#24 Kansas State at Oklahoma State
When: Saturday, September 28 at 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, OK
TV: ESPN+
Kansas State has leaped into the top-25 after an undefeated start to their season. Oklahoma State has an explosive offense. As the Big 12 seems out of reach for the Cowboys, Kansas State can go on a run and shock the nation.
Kansas State
The Wildcats pound the ball on the ground for four quarters. They average over 50 rushing attempts per game and have thrown just 59 passes all season. K-State currently has 840 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns, including two games of more than 300 yards on the ground. Running back James Gilbert leads the way with 277 yards on 43 attempts. In total, 13 Wildcats have at least one rush this season.
The defense has allowed just five touchdowns in three games. Opposing quarterbacks have completed just 46.4 percent of their passes with just one touchdown through the air.
Safety Denzel Goolsby is a converted running back who has grasped the defensive side well. He leads the team in tackles with 15 and has added an interception along the way. Cornerback AJ Parker has two interceptions this season, leading the team. He intercepted two passes in his first season as a full-time starter in 2018. His ball skills alone should earn him a draft-day selection.
Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State will put up points. Kansas State hasn’t seen anybody of their caliber yet, and Saturday will be a true test of their talents.
The Cowboys have one of my favorite running backs – Chuba Hubbard – as well as one of my top receivers – Tylan Wallace. In four games this season, Hubbard has 642 yards rushing and nine touchdowns. Hubbard has shown the ability to turn any handoff into a home run. His name is quickly rising up draft boards and will be one to watch in 2020.
Wallace is currently my fifth-ranked receiver for 2020 and 16th overall on my board. He has speed, great hands, shifty feet, and knows how to attack the defense. Wallace finished the 2018 season with 1,491 yards and 12 touchdowns. Through four games in 2019, Wallace has 473 yards and six touchdowns. He is averaging a whopping 23.7 yards per catch this season. His production is off the charts.
Defensively, there are two names to really keep an eye on for Oklahoma State. Linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga is off to a blazing start in 2019. After just 28 career tackles in his first two seasons, Ogbongbemiga already has 36 this season, including 3.5 sacks and 6.0 TFL, both career-highs. Cornerback A.J. Green is the best defensive back on the roster as far as the NFL is concerned. He has six career interceptions including a pick-six earlier this year.