Kansas football vs Oklahoma State score prediction: Scouting report for Big 12 matchup

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LAWRENCE — Kansas football’s Big 12 Conference schedule continues Saturday with a game at home against Oklahoma State.

Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. (CT) in Lawrence inside a new-look David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. The Jayhawks (4-4, 2-3 in Big 12) are coming off of a loss at home against rival Kansas State. The Cowboys (1-7, 0-5) are coming off of a loss on the road against Texas Tech. Both programs could use a momentum boost this weekend.

Ahead of kickoff, check out this scouting report and prediction:

Kansas football coach Lance Leipold previews Oklahoma State

Kansas coach Lance Leipold was surprised initially to see Mike Gundy’s tenure at Oklahoma State end earlier this season, but as he’s followed the sport in recent weeks nothing’s been surprising anymore when it comes to job security.

When it comes to those still with the Cowboys, now led by interim head coach Doug Meacham, also offensive coordinator, Leipold still sees a group that is athletic, talented and capable of creating big plays. He thinks OSU is looking at KU as a group it can earn a conference win against.

Of course, it can’t be ignored that in recent years Oklahoma State interim defensive coordinator Clint Bowen has a tie to KU. He’s coached for Kansas before and also spent time coaching high school football locally. Leipold mentioned he has a lot of respect for Bowen and will be prepared for Bowen being ready for this matchup.

Kansas football offensive coordinator Jim Zebrowski previews Oklahoma State

Kansas offensive coordinator Jim Zebrowski and his side of the ball are coming off of a pair of lackluster performances, and he’s certainly learned something about his team in that stretch. Zebrowski outlined he’s learned both that they can be resilient when coming back from that first punch of adversity, and that they also need to be able to sustain that better when it reemerges later in the game. Being a better group in the third quarter is key coming into this game.

Since Bowen’s taken over the defense, Zebrowski has seen Oklahoma State play a lot of man coverage. He’s also been complimentary of OSU’s pressure packages. He sees a group that plays hard and has depth up front.

Kansas football defensive coordinator D.K. McDonald previews Oklahoma State

Kansas defensive coordinator D.K. McDonald understands that Kansas has to get better at defending deep passes after the loss against Kansas State. That means putting Jayhawks players in better positions to succeed, and coaching better as well. This matchup against Oklahoma State could test that.

The Cowboys could have quarterback Zane Flores back at the helm. That could mean a different offense that Kansas could have to face than Oklahoma State has shown in recent weeks. KU needs to do what it can to make whoever is under center uncomfortable.

Kansas football players preview Oklahoma State

Kansas offensive lineman Kobe Baynes described Oklahoma State has having a quality, physical defensive line and a defensive unit in general. He’s not surprised to see a group that’s fired up to play each week because he understands how his own team approached things last year during its own struggles.

Kansas safety Lyrik Rawls felt bad to see the coaching change occur because of how much appreciates the opportunity he had there earlier in his college career — prior to transferring in from Oklahoma State this past offseason. When it comes to OSU’s quarterback situation, he noted they’ll watch the film and be prepared.

Kansas defensive tackle Kenean Caldwell said Oklahoma State likes to run the ball and that KU will try to make OSU one-dimensional. On the Cowboys’ quarterback situation, he also discussed being ready for anyone who ends up leading that offense.