Oklahoma State vs. Kansas Preview and Prediction
Here is everything you need to know about the Big 12 showdown between the Oklahoma State Cowboys and Kansas Jayhawks in our preview.
Broadcast Info
Date: Saturday November, 25th | 11:00 A.M. CT | Boone Pickens Stadium
TV: FS1 | Sean Kelley (Play-by-Play), Brian Baldinger (Analyst)
Radio: Jayhawk Radio Network | Brian Hanni (Play-by-play), David Lawrence (Analyst), Josh Klingler (Sideline)
Radio: Cowboy Radio Network | Dave Hunziker (Play-by-Play), Dave Holcomb (Analyst), and Robert Allen (Sideline)
Satellite Radio: Sirius 132/XM 199
Key Players
Kansas Jayhawks
Steve Sims Jr., wide receiver
Sims is the team’s leading receiver with 50 receptions for 770 yards and five touchdowns. Oklahoma State is vulnerable on he secondary and if the Jayhawks want to have any chance at even just covering the spread, a big day from Sims would be a good start.
Joe Dineen Jr., linebacker
Dineen became the center of attention last week against Oklahoma when he notably refused to shake Baker Mayfield’s hand during the coin toss, which set off the entire circus leading up to the “nut grab seen around the world.” That aside, Dineen is having a helluva season. He leads the Big 12 and ranks in the top three in the FBS in tackles per game (11.5), solo tackles (7.6) and TFLs (1.9).
Oklahoma State Cowboys
James Washington, wide receiver
It’s the final game of his career in Boone Pickens Stadium. While this season has not lived up to expectations, Washington deserves all the praise for his play on the field and the fact that he’s been a model citizen off of it. Washington had eight catches for 159 yards and two touchdowns against Kansas State last week. He’s second on OSU’s career receiving yards list with 4,240 and needs 175 to pass Rashaun Woods.
DeQuinton Osborne, defensive tackle
Osborne doesn’t get much of the glory, but he’s having a very solid final season in Stillwater. His 4.5 sacks leads the team and he has 8 tackles for loss on the season, which is third on the team. Going up against a pass-happy Kansas offense, with a sketchy offensive line, could result in a fun afternoon for Osborne.
Key Storylines
Does Oklahoma State care?
That’s basically what this game comes down to. The problem for the Pokes is that it does not look like they’ve cared since losing Bedlam, which essentially knocked them out of the College Football Playoff. They were slow out of the gates against Iowa State before coming back to win, and then lost to Kansas State last week. I don’t know where this team’s head is at. They go from College Football Playoff expectations to a possible Camping World Bowl trip. But the good news is, the starters could play with one hand behind their backs and they still might win this game.
Kansas pass defense
If there is any, and I mean even the slightest of chances Kansas pulls off a miracle, their pass defense needs to have the game of its life. The Jayhawks rank last in the Big 12 in pass defense efficiency. That means the likes of Hasan Defense, Kyle Mayberry, Mike Lee and Tyrone Miller need to show up for the game of their lives. They are now an experienced unit (three sophomores, one junior) that will need to show up in a monster way.
Prediction
Oklahoma State 45, Kansas State 10
Oklahoma State will care enough to take care of business in this one. It’s senior day for a bunch of key players on this team. And while the season did not go as planned, these are prideful guys (Rudolph, Washington etc.). Kansas QB Carter Stanley never got it going last week against OU, completing 19 of 33 passes for 123 yards and one interception. Considering the OU secondary has been very inconsistent, that doesn’t bode well for a big performance out of Stanley in Stillwater on Saturday.
