The Oklahoma State Cowboys ride into Manhattan to tangle with the Kansas State Wildcats on Saturday, November 5th at 3:30 p.m. ET. The Big-12 contest will be broadcast on ABC or the ESPN2 Networks. The Wildcats are now a -3 point favorites and the game’s total is 58.5.
In last years battle between the two schools, Oklahoma State kicked a field goal with :32 seconds remaining to cap off a 36-34 comeback win over Kansas State. The Cowboys signal-caller Mason Rudolph tossed the ball around for well over 400 yards and four touchdowns. Unfortunately, the Cowboy’s running game was stifled by the Wildcat’s defense, gaining only 49 yards on 27 carries.
#22 Oklahoma State (6-2):
The Cowboy’s 40-point-per-game offense, is guided by their senior quarterback Mason Rudolph. Rudolph is having his way with opposing team’s secondaries, finding wide receivers James Washington and Jalen McCleskey at will. In 2016, Rudolph has completed 185 passes for well over 2,500 yards with 17 touchdowns and only two picks.
Oklahoma State prefers to throw the ball to set-up the run game. After they have softened the defense, they look to running back Justice Hill to provide the running game with some pop.
The shifty back has carried the ball 127 times for 622 yards and four touchdowns. Teammate Rennie Childs, is used quite often in the red zone. He has added another seven scores for the Cowboys offense.
Wide receivers James Washington and Jalen McCleskey are proving to be the most potent duo in college football. The two have combined for almost 90 catches for 1,459 yards and 11 scores. If the Oklahoma State offensive line can provide protection for Mason Rudolph, these two should have another solid day against the Wildcats.
The Cowboys defense wasn’t anything to brag about earlier on in the season, but they are coming off their best game of the year last week against West Virginia. Oklahoma State made plays at the line of scrimmage, led by defensive tackle Vincent Taylor. This year, the Cowboys rank 56th in the nation, allowing 26 points a contest.
Kansas State ( 5-3):
The Wildcat offense is surely not the most explosive unit on the field at any giving time. In fact, they rank last in Big 12 in passing and sits in the second half of the league in most other offensive categories.
Quarterback Jesse Ertz isn’t expected to light up the scoreboard for the Wildcats, but to manage the game without turning the ball over. Overall, Ertz has completed just under 100 passes for 1,078 yards with seven touchdowns and three picks. Ertz will also run the ball when called upon. This year he has carried the ball 81 times for 477 yards and six trips to the back of the end zone.
When Jesse Ertz isn’t tucking the ball and running, tail back Charles Jones is toting the rock for Kansas State. The stocky runner has a team-high 88 carries for 439 yards and two touchdowns.
Five Kansas State wide outs share the receptions from Jesse Ertz. Unlike the Cowboys, there is nothing flashy about this group. Altogether, they have reeled in 100 receptions for over 950 yards and eight scores.
The defensive out-fit in Manhattan has an outstanding front seven that is stout against the run. Led by linemen Will Geary and linebacker Elijah Lee the Wildcats are yielding a Big 12-low 3.3 yards per carry. The secondary is another story, ranking 101st nationally in yards per pass attempt and giving way to 260 yards a game.
Trends and Notes:
The Cowboys are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win.
The Wildcats are 43-20-1 ATS in their last 64 conference games.
The Over is 11-4 in the Cowboys last 15 games overall.
The Over is 19-8 in Wildcats last 27 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Over is 5-0 in the last 5 meetings.
Game Prediction:
The Oklahoma State Cowboys look to keep on rolling after knocking West Virginia down a peg or two at home last week. This game has none of the same match-up benefits for the Cowboys offense. The Wildcats defense can flat out get after the quarterback and that’s bad news for an offensive line that has yielded 24 sacks on the season.
Kansas State has been unbeatable in Manhattan this year. Meanwhile, Oklahoma State has left Stillwater just twice in 2016. The home turf advantage will matter in this Big-12 match-up on Saturday. Fortunately, the sputtering Wildcat offense might find ways to move the ball against an unproductive Cowboy front seven.
The Kansas State Wildcats need a win to become bowl eligible, and that’s a lot of motivation for the home team in this one. The Cowboys front seven is their weak-link and all the Wildcat’s know how to do is run.
That fact alone, is why Kansas State will keep Mason Rudolph on the sidelines. The Wildcats win and become bowl eligible after Saturday. Take Kansas State to cover the -3 and win their way into a bowl game.
