When Kansas has the ball

Kansas rush offense vs. Oklahoma State rush defense

Oklahoma State’s defense ranks 85th overall and has given up an average of 408 yards per game. Of that total, 141 have come on the ground. The Jayhawks have started to have success on the ground in recent weeks, but suffered a setback against Nebraska, when they ran it 34 times for just 72 yards. That’s an average of 2.1 yards per carry, and that won’t get it done against the No. 10-ranked Cowboys.

Edge: Oklahoma State

Kansas pass offense vs. Oklahoma State pass defense

It’s hard to consider giving the edge to a team that completed just three passes for 15 yards and one interception in its last game. What’s more, the Jayhawks surrendered six sacks and showed no consistent ability to stop Nebraska’s dangerous pass rush. The Cowboys are no Nebraska, as they give up an average of 266 yards per game through the air and have recorded just 10 sacks in 10 games. In addition, the Pokes average an interception per contest and have given up 18 passing TDs in 2010.

Edge: Oklahoma State.

When OSU has the ball

Oklahoma State rush offense vs. Kansas rush defense

OSU quarterback Brandon Weeden and sophomore wideout Justin Blackmon have stolen most of the headlines for the Cowboys this season. And with good reason. But OSU tailback Kendall Hunter might be this team’s most dangerous player. In 10 games, Hunter has gained 1,392 yards on 226 carries, good for an average of 6 yards per pop. What’s more, he’s scored 16 rushing touchdowns and has added 17 receptions in the passing game. OSU’s offensive line is big and physical and has started to play with more cohesion in the past couple of weeks.

Edge: Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State pass offense vs. Kansas pass defense

You’d think that losing a player as talented as Dez Bryant to the NFL would be a huge blow to the Oklahoma State offense. Not so. And there are two reasons for that. For one, the Cowboys played most of last season without Bryant, who was suspended most of the year. For another, sophomore wideout Justin Blackmon has more than stepped in to take his place. In just nine games, Blackmon has 84 receptions, 1,430 yards and 16 touchdowns. The guy throwing him the ball isn’t half-bad either. In his first year as a starter, 27-year-old Brandon Weeden has thrown for 3,391 yards and 27 touchdowns and has completed 67 percent of his passes.

Edge: Oklahoma State

Special teams

The Kansas special teams have been without major incident during the past few games. Like most other elements of the KU team, things are improving in this department. Place kicker Jacob Branstetter has hit five of six field goal attempts in his past three games and also has looked good in handling KU’s kickoff duties. The KU punting game also has remained solid, though nowhere near the levels it enjoyed during the past couple of seasons. As for the Cowboys, their special teams unit resembles the rest of the team: fast and physical. OSU average nine yards per punt return, 21 yards per kickoff return and has enjoyed a breakout year from punter Quinn Sharp, who ranks second nationally in punting.

Edge: Oklahoma State