Oklahoma State @ Kansas preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 8, 2011 ) Kansas 28, Oklahoma State 70

With open dates sandwiched around a last-minute, 41-36 loss to then-No. 10 Texas in its last game, Oklahoma State will try to use its potent offense to avoid its first 0-2 start in conference play since 2005 - coach Mike Gundy's first season - when the Cowboys visit Kansas on Saturday. The Jayhawks will look to snap a 14-game Big 12 losing streak against Oklahoma State, which leads the nation in scoring (55.8 points per game) and total offense (659 yards). Kansas allowed 35 points in the second half in its 56-16 loss at No. 5 Kansas State.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, FSN. LINE: Oklahoma State -24

ABOUT KANSAS (1-4, 0-2 Big 12): Since returning from his three-game, season-opening suspension stemming from an April arrest, junior running back James Sims has rushed for 206 yards and three touchdowns in two games, regaining the form that made him the team’s top rusher during his first two years. While Sims’ return has led to a reduction in Tony Pierson’s carries, Pierson has become a go-to receiver out of the backfield for Dayne Crist, catching nine catches for 99 yards and a touchdown in losses to Northern Illinois and Kansas State.

ABOUT OKLAHOMA STATE (2-2, 0-1 Big 12): Although Gundy said this week he would wait until Saturday to choose the starter, his two quarterbacks have proved quite capable. A week after setting the Big 12 freshman record with 436 passing yards against Arizona, starter Wes Lunt suffered a knee injury during the first quarter of the Sept. 15 Louisiana-Lafayette game. He could be ready to return this week. In relief, redshirt freshman J.W. Walsh is second in the nation in passing efficiency, throwing for 797 yards with eight touchdowns and two interceptions. He has also accounted for 159 yards and a touchdown on the ground as the Cowboys remain atop the offensive rankings.

EXTRA POINTS

1. An Oklahoma State win would be Gundy’s 62nd as coach, tying him with Pat Jones (62-60-3) for the most in school history. Gundy is 61-32 in eight seasons.

2. The Cowboys have lost consecutive road games (at Iowa State last year and at Arizona last month), but are 13-3 on the road since the start of 2009.

3. Kansas is one of two major conference teams – California is the other – to have three different players rush for 100 yards in a game this season. Pierson has two, while Sims and Taylor Cox have each broken 100 yards once.

PREDICTION: Oklahoma State 55, Kansas 21