Oklahoma vs. Kansas State: Preview and Prediction
It’s time to take a look at the upcoming Big 12 match up in our Oklahoma vs. Kansas State preview and prediction.
Broadcast Info
When: Saturday October 27th @ 2:30 P.M. CT
Where: Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma
TV: FOX
Radio: KSU/OU IMG Radio Network
Key Players
Kansas State
QB Skylar Thompson- Skylar has had a very up and down season so far and it certainly has shown for anyone who has watched this football team this year. He is only averaging about 125 yards passing per game and is completing 55.3% of his passes. Currently, he is second on the team with 423 rushing yards through 7 games and has found the endzone 3 times on the ground. Skylar isn’t a flashy player by any means, but he can manage the offense. If Kansas State is going to have a shot in this game, Skylar will have to play the game of his life.
WR Isaiah Zuber- There is no question that Isaiah Zuber is the best wide out on the football team. Isaiah is averaging 68.2 receiving yards per game and has caught 3 touchdown passes so far this season. While the quarterback spot has been a bit shaky for this team, Isaiah Zuber is a guy who needs the football in his hands more often.
DE Reggie Walker- After a slow start, Reggie has been on fire his last 3 games. He has 4.5 sacks in his last 3 games and is an absolute stud on the edge. Without a doubt, Reggie will have plenty of opportunities to chase Kyler Murray around in this game.
Oklahoma
QB Kyler Murray- In case you were living under a rock, Kyler Murray is right up there in the Heisman race. So far this year, he is averaging 282 yards passing per game as well as 61 rushing yards per game as well. Not to mention he has a completion percentage of 72.3% and has thrown 25 touchdown passes to just 3 interceptions. He’s just on a completely different level right now.
RB Kennedy Brooks- With Rodney Anderson out for the season and Trey Sermon’s status still being unknown, Kennedy Brooks appears to be the lead man in the backfield. In limited action, Kennedy has averaged 72 yards per game (5 games played) and has scored 4 touchdowns. Before the season started I always felt like Kennedy Brooks was the second best running back on the team just behind Rodney Anderson.
LB Kenneth Murray- I think it goes without question that Kenneth Murray is one of the main leaders of this defense. Kenneth is an outstanding linebacker and plays with a chip on his shoulder. Not only does he lead his team in tackles, but he also leads the team in tackles for loss and sacks.
Key Storyline
Can Kansas State Keep up?
Chances are if you are reading this, you have likely seen Kanas State play at some point and time this season. But as someone who was watched nearly every second of every Big 12 game this year, I know that the Wildcats struggle on offense most of the time. Kansas State is dead last in the Big 12 in points per game (23.3) and second to last in total offense (In the Big 12). This has been in large part to the lack of good quarterback play. Oklahoma on the other hand has a Heisman caliber quarterback in Kyler Murray and leads the conference in points per game (48.6). The Sooners are also second in total offense in the Big 12. The question is do the Wildcats have what it takes to not only get stops defensively but put enough points on the scoreboard to keep up with the high-flying offense from Oklahoma.
Prediction
Oklahoma: 45 Kansas State: 24
For the record, I don’t think either one of these defenses are solid. Both struggle in some way or fashion. So, for me, this game is all about the quarterbacks. I trust Kyler Murray a lot more than I do Skylar Thompson. Another thing that sticks out in my mind is the way the Oklahoma offensive line is playing right now. The Sooners lead the Big 12 in rushing offense averaging 223 yards on the ground. Meanwhile Kansas State ranks ninth in the conference when it comes to stopping the run. The fact that this game is in Norman is just the cherry on top for this prediction. I like the Sooners by at least 20 in this game.
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