Kansas State returns home desperately needing to get back on track as Oklahoma State comes to Manhattan for a Week 10 Big 12 matchup.
The Wildcats have dropped back-to-back games, including a heartbreaking 27-24 overtime loss at Colorado last weekend that dropped K-State to 4-4 overall and just 1-4 in Big 12 play.
But Kansas State may have found something at quarterback in the loss.
Blake Barnett came off the bench against Colorado and threw for 231 yards and three touchdowns, nearly leading the Wildcats to a comeback victory. Barnett will now get the start against Oklahoma State as K-State continues to deal with injuries at quarterback, although there remains an outside chance Avery Johnson could return.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma State is coming off one of the wildest games of the Big 12 season.
The Cowboys fell 51-49 at Iowa State on a field goal as time expired, dropping to 5-3 overall and 3-2 in conference play. Drew Mestemaker threw five touchdown passes in the loss, but Oklahoma State couldn’t make enough stops defensively to escape Ames with a win.
Now the Cowboys head to Manhattan trying to avoid back-to-back losses and keep themselves in the mix heading into the final month of the regular season.
For Kansas State, the goals are much simpler: stop the losing streak, get back above .500 and see if Barnett can build on what he showed in Boulder.
So, who gets it done on Saturday? Let’s get to our Oklahoma State vs. Kansas State prediction, pick and preview for Week 10.
Oklahoma State vs. Kansas State Odds
- Spread: Oklahoma State -5.5
- Over/Under: 62.5
- Moneyline: Oklahoma State -200/Kansas State +164
Odds as of Tuesday afternoon. Odds are subject to change.
The Biggest Question: Oklahoma State Passing Game vs. Kansas State?
Oklahoma State’s passing attack is the best in the Big 12 Conference, averaging 339 yards per game through the air, while Kansas State’s passing defense is ranked as the top pass defense in the league, at 151 yards per game, 25 yards per game better than anyone else in the Big 12. The Cowboys are the most efficient team offensively in the conference as well, while Kansas State’s overall defensive efficiency ranks in the middle of the pack. How can Kansas State slow down the explosive offense of the Cowboys that ranks No. 3 in the country in offensive yards per play, while K-State ranks No. 81 in the country in defensive yards allowed per play.
Oklahoma State vs. Kansas State Prediction and Pick
Prediction: Oklahoma State 31, Kansas State 17
So Kansas State is going ahead with a fourth-string quarterback against an Oklahoma State team coming off a loss that has no choice but to win out to have a chance to make a Big 12 Championship Game? Good luck! The Pokes can’t afford to be looking ahead to Texas Tech next week.
Manhattan is a tough place to play, no doubt, but we’ve seen the Cats lose to Houston at home and trail early against Kansas. Now, they have an angry OSU team coming in, with a defense that was embarrassed last week by Iowa State in Ames. Does Kansas State have the fire power to keep up with the Cowboys? Also, while the Pokes are a pass-first team, OSU running back Caleb Hawkins has to be licking his chops at the idea of getting to go up against a Kansas State rushing defense that is the worst in the Big 12 and just gave up over 200 rushing yards to … Colorado, who hasn’t been able to run the ball consistently all season long.
Get Hawkins going on the ground early, and the No. 3 rusher in the league could help the Cowboys pull away early. And by then, the Wildcats just won’t have the offensive explosion to try and keep up this week.
Oklahoma State wins. Oklahoma State covers.
