Pokes Preview: Kansas State

No. 14 Kansas State (7-1, 4-1 Big 12) at No. 3 Oklahoma State (8-0, 5-0 Big 12)
7 p.m. at Boone Pickens Stadium

The skinny on Kansas State

The surprise team of the Big 12 so far this season suffered its first loss last week when the Wildcats were throttled by No. 6 Oklahoma 58-17. K-State is in the middle of the stretch that should define its season—after visiting Stillwater, the Wildcats face Texas A&M and Texas in back-to-back weeks.

Numbers to know

29: The number of turnovers OSU has forced this season, the most in the nation
8: The number of times K-State has turned the ball over this season, the fifth-fewest in the nation

OSU players to watch: Jeremy Smith and Josh Cooper

Cooper left the Baylor game early in the first quarter with a pulled hamstring, while Smith left in the third quarter with a hand injury. Mike Gundy said earlier this week that he did not believe either injury was serious, but if one/both players are limited or unavailable, it will be a slight blow to an offense already without Hubert Anyiam and Jonathan Rush for the season.

K-State player to watch: Collin Klein

The Wildcat quarterback is more dangerous as a runner than a thrower, giving the OSU defense a different type of challenge.

Matchups to watch