Oklahoma
vs.
Kansas State
Free College
Football Pick
10/17/15
Kansas State could easily be undefeated with two wins over Top 25 teams, but due to not being able to close out Games, they are not. Oklahoma, meanwhile, took a bad loss against Texas last weekend and likely saw its Playoff hopes dashed. Even on the road, the Sooners are a -4.5 point favorite against the Wildcats at Betonline Sportsbook.
The Sooners failed to show up against the Longhorns and it looks to be yet another disappointing season for OU football. Oklahoma could do nothing on the offensive end, scoring three points in the first half and only 17 all Game. This came a week after Texas allowed 30 points to TCU in the first quarter. The Sooners were gashed on the ground for 313 yards in the loss.
As for Kansas State, for the second straight week, they had a tough team on the ropes, leading TCU by two scores with about 10 minutes to go in the Game. Trevone Boykin came through for the Horned Frogs with back-to-back touchdowns of 69- and 55-yard plays. Despite their recent two losses, KSU has still covered its last two Games as underdogs. Can Bill Snyder make it three straight?
Oklahoma’s offense has been a bit worrisome for most of the year as they can’t seem to get the run Game going. Samaje Perine only has 364 yards and three TDs on the year, with most of those numbers coming against a bad Tulsa team. That’s not to say quarterback Baker Mayfield hasn’t been good, because he has, with 14 touchdowns and three interceptions. Then again, seven of those scores came against Akron and Tulsa. Still, expect Mayfield and Sterling Shepard (416 yards, 3 TDs) to have big Games against this beatable secondary.
Kansas State hasn’t played good defense against anyone relevant, so expect another high-scoring Game for the Wildcats.
The reason KSU has been able to cover the last two is because of an offense that has suddenly stepped up its Game. Quarterback Joe Hubener isn’t all that accurate as seen in his 13-of-33 Game against TCU, but he also rushed for 111 yards and Four touchdowns. A week after Oklahoma was beaten up on the ground, expect the Wildcats to take the same approach with Hubener and Charles Jones, who re-entered the mix in the backfield last week.
Much like Kansas State, the Oklahoma defense hasn’t been good this year, allowing at least 24 points in Four straight Games now, including 38 to Tulsa not too long ago.
The Wildcats surprised a lot of people by winning in Norman last year 31-30 as a 7-point underdog. Even though the Sooners had 150 more total yards, they couldn’t get the job done in the end. The over has hit in the last two meetings and could easily do so again with how these defenses have played.
Bill Snyder continues to perform well in an underdog roll, especially at home. In this matchup, the over is 6-1 in the last seven and the road team has covered in six straight. The Wildcats have covered in six straight Games after allowing more than 40 points in their previous Game.
Our Pick – The last 3 in this series have been close, none closer than last years 31-30 final. We see no reason this one won’t also be close, so have to take any points available with the home dog. Kansas State +4.5