3-2-1 KICKOFF

3 Players to Watch

Kennedy Brooks: The redshirt freshman running back had a breakout game last weekend at TCU, and he’ll be relied on again Saturday. Starting running back Trey Sermon is questionable to play after sustaining an injury last weekend. Brooks will be OU’s featured back for as long as Sermon is out.

Ronnie Perkins: Perkins, thanks to defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill going to a four-man front, was in OU’s starting lineup at TCU. The Sooners will still be flexible in their schemes, but the true freshman defensive end has emerged as a top option on the defensive line. Kenneth Murray: The sophomore linebacker isn’t likely to match his 28-tackle spree against Army, but no team left on OU’s schedule runs the ball as much as Kansas State. Featured Wildcats running back Alex Barnes has the most rushing attempts in the Big 12 by a wide margin. That means loads of opportunities for Murray and the men in the middle of OU’s defense.

2 Big Questions

Will Oklahoma’s defense get off the field? Kansas State’s only chance to pull an upset is to hold onto the football and ride Barnes for clock-draining drives. It’s the strategy Army used to keep Kyler Murray and company off the field. That game plan won’t work if OU’s defense can force a few three-and-outs. What other changes might be coming to OU’s defense? McNeill has nearly completed his third week as Oklahoma’s defensive coordinator. He made three changes to the starting lineup last weekend and there’s been shakeup in the secondary depth chart.

1 Wild Prediction

Backup quarterback Austin Kendall connects with freshman tight end Brayden Willis for a touchdown. Kendall should get a chance to play most of the fourth quarter if the game gets out of hand. It’s anybody’s guess who might be on the receiving end of a late score. Willis has one catch for 29 yards.