### Oklahoma State vs. Kansas State: Defensive Battle Expected

This Saturday, the Kansas State Wildcats are set to host the Oklahoma State Cowboys, each team eager to rebound from their first losses of the season. Despite both teams being considered favorites in the Big 12, one will face the disappointment of falling to 0-2 in conference play. With defenses poised to dominate, football fans should prepare for a tightly contested, low-scoring affair.

Both teams experienced setbacks in their conference openers. The Cowboys suffered a narrow 22-19 defeat to Utah at home, while Kansas State endured a lopsided 38-9 loss to BYU on the road. Returning to the friendly confines of their home field, the Wildcats hope to replicate the success of their 31-7 victory over Arizona, contrasting sharply with their struggle-filled outings against Tulane and BYU away from home. For Oklahoma State, this matchup represents their first significant road challenge, having previously secured a relatively comfortable win as 17.5-point favorites against Tulsa.

A key player in Saturday's contest will be Oklahoma State's running back, Ollie Gordon, who, despite his reputation, has had a tough start to the season. The Cowboys' ground game ranks a disappointing 115th nationally, which sets up a challenging clash with Kansas State's formidable rushing defense, ranked 15th in the country for allowing just 83.2 rushing yards per game.

Adding to the intrigue, both teams boast strong red-zone defenses. Oklahoma State has given up only five touchdowns in 14 red-zone attempts, while Kansas State has conceded only four touchdowns in 11 such attempts. This defensive prowess suggests that even if the teams manage to advance the ball into scoring positions, turning those opportunities into touchdowns will be a significant challenge.

Historically, games between these two teams tend toward the low-scoring side, with none surpassing the total of 55.5 points since 2017. In Kansas State's two home games this season, they have allowed an average of only 6.5 points per game, despite facing potent offenses like Arizona's.

Considering these factors, this matchup is likely to mirror Oklahoma State’s closely contested, low-scoring game against Utah. Fans can expect a defensive showdown where every point is hard-earned, and both teams battle fiercely to avoid an 0-2 start in conference play.