The K-State football team will head to Stillwater, Oklahoma, this weekend to take on Oklahoma State in their first Big 12 conference game of the season.
The Wildcats are 3-0 on the year and coming off a bye week after beating SEC opponent Mississippi State on the road.
OSU’s head coach Mike Gundy is in his 14th year at the helm. Gundy has an interesting coaching pedigree. At heart, he is a power running disciple of Pat Jones, but he has been quick to adapt.
Houston head coach Dana Holgorsen, former OSU offensive coordinator, greatly influenced the Cowboy offense. Holgorsen is a member of the Hal Mumme and Mike Leach air raid coaching tree.
The Cowboys want to spread K-State’s defense laterally and use sophomore running back Chuba Hubbard to gash the holes.
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Hubbard is the nation’s leading rusher. He averages just over 160 yards per game and has already amassed nine touchdowns on the young season.
While Hubbard is this offense’s main threat, K-State head coach Chris Klieman and defensive coordinator Scottie Hazelton will have to also deal with Cowboy freshman quarterback Spencer Sanders and junior wide receiver Tylan Wallace.
Sanders threw for 268 yards last week against Texas and ran for another 109 and a touchdown in the 36-30 loss. Wallace had 5 catches for 83 yards. This offense will be the biggest test of K-State’s defense yet this season.
There is not a ton that stands out as special about the Oklahoma State’s defense, personnel-wise. It will be interesting to see how they pressure junior quarterback Skylar Thompson after not recording a sack last week.
PREDICTION: Oklahoma State is a talented team with a prolific offense. They pull away late to beat K-State, but the Wildcats keep it within a possession. 31-24 Oklahoma State.
