Oklahoma vs. Kansas State: Game of the Week Breakdown

The Oklahoma Sooners enter Week 9 trying to avoid their second straight loss. The Sooners were toppled in Week 8 by Texas Tech. The loss snapped their incredible 39 game home winning streak.

The Sooners fell six spots to No. 9 in the current BCS rankings.

Kansas State didn't have the preseason expectations of the Sooners. However, they are currently sitting one spot higher in the BCS standings.

Bill Snyder's boys are 7-0. They can add a major piece to their resume if they can knock off the Sooners in Manhattan.

Oklahoma has the talent. Kansas State has the heart.

One team will need both to come away with a victory in Week 9.

The Quarterbacks

Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones has thrown for 2,589 yards this season. He has 21 touchdowns along with seven interceptions.

The Sooners a pass-happy spread offense. Jones has all the tools needed to exploit minor weaknesses in the Wildcats' defense.

If Jones is able to sit in the pocket, it could be a long day for Kansas State.

Collin Klein is a completely different animal for Bill Snyder and Kansas State. Klein has thrown for less than 1,000 yards this season but he has run for over 600 yards. Klein has more rushing touchdowns (14) than passing touchdowns (9).

Klein has a ton of heart. The Sooners can't let him make plays with his legs. He must win the game from the pocket.

The Running Backs

The Kansas State Wiildcats' best running back is their quarterback Collin Klein. Klein's 14 touchdowns are a huge part of the Wildcats' surprise success through Week 8.

The Wildcats' real running back is John Hubert. Hubert averages over 5.2 yards per carry. He only has two touchdowns, but his 637 yards on the ground play a big factor in Wildcat wins.

Dominique Whaley does the majority of the work for the Sooners and gains most of the yards. Whaley's 627 yards and nine touchdowns provide the passing attack with a solid second option.

Roy Finch has just one touchdown this season. He is a potential breakout player each game despite his struggles this season.

The Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

Oklahoma boasts one of the best wide receiver tandems in the nation. Landry Jones is lucky to have Ryan Broyles and Kenny Stills running routes for the Sooners.

The two have combined for over 1,300 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Sophomore Jaz Reynolds is a very solid third option. He has over 400 yards on the season.

Tight end James Hanna has two touchdowns. He is a threat if left open in the red zone.

Kansas State relies primarily on running the ball and playing defense to win games. Wildcats' receivers will not be lighting up the box score.

Chris Harper leads the way with 26 catches for 306 yards and three touchdowns.

The Offensive Lines

Kansas State's offensive line has been in disarray all season. Injuries and poor play has forced Bill Snyder to shuffle the deck several times early in the season.

If Kansas State's offensive line cannot allow the Sooner defense to penetrate the backfield. If they do, Collin Klein will not have room to run or time to pass.

The Wildcat offense runs through Klein. If he can't make plays, the Wildcats have no chance.

Oklahoma must also protect their quarterback. Talent along on the offensive front should be able to handle the Wildcat defensive line.

If Landry Jones gets time to find receivers, he will. Giving Dominique Whaley running room is a good idea as well.

The Defensive Lines

Frank Alexander, Ronnell Lewis and Stacy McGee are all extremely talented players for the Sooner defensive line.

Lewis is a highly regarded NFL prospect because of his ability to rush the passer. He has great speed off the edge.

Jordan Voelker has four sacks for the Wildcats. He, along with Meshak Williams, give the Wildcats to venerable pass rushing threats.

Their ability to disrupt Landry Jones could determine a Wildcat upset.

The Linebackers

Oklahoma and Kansas State both have playmakers at linebacker.

Travis Lewis and Tony Jefferson are both extremely talented. Lewis is one of the best all-around defensive players in the nation. Jefferson is extremely versatile because of his speed and playmaking ability.

The Sooner linebackers as a unit will close running lanes. Don't expect Collin Klein to see much daylight because of the speed of the Sooner defense.

Kansas State's Arthur Brown is the leader in the middle. The former Miami commitment will need to make plays from sideline to sideline.

Tre Walker also has 32 tackles.

Both units will need to control the opposing run game. If the Sooners shut Klein's legs down, the game is over.

The Secondaries

Oklahoma's secondary will not be very busy on Saturday. Expect to see Sooner defenders pushed into the box until Collin Klein proves he can beat them with his arm.

Jamell Fleming and Demontre Hurst are both playmakers. If Klein gets too comfortable the Sooner secondary will make him pay.

Kansas State's secondary will be under constant siege in Week 9. If they hope to win, they need another great effort from David Garrett.

Landry Jones could pick this unit apart if he gets time to survey the field. The Wildcat secondary has made big plays at big times this season. Not against this Sooner passing attack though.

The Kickers

Michael Hunnicutt missed two critical field goals in the Week 8 debacle in Norman. Sooners' fans hope those woes do not follow him into Manhattan.

Hunnicutt is 11/14 on the season. His long is 44 yards.

Anthony Cantele handles kicking duties for the Wildcats. He is 9/13 on the season with a long of 49 yards.

Kansas State needs Cantele to execute on Saturday. Every little point will count if they want to move to 8-0.

Conclusion and Prediction

Kansas State must turn this into a tooth-and-nail battle if they hope to continue their meteoric rise through the BCS standings.

The Wildcats' defense has made big plays all season. Against the Sooners, the WIldcats must dial it up for 60 minutes.

Collin Klein will need to make plays with his arm. If he doesn't the Sooner defense will not respect the pass, and will stack the box. Klein may have 14 touchdowns, but he will not win that battle.

Oklahoma will be hungry coming off of a disappointing loss at home in Week 8. Expect the Sooners to bounce back in Week 9.

Landry Jones and the Sooner offense are very talented. Too talented for a gritty Wildcat bunch.

Oklahoma's defense will step up in a big way in this one. Expect turnovers, and the Sooners to pull away in the second half.

Final Score: Oklahoma 38 Kansas State 17