Dawg Preview: Kansas State at Oklahoma State for a Friday Night Matchup

Photo Credit-Nick Friesen CFD

What is at stake?

Kansas State (3-1, 1-0) travels to Stillwater Oklahoma to play a struggling Oklahoma State (2-2, 0-1) team. Both teams are coming off of a bye week with K-State winning their last game against UCF at home, and Oklahoma State coming off a loss at Iowa State. Oklahoma State is looking to get the season back on track with some Friday night magic. Kansas State is attempting to secure their second win in Big 12 play to continue the goal of making it to Arlington for another shot at a Big 12 Championship.

Where to Watch:

Date- October 6th

Time- 6:30 PM Central

TV- ESPN

Broadcasters- Anish Shroff, Andre Ware, Paul Carcaterra

Key players - Oklahoma State

Quarterback Alan Bowman- It looks like the Oklahoma State quarterback carousel has come to an end and Mike Gundy has decided to go with Bowman at the quarterback position. This offense has uncharacteristically struggled this year. The offense will have to do something they have not done all season in this game, which is score more than 30 points. Alan Bowman has thrown for 513 yards with 2 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. The Kansas State secondary has given up some big plays these last two games and Bowman will have to make some of those throws to give the Pokes a chance.

Defensive End Nathan Latu- The defense will have to figure out a way to stop the Kansas State rushing attack led by DJ Giddens coming off of a 207-yard and 4-touchdown day against UCF. This will have to start up front with Nathan Latu. With 15 tackles and 2 sacks on the year, Latu will be looking to anchor the defense up front.

Key Players- Kansas State

Tight End Ben Sinnott- Kansas State's leading receiver Ben Sinnott will have to come up with some big catches to help spring the running game. Coming into this game with 247 yards on 16 catches with 2 touchdowns, he has become the main target for Quarterback Will Howard. Not only will he have to come up with catches in this game, but he will have to do some blocking to get the running game rolling as well.

Defensive End Khalid Duke- Coming into this game with four sacks on the season it will be important to get pressure on Quarterback Alan Bowman to force some mistakes and to help out the coverage team. The K-State defense has been going through the injury bug over the last few weeks so the veteran on the defensive line will need to pick up his younger teammates.

Game Prediction:

This is a blackout game at Boone Pickens Stadium. The Oklahoma State fans will be ready to go and hope the team in black will be too. Oklahoma State is averaging 22 points a game and giving up 24 points a game. The offense has sputtered a lot this year but what is a better time to turn that around than a night game on a Friday night?

Kansas State has scored 39 points a game while giving up 19 points a game. The other time K-State was on the road this season was a rivalry game at Missouri where they lost on a 61-yard walk-off field goal. Can the Wildcat offense score like they have been this year? Will the defense make plays and limit the big plays for Oklahoma State?

I see this game being close throughout, but Oklahoma State is struggling this year. Oklahoma State will have a chance to win in the fourth quarter but there will be an opportunistic play made by K-State springing the Wildcats to a 38-28 Kansas State win.