Oklahoma hits the road on Saturday to face the Kansas State Wildcats in the Little Big Apple. After watching the Sooners give up 45 points to Texas and then 31 to Kansas last weekend it looks like Oklahoma is going to have to win some shootouts. What I haven’t figured out yet is if this is an indication of how bad Oklahoma’s defense is or how good the offenses in the Big 12 have become. My gut feeling is that it is a combination of both.

Oklahoma is second in the conference in points scored per game at 46.9 and even with the Wildcats ranking 6th in the conference they are scoring 39 points per game which isn’t a bad average in itself. Comparing the two offenses we see that both have excellent speed and both are driven by high profile quarterbacks who have big play ability.

Quarterbacks

Josh Freeman also adds the extra dimension of running. He only averages 37.6 yards per game but has 13 rushing touchdowns. Sam Bradford won’t be burning anyone with his feet (he averages -2 yards rushing per game) but his poise and spot on accuracy make his the most dangerous passing quarterback in America.

Advantage: Oklahoma

Running Backs

Kansas State’s stats are a little deceiving because Josh Freeman is second on the team in rushing attempts (by 1) and he leads the Wildcats in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. I realize that this statement isn’t going to be real popular among our purple powered friends but Josh Freeman is a poor man’s Colt McCoy from the standpoint that he does everything for the KSU offense.

When it comes to the KSU running backs they seem to be a bit underused but then when you have a duel threat quarterback like Freeman the backs suffer. Oklahoma’s thunder and lightening combo of Chris Brown and DeMarco Murray has been much more productive, which is saying a lot when you consider their struggles during the TCU and Texas games.

Advantage: Oklahoma

Receivers/Tight Ends

Brandon Banks has filled the void left by Jordy Nelson for the Wildcats and has a decent cast around him including Quarles, Jeron Mastrud and Deon Murphy. Neither Juaquin Iglesias nor Manny Johnson are good enough to stand on their own as the best receiver in the conference but teamed together they may make the best receiving duo in the Big 12. When you throw in Ryan Broyles and Jermaine Gresham for the Sooners you find out why Oklahoma has one of the best passing attacks around.

Advantage: Oklahoma

Offensive Line

Both units have done an outstanding job at paving the way for offensive production. Oklahoma produces more points and yards per game with an edge in yards per pass attempt but Kansas State has allowed fewer sacks and has a higher yard per rush attempt average.

Advantage: Even