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Oklahoma football: How Big 12 race will shake out in 2022

By Chip Rouse

Oct 23, 2021; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; A general view of the Big 12 Conference logo on the field after the game between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Oklahoma Sooners at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2021; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; A general view of the Big 12 Conference logo on the field after the game between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Oklahoma Sooners at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kansas State sophomore running back Deuce Vaughn (22) gains yards in the second half of Saturday’s Sunflower Showdown against Kansas at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on Nov. 6, 2021. The Wildcats won 35-10.
Kansas State sophomore running back Deuce Vaughn (22) gains yards in the second half of Saturday’s Sunflower Showdown against Kansas at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on Nov. 6, 2021. The Wildcats won 35-10. /

No. 8 tie — Kansas State (5-7 overall, 2-7 in Big 12)

In two seasons at Kansas State, head coach Chris Klieman has led the Wildcats to two eight-win seasons, but this could be a challenging season in Year 3 of the Klieman era. K-State is breaking in a new quarterback, although one with four years of Power Five experience as the starter at Nebraska, in Adrian Martinez.

Martinez will partner in the K-State backfield with one of the biggest offensive weapons in the Big 12 in running back Deuce Vaughn, who rambled for over 1,400 yards and 18 touchdowns last season while averaging 6.0 yards per rushing attempt.

Defensively, the Cats will be as stout as ever at the first two levels, but there is some concern in the secondary. K-State suffered pretty heavy turnover on both sides of the ball, with just five returning starters on both offense and defense.

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