Oklahoma State vs Kansas Odds, Picks: Can Cowboys Keep Up Without Spencer Sanders?
Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images. Pictured: Kansas’ Quentin Skinner.
Oklahoma State vs Kansas Odds
| Oklahoma State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2 -110 | 63 -110o / -110u | +105 |
| Kansas Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2 -110 | 63 -110o / -110u | -125 |
Editor's Note: Oklahoma State quarterback Spencer Sanders will not play against Kansas, according to our Brett McMurphy. Freshman Garret Rangel will get the start.
There are plenty of storylines going into play in this matchup between the Cowboys and the Jayhawks. How will Oklahoma State rebound from a 48-0 blowout loss last week? Can Kansas finally reach bowl eligibility for the first time in ages?
These are two important questions, but so is the unknown of who will play quarterback for both teams on Saturday afternoon.
Spencer Sanders is banged up for the Pokes, and his status has yet to be announced. Meanwhile, there are rumors going around that Jalon Daniels could be back for Kansas after getting hurt in the TCU game.
Both quarterback situations should be monitored the rest of the week leading up to kickoff.
All that aside, Oklahoma State currently sits as a short favorite in this matchup. It's a game that will likely come down to the wire, as many of the Big 12 contests have all season.
Where does the betting value lie? Let's find out.
As a result of an early bye week, Oklahoma State has had to play an absolutely brutal October schedule. The Pokes faced Baylor, TCU, and Kansas State on the road as well as Texas and Texas Tech in Stillwater, all in one month's work.
Oklahoma State came out of that stretch a respectable 3-2, but it's felt the effects of five physical games in a row on the injury front.
It's not just that Sanders is banged up.
Critical pieces on both sides of the ball, including wide receiver Braydon Johnson, running back Dominic Richardson, defensive end Brock Martin, defensive back Kendal Daniels and others have all missed time due to injury.
The Cowboys weathered those injuries in impressive fashion up until last week. Kansas State caught them at the perfect time, and that ballgame was over at halftime.
If Sanders can play on Saturday, the Pokes should still be able to find success offensively against a vulnerable Kansas defense. Most of the receiving corps should be available, and the Jayhawks have been really suspect in the secondary.
Mike Gundy's son, Gunnar, will be the guy if Sanders can't play, and there's no real sample size out there in terms of in-game reps to draw on with him. If Gundy is needed, it will truly be a situation of learning under fire.
On the other side of the ball, the Cowboys will need to be better to have a chance to win, particularly on standard downs.
This defense is giving up a ton of big plays and hasn't been able to get the same kind of pressure in the backfield as it did a year ago.
Mike Gundy doesn't give much to the media when it comes to injury updates, but there are multiple defensive contributors who appear to be questionable for Saturday.
Whether it's Daniels or Jason Bean who gets the nod at quarterback this week, the KU offense should perform just fine. This unit ranks 12th nationally in Pass Success and has been thrashing opponents through the air all season.
Lance Leipold does a great job of using pre-snap motion to give opposing defenses all sorts of different looks, and both Daniels and Bean have been finding the open man.
Toss in the fact that the OK State defense has given up a good chunk of big plays through the air throughout the year, and this is a matchup where KU could have a big advantage when it has the football.
What's really hurt Kansas in its current three-game skid has been its defense. The Jayhawks rank 110th or worse nationally in Rush Success, Line Yards and Pass Success.
That's not a recipe for success, particularly in a conference like the Big 12, which is filled with plenty of high-powered offenses.
Oklahoma State has struggled to consistently run the ball, so look for Kansas to try to take away the ground game and force the Cowboy offense to turn into something one-dimensional.
Forcing a turnover or two would go a long way in helping this unit get enough stops to pick up the victory.
Oklahoma State vs Kansas Matchup Analysis
Toggle the dropdowns below to hide or show how Oklahoma State and Kansas match up statistically:
Oklahoma State Offense vs. Kansas Defense
 | Offense | Defense |  Edge |
| Rush Success | 101 | 114 | |
| Line Yards | 92 | 113 | |
| Pass Success | 61 | 110 | |
| Pass Blocking** | 92 | 70 | |
| Havoc | 44 | 122 | |
| Finishing Drives | 12 | 68 | |
| ** Pass Blocking (Off.) vs. Pass Rush (Def.) | |||
Kansas Offense vs. Oklahoma State Defense
| Offense | Defense | Edge |
| Rush Success | 68 | 50 | |
| Line Yards | 60 | 14 | |
| Pass Success | 12 | 32 | |
| Pass Blocking** | 56 | 38 | |
| Havoc | 53 | 58 | |
| Finishing Drives | 11 | 85 | |
| ** Pass Blocking (Off.) vs. Pass Rush (Def.) | |||
Pace of Play / Other
| | |
| PFF Tackling | 87 | 21 |
| PFF Coverage | 86 | 99 |
| SP+ Special Teams | 16 | 111 |
| Seconds per Play | 21.1 (5) | 28.2 (101) |
| Rush Rate | 48.7% (94) | 58.2% (35) |
Data via CollegeFootballData.com (CFBD), FootballOutsiders, SP+, Pro Football Focus and SportSource Analytics.
Oklahoma State vs Kansas Betting Pick
With two full weeks to prepare, and knowing that this might be his team's best chance at getting that coveted sixth win, I think you'll see Leipold and the Kansas staff come out with a really strong game plan for this one.
As a result, I think the safest bet in this matchup is backing the Jayhawks in the first half. Oklahoma State remains banged up on both sides of the ball, and Sanders' health is a legitimate question.
I expect the Kansas offense to come out aggressive early and build a lead right out of the gates.
Could the Kansas defense get a bit worn down as the game goes on? Sure. But I will gladly take the point-and-a-half for the first two quarters in a game where Kansas has a lot of advantages.
I expect the Jayhawks to be leading at intermission.
Pick: Kansas 1H +1.5
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