The tale of the numbers is often the easiest, but not always the surest, way to size up a particular situation and project a probable outcome. We’ve examined some of the notable numbers that could have a bearing – and at the very least provide an interesting perspective – on the outcome of the OU vs. Kansas State football game on Saturday.
Here are a few telling numbers that could come into play before the sun sets on Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan, Kan., late Saturday afternoon:
2 – Field goals that Kansas State kicker Jack Cantele is averaging per game. That is best average in the Big 12 this season. His longest make this season has been from 44 yards.
3.5/4.5 – Sack totals so far this season by K-State’s Jordan Willis and OU’s Eric Striker, respectively. Keep an eye on these two. Their performance in getting to the quarterback could have a definite impact on the outcome of this game.
5-0 – Bob Stoops record in games played at Kansas State since he has been head coach at Oklahoma.
8 – Consecutive field goals kicked this season by Oklahoma true freshman Austin Seibert. His longest FG has been 44 yards
15-1 – The Sooners’ record under Bob Stoops in games immediately following the Red River game with Texas. OU is 6-0 under Stoops after a loss to Texas.
26.4 – Kansas State’s kickoff return average, best in the Big 12 this season
27 – Since the beginning of the 2011 season, Kansas State’s record is 27-2 when it is the first team to score in the game.
34:02 – Average time of possession per game this season for the Kansas State offense. This is a category that Bill Snyder teams typically lead the conference in every season, and they do so again this season.
40 – Oklahoma is 40-6 since the beginning of the 2010 season against teams that are unranked in the AP Top 25 poll.
40 – The Sooners are 90-1 under Bob Stoops when they score 40 points in a game.
50 – Kansas State’s second most productive quarter this season has been the fourth quarter. The Wildcats have scored 50 of their 182 total points so far this season in the final quarter. Oklahoma is holding opponents to just 14 total points in the fourth quarter.
52 – In contrast to Kansas State, Oklahoma’s most productive quarter this season has been the third quarter. The Sooners have outscored their opponents 52-27 in the third quarter. K-State has scored just 16 points in the third quarter through five games.
69 – Kansas State’s most productive quarter this season has been the second quarter. The Wildcats have outscored their opponents 69-26 over the final 15 minutes of the opening half.
100 – Kansas State defensive back Morgan Burns is one of two Big 12 players to return a kickoff for a touchdown. Burns’ TD return was a 100-yarder in the season opener vs. South Dakota.
100 – When Oklahoma runs the ball for 100 or more yards in a game, the Sooners are 145-25 under Bob Stoops and 4-0 this season.
200 – The Sooners are 95-4 under Bob Stoops and 3-1 this season when they yield less than 200 yards passing.
300 – When OU allows less than 300 yards of total offense, the Sooners are 95-4 under Bob Stoops.
1999 – The last time Oklahoma lost two consecutive games in the same season.