Two high-powered offenses will dictate this one as the Oklahoma Sooners (4-1) take on the Kansas State Wildcats (3-2). Kansas State has had its share of highlights this season, but has struggled in recent weeks, having lost two of its last three. The game will begin Saturday, Oct 17 at 3:30 p.m. ET.
In last week’s matchup, Kansas State lost to TCU 52-45. Charles Jones had a great game running the ball in the loss, rushing 13 times for 75 yards and two TDs. Deante Burton put up 65 receiving yards on five catches. Oklahoma also came up short, losing to Texas 24-17. Sterling Shepard had a quality performance for the Sooners, pulling in six receptions for 95 yards. Baker Mayfield had a great game as well, adding 211 yards and a TD through the air.
Oklahoma is a four-point favorite in this game against the Wildcats.
With a 3-2 record both Straight Up (SU) and Against The Spread (ATS), the Wildcats will look to improve as they head into Week 7. Expect the Sooners to have a tough time running against the 16th-ranked Wildcats run defense, which gives up 105.2 yards per game on the ground. A strong pass rush will help the Wildcats win this game. That may not be too difficult with the Sooners ranking 116th in sacks allowed with 3.2 per game. In the second quarter, Kansas State is a tough test, putting up 13.8 points. With the 11th-highest time of possession per game at 34:02, expect Kansas State to control the clock this week.
As for their opponent, the Sooners head into Week 7 with records of 3-2 ATS and 4-1 SU. Chances are Oklahoma will continue to rely on its passing attack, where its 328.8 passing yards per game ranks 14th in the nation. Shifting to the other side of the ball, it might be tough for the Wildcats to keep up with Oklahoma’s defense in a few areas. Oklahoma is a terrorizing group for opposing offenses. The Sooners give up just 173.6 yards per game through the air, 20th in the nation. The Kansas State offensive line better prepare this week, because the Sooners get to opposing quarterbacks with ease. The Sooners defense is currently 23rd in the country with an average of 2.8 sacks per game. Kansas State needs to keep its intensity through the fourth quarter against the Sooners, who average 11 points in the final 15 minutes of regulation. For the Wildcats, special teams is an area in need of improvement. Their 114 return yards allowed per game rank amongst the worst in the country.
Predictions: SU Winner – Oklahoma, ATS Winner – Oklahoma
Notes
Kansas State is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Kansas State’s last 6 games.
Kansas State is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games at home.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Kansas State’s last 6 games at home.
Kansas State is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing Oklahoma.
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Kansas State’s last 7 games when playing Oklahoma.
Kansas State is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Oklahoma.
Kansas State is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Oklahoma.
Oklahoma is 3-0 SU when leading at the half this season. Kansas State is 2-2 SU when taking a lead into halftime.
The Oklahoma defense has averaged 3.0 sacks per game this season. Kansas State is 2-1 SU when allowing at least 3.0 sacks in a game, however.
Since the start of last year, Kansas State is 7-4 SU against Big 12 opponents, while Oklahoma is 6-5 SU against in-conference foes.
According to overall FBS team rankings, Kansas State is rated higher in the ground game on both sides of the ball. Its 60th-ranked rushing attack will face the 96th-ranked run defense of Oklahoma, while its 16th-ranked rush defense will look to contain the 99th-ranked running game of the Sooners.
