Oklahoma State Seeks Breakthrough at Kansas

Oklahoma State (1-7) heads to Lawrence Saturday afternoon to face Kansas (4-4), with kickoff listed around 4 p.m. and some previews showing the game on ESPN+. ESPN’s model gives the Cowboys roughly a 5.5% chance to win, reflecting a season of offensive inconsistency, a messy quarterback room (Zane Flores was cleared but didn’t play; Sam Jackson V and Noah Walters have seen snaps) and just 16 points in three road games. OSU is expected to lean on the running game — Rodney Fields Jr. is expected to play and Kansas ranks among the FBS leaders in rushing yards allowed (about 200.9 per game) — while trying to shore up a depleted secondary that has yielded large passing totals. Kansas counters with veteran QB Jalon Daniels (about 1,881 passing yards, 18 TDs) and top receiver Emmanuel Henderson; the Jayhawks are coming off consecutive losses and need a complete performance. Oklahoma State’s realistic path is to establish the run, stabilize quarterback play and tighten its pass defense, otherwise heavily favored Kansas should control the game.