The battle for the Big 12 is in full swing, and Week 6’s conference slate kicks off Friday night with a showdown between the Kansas State Wildcats and Oklahoma State Cowboys.
Kansas State enters this game at 3-1, fresh off of a bye week after opening up conference play with a win over UCF. Meanwhile, Oklahoma State is looking to bounce back from back-to-back losses to South Alabama and Iowa State.
When and where can you watch the Kansas State vs. Oklahoma State game?
What Channel Airs the Kansas State vs. Oklahoma State Game?
Kansas State @ Oklahoma State
- Start Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Channel: ESPN
- Odds: Kansas State -12.5
- Over/Under Total: 54.5
A year after winning the Big 12, Kansas State is competing to make it back-to-back conference titles. After opening up with dominant wins over Southeast Missouri State and Troy, the Wildcats dropped a non-conference game to the undefeated Missouri Tigers 30-27 after a last-second field goal. Kansas State outlasted UCF in a 44-31 shootout last week to start 1-0 in Big 12 play this season.
The Wildcats are led by quarterback Will Howard and tight end Ben Sinnott. Howard has passed for 1,072 yards and eight touchdowns while adding five scores on the ground. Sinnott has been Howard’s favorite target this season, leading Kansas State in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.
The Wildcats have potentially discovered their next man up behind Deuce Vaughn, who declared for the NFL Draft in the offseason. After a solid freshman season where he rushed for over 500 yards and six touchdowns, sophomore running back DJ Giddens is already sitting at 403 rushing yards and four touchdowns. He posted a 207-yard and four-touchdown performance against UCF.
MORE: 2024 NFL Draft Big Board
Oklahoma State’s defense hasn’t been quite as good as years prior thus far in 2023. The Cowboys are sitting sixth in missed+broken tackle percentage, a big reason why their run defense is ranked 65th in college football. Kansas State will likely look to control the game on the ground to help protect Howard, who has battled a leg injury already this season.
For Oklahoma State, this season has already been tumultuous. The Cowboys have had rumors swirling about head coach Mike Gundy’s job status since the season began, and their frustrating losses to South Alabama and Iowa State aren’t quieting those at all.
After trying out a three-quarterback rotation, Oklahoma State is sticking with Alan Bowman — for now. Bowman put together his best outing at Oklahoma State in their loss to Iowa State, throwing for 278 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Oklahoma State’s best offensive player might be running back Ollie Gordon II, who rushed for over a hundred yards last week against Iowa State. However, Kansas State is ranked sixth in the country in rushing yards allowed per game, so Oklahoma State will need to be balanced offensively to have a shot.
Oklahoma State’s defense is led by safety Kendal Daniels and LB Collin Oliver. Mainly playing close to the line of scrimmage, Daniels leads the team in tackles, while Oliver leads the Cowboys in run stops and has forced two fumbles of his own this year. Oklahoma State will count on those two to keep Kansas State’s dynamic rushing attack in check.