Top 5 matchups for Week 5 of the 2024 college football season
4. No. 20 Oklahoma State vs. No. 23 Kansas State – Saturday, Noon ET, ESPN
Oklahoma State and Kansas State are both coming off disappointing losses in Week 4 but each remains a contender to win the Big 12 in the renewal of this rivalry matchup. The Cowboys and Wildcats have been facing off since 1908, playing 70 games overall with annual matchups since 2010. The Pokes lead the all-time series with 40 wins, but it鈥檚 the Wildcats who enter the 71st matchup as slight favorites.
Oklahoma State is coming off a close home loss to Utah in a game where it nearly rallied from a 22-3 deficit. The Cowboys also had a narrow victory over Arkansas earlier this year while dominating non-Power 4 opponents South Dakota and Tulsa. Oklahoma State has been at its best through the air as Alan Bowman has already thrown for nearly 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns. The rushing attack also remains a threat led by Ollie Gordon II, while the Pokes will hope Mike Gundy鈥檚 struggling defense found some momentum with its play late against the Utes.
Kansas State will similarly be looking to rebound following a brutal 38-9 conference loss to BYU that dealt a blow to its playoff hopes. Chris Klieman鈥檚 squad had been riding high following a gritty road win at Tulane and a blowout home victory over Arizona, but it鈥檚 clear some issues exist on both sides of the ball. The defense hasn鈥檛 necessarily played all that poorly, but K-State鈥檚 offense needs to limit its turnovers going forward which plagued the Wildcats against the Cougars. Taking care of the football and getting Avery Johnson and DJ Giddens back on track could help the Wildcats defend their home turf in an important conference game.
