PFB Picks: Is Anyone Actually Nervous About Kansas?

The Cowboys have a chance to push their win streak to three against The Mad Hatter in his return to Stillwater. They face a desperate Kansas team that needs to win out to reach a bowl in Les Miles’ first year.

This may not be a typical Kansas team but how nervous are we really about the Pokes’ chances against the Jayhawks? Let’s find out. The PFB staff convened to lay out our picks for Saturday.

Final Score

Kyle Porter — Oklahoma State 40  | Kansas 27: Chuba goes full Chuba even as the OSU defense regresses a bit because they don’t get the turnovers they did against Iowa State and TCU.

Kyle Boone — Oklahoma State 48 | Kansas 31: Kansas makes it interesting early, but OSU’s horses pull away late as they ride Chuba to a third consecutive win.

Kyle Cox — Oklahoma State 35 | Kansas 17: I wrote that all the reasons Kansas makes me nervous, but I have reasons to have confidence in OSU. I think Jim Knowles and the defense have figured some things out and I think Spencer Sanders could be rounding in form as he continues to gain experience.

Marshall Scott — Oklahoma State 42 | Kansas 12: Chuba Hubbard is playing the worst rushing defense in the Big 12, and I’m confident that if the Jayhawks attempt to overcompensate for that fake, Spencer Sanders will have a mighty fine rushing day of his own.

OSU’s Leading Receiver

Porter: C.J. Moore. Kidding, but at least I can pretend like I wasn’t when he has 150 and two. I’ll say Braydon Johnson, primarily because I’m a card-carrying member of the BJFC.

Boone: I had some doubts about what this receiving corps. would look like without Tylan, mainly rooted in skepticism about if Dillon Stoner could be the team’s No. 1 option. I will never have doubts again. Give me Stoner to go over 100 yards and score a tuddy (or two).

Cox: I’ll go Braydon Johnson to mix it up a bit. I think OSU goes up big early which will lend itself to more opportunities for guys not named Dillon Stoner and Braydon can pick up chunk yardage in a hurry. This feels like a career game for the speedy sophomore.

Scott: Dillon Stoner is the safe answer, and the answer I will choose.

Carries for Chuba

Porter: 28. Gundy will let him gallop late for a shot at 300. The shot he didn’t get against McNeese. I’m excited for it.

Boone: 24. Based off how KU’s defense has performed this season, he won’t even need 30 touches to do all his damage today.

Cox: 20. I think that he sits for much of the second half but still has a productive stat line. Something like 115 yards and two scores.

Scott: 26. I’ll say he hits somewhere in the sweet spot Mike Gundy has for him, and he’ll run for 217 yards and three scores.

Defender of the Game

Porter: A.J. Green. I’m a disciple.

Boone: I’m blinded with awe by Trace Ford, so Trace Ford I shall go.

Cox: Kolby Harvell-Peel. I think he and the Cowboys secondary feasts on a Carter Stanley who has shown to be inaccurate and interception-prone when facing a defense that changes things up in the front seven like OSU does.

Scott: Since I took the safe Stoner pick earlier, I’ll say Israel Antwine outperforms KHP. Antwine was impressive against TCU two weeks ago with five tackles and a sack.