Oklahoma State football ready for return of now-Kansas coach Les Miles

Coming off a bye week, Oklahoma State football will host former head coach Les Miles and the improved Kansas Jayhawks for a Week 12 conference matchup.

Fifteen years ago, former OSU head coach Les Miles wrapped up his time in Stillwater with a 49-21 home victory against Baylor. After a season-ending 33-7 loss to Ohio State in the Alamo Bowl a month later, Miles would leave to become the head coach at LSU.

For OSU fans, Les Miles was a welcome breath of fresh air upon his arrival in 2001. Miles had been OSU’s offensive coordinator from 1995 to 1997, but served as the Dallas Cowboys’ tight ends coach before returning to Stillwater.

Under Miles, OSU succeeded in shaking off the demons of the mediocrity from the Bob Simmons era. There were highlights, such as the field-storming 24-21 win against Nebraska in 2002 (the program’s first win in 41 years against the Cornhuskers) after the odds-defying 16-13 Bedlam upset against OU in 2001 that spoiled the Sooners’ bid for a return to the BCS Championship Game.

Since Miles’ departure, then-offensive coordinator Mike Gundy took the reins. At his alma mater, Gundy has compiled a 127-62 overall record through the past 15 seasons. Partly through a successful foundation set up by Miles, OSU is likely to make a bowl appearance for the 14th season in a row.

For Saturday morning’s matchup, Miles brings in an improved Jayhawks team. In his first season already, the “Mad Hatter” almost directed an upset of Texas and led the team to a win against Texas Tech. Kansas also won its first Power Five road game in 11 years with its 48-24 defeat of Boston College in Week 3. With just one more victory this year, the Jayhawks will have their most wins in a season (four) since 2009.

Here’s how you can watch:

Date: Saturday, Nov. 16
Time: 12 p.m. ET
Location: Stillwater, Okla.
Venue: Boone Pickens Stadium
TV: FS1
Live Stream: FOX Sports Go

Keys to Victory

For Kansas, slowing down the Oklahoma State rushing attack will be paramount. Oklahoma State’s Chuba Hubbard continues to lead the nation in rushing with 1,604 yards and 18 touchdowns. Even in the first game without injured All-America wideout Tylan Wallace two weeks ago, Hubbard continued his strong performances with 223 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries. The Alberta native’s ability to break open the big plays was key for OSU in its 34-27 victory against TCU.

For the Cowboys, forcing turnovers will be a strong catalyst. The unit has forced three interceptions each against Iowa State’s Brock Purdy and TCU’s Max Duggan in part by pressuring the quarterback.

In both of these wins, the Cowboys combined for seven sacks and numerous other hurries. If OSU’s defensive line is getting to Kansas’ Carter Stanley in the pocket early, look out. In the three games before the Jayhawks’ 38-10 loss to Kansas State, the senior quarterback threw for a combined 955 yards, 10 touchdowns, and only one interception.

Betting Odds

Odds courtesy of The Action Network

Spread: Oklahoma State -18.0
Over/Under: 65.5

Prediction

Bringing the experience of winning a national championship (with LSU), among other things, is a solid plus for Kansas in its hiring of Les Miles. It’s not an instant fix, though, in what is a competitive Big 12 conference. The Jayhawks have given up 34 points or more in each of their past five games, four of which were losses.

Look for OSU and quarterback Spencer Sanders to look to establish the tone early on the ground and out in space. If Sanders can continue taking care of the ball, as he has recently, the Cowboys should have little trouble with its neighbor to the north. Expect the Pokes to win their 10th straight of the series on Saturday.

Final Score: Oklahoma State 45, Kansas 24