Oklahoma State vs Kansas State
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
No. 24 Oklahoma State (5-3) visits Kansas State (4-4) on Nov. 7, favored by 5 1/2 points.
A Cowboys win clinches bowl eligibility for the first time since 2023.
Background
Oklahoma State is a Big 12 college football team led by quarterback Drew Mestemaker, described as widely regarded as the best QB draft prospect in the sport and top 12 in most passing categories. Kansas State is the host, playing at Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan, Kan., but is down to backup quarterback Blake Barnett because regular starter Avery Johnson remains out. The game matters because a Cowboys victory would make them bowl-eligible for the first time since 2023, while Kansas State is 1-4 in Big 12 play and returns home after two road losses.
How it unfolded
- Nov 15, 2025Kansas State beat Oklahoma State 14-6 in Stillwater, forcing 5 turnovers.
- Oct 31, 2026No. 24/25 Oklahoma State lost 49-51 at Iowa State on a walk-off 34-yard field goal; the teams combined for 100 points and 1,114 yards.
- Oct 31, 2026Kansas State lost 24-27 in overtime at Colorado.
- Nov 4, 2026BetMGM listed Oklahoma State as a 5 1/2-point favorite with a total of 62 1/2 and money lines of OKST -210 and KSU +175.
- Nov 7, 2026The teams meet at Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan, Kan., at noon CT on TNT and HBO Max.
Key terms
- bowl eligibility
- In NCAA Division I FBS college football, the standard that makes a team available for selection to postseason bowl games.
- Big 12
- A U.S. collegiate athletic conference with 16 member universities, headquartered in Irving, Texas.
- money lines
- A betting odds format that lists the payout on a straight win bet for each side.
Source: Wikipedia
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- Topeka Capital-Journal's Wyatt D. Wheeler predicts Oklahoma State 42, Kansas State 28, saying it's hard to find a reason Kansas State has an advantage.
- Analysts
- The Oklahoman's Jeff Patterson predicts Oklahoma State 42, Kansas State 24 and calls it the perfect get-right game for OSU.
- Caution
- It is raised as an open question whether Oklahoma State is playing down to its opponents or is not as good as it's made out to be.
Still unverified
Whether Oklahoma State is playing down to its opponents or is not as good as advertised is raised as an open question; Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson could miss the remainder of the season.