The Houston Cougars and Kansas State Wildcats are two football programs with contrasting strategies for building competitive teams in the Big 12 Conference.
While both schools have had varying levels of success in recent years, they approach their team-building in fundamentally different ways, with Houston emphasizing a more modern, high-octane offense and Kansas State focusing on a tough, disciplined, and balanced style of play.
Houston’s Aggressive, Air-Raid Approach
The Houston Cougars, under head coach Dana Holgorsen, have embraced a fast-paced, pass-heavy offense reminiscent of the Air Raid systems popularized by coaches like Mike Leach.
Holgorsen, a former offensive coordinator at West Virginia, brought with him an aggressive philosophy that prioritizes high-scoring games and puts pressure on opposing defenses through a variety of passing schemes.
Houston’s success in this strategy relies heavily on recruiting quarterbacks with strong arms and wide receivers capable of making plays in space.
Houston’s approach has led to explosive offenses, such as in the 2021 season when the team ranked among the top 20 nationally in total offense.
However, this style requires depth at key positions and an ability to consistently execute at a high level.
Houston has also bolstered its roster through transfers, particularly in skill positions, which has allowed them to quickly adjust to changes in personnel and remain competitive in the ever-evolving landscape of college football.
Defensively, Houston has typically been solid, but they rely more on opportunistic play—creating turnovers and capitalizing on mistakes—rather than dominating on the line of scrimmage.
This highlights the Cougars’ preference for a fast-paced, risk-reward mentality, which can pay dividends in high-scoring shootouts but also leave them vulnerable to balanced offenses.
Kansas State’s Physical, Balanced Approach
In contrast, Kansas State’s philosophy under head coach Chris Klieman is built on toughness, discipline, and a balanced offensive attack.
The Wildcats have been known for their physical running game, particularly under the guidance of former head coach Bill Snyder, and this identity has been maintained under Klieman.
Kansas State often focuses on winning the battle in the trenches, utilizing a strong offensive line and running back by committee, often led by a versatile, powerful back capable of wearing down opposing defenses.
Klieman has also been successful in developing quarterbacks who can manage the game efficiently, whether it’s through a traditional drop-back pass or the incorporation of the running game with mobile quarterbacks.
This combination of power running and efficient passing has made Kansas State difficult to game-plan against, as they can control the clock, dominate time of possession, and keep opposing offenses off the field.
Defensively, Kansas State prides itself on its disciplined, sound play, with a strong emphasis on limiting big plays and controlling the line of scrimmage.
The Wildcats are often known for their ability to disrupt the opponent’s game plan through disciplined gap control and aggressive defensive schemes, which have allowed them to compete with more talented teams in the Big 12.
The Clash of Philosophies
When Houston and Kansas State face off in the Big 12, their contrasting strategies create a fascinating dynamic. Houston’s high-speed offense tests Kansas State’s ability to contain explosive plays, while the Wildcats’ physical style challenges Houston’s defense to withstand a punishing, ball-control approach.
Both teams aim to win in different ways, but each has found success by capitalizing on their respective strengths, making them perennial contenders in the Big 12.
As both programs continue to evolve in the competitive Big 12, the clash of styles between Houston’s fast-paced attack and Kansas State’s methodical, physical approach will undoubtedly be a key storyline in the years to come.
