Kansas State Football: Oklahoma State game carries major ramifications
By John McCarty
Kansas State football is looking to stop the struggles in a homecoming match up with Oklahoma State this weekend. This is a huge game for the Wildcats.
After losing a close game in Waco to the Baylor Bears, the Kansas State Wildcats return home for a Homecoming match-up with Oklahoma State. The Cowboys themselves are coming off a defeat at the hands of Iowa State and will be looking to right the ship.
For two programs with preseason bowl aspirations, this game could go a long way in deciding the outcome of the rest of the season. Oklahoma State has a chance at going to a decent bowl game this season so they definitely need to win.
As for Kansas State, they’ll be lucky if they can even MAKE it to a bowl game. It won’t be easy, but they might be able to pull out a W against the OSU Cowboys.
*ALL STATS COURTESY OF BIG 12 STATS*
Background on Oklahoma State 4-2 (1-2 conference)
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The Cowboys bring a somewhat balanced offense into Manhattan, averaging 170 yards rushing per game (fifth in conference) and 286 passing yards (also fifth). The offense is led by running back Justice Hill, having rushed for 643 yards on 101 carries thus far ( 6.4 per carry, 107/game). Hill is a dynamic ball carrier capable of gaining chunk yards any time he touches the ball.
An offense dedicated to passing, the Cowboys are second in conference play in both passing yards per attempt and yards per completion. Wide receiver Tylan Wallace is the leading Cowboy pass catcher thus far, 628 yards this season and four touchdowns.
Being a balanced passing attack combined with their ability to rush the ball, the Cowboys have averaged 44 points a game on 523 yards.
Another important feature will be the Cowboys ability to get to the passer on defense. Twelve sacks thus far in conference play leads the Big 12 and the Cowboys have recorded 28 sacks for the 2018 season. They have played passing offenses in Texas Tech and Kansas and a more balanced approach in Iowa State, surrendering 390 yards per game and 28 points.
An issue where the Cowboys have struggled is penalties. They have committed 25 penalties through three conference games for 252 yards. If the Cats are going to find an edge, the Cowboys beating themselves may be the best option.
It should be pointed out that Oklahoma State’s lone conference victory is against Kansas on the road. They have lost games at home against Texas Tech and Iowa State.