Kickoff: 11 AM CT
Location: Boone Pickens Stadium (Stillwater, Oklahoma)
Television: ESPN
Radio: Cowboy Radio Network
The Oklahoma State Cowboys (1-8, 0-6) continue their search for a Big 12 win on Saturday as they host the Kansas State Wildcats (4-5, 3-3). The Cowboys have lost 8 straight games this season and 16 Big 12 games dating back to the 2023 Big 12 Championship loss to Texas. It’s been a long fall from grace, but even still, there has to be a sense of hope for improvement as time goes on.
The Kansas State Wildcats entered the season considered Big 12 contenders, but they have struggled with consistency. Since losing a close one to Iowa State in the season opener, the Wildcats have gone .500 to get to 4-5, with their most recent loss a couple of weeks ago to Texas Tech.
Kansas State is no longer a contender for the conference championship, but they’re not at the bottom of the conference either. Cowboy fans would love to see a win at Boone Pickens Stadium, but at this rate, they might have to wait until next season. Still, the game must be played, and while the Cowboys are heavy underdogs, crazier things have happened.
How the Cowboys Win
Oklahoma State’s offense isn’t good enough to get into a shootout, so if they want to have a chance at this one, they’re going to have to stop Avery Johnson. Kansas State’s offense isn’t nearly as inadequate as Oklahoma State’s, and that’s because Avery Johnson has thrown for almost 2,000 yards and 16 touchdowns while rushing for 343 yards and another 7 touchdowns. If the Cowboys can get pressure on Johnson and force him into some mistakes, perhaps the offense can find a way to score and make this a game.
How the Wildcats Win
Kansas State’s record may not show it, but they’re a solid football team. They haven’t played like it every week, but they can do some damage on both ends of the field. As long as they don’t allow an excessive number of mishaps—turnovers, giving up chunk plays, etc.—they should do fine to hand Oklahoma State yet another loss.
Odds & Predictions
Staff Score Predictions
| Staff | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Caleb | Kansas State 28 – Oklahoma State 17 |
| Craig | Kansas State 33 – Oklahoma State 10 |
| Matt | Kansas State 35 – Oklahoma State 17 |
| Zack | Kansas State 38 – Oklahoma State 20 |
An Oklahoma State Win Would …
- Mark Doug Meacham’s first career win as a head coach.
- Improve OSU’s all-time record against Kansas State to 44-28.
- Improve OSU’s record against Kansas State in Stillwater to 25-9.
- Give the Cowboys a win in 11 of their past 17 and five of their past seven games against Kansas State.
- Give the Cowboys a win in nine of their past 10 games against Kansas State in Stillwater.
- Make the Cowboys 36-29 in their past 65 games overall, dating to 2020.
- Make the Cowboys 99-34 in their past 133 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 four of its nine games this season.
- Oklahoma State has converted 5 of its past 7 two-point conversion attempts dating to last season.
- OSU is 14-8 in the past 22 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 50-7 when not committing a turnover.
- OSU has held 36 of its past 58 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 its past 60 games decided by fewer than 10 points.
- OSU is 52-9 in its past 61 games when leading at halftime, dating back to Sept. 17, 2016.
- OSU has won five of its past seven overtime games.