Stormin in Norman
Fansided

Oklahoma football: Big 12 power rankings

By Christopher Dukes

NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 07: Head Coach Lincoln Riley speaks with quarterback Jalen Hurts #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners during warmups before the game against the South Dakota Coyotes at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 7, 2019 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Sooners defeated the South Dakota Coyotes 70-14. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 07: Head Coach Lincoln Riley speaks with quarterback Jalen Hurts #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners during warmups before the game against the South Dakota Coyotes at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 7, 2019 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Sooners defeated the South Dakota Coyotes 70-14. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
(Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /

Kansas State (3-0)
Last week: Beat Mississippi State 31-24
This week:Bye

It sounds weird to say this, but the Wildcats probably have the best win of any team in the conference so far with a 31-24 victory over Mississippi State last week.

It’s not just that the Wildcats beat an SEC team on the road. It’s the manner in which they did it. Kansas State went down to Starkville and won on both sides of the line of scrimmage.

Skylar Thompson‘s numbers aren’t gaudy through three games (486 yards and four touchdowns) but he has been efficient.  ESPN currently ranks him fifth in the country in their total QBR stat, ahead of guys like Sam Ehlinger and Jake Fromm.

Even with a new coach in Mahattan this team still bears several hallmarks of Kasasas State contenders of the past. The Wildcats are stout on defense, giving up 13.7 points and 256 yards per game. They run the ball well, averaging 280 yards per contest and they don’t beat themselves with the 14th-fewest penalties in the country.

It appears Chris Kleiman is following the old Snyder blueprint for success.

The last time the Wildcats started 3-0 was back in 2011. That year they went on to win 10 games, finish second in the conference and play in the Cotton Bowl.

After this week’s bye we’ll see a clash of styles when the Wildcats take on Oklahoma State.

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