Kansas at No. 14 Oklahoma State: Three-minute preview

When/where: 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla.

TV/radio: Fox Sports 1; KCSP (610 AM) if Royals are not playing Saturday; KMBZ (980 AM) if the Royals are playing

The series: Oklahoma State leads series 33-29-3

The line: Oklahoma State by 33  1/2

What’s at stake

One week after its best performance of the season — a 30-20 loss to Texas Tech — Kansas can build on the progress this week at Oklahoma State. The Jayhawks, as has become the custom, are more than four-touchdown underdogs heading into the weekend. The Cowboys are undefeated and ranked No. 14, a darkhorse candidate for the Big 12 title. It hasn’t always been smooth. The Cowboys have won their last three games by a combined 12 points, and they’ll face TCU, Baylor and Oklahoma in November. For now, though, Oklahoma State can move to 7-0 for the third time under head coach Mike Gundy.

Cheers if ...

Kansas quarterback Ryan Willis can keep up his productivity while protecting the football. Last week, in his second career start, Willis broke KU freshman records for passing yards (330), completions (35) and attempts (50). He also threw an untimely interception and put the ball on the ground after being hit in the end zone.

Jeers if ...

Things get too out of hand in Stillwater. Perhaps KU found something against Texas Tech. But the Jayhawks have a history of taking some major lumps at Boone Pickens Stadium.

Rustin Dodd’s pick: Oklahoma State 45-21

Last week, the Jayhawks proved they could battle against a Big 12 opponent, playing tough into the fourth quarter against Texas Tech. Can they do it on the road? That’s another question.

KANSAS (0-6, 0-3 Big 12)

OKLAHOMA STATE (6-0, 3-0 Big 12)

Three things about Oklahoma State

1 Oklahoma State starts sophomore quarterback Mason Rudolph, who has thrown for 1,892 yards, nine touchdowns and seven interceptions in six games. But the Cowboys also utilize senior quarterback J.W. Walsh in the red zone. The Cowboys have scored on 28 of 29 trips to the red zone, the third best mark in the country.

2 In 11 seasons under head coach Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State is 52-16 at Boone Pickens Stadium. The Cowboys are 41-9 in their last 50 home games, dating back to 2008.

3 Oklahoma State defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah has racked up 7  1/2 sacks and 11 tackles for loss in six games. Ogbah had a career-high 5  1/2 tackles for loss in a victory over KU last season.

Key matchup

Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph vs. the KU defense: The Cowboys rank 17th in the country in passing offense, averaging 325 yards per game. The Jayhawks rank 121st in passing defense, allowing more than 300 yards per contest. This would seem like a mismatch. Rudolph, the Cowboys’ sophomore quarterback, has been turnover prone, throwing seven picks. The Jayhawks may need to force a couple turnovers to hang in this one.

KANSAS OFFENSE

KANSAS DEFENSE

OKLAHOMA STATE OFFENSE

OKLAHOMA STATE DEFENSE

Kansas (0-6)

Date; Opponent; Result/Time

Oklahoma State (6-0)

Date; Opponent; Result/time

This story was originally published October 22, 2015 at 4:44 PM with the headline "Kansas at No. 14 Oklahoma State: Three-minute preview."