Kansas State at No. 8 Oklahoma: Open Game Thread

It’s finally gameday again. While the bye week should have been for the players and coaches, it definitely made for a quiet past two weeks. So we return to action with the Kansas State Wildcats taking on the Oklahoma Sooners in Norman.

The Wildcats are feeling a bit better about their season after knocking of the Oklahoma State Cowboys in Manhattan two weeks ago to improve to 3-3 on the season. A stronger commitment to the running game, and some improvements on defense have helped get the Wildcats back on track.

The Sooners are headed back up after a sluggish start to the season that saw them go to overtime with Army and lose to the Texas Longhorns in the Red River Shootout Rivalry. They have made a (much needed) change at defensive coordinator, and that seems to have done enough to finally give the high-powered offense an adequate counterpart.

For the Wildcats to win today, they’ll need to to what Army did, only better. Run the ball effectively with Alex Barnes and Dalvin Warmack, keep the Sooners offense off the field for as long as possible, and don’t commit turnovers. A return of the “special” special teams wouldn’t hurt either, as the Wildcats have struggled in that phase of the game most of the season.

The problem for the Wildcats will be the defense, as it has been reported that star DB Duke Shelley will not be available today after sustaining an injury in the win against Oklahoma State. Much like 2015, injuries to top players on defense are really starting to take their toll on K-State. It was already going to be a tough challenge, but it could be an extra long day for the Wildcat secondary without their leader on the field against this high-flying Sooner offense.

It may be a longshot, but the Wildcats do have a chance in this one, especially if they can put together four quarters that look like that second-half against the Pokes. K-State has played pretty well in Norman the last few years, picking up two in a row before falling two years ago in a closer-than-expected game...so there’s a chance.

Today’s contest, set for a 2:30pm CDT kickoff, can be seen nationally on on FOX with Gus Johnson (play-by-play), Joel Klatt (analyst), and Jenny Taft (sidelines) on the call. You should also be able to stream the game at FoxSportsGo.com or on the FoxSportsGo app. Be sure and check out our How to Watch post for full details.

If you can’t get to a TV, or you don’t get FOX, the game can be heard across the 39-station K-State Sports Network with Wyatt Thompson (play-by-play), former K-State quarterback Stan Weber (analyst), and Matt Walters (sidelines) calling the action. The game will also be on Sirius/XM Channel 83, and available on the TuneIn app. Live stats are available at k-statesports.com, and Twitter updates (@KStateFB) will also be a part of the coverage from K-State Athletics.

Go Cats!