Coming off a loss to Texas Tech, Oklahoma State football will hit the road to meet Big 12 rival Kansas looking for a bounce-back win.
The Cowboys jumped out to a quick lead on the Red Raiders at home, but it was Texas Tech that continued to find the end zone, posting a convincing 41-17 victory. The 17 points were the fewest scored by Mike Gundy‘s team since winning in a bowl game last year vs. Virginia Tech, 30-21.
Oklahoma State’s five-game win streak was also snapped in the process, a run that included a 58-17 victory over the Jayhawks last year to conclude the regular season.
Taylor Cornelius has filled in perfectly at quarterback for the departed Mason Rudolph, completing 83 of 139 for 1,229 yards and eight scores, as Justice Hill remains one of the top playmakers in college football. Hill has 388 yards and five touchdowns, with Tylan Wallace leading the receivers with 26 receptions for 442 yards and a pair of scores.
Defense, though, has been the problem for the Cowboys, as they are allowing 265.8 yards passing per game. Thankfully for them, there is no time like the present to correct that, as Kansas averages just 158 yards through the air.
After falling to Nicholls in the season opener in overtime, the Jayhawks reeled off wins over Central Michigan and Rutgers by a combined score of 86-21. In hopes of making it 3-for-3, though, they were denied by Baylor last week, 26-7.
Pooka Williams Jr. has become something of a cult legend in Lawrence, running for 377 yards and three touchdowns. Peyton Bender, a transfer from Washington State, has thrown for 490 yards and four scores.
Here’s how you can watch Saturday’s conference contest between Oklahoma State and Kansas:
Date: Saturday, Sept. 29
Time: Noon ET
Location: Lawrence, Kan.
Venue: Memorial Stadium
TV: FOX Sports Midwest
Live Stream: FOX Sports GO | Fubo TV
Keys to Victory
If the Jayhawks are going to pull the upset and end their 10-game Big 12 losing streak, they’ll need Williams to be at his best. Averaging 8.1 yards per carry, Williams has plenty of big play potential, which is something Kansas has lacked in recent seasons.
Williams and Bender will need to be at the top of their games, with Kerr Johnson Jr. and Steven Sims Jr. as well in the passing attack.
The Cowboys should be able to find plenty of openings in the Kansas defense with Cornelius looking for Wallace and Tyron Johnson on a constant basis after senior Jalen McCleskey announced plans to transfer.
Betting Odds
Odds courtesy of OddsShark
Point Spread: Oklahoma State -18
Over/Under: 62
Prediction
It’s a fun story with Kansas getting into the win column and finding some players on the offensive side of the ball, but Oklahoma State will be pumped and ready to go after last Saturday’s loss. Add in the depth and skill the Cowboys feature, and it will be a long day in Lawrence for the Jayhawk faithful.
Final Score: Oklahoma State 45, Kansas 17