Kansas State is favored in today's matchup against Oklahoma State technically by one possession. The Wildcats are coming in as the favorites for the fifth time this season, but this is the slimmest margin they have been favored since last season.
Both Kansas State and Oklahoma State are coming in as ranked opponents yet again, even after both lost in Week 4. However, the Cowboys lost to higher-ranked opponents Utah, while the Wildcats lost to unranked BYU. Don't sleep on BYU, though; they are one of four undefeated teams right now in the Big 12.
This game is going to be a battle, just like it always ends up being. Oklahoma State has prolific running back Ollie Gordon on their side, but he will have to face Kansas State's suffocating run defense that is allowing a little over three yards per carry to running backs.
No. 20 Oklahoma State vs. No. 23 Kansas State odds, spread, and total
Odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook
Spread
- Oklahoma State: +4.5 (-104)
- Kansas State: -4.5 (-118)
Moneyline
- Oklahoma State: +162
- Kansas State: -196
Total
- O/U 57.5 (-108/-112)
No. 20 Oklahoma State vs. No. 23 Kansas State final predictions
There is a lot to watch with Kansas State's game today. Can the Wildcats fix what went wrong last week? How will Avery Johnson respond after suffering so much adversity against BYU? Can Kansas State clean up the self-inflicted wounds against Oklahoma State?
All of these questions will be answered come 11:00 a.m. CT, but the Wildcats can't afford a slow start. Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman talked about how, against BYU, the Wildcats would have to win with touchdowns and not field goals, and that is the same thing they have against Oklahoma State. The Wildcats have struggled to score in the red zone this season, and they need to find a way to get over that hump.
This will be a game that probably ends up coming down to the final few possessions, and scoring touchdowns instead of field goals will be huge. The Wildcats need to go out and play clean football because if they can do that, they should be able to come away with a win and still be in contention for the Big 12.