Kickoff: 3 PM CT
Location: David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium (Lawrence, Kansas)
Television: ESPN+
Radio: Cowboy Radio Network
Twitter: Follow @HeartlandPokes for live tweets during the game
The most difficult season in years for the Oklahoma State Cowboys continues on Saturday as they travel to Lawrence, Kansas, looking for their second win of the season as they take on the Kansas Jayhawks. Kansas is just 4-4 so far, and while they have had their share of ups and downs, they are very much a formidable foe.
The Jayhawks’ schedule has been a tale of two strengths. Kansas has handled the teams they were supposed to beat and struggled against the better teams. Over the last two weeks, they have lost 42-17 to both Texas Tech and Kansas State. The Jayhawks are led by Jalon Daniels, a dual-threat quarterback who has passed 18 touchdowns and 1,881 yards, while rushing for 243 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Oklahoma State has competed early in games before falling apart into a full-on meltdown. Kansas has offensive firepower, but its defense falls more in the middle of the pack in the Big 12. The rush defense is particularly poor for the Jayhawks, so if running back Rodney Fields Jr. can get the ground game going, who knows, the Cowboys might be able to take some time off the clock, find the end zone, and make this into a game.
How the Cowboys Win
If Oklahoma State is going to have any chance in today’s game in Lawrence, they have to get to stops. The defense has made minor improvements throughout the season, moving gradually in a better direction, but they need their best performance. They’ve given up far too many chunk plays in key moments, and the offense simply cannot keep up in a shootout. If the defense can come together to get some stops, force some turnovers, maybe even score a defensive touchdown, then who knows? Maybe Doug Meacham can get his first win as a head coach.
How the Jayhawks Win
Kansas falls into the category of “massive favorite,” like many of Oklahoma State’s previous opponents, so they realistically should win this game easily. To make it easier, though, Jalon Daniels needs to have an efficient game, meaning he needs time in the backfield to operate. If Daniels has enough time to avoid sacks and make the right decisions, then the offense likely won’t struggle too much to score, and Oklahoma State’s offense can’t keep up in a high-scoring game.
Odds & Predictions
Staff Score Predictions
| Staff | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Caleb | Kansas 35 – Oklahoma State 10 |
| Craig | Kansas 38 – Oklahoma State 13 |
| Matt | Kansas 41 – Oklahoma State 17 |
| Zack | Kansas 38 – Oklahoma State 14 |
An Oklahoma State Win Would…
- Mark Doug Meacham’s first career win as a head coach.
- Improve OSU’s all-time record against Kansas to 43-30-2.
- Improve OSU’s record against KU in Lawrence to 24-16-1.
- Give OSU wins in 14 of the past 15 and 19 of its past 21 games against Kansas.
- Give OSU wins in 10 of the past 11 games in Lawrence.
- Make OSU 36-28 in the past 64 games overall, dating to 2020.
- Make OSU 99-33 in the past 132 games vs. opponents outside of the AP Top 25, dating to 2010.
Notable Streaks and Trends Entering the Game
- Oklahoma State has not turned the ball over in three of its eight games this season.
- Oklahoma State has converted 5 of its past 7 two-point conversion attempts dating to last season.
- OSU is 14-7 in the past 21 games when winning or tying the turnover battle.
- Dating back to 2008, OSU is 83-13 when winning the turnover battle.
- Dating back to 2005, OSU is 50-6 when not committing a turnover.
- OSU has held 36 of its past 57 Big 12 opponents under their season scoring average entering the game.
- OSU has won 87 of its past 88 games when holding its opponent to fewer than 20 points, dating back to Sept. 13, 2003. Including games when opponents have scored 20 points or fewer, OSU has won 95 of its past 96.
- OSU has held its opponent to less than a 50% third-down conversion rate in 57 of its past 71 games.
- OSU is 40-20 in the past 60 games decided by fewer than 10 points.
- OSU is 52-9 in the past 61 games when leading at halftime, dating back to Sept. 17, 2016.
- OSU has won five of its past seven overtime games.