Collin Klein left Waco disappointed. Will he bounce back after two straight sub-par performances? (AP)

No. 23 Texas (8-3, 5-3 Big 12) at No. 7 Kansas State (10-1, 7-1)

Kickoff: Saturday: 8 p.m. ET (ABC)

Spread: Kansas State by 11.5

Watchability: Both teams are coming off disappointing losses, but K-State still has quite a bit on the line even though its national title hopes are crushed. With a win, the Wildcats will win the Big 12 and clinch a berth to a BCS bowl, which is a big achievement for the program. It doesn't feel as big because of the chance that was lost against Baylor, but this is still a marquee game and one of the final two chances to watch Collin Klein play quarterback. 

Shining stars: Texas -- RB Johnathan Gray. Running back was supposed to be a strength for the Longhorns this year, but their backs have been inconsistent. Gray is playing the best as of late, averaging 84.5 yards over the last four games. Kansas State's run defense allowed Baylor to rack up 342 yards two weeks ago, so the Longhorns should definitely try to attack on the ground. Kansas State -- Klein. The senior quarterback is coming off his worst game of the season, which likely cost him the Heisman. He ran for a season-low 39 yards, had his second-worst completion percentage (54 percent) and threw a season-high three interceptions against Baylor. Saturday is a chance to get back in the Heisman conversation and get his team to a BCS bowl. Odds are Klein shows up. 

Who could steal the show: Texas -- WR Mike Davis. With the second half of a season Davis has had, he's probably the Longhorns' offensive MVP. Over the last six games, Davis has 32 catches, has averaged 104.6 receiving yards and has three touchdowns. The Wildcats have two good corners in Nigel Malone and Allen Chapman, but they rank 80th in the nation in pass defense. Kansas State -- DE Meshak Williams. The Longhorns surrendered a season-high three sacks against TCU. Williams leads the Wildcats with 8.5 sacks and when K-State's defense has been at its best, Williams has been active. 

You going? Ranking the road trip: The game has lost some of its luster, but considering the fact that it's Senior Day for an accomplished senior class, it should be a good (and possibly misty) atmosphere. 

Magic number for Texas: 136. Texas is 8-0 when rushing for 136 or more yards and 0-3 when rushing for less. 

Magic number for Kansas State: 2. K-State's offensive line has allowed five sacks in the last two games. Before that, the Wildcats had allowed seven sacks all season and Klein had been sacked twice only one time (at Iowa State). K-State's line needs to get back to run-blocking and pass-blocking for Klein to get back to playing like he was earlier in the year. 

The game comes down to: The last time Kansas State got this close to a national championship game was 1998. That year the Wildcats went undefeated in the Big 12 and then lost out on playing in the national title game when they lost to Texas A&M in the Big 12 championship game. They went on to play Purdue, quarterbacked by Drew Brees, in the Alamo Bowl and lost again. That game was set up for a letdown from the previous result, and this feels a lot like that.  Texas is also down in the dumps after blowing a game at home to TCU on Thanksgiving. Whichever team comes out motivated and can get over feeling sorry for itself will probably be the winner. 

Prediction: Kansas State 35, Texas 24

For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from Big 12 bloggers C.J. Moore and Patrick Southern, follow @CBSSportsBig12 on Twitter. You can also follow C.J. (@cjmoore4) and Patrick (@patricksouthern).