MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Oklahoma State and Kansas State have long considered themselves similar Big 12 programs. They are both land-grant schools, and their football teams have been built upon well-earned reputations for blue-collar toughness and physical play.
Turns out their teams this season are strikingly similar, too. The No. 20 Cowboys and No.
23 Wildcats each ran off three straight wins to start the season, including tough nailbiters along the way. But both head into Saturday's matchup off disappointing losses in which their quarterbacks played poorly, leaving them in what amounts to a must-win situation if they want the opportunity to play for a Big 12 championship. “We practice and prepare the same way,” Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy said.
“The worst thing you can do in most anything you do in life is getting ...
into a time of desperation and not function and think and try to react and do things the right way. I'm sure they feel the same way.” The Cowboys (3-1, 0-1 Big 12) had a chance to beat No.
12 Utah , the preseason pick to win the Big 12. They scored the touchdown and two-point conversion they needed to get within a field goal in the closing minutes, but were unable to force a quick punt and get the ball back in the eventual 22-19 loss in Stillwater. Alan Bowman struggled mightily in the game, throwing for 206 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
“The one plus of playing seven years is that I’ve been through a lot,” Bowman said. �.