Saturday ESPN College Football Picks – Oklahoma @ Kansas St Odds and Predictions – Week 9 NCAA Football Spreads and Odds

Week 9 Free College Football Picks and Spreads: Oklahoma Sooners @ Kansas St Wildcats 2011 NCAA Football Vegas Odds, Free Picks, and Expert Predictions on ESPN Saturday 10/29/11: Big 12 title hopes will be on the line Saturday when the ninth-ranked Oklahoma Sooners (6-1) travel to Manhattan to face the eighth-ranked Kansas State Wildcats (7-0). The fact that the Wildcats are undefeated is just as surprising as the fact that the Sooners aren’t, following a three-point loss to Texas Tech last weekend. That being said, Oklahoma will likely find its way to a BCS game as long as Bob Stoops’ bunch wins out. However, the Wildcats have their sights on a BCS game appearance as well, and Kansas State controls its own destiny. Despite being undefeated and at home, the Wildcats are 13 ½-point underdogs in this matchup.

For the Sooners, last weekend’s unexpected loss can lead to one of two things. The defeat could serve as a wake-up call, powering Oklahoma to a strong finish and another conference title. However, it could also deflate a team that was expected to compete for a national title. Knowing Stoops’ pedigree as a coach, the smart money is on the first option, and Kansas State will likely be facing a very motivated Sooners’ bunch.

Looking at the numbers, there is a definite chance of an offensive shootout. Oklahoma has the seventh-best scoring attack in the country, putting up more than 44 points per game. The Wildcats aren’t too bad either, putting up nearly 34 points per game. Despite both teams possessing potent offenses, the styles are night and day. The Sooners are powered by the fourth-best passing attack in the nation, while the Wildcats are led by a top-20 rushing attack.

While it isn’t a surprise that Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones is the centerpiece of the Sooners high-powered passing attack, it may be a bit a shock to know that Kansas State QB Collin Klein has done the same for the Wildcats’ ground attack. Klein is the team’s leading rusher, and he has piled up 14 rushing touchdowns to go along with eight passing scores. If Klein continues to be as unstoppable as he has been all year, the Sooners’ defense could be in for its second gashing in as many weeks.

In the end, the defense that can have the biggest impact will likely decide the outcome. Both offenses should score plenty of points, and forcing even a few punts could be the difference between and losing. The defensive units for both sides are giving up just under 20 points a game, and both units have performed similarly against common opponents. It could ultimately come down to a numbers’ game, and while the Sooners will have to shut down Klein, the Wildcats will have to contain Jones and a pair of star wide receivers in Ryan Broyles and Kenny Stills. The two have combined for 16 touchdowns this year, and they could cause issues for the Wildcats’ secondary.

Kansas State has been overlooked and underestimated for the entire 2011-12 season, but now that the Wildcats are ranked inside the top 10, they aren’t sneaking up on anyone. The Sooners passing game should be strong enough to lead Oklahoma to a win, but winning by two touchdowns on the road won’t be easy. Klein and the powerful Kansas State ground game should put points on the board and keep Jones and company on the sidelines, and even if the Wildcats fall, they have an excellent chance to cover the spread.

Prediction: Kansas State Wildcats (+13 ½) Cover the Spread

Free College Football Picks and NCAAF Predictions: Kansas St +13.5 to cover the spread

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