Kickoff: 2:30 PM CT
Location: Boone Pickens Stadium
Television: FOX
Radio: Cowboy Radio Network
Twitter: Follow @HeartlandPokes for live-tweets during the game
The no. 9 Oklahoma State Cowboys are still very much in the race for an appearance in the Big 12 Championship—and perhaps the College Football Playoff—and their trek continues Saturday as they take on the no. 22 Kansas State Wildcats in Manhattan, Kansas.
How the Cowboys Can Win
Oklahoma State was far from perfect against Texas last weekend, but they showed their ability to fight via a comeback win. I believe that was an important turning point for this team, and it should be a focal point today to come out ready to go from the first play of the game. The Wildcats are not a team you want to get behind against early, especially when playing in the Little Apple. The Cowboys need to get ahead early in this one.
How the Wildcats Can Win
Kansas State has one of the best backs in the country in Deuce Vaughn. Size clearly doesn’t matter to him as his small stature does not keep him from getting big gains. He’s a threat in the special teams as well, so if the Cowboys struggle to contain him, then it could be a long trip back to Stillwater.
Staff Predictions
Staff Score Predictions
| Craig | 38-28 Oklahoma State |
| Matt | 32-29 Oklahoma State |
| Zack | 38-27 Oklahoma State |
An Oklahoma State Win Would…
- Make the Cowboys 7-1 or better for the second straight season and for the eighth time in the Mike Gundy era.
- Make the Cowboys 7-2 in the past nine road games.
- Give the Cowboys wins in nine of the past 10 regular season conference games.
- Give the Cowboys four-straight wins over Kansas State, as well as wins in 10 of the past 14 games vs. K-State.
- Give the Cowboys wins in three of the past four games played against KSU in Manhattan.
- Improve Mike Gundy’s record against Kansas State to 10-5.
- Make the Cowboys 21-3 in its past 24 games overall, dating back to the 2020 season. The 21 wins would match the school record for wins over a 24-game stretch. It was previously accomplished from 2010-12.
- Make the Cowboys 9-2 in the past 11 and 18-7 in the past 25 games vs. AP Top 25 teams.
- Mark Mike Gundy’s 39th career win vs. AP Top 25 opponents. Nick Saban and Dabo Swinney are the only other active coaches with more wins over AP Top 25 teams at their current schools.
- Make the Cowboys 11-4 in its past 15 games when both teams are ranked in the AP Top 25.
Notable Streaks and Trends Entering the Game
- Spencer Sanders has thrown for 19 touchdowns against just four interceptions in his past 330 pass attempts for an interception rate of 1.2%.
- OSU has won a school-record 13 consecutive home games.
- OSU has won three of its past four road games.
- OSU has held 26 of its past 28 Big 12 opponents under their season scoring average.
- OSU has won 81 consecutive games when holding its opponent to fewer than 20 points, dating back to Sept. 13, 2003 – the longest active stretch of time in the FBS and longest since at least 1980.
- OSU has held its opponent scoreless on its game-opening drive in 28 of its past 38 games.
- OSU has held its opponent to less than a 50% third down conversion rate in 31 of its past 32 games.
- OSU is 33-13 in its past 46 games decided by fewer than 10 points.
- OSU is 43-7 in its past 50 games when leading at halftime, dating back to Sept. 17, 2016.
- Dating back to 2005, OSU is 45-4 when not committing a turnover.
- Dating back to 2008, OSU is 73-8 when winning the turnover battle.
- OSU has won three of its past five overtime games.
- OSU has forced 38 turnovers in its past 25 games.
- Over the past 32 games, OSU has held opponents to 132-for-484 (27.3%) on third down.