2011 College Football Week 9 Picks and Predictions: Oklahoma over Kansas State

Each Monday, WhatIfSports.com's NCAA college football simulation engine will provide you with game predictions for every D-1 FBS game that upcoming week. The college football simulation engine generates detailed information for each game including each team's chances of winning (Win%) and the average points scored for both teams. Make sure to share the college football information you gained here with your friends by either checking out our NCAA football widgets on the WhatIf To Go page or clicking on the social networking share bar at the top and bottom of this article.

Check out our 2011 College Football Season-to-Date page to follow our accuracy and for Upsets of the Week available on Wednesdays.

The statistical inputs to the thousands of college football simulations are based on rigorous analysis of each team's roster, depth charts and statistically-based player rankings. Roster modifications are made in cases of injury or suspension and those players are removed from their team's game simulation for that week.

Game of the Week: Oklahoma at Kansas State

There's 7-0 and then there's 7-0. Kansas State is 7-0, and please don't be that program apologist who defends the Wildcats' flawless start with the tired "We can only play the teams on our schedule" reset.

The truth is, 73-year-old Bill Snyder has done a hell of a job leading his team into Week 9 undefeated. However, only one of those wins came against a ranked team—a one-point victory over Baylor at home.

With quarterback Colin Klein leading their rush-first offense, the Cats still only rank 19th in rushing yards (213.9). If Oklahoma (116.6 rush yards allowed per game) neutralizes the ground game, K-State really doesn't have the passing attack (ranked 110th in passing) to keep pace with the up-tempo Sooners.

The Wildcats' 23rd-ranked scoring defense (19.7 points per game) will have its hands full slowing down Landry Jones and company, especially after a heartbreaking loss to Texas Tech at home.

Unless something wacky happens at the top of the BCS standings, Bob Stoops' 6-1 Sooners are now playing solely for the Big 12 title and a sexy bowl bid. Jones continues to impress with nearly 2,600 yards passing and 21 touchdowns (five TDs in the loss to Tech in Week 8).

The Sooners are averaging 44.3 points per game (seventh in FBS) and should have no problem reaching that threshold considering the Wildcats have allowed lesser opponents to score 21 or more points in four out of their seven games this season.

Using our college football simulation engine, we "played" Oklahoma at Kansas State 101 times, and it's the Sooners winning 87.1 percent of the time by an average score of 38-24.

Michigan State at Nebraska

Sparty shocked and awed our college football simulation engine with their last-second, Hail-Mary- full-of-grace heave into the end zone that ricocheted off a face mask and into the hands of Keith Nichol. A few minutes later, an instant replay overturned the referees' call on the field, and a late fourth quarter rally by Wisconsin was erased.

It's hard to simulate that outcome, even with a highly successful (77.1 percent accuracy straight up) simulation engine.

For Michigan State's next trick and bid to secure the top spot in the Big Ten's Legends Division, the Spartans must beat Nebraska in Lincoln. Kirk Cousins played a nearly flawless game against the Badgers, finishing 22 of 31 for 290 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. State's offensive efficiency can exploit a once-dominant Nebraska defense, now ranked 54th in scoring defense at 25.3 points per game, on Saturday.

The Cornhuskers come off a beatdown of lowly Minnesota 41-14. Rex Burkhead, a hero in the team's rally against Ohio State three weeks ago, has emerged as the team's leading rusher ahead of Taylor Martinez. On 130 carries, Burkhead has racked up 752 yards and 10 touchdowns.

We simulated the Spartans and Cornhuskers 101 times, and it's Michigan State walking out of Lincoln with a win 64.4 percent of the time by an average score of 27-23.