The land-grant colleges from Kansas and Oklahoma have spent most of their history being overshadowed by the liberal arts schools, so this match-up has rarely generated much national attention. In fact, this is probably the most important game ever between K-State and Oklahoma State. The Wildcats hold the UCFC, they are ranked number 3 in the AP poll, they are the only unbeaten team in the Big XII, and they have a good chance to play for the national title if they can win out. Oklahoma State is 5-2 overall and 3-1 in conference, they are riding a three-game winning streak, and they could move into first place in the Big XII with a win tonight. So this is a big game -- and, if course, it is even bigger because it will decide the UCFC.
This series goes all the way back to 1908, and the teams were both long-time members of the old Big Eight conference. Down through the years, K-State has usually been slightly worse than Oklahoma State, and the Cowboys lead the series 36-22. This will be the first time the Wildcats and Cowboys have ever played for the UCFC.
Last year, the Cowboys won this game 52-45 down in Stillwater, and I wouldn't be surprised to see a similar score tonight. Vegas has the Wildcats favored by 8 1/2 in a game with an over-under of 67 points -- which would translate into something like a 38-30 K-State victory. Personally, I will be very surprised if the winning team scores only 38 points in this game, but I do expect the Wildcats to retain the Big Gold Trophy.
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