2
-the rank of the Oklahoma State offense when it comes to scoring points
The Cowboys are averaging 49.9 points per game on the season, and have shown an ability to score in any way possible on offense. Quarterback Brandon Weeden has thrown 22 touchdowns on the season and running back Joseph Randle has rushed for 16 touchdowns himself. The Wildcats will be challenged as the Cowboys are more versatile on offense. K-State will not be able to completely shut down the Cowboy offense; they are just too good to do that. Instead, the Wildcats must eliminate the big play and force the Cowboys to move the ball down the field and earn their points.
6
– the amount of interceptions for Nigel Malone, which ranks second in the country
Malone has been a pleasant surprise and a great complementary cornerback to David Garrett. Malone picked off Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones twice in the first half. On Saturday, Malone will be locked up against All-American candidate Justin Blackmon, who is a big receiver and great at using his body to catch the ball. Malone will be thrown at a lot, giving him an opportunity to add to his interception numbers.
16
-the amount of rushing touchdowns for quarterback Collin Klein on the season
Klein currently is tied for third in the country with his 16 rushing touchdowns. Klein added two more in the loss to the Oklahoma Sooners. Klein has shown all year that it does not matter how many hits he takes in a game, he is going to get back up and continue to do what he does the best. Klein is especially efficient in the red zone, where he is able to use his size to run through tacklers and get the extra yard for a touchdown.
The Cowboys are not very good on defense, as they rank 111th in the country in total yards given up. They have shown the ability to make big plays and force turnovers. If the Wildcats are able to hang on to the ball and play their style of grind-it-out offense, then there is an opportunity for the Wildcats to have success.
123
-the total yards for running back Joseph Randle last year against the Wildcats
As Blackmon was out last year, Randle stepped up huge in the Cowboys’ narrow victory over the Wildcats. Randle is kind of the forgotten man in the offense, but he is able to make plays, and this offense is impossible to stop. As tough as Blackmon and Weeden are to stop, the key to slowing down the offense is not to let Randle get going. He can make plays both out of the backfield as well as in the passing game. The K-State defense must wrap up and tackle him when they get the opportunity.
172
– the amount of yards that Justin Blackmon had receiving against the Baylor Bears
There was a question as to whether or not Blackmon would play against the Bears as he was injured the week before, but he quickly showed that there was no lingering effect as he went on to have 13 catches for a season high 172 yards. Blackmon is one of the best receivers in America and is Weeden’s go-to guy if he needs a completion. Last year, Blackmon sat out the game, as he was suspended for the Cowboys 24-14 victory in Manhattan. This year, Blackmon will look to exploit a Wildcat defense that ranks 103rd in the country against the run. If the Wildcats are not able to get more pressure on Weeden than they did on Jones, it could be a long night in Stillwater for the Wildcats.
690
– the amount of total yards given up by the Wildcats to the Sooners last Saturday
The defense, who had played so well up to date, finally had their off day. The Wildcats were not able to get any type of pressure on Jones as he threw for 505 yards. The run defense was not much better as they gave up 185 yards on the ground. Part of the reason for the Wildcats’ struggle was because they were on the field for a long time in the second half, as the offense was unable to stay on the field for a long time. The defense must play much better against a Cowboy offense that is equally explosive for K-State to have a chance.