevented him from finishing the game against Oklahoma, though Snyder said early in the week that he expects his starter to play on Saturday.As the Wildcats prepare to meet the Longhorns, here are some of the other key story lines:PROTECTING THE QBErtzs health could become a factor considering Texas ranks fourth nationally with 23 sacks . Kansas State has shuffled the offensive line a bit and surrendered two sacks last week, but a young group has mostly played well this season.BACKUP PLANSThe Wildcats Joe Hubener struggled after taking over for Ertz last weekend, but Snyder indicated that he would be first off the bench. Alex Delton has also played this season but hes primarily a run-first threat, and Kansas State would prefer to keep some offensive balance.SHAKY PASS DOne reason the Wildcats want to throw the ball? Texas has the nations third-worst pass efficiency defense. Oklahomas Baker Mayfield shredded the Longhorns for 390 yards and three TDs a couple weeks ago, though Iowa State fared much worse last weekend.Weve got to play smart, and we have to be consistent in our play, Texas coach Charlie Strong said, but we have to go get stops, and we need to just -- on defense we need to go play defense.BIG NUMBERSWhile the Wildcats have struggled to move the ball this season, Texas has had no such problems. The Longhorns have piled up at least 500 yards of offense four times, more than the past two seasons combined. The school record for a season is six times.Part of our preaching is about playing a complete game, Texas offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert said. If were playing good on the defensive side of the ball and special teams, then weve got to do our part on the offensive side of the ball. Were just continuing to preach that.K-STATE DOMINANCEThe Longhorns have only won once in seven tries in Manhattan, back in 2002, and the Wildcats are the only Big 12 team to have a series lead. They are 9-7 against Texas all-time.It would mean a lot to keep that streak alive, said Kansas State offensive lineman Abdul Beecham, a Texas native. K-State is all about tradition and to keep that tradition going would mean a lot to not only me, but to my teammates and the school as well. Nemanja Bjelica Jersey . The defending champion beat Gael Monfils of France 7-6 (6), 6-3, while second-seeded Andy Murray of Britain dispatched Edouard Roger-Vasselin, also of France, 6-3, 6-3. Making his first appearance since injuring his wrist a month ago, Del Potro had difficulty with his service games in the first set. Sacramento Kings Shirts . The No. 1-ranked Nadal tweaked his back warming up for the Australian Open final, which he lost almost four weeks ago in a major upset against Stanislas Wawrinka. His first stop after the layoff is the clay in Rio as he tests the back and tries to stay healthy for the French Open in three months. https://www.cheapkingsbasketball.com/892b-otis-birdsong-jersey-kings.html . The native of Mont-Tremblant, Que., captured a World Cup downhill event Saturday, his second this year and fifth career victory on the circuit. Norm Van Lier Jersey . The scientists believe the small earthquake during a Marshawn Lynch touchdown was likely greater than Lynchs famous "beast quake" touchdown run three years ago, which also came against New Orleans during a playoff game. Adrian Smith Jersey . Irving scored 23 points, Tristan Thompson had 20 points and 10 rebounds and the Cavaliers beat the Denver Nuggets 117-109 on Friday night. BUENOS AIRES, Argentina -- Hundreds of fans of Lionel Messi gathered in the rain in Argentinas capital on Saturday to ask that the soccer star return to the national team following his shock retirement from the squad.Messi announced his decision to leave Argentinas national team after it lost to Chile on penalty kicks last week in the Copa America final in the United States.Support for Messi has been overwhelming on social media with sports figures, artists and politicians urging him to return. Billboards and signs across the city are also asking him to stay.On Saturday, the cold and rain kept the numbers down with only a few huundred fans gathering to urge their hero to return, not the thousands that had been expected.ddddddddddddMessi, who moved to Barcelona at age 13, has often faced criticism in Argentina because he has failed to deliver the country a major title -- in contrast to his repeated success at Barcelona.Messi is the best player in history, both in Argentine and international football. I dont think we will see another like him in the next thousand years, said fan Hernan Sanchez during the rally in Buenos Aires. ' ' '