Oklahoma vs. Kansas State: 10 Things to Watch During Epic Big 12 Clash

A couple weeks ago, not many people thought that Bob Stoops' Oklahoma Sooners would have a worse record than Bill Snyder's Kansas State Wildcats heading into their October 29 meeting.

Yet the Sooners are 6-1, while the Wildcats remain unbeaten. Kansas State seeks to maintain its undefeated record, but it will be a tall task. They're up against an Oklahoma squad that is seething after a shocking loss to Texas Tech.

Oklahoma will be eager to knock off Kansas State and regain its swagger in the Big 12. Kansas State wants to prove that they deserve to be atop the conference.

Here are 10 things to keep an eye one during this weekend's showdown.

Ryan Broyles' Performance

Ryan Broyles is Oklahoma's premiere receiving threat, and his ability to break loose in the secondary makes the Sooners' offense potent.

No one in the country has more touchdowns than Broyles, and he's third in receptions and fourth in receiving yards.

While Texas Tech didn't completely bottle him up Saturday, they did keep him out of the end zone and held him to seven catches—well below his season average.

Keep an eye on how Broyles bounces back this weekend. Oklahoma needs him to stretch the defense and find the end zone once or twice.

Freshman WR/KR Tyler Lockett

Kansas State freshman receiver/kick returner Tyler Lockett is starting to make some waves for the Wildcats.

He continues to be a kick returning dynamo. He has returned kicks for touchdowns the last two games in a row, setting a new Kansas State record.

Last weekend against Kansas, Lockett had a breakout game receiving. He caught five passes for 110 yards and a touchdown.

We'll see how the young talent plays against the Oklahoma defense, which is arguably the best defense they will face all season.

OU Third Down Conversions

Landry Jones and the Oklahoma offense have put up some great numbers this year, but they still haven't quite fulfilled expectations. 

Kansas State's defense will be one of the better units they will face all season. To dismantle the Wildcats and put points on the board, Jones and company must improve their third-down efficiency.

Last week they went five for 17 on third downs, including a stretch midway through the game when they were stopped on four straight third downs.

If OU continues to struggle on third downs, it could keep Kansas State in the ballgame.

Wildcats: Limit Big Plays

The Kansas State defense may not be the quickest or the biggest, but it is gritty and everyone flies to the ball well. They will have their hands full this week against Landry Jones and the weapons he has on offense.

KSU won close games against Baylor and Texas Tech, but it will have to step up its game even more to take down OU. The defense needs to contain the playmaking potential of Ryan Broyles and Kenny Stills.

If the Wildcat defense can limit the damage, KSU can stay in this ball game and maybe win it in the 30s.

Oklahoma Secondary

Oklahoma's secondary, the "Sharks," had their worst game of the season against Texas Tech.

Red Raiders quarterback Seth Doege carved up the Sooner defense Saturday for 441 yards and four touchdowns. Miscommunication prevailed, coverage was poor and on two occasions, Oklahoma was burned by slip screen passes for touchdowns.

Brandon Chatmon's Sooner Nation article (via ESPN), discusses how DeMontre Hurst and the rest of the secondary failed to win one-on-one battles, shed blocks or read plays properly.

Look for the Sharks to rebound this week and make life difficult for Collin Klein and the rest of Kansas State's offense.

Collin Klein's Passing Game

Collin Klein is one of the best running quarterbacks in the country: He has 670 yards and leads Kansas State in rushing.

He also leads a passing attack that's ranked 110th in the nation. Although Klein is tabbed as a dual-threat quarterback, his passing hasn't been too threatening. He has yet to throw for more than 200 yards this season.

Oklahoma boasts a prolific defensive front that excels at stopping the run. In order for Klein to be effective on the ground, he must balance the offense with an efficient passing game.

OU Kicking

Michael Hunnicutt missed a couple of key field goals Saturday that would have given the Sooners a chance to avoid the upset.

Oklahoma ended a 15-play drive empty-handed when Hunnicutt's 39-yarder sailed left. Then later, his 28-yard boot veered right, effectively killing OU's chance to make a comeback.

If the Kansas State game is close, Hunnicutt will get a chance to redeem himself after letting the offense down a couple of times last week.

Wildcats' Meshak Williams

In order for Kansas State's defenders to slow down Oklahoma's high-octane passing attack, they need to make Landry Jones uncomfortable.

The pass rushing of Wildcat defensive end Meshak Williams will be critical to KSU's success in disrupting OU's flow on offense.

Williams has six sacks on the year, two of them coming last week against Kansas. He has played several different positions along the line this season, but recently he's found the most success at defensive end.

Keep an eye on him coming off the edge against the Sooners.

Sooners' Corey Nelson

Sooner cornerback Jamell Fleming was sidelined during the Texas Tech loss, recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery.

Bob Stoops believes Fleming will be able to make a quick recovery and play against Kansas State. His return will be well-received by Oklahoma fans, as his replacement Gabe Lynn got burned several times last week.

Let's see if Fleming is fit to play full-throttle this weekend, and if Collin Klein tests him during the first few series of the game.

Intangibles

This last slide is devoted to listing the various intangibles that each team may encounter this weekend.

1. Will the crowd at Bill Snyder Family Stadium be a factor?

2. Has Oklahoma's recent loss shaken its confidence, or are the Sooners effectively motivated to bounce back?

3. Will Kansas State fold under the pressure of being the hunted instead of the hunter?

4. Can Oklahoma adjust well to the reshuffling of its defensive lineup?

Winning the intangibles battle goes a long way to winning the battle on the field.