No. 19 Kansas State (7-2, 4-2) has had an extra week to prepare for Arizona State (7-2, 4-2).

After a stunning 24-19 loss to Houston on Nov. 2, the Wildcats have used their bye week to get healthy and put a plan in place to try to stop the surging Sun Devils.

“Anyone can beat anyone in this league. We all know that,” Kansas State coach Chris Klieman said during his weekly news conference. “We’re playing a really good Arizona State team, a great team, that’s playing well and finding ways to win. So we’ve got to play our best football.”

ASU coach Kenny Dillingham said Heisman Trophy candidate Cam Skattebo will be back in the lineup Saturday after missing ASU’s win over UCF with a shoulder injury. Despite Skattebo’s return, the Sun Devils enter the game as 7.5-point underdogs.

Here are highlights from Klieman’s press conference:

Klieman on his team’s mentality after losing to Houston:

“Sometimes it is forgotten that we are a seven-and-two football team that has a lot of things for us to play for. We don’t know and we have no control over what other teams are going to do. I think everyone knows. There can still be a lot of things happen, but for us we have to play every day, practice and prepare ourselves mentally and physically to give ourselves a chance to be successful.”

Klieman on ASU running back Cam Skattebo

“He’s a stud. He’s a downhill guy, but he’s got plenty of speed. He’s got great hands in the backfield. He’ll pass protected. He’s a real downback. Fun kid to watch. He breaks tackles. You you know he had a great year, one of the best years in the Big 12 and deserves all the praise he gets.”

Klieman on what ASU is building under coach Dillingham:

“I think coach Dillingham has done a phenomenal job. They’ve definitely had some success in the transfer portal. In their second year in the system, those guys are playing with a lot of confidence. A wide receiver (Jordyn Tyson) who’s just as good as we were in the competition, makes play after play. And I know a lot of the defensive guys. I know the D coordinator and the linebackers coach, Brian Ward and AJ Cooper. They’re playing at a high level.”

Klieman on Arizona State’s offense:

“Go to the tailback. Skattebo is a great player and they have concentrated their offense on him, which they should do, because when they do that, they open up all their play action passes, their RPOs… they sometimes force you to put more people in the box, giving them one-on-one coverage. They have done very well to stay balanced.’

Klieman on ASU quarterback Sam Leavitt:

“I don’t think many people knew Sam Leavitt was going to start the season and I know they found a number of other signings through the transfer portal, I believe. But he beat him and you can clearly see that.” why is he really letting them go, because he can beat you with his legs and he has really good arm talent. But he’s just hard to fire. I mean, he’s smart enough to know, ‘Okay, I can’t take this hit.’ I didn’t take the bag and throw it away…I know he got hit. I can’t remember what game it was, so he’s probably a little more disciplined about running, about saying it’s okay to slide or get out. But if I have to play, I will make the play and run for the first time. But I just think the fact that he can throw and run is so impressive.

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