Kansas State coach Bill Snyder says he "hopes" QB Collin Klein will play Saturday. Is that enough to believe he will play? (US Presswire)

No. 3 Kansas State (9-0, 6-0 Big 12) at TCU (6-3, 3-3 Big 12)

Kickoff: Saturday, 7 p.m. ET (Fox)

Spread: PK

Watchability: Every Kansas State game is a must-watch telecast right now and that's why the networks continue to put the Wildcats in prime time. Gary Patterson will go up against his alma mater for the first time and has a chance to ruin his mentor's magical season. 

Shining stars: Kansas State -- QB Collin Klein. Klein did not finish last Saturday's win against Oklahoma State because of what was believed to be concussion-like symptoms. So will he play this Saturday? No one outside of the Kansas State program really knows and deciphering Bill Snyder's comments is a waste of time. Let's go ahead and assume he plays. Big 12 defenses are trying to force Klein to throw and it's not working. In his last three games, he has thrown for 801 yards, has a 78 percent completion percentage, five touchdowns, zero interceptions and a 199.7 QB rating. TCU -- WR Josh Boyce. Boyce caught six passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns in TCU's double-overtime win against West Virginia. His 94-yard TD grab sent the game to overtime, and he also caught the two-point conversion that gave TCU the win. Boyce's numbers have gone up since Trevone Boykin took over at QB, and when in trouble, Boykin typically looks Boyce's way. 

Who could steal the show: Kansas State -- WR Chris Harper. Harper has benefitted more than any other Wildcat from Klein's recent hot streak. He has 16 catches for 284 receiving yards and a touchdown in the last three games. TCU has the Big 12's top-ranked run defense, so the Wildcats might look to continue their passing ways. TCU -- DE Devonte Fields. The Wildcats have only allowed seven sacks on the season but they've yet to go up against the Big 12's leader in sacks. With Klein's health already in question, the Cats better pay attention to Fields. They could double team him, but that's tough to do with Stansly Maponga on the other end. 

You going? Ranking the road trip: TCU is planning to black out Amon G. Carter Stadium. That should make for a cool look on TV. Kansas State is the highest-ranked opponent to play at TCU since No. 2 Texas in 1970. Expect the Horned Frogs' fans to do everything they can to show the nation they take their football seriously.

Magic number for Kansas State: +20. The Wildcats have dominated the turnover battle this season and it's tough to imagine them losing if they finish on the plus side. So far in the Big 12 season, K-State has given the ball away only one time. TCU is plus-9 in its wins and minus-8 in its losses. 

Magic number for TCU: 28. The Horned Frogs have won 27 straight games and are 5-0 this season when holding their opponent to 28 points or less. 

This game comes down to: Whether Klein plays. If Klein doesn't play, it's tough to imagine that Snyder will allow Daniel Sams to throw the ball much at all. Patterson is too good of a defensive coach not to be able to stop a one-dimensional offense. If Klein plays, Boykin will need to play mistake-free football and the Horned Frogs will need to find a way to force a K-State turnover or two. 

Prediction: Kansas State 41, TCU 30

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).