GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Oklahoma State cannot afford to sleep on the Kansas defense. The moribund Jayhawks have shown more life this season and been particularly effective on defense. That unit has generated 13 takeaways, the second most among FBS teams while leading the nation in turnover margin (plus-12). S Mike Lee is not always fundamentally sound in the Kansas secondary but has a nose for the football and is a fierce hitter. S Bryce Torneden, a nickel back who roams the field, is developing that same tenacity.
DRAFT SLANT
–DE Jordan Brailford has four sacks through four games for an Oklahoma State defense capable of pressuring quarterbacks. For Brailford, any extra attention only makes it easier on DE Jarrell Owens also to flush quarterbacks, so opponents must be careful with blocking schemes designed to limit one pass rusher. Brailford, a junior, has steadily improved throughout his time at Oklahoma State. He doesn’t figure to be an early entrant in the NFL Draft, but a great season could enhance that possibility.
ROSTER REPORT
–WR Jalen McCleskey, who was supposed to be the top threat among Oklahoma State’s receivers, left the program after four games. The senior apparently is taking advantage of the new NCAA redshirt rule, which allows players to be redshirted if they play in four games or less. McCleskey was a regular, catching 15 passes after posting 50 receptions last year alongside All-American James Washington. It is unknown where McCleskey will transfer. His father, J.J., is in his first season as defensive backs coach at Tulane.
–LB Calvin Bundage, one of the Big 12’s top tacklers, played with a slight limp in the first half of the Texas Tech defeat on Sept. 22 and seemed slowed by an injury to either his right foot or calf. Bundage recorded two tackles for loss, but coach Mike Gundy admitted the senior wasn’t at full strength.
–WR Dillon Stoner, who figures to step up after McCleskey left the squad, missed the second half of the Texas Tech loss with an undisclosed injury. If Stoner is unable to play in the Sept. 29 game at Kansas, walk-on Landon Wolf would be the next man up. Wolf has four receptions.
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