College Football Picks: Oklahoma Should Be Wary of 2nd Straight Loss

Last weekend, the highly touted Oklahoma Sooners fell to the Texas Tech Red Raiders at home and shocked the world. 

This week won't be any easier for them, as they have to go into Manhattan and face the undefeated Kansas State Wildcats. OU is going to have quite the test against K State and could be looking at their first back-to-back conference losses since 1998.

That said, this game could go either way. Both teams are solid in most phases of the ball, but they do bring very different game plans into the contest. Let's look at some key matchups and try to decide which team will be walking away with a "W." 

Offense

These two offenses couldn't be more different in how they approach games.

Oklahoma wants to air the ball out and turn their games into a shootout because they know they can put up points with almost anybody.

Kansas State scores quite a bit but would rather run the ball up and down the field to control the clock, letting their tough defense rest up for the next series.

With this collision of styles, we're bound to have a very interesting game. Going in, it's hard to decide whose style will be more effective.

Can OU dominate the K State defense and force the Wildcats to throw the ball more than they want to?

Or will Colin Klein's legs keep the Sooner defense on the field all game, which will make it difficult for OU to put up points?

Either way, some things are certain. Landry Jones is one of the most effective signal callers in the nation right now and, even if he's only given limited time with the ball, he's going to get OU into the end zone. If he and Ryan Broyles can get going, it's going to be a long day for Kansas State fans.

However, Kansas State's star QB Colin Klein could have the same effect on OU fans. He's been dominating teams all year with his legs and OU's defense has been very weak against the run. 

Both offenses look to have an edge over the opposing defenses, but the real question is which one has the bigger edge? This could be the biggest deciding factor in Saturday's game and it's very hard to decide which offense looks better right now. That said, I think I'll go with my guy on this one.

ADVANTAGE: OU (by a hair).

Defense

The Oklahoma Sooners defense has been surprisingly good all season. The front seven has been, for the most part, rock solid and the secondary is exciting, but mistake prone. 

That said, they haven't been great against the run in their last two games. They've given up over 120 yards rushing in back-to-back games against teams that don't boast amazing rushing attacks. 

Now they have to go up against one of the best rushing teams in the county in Kansas State. It's going to be very telling if they are unable to contain Colin Klein and the running backs.

The defense needs to make it a collective effort and swarm the ball if they hope to contain the Wildcats' quarterback.

On the other side of the ball, Kansas State boasts the conferences best defense and is giving up less than 20 points per game. 

However, they've also surrendered 671 passing yards over the last two games. Landry Jones has to be licking his chops when he sees those numbers.

This defense is going to have to refocus and make Jones uncomfortable in the pocket if they plan to win. Jones has struggled when pressured throughout his career and that won't change this week.

This matchup is less up in the air than the offensive side of the ball, but it's still fairly close. Both teams boast solid defenses, but those units have struggled to stop the thing their opponent does best in recent weeks.

ADVANTAGE: KANSAS STATE

Special Teams

The Sooners special teams may of cost them their undefeated season last weekend. OU lost by only three points and kicker Michael Hunnicutt missed two of his three field goal attempts.

Now, Hunnicutt has been fairly accurate all season, but he obviously had some difficulties last week. We'll see if those continue this week in a very hostile environment.

OU has also struggled in the return game so far this season. Their currently one of the worst teams in terms of kick off returns, but it obviously hasn't hurt the offense much.

That said, the offense is going to need all the help they can get against this tough Kansas State defense.

A few big returns could help quiet the crowd in Manhattan and would give Landry Jones a shorter field to work with.

Kansas State's field goal unit hasn't been much better than OU's. They've missed four field goals and one extra point on the season.

However, Anthony Cantele does have more range than Hunnicutt though. He's nailed one from 49 yards this season, while Hunnicutt's season long is only 44 yards.

That's not much of a difference, but, if the game does come down to one long field goal, I'd have to trust the guy whose made one from further out.

Neither team holds a huge advantage in special teams. Kansas State does have a much better kick return game, but OU holds an advantage in punt returns. Both kickers have been solid, but not great. It might not matter much, but someone has to hold the edge in this matchup.

ADVANTAGE: OU 

X-Factor

In this game there will be two huge X-factors in play. The first is the fact that OU is going on the road. It's always tough for any team to win on the road, but when you have to do so against a highly ranked opponent, it's even more difficult.

Kansas State's crowd is going to be the loudest it's been in a long time this weekend. It's not often they have a legitimate chance to knock off one of the best teams in the country.

Oklahoma has only had one real road test so far this year against Florida State. They handled themselves well then, but this is a whole different animal. 

Going on the road against a tough conference opponent is something the Sooners haven't had to do yet this season. They do have quite a few veterans who know what they're doing, but after last week, this team could get rattled early and often.

That brings me to the second X-factor, last week's loss. When a team loses in such stunning fashion they go one of two ways. They either lay down and give up or they get back up and come out fighting.

We'll know very early on which option the Sooners chose. If they come out mad and hungry they should win this game. However, if they don't have any fire, Kansas State will roll over them.

They have to establish what they learned from the loss early, before the crowd can become a factor in the game. If they don't play well in the first half, the crowd will begin to take its toll and Kansas State will send the Sooners home with their second straight loss.

ADVANTAGE: KANSAS STATE 

The matchups are tied, with both teams claiming two a piece. Obviously, this is a tough game to predict and one that could go either way depending on how OU comes out of the gates. That said, I'm fairly confident in my pick for who's going to win this one.

WINNER: OU