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No. 11 Oklahoma entertains No. 14 KSU on Saturday
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Published: 10/18/2014  at  5:34:00 AM
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KANSAS STATE WILDCATS (4-1)
at OKLAHOMA SOONERS (5-1)

Kickoff: Saturday, Noon ET
Line: Oklahoma -7, Total: 55

No. 14 Kansas State travels to Norman Saturday to take on No. 11 Oklahoma in a game with huge Big 12 implications.

The Wildcats offense has been rolling during a two-game win streak with a combined 103 points and 986 total yards versus UTEP and Texas Tech. The Sooners are coming off a 31-26 victory against Texas, but it was not a great performance, as they won the game despite being outgained 482-232 in total yards and surrendering 344 yards through the air. That could be a big thing to look for against a dynamic Wildcats passing attack that has thrown for more than 235 yards in every game this season. Last season these two teams played in Manhattan, with the Sooners getting the 41-31 victory despite KSU WR Tyler Lockett's monster game of 12 catches for 278 yards and 3 TD. The last time these two teams played in Norman in 2012, 15.5-point underdog Kansas State pulled off the 24-19 upset win. Wildcats head coach Bill Snyder, who Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops was a former assistant under before getting the job in Norman, has done a good job of getting his teams rolling at the beginning of conference play. The Wildcats are 18-4 ATS in Weeks 5 to 9 since Snyder returned to the sidelines. However, the Sooners are an impressive 9-1 ATS over the past three seasons when the total is between 49.5 and 56 points, outscoring these opponents by an average margin of 41 to 18. Kansas State will still be without DB Travis Green (leg), while Oklahoma will likely be missing RB Keith Ford (fibula), DE Matt Dimon (elbow) and DT Charles Walker (undisclosed), who are all doubtful to play on Saturday. Sooners WR Derrick Woods is questionable with an undisclosed injury.

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The Kansas State offense enters this game ranked 16th in the nation in scoring (40.8 PPG), 46th in rushing (189 YPG) and 51st in passing (255 YPG). Leading the offense is QB Jake Waters (1,206 pass yards, 320 rush yards, 13 total TD), who has taken his game to the next level as the full-time starter. RB Charles Jones (57 carries, 293 yards, 8 TD) has shown the ability to be a terrific player in the red zone. The Wildcats love to run the read-option with the two players, with the option for Waters to also throw out of that formation. WR Tyler Lockett (29 catches, 399 yards, 3 TD) is one of the elite receivers in the country. However, with defenses keeping a safety over top of him, senior WR Curry Sexton has emerged as a solid second option (28 catches, 335 yards, 2 TD). Both of these receivers have shown the ability to make the tough catches on third down, allowing the Wildcats to stay on the field. The defense has been better than expected, allowing 21.0 PPG (33rd in nation). The secondary of the Wildcats is one of the best in the conference, as DBs Dante Barnett (31 tackles, 4 TFL) and Randall Evans (27 tackles, 1 INT) are two players who have started many games for Kansas State. DE Ryan Mueller (15 tackles, 4 TFL, 1.5 sacks) is not the most talented player on the team, but his energy allows him to make big plays. DB Danzel McDaniel (16 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 sack) is becoming one of the hardest hitters in the country. He is terrific against the run from the secondary, as this unit could have a big influence on this game.

While the Sooners were able to get the victory last week, the offense still has a ways to go. Entering this matchup, they rank 17th in FBS scoring (40.5 PPG), 44th in rushing (191 YPG) and 52nd in passing (254.5 YPG). QB Trevor Knight (1,503 pass yards, 6 TD, 5 INT) was expected to be one of the best quarterbacks in the country, but has not taken the next step. While the passing game has been inconsistent, the rushing attack has done a nice job. RB Samaje Perrine (568 rush yards, 5.2 YPG, 9 TD) has emerged as the main runner in this backfield with RB Keith Ford (34 carries, 194 yards, 5 TD) and Alex Ross (37 carries, 201 yards, 3 TD) both dealing with injuries. One player that has been consistent in the receiving game this season is WR Sterling Shepard (34 catches, 714 yards, 4 TD). He has the chance to score a touchdown every single time he has the ball, but could have problems against a physical secondary. The defense has allowed 21.5 PPG (42nd in nation) on the season, but has also provided some points for the Sooners. CB Zack Sanchez (25 tackles, 8 PD, 5 INT) scored a touchdown in the win against the Longhorns and figures to see a lot of Tyler Lockett in a matchup that could very easily determine who wins the game. Junior LB Eric Striker (28 tackles, 8.5 TFL) leads the team with 4.5 sacks, giving the Sooners a guy that can put pressure on the quarterback. Both of these offenses have shown the ability to put up a lot of points, and the battle of the defenses will go a long way in determining who gets the win.


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