The Associated Press
Oklahoma State (5-3, 3-2 Big 12) at No. 11 Kansas State (6-1, 4-0) 7 p.m. (ABC)
Line: Kansas State by 13 1/2.
Series Record: Oklahoma State leads 37-23.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
The Wildcats were ninth in the inaugural playoff rankings, so they’re hoping to make a statement to the selection committee, especially with high-profile trips to TCU, West Virginia and Baylor still on the docket. The Cowboys are trying to end a two-game skid.
KEY MATCHUP
Kansas State QB Jake Waters against the Oklahoma State defense, which is allowing 282.1 yards per game — 109th in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Waters threw for 224 yards in last week’s 23-0 win over Texas, and he has not committed a turnover in his last four games. He has thrown for at least 200 yards in eight straight games.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
OKLAHOMA STATE: WR Tyreek Hill leads the Big 12 in all-purpose yards at 150.2 per game. He’s returned two kickoffs for touchdowns, and is averaging 9.62 yards per touch. He’s been timed at 10.19 in the 100 meters, faster than former Clemson star C.J. Spiller.
KANSAS STATE: WR Tyler Lockett needs 40 yards receiving to pass current Packers star Jordy Nelson (2,822) for second-most in school history. Lockett also needs two TD catches to pass Nelson for second-most with 24. Lockett’s father, Kevin Lockett, holds both records with 3,032 yards and 26 touchdowns receiving from 1993-96.
FACTS & FIGURES
Cowboys can become bowl-eligible for school-record ninth straight season with win. They have won five of last six in series. … Cowboys DE Emanuel Ogbah leads Big 12 and ranks third nationally among defensive linemen with eight sacks. He has five sacks in his last three games. … Oklahoma State CB Kevin Peterson has 11 passes defended, fourth-best nationally. … Kansas State is coming off 500th win in school history. … Waters has a 153.0 quarterback efficiency rating, best in school history. His completion rate of 63 percent trails only Carson Coffman (63.38 percent, 2007-10). … Kanas State RB Charles Jones has eight TD runs, third-most in Big 12. Seven have come out of wildcat formation. … Kansas State has scored on 33 of 36 red-zone chances.
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