No. 20 Oklahoma State travels to No. 23 Kansas State in a must-win game for both programs as each tries to stay in the Big 12 title race. The Cowboys lost against Utah last week 22-19 after a late comeback. Oklahoma State was down by 19 points with six minutes left in the game before Alan Bowman threw two touchdowns in the closing minutes to give the Cowboys a chance.
Kansas State lost a 38-9 shocker to BYU despite coming into Provo as a seven-point favorite. First-year quarterback Avery Johnson threw two interceptions as the Wildcats lost despite out-gaining the Cougars by more than 100 yards. BYU scored both a defensive and special teams touchdown in the win.
The Wildcats and Cowboys have played ever year since 2010 with Oklahoma State holding a 9-5 advantage over the stretch. The last time these two teams played, Oklahoma State outlasted Kansas State 29-21 after forcing Will Howard into three interceptions. OSU running back Ollie Gordon II rushed for 136 yards and a touchdown in the win.
Oklahoma State vs. Kansas State: Need to know
Big 12 implications: Kansas State and Oklahoma State were picked No. 2 and 3 in the preseason Big 12 poll, only behind Utah. After a few early setbacks, this matchup has major implications for the Big 12 race. Since the league brought back a conference title game in 2017, three teams have been left out with a 7-2 conference record, including Oklahoma last season. Both of these teams could be near that line at the end of the year. It's too early to call this an elimination game, but the loser faces an uphill challenge going forward.
Where's Ollie?: Oklahoma State's Ollie Gordon II won the Doak Walker Award as the best running back in college football last season. As a junior, he has been a shell of himself. Through four games, Gordon has rushed for just 258 yards and four touchdowns on 3.5 yards per carry. For comparison, Gordon rushed for at least 258 yards in two separate games last season. Against FBS competition, Gordon has yet to clear 50 yards in a game. Defenses are loading up to stop the talented running back, but Oklahoma State isn't a serious contender if it can't find ways to get Gordon more involved.
Fearsome rushers: Kansas State's rushing offense has been off the charts through the first four games of the season. The Wildcats rank top 15 nationally in total rushing offense and No. 6 in yards per carry as the Wildcats muster 6.5 yards per carry. Perhaps most impressive, three different rushers have cleared 175 yards through four games -- DJ Giddens, Dylan Edwards and quarterback Avery Johnson. When all three are rolling, the KSU offense is hard to stop.
How to watch Oklahoma State vs. Kansas State live
Date: Saturday, Sept. 28 | Time: 12 p.m. ET
Location: Bill Snyder Family Stadium -- Manhattan, Kansas
TV: ESPN | Live stream: fubo (Try for free)
Oklahoma State vs. Kansas State prediction, picks
The battle between these two Big 12 contenders will come down to the ground game. Gordon was positioned as the top rusher in the nation, but Kansas State's three-headed monster of Giddens, Johnson and Edwards has quickly overshadowed the talented Cowboys back. OSU proved against Utah they need a consistent running game to compete against the best in the Big 12. The Wildcats will prove to be too fast and too good. Pick: Kansas State -5
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