The No. 1 Sooners are aware of the challenge that comes with playing Kansas State on Saturday.
"Kansas State is a great football team," OU head coach Bob Stoops said. "They are well coached and they are a team of guys who can make big plays."
The two most valuable playmakers for the No. 14 Wildcats this season have been quarterback Ell Roberson and running back Darren Sproles.
Both players have contributed to the Kansas State offense, while the defense continues to strive.
Sproles leads the Wildcats in rushing, averaging 131 yards per game and 6.3 yards per carry, while Roberson has completed 122 of 226 passes.
He averages 184 passing yards per game.
"Roberson and Sproles are very physical," Stoops said. "The way they run their options and the quarterback run games is a strength for the team. With the two of them, they find ways to get the ball to empty space."
Stoops said stopping Roberson and Sproles will be a big part of the Sooners' game plan.
"We have to take that out of the game," Stoops said. "We have to tackle well in those situations."
Stoops said the OU defense will have to be aggressive to stop the two offensive threats.
"Fortunately, we have seen some of the way Kansas State plays in other quarterbacks this year," Stoops said. "Texas, Texas A&M and Missouri had some similar plays. I don't think any of them emphasize the option as much as Kansas State does, but the other parts have all been there."
Roberson was projected to be a great impact for the Wildcats, but sat a few games due to injury. Since his return to the game and as he has become healthier, the Wildcats have gotten better and better.
"Ell Roberson made a big difference when he started playing again," Stoops said. "He is very consistent and can make big plays."
Stoops said the OU defense understands that it must be prepared to go up against the K-State offense.
"We will have to be very disciplined in the secondary," safety Brodney Pool said. "Roberson can throw the deep ball, and he has been in the system. He is a quarterback with experience."
Aside from the K-State offense, the Sooner offense is getting ready to face what may be the toughest defense they have seen all year.
"K-State is probably the best defense we have seen this season," OU quarterback Jason White said. "They are very sound in what they do. They understand the system, and it is obvious that they are well coached."
Kansas State does not blitz as much as most of the teams that OU has played this year.
"You just have to take what they give you," White said. "[Kansas State's] defense is so sound and they play coverage. We will have to have longer drives and eat up the clock more."
Knowing what they are up against this weekend will only make the Sooners work harder this week in practice.
"The guys are aware that this is our biggest game yet and the 12 wins we have don't mean anything if we don't win championships," Stoops said. "That is what we are going to try to do this weekend."
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