Kansas State Wildcats vs. Oklahoma Sooners Preview
Where: Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium – Norman, Oklahoma
When: Saturday, October 15, 12:00 NN ET
Line: Kansas State Wildcats (+10.5) at Oklahoma Sooners (-10.5); total 61.0 – view all NCAA Football odds and lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Writer’s Pick: Kansas State Wildcats (+10.5)
Betting on the Kansas State Wildcats (+10.5)
Kansas State’s defense is pretty good. It was able to hold a very capable West Virginia offense to just 17 points in a narrow 17-16 road loss, and finally managed to corral Texas Tech’s explosive Air Raid attack in the second half of their 44-38 win last week. The Wildcats D is currently 15th in the country scoring defense (17.6 points per game), and third in rushing defense (81 yards per game).
It’s that impressive front that makes K-State such an intriguing prospect against Oklahoma. The Sooners have been having a lot of success running the ball in conference play, which has helped jumpstart their offense. K-State has the defense that can keep that run game in check and slow down the Sooners attack.
The turnover battle will be crucial, and the signs point toward the Wildcats winning it. Their conservative offense has committed just four turnovers this season, while the Sooners defense has forced just five takeaways. Meanwhile, the K-State D has already grabbed 10 turnovers, and will face an Oklahoma offense that has given the ball away six times already in two conference games.
And last but not least, Bill Snyder loves going to Norman. The long-time K-State coach is 5-1 ATS in his last six road games against Oklahoma. More impressively, he’s won outright in his last two visits in 2012 and 2014 (as a 15- and 7-point underdog).
Betting on the Oklahoma Sooners (-10.5)
After a rough nonconference slate which saw losses to Houston and Ohio State, the Oklahoma Sooners have found their groove at the start of Big 12 conference play. They scored an impressive 52-46 win on the road at TCU, and won their Red River Shootout against rival Texas, 45-40, last week.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield has stepped up his game significantly over those last two games. He accounted for 329 yards and four touchdowns (two passing, two rushing) against TCU, and threw for 390 yards with four scores (three passing, one rushing) against Texas.
Dede Westbrook has been the main beneficiary of Mayfield’s fine form. The senior wideout has 17 catches for 390 yards and five touchdowns over the last two games.
K-State’s secondary is not nearly as impressive as the front, so look for the Sooners to take their shots at the Wildcats through the air. Mayfield had one of his best games of 2015 against K-State’s defense. He went 20-of-27 for 282 yards with a season-high five touchdowns in a 55-0 OU win in Manhattan. Westbrook also led the team with five catches for 85 yards and a touchdown.
Writer’s Prediction
Kansas State (+10.5) loses 31-21, but once again covers in Norman.
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