Oklahoma State (4-0) got out of Texas with a thrilling win helped by a key Longhorn special teams miscue, but all that matters is being unbeaten and with a dangerous road game under its belt. Kansas State (3-0) has yet to look like the Kansas State of old, but it’s unbeaten – and well rested. Check out the Oklahoma State vs. Kansas State prediction and game preview.

Oklahoma State vs. Kansas State Game Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, Oct. 3
Game Time: 4:00 pm
Venue: Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, OK
Network: FOX Sports 1

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Why You Need To Care

Kansas State hasn’t been explosive like last year offensively, and it hasn’t been able to pound away with a dangerous ground game, but the defense has been a rock over the first three games. No one’s talking about the Wildcats in the Big 12 title hunt, but a win over the Cowboys this week would set the tone for two straight home games against TCU and Oklahoma that could quickly turn the spotlight to Manhattan.

KSU beat UTSA 30-3 a few weeks ago, but Oklahoma State beat the Roadrunners 69-14 with the pop and passing everyone was waiting to emerge last year. This is still a work in progress type of team that needs to be more consistent, has to find a running game, and showed against Texas that there are still a few issues cranking up the O, but there’s still time before dealing with the high-octane attacks. Beating Kansas State wouldn’t move the needle too much, but 5-0 overall and 2-0 in Big 12 play would be a great start going into West Virginia.

Why Kansas State Will Win

It’s Kansas State, so the return game is always going to be impressive. It doesn’t matter that Tyler Lockett is gone, the Wildcats are still coming up with great field position helped by averaging close to ten yards per punt return and 35 yards per kickoff return. Opponents on kickoff returns? They’re averaging just 15.4 yards per pop. Oklahoma State is doing absolutely nothing on punt returns averaging just 1.8 yards per try.

Why Oklahoma State Will Win

For a variety of reasons – timely defense, mistakes, luck – the Cowboys aren’t putting themselves in bad positions. While OSU has only come away from a red zone trip once without points, opponents have only travelled inside the 20 nine times and came away with points on seven of the trips. Part of the reason has been the third down defense that’s only allowing teams to convert 31% of the time.

Player Who Matters

Emmanuel Ogbah was expected to be an All-America caliber pass rusher for Oklahoma State, and he has more than delivered early on with 5.5 sacks and enough pressures and problems to be just what the D has needed out of him. Why are teams struggling so much to throw against the Cowboys? Ogbah is having a lot to do with it.

What’s Going To Happen?

It’s going to be a fight throughout to score points. Here’s the problem for Kansas State – Oklahoma State doesn’t screw up enough. There won’t be the easy points off mistakes for the Wildcats to take advantage of.

Oklahoma State vs. Kansas State Prediction

Final Score: Oklahoma State 26, Kansas State 20, Line: Oklahoma State -7.5, o/u: 50

Must See Rating: 5: Steve Jobs – 1: Dr. Ken … 4

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