Both coming off close wins which probably shouldn't have been so troublesome, the Kansas State Wildcats (3-0) and #20 Oklahoma State Cowboys (4-0)are prepping for a Big 12 showdown in Stillwater on Saturday. Most college football experts around the country are writing this off as a comfortable win for the Cowboys, but we're not buying it. Here's 3 Reasons Why Kansas State Is GUARANTEED To Beat Oklahoma State.
1. A Running Game Mismatch
Oklahoma State's ground attack rushed for a paltry 2.2 yards per carry in the team's 30-27 comeback win over the Texas Longhorns last week. Their inability to consistently establish the running game is going to be their Achilles heel on Saturday against a KSU run defense that is giving up just 78.3 yards per game on the ground at a clip of just 2.4 yards per carry (1st in the Big 12, 8th in the nation).
2. The Rise Of Justin Silmon
The freshman running back currently leads the Wildcats with 210 yards rushing -- 119 of those coming in the team's 39-33 three-overtime escape job against Louisiana Tech two weeks ago. That 100-plus yard game is the first by a KSU running back since 2013. An explosive inside/outside threat, Silmon will play a pivotal role in Kansas State's efforts to establish the run and open up one-on-one matchups in the aerial game.
3. The Bill Snyder Effect
Under Snyder, the Kansas State Wildcats are 18-7 overall in games after a bye week. The legendary head coach is a master at fine-tuning gameplans, especially when he's given a few extra days to do so. #20 Oklahoma State heads into this matchup as 7.5-point favorites on their home field in Stillwater. Get your bookie on the phone and use that line to your advantage. Bill Snyder's coming to town and there's going to be trouble (for the Cowboys).