Coming into this week’s game the Jayhawks are still looking for their illustrious second win of the season. The Jayhawks are looking for an upset this week as they take on the Sooners of Oklahoma on Saturday at Memorial Stadium at 2:30 PM CT.
KU is coming off another loss last week against the Longhorns of Texas by a score of 27-42, with this loss the Jayhawks now hold a 1-9 record this season. The Jayhawks four, yes four first half turnover made it nearly impossible for them to stay in the game. The Hawks offence was led by Sophomore QB Carter Stanley who went 27 of 43 for 268 yards passing, Stanley also had 3 touchdowns and three interceptions on the day. The surprise of the day for the Jayhawk offence was however Sophomore wideout Evan Fairs who hauled in 7 catches for 104 yards.
Oklahoma comes into this week fresh off a 38-20 win over TCU who at the time was the #6 ranked team in the country, they now have a 9-1 record with their only loss coming to Iowa State earlier in the season. The Sooners looked incredible in this game as they manhandled the TCU defense. Senior QB and Heisman hopeful Baker Mayfield went 18 of 27 for 333 yards passing and 3 touchdowns. The story of the day however was Sophomore RB Rodney Anderson who carried the ball 23 times for 151 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns, Anderson also had 5 receptions for 139 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Sooners looked like National championship contenders in this game.
Head-to Head
Coming into this game the Sooners lead the all-time series 74-27, they have also won the last 12 in a row. For OU’s current win streak not to increase the 13th in a row the Jayhawks are going to need a miracle. The Jayhawks last victory against the Sooners came on October 4th of 1997.
Kansas
Heading into this week’s game the Jayhawks need to get off to fast start, they also need the defense to step up, and need a lot of luck on their side. To have any chance in this game The Jayhawks need a lot of players to step up in big ways, none more so than QB Carter Stanley. Stanley has the full confidence of the staff and his teammates at this point as he has played pretty well in all of his start this season. He is coming off a game against Texas where he put up good numbers, but it is his lack of critical decision making that is the issue. The three interceptions he threw made it very hard for the Jayhawks to stay in that game. If Stanley is able to limit his mistakes it will Kansas a much better chance to stay in the game.
Steven Sims Jr. is the other player that needs to be a big factor. Don’t be mistaken Sims Jr. has been one of the only bright spots on the Kansas offence thus far in the season but he needs to take it up a notch. Sims Jr. needs to help his QB Stanley out and make some big plays for the offence. Sims is coming off a good showing against Texas where he had 9 receptions for 53 yards and a touchdown. He has been a large part of what Kansas’ offence has been able to produce this season. Sims however has had trouble increasing his YAC or yards after the catch. If Sims is able to haul in a lot of catches he’ll help out the Jayhawks a lot this week.
Oklahoma
The Sooners have looked very good thus far this season. The team is led by Senior QB Baker Mayfield who has amassed 3559 yards passing, 31 touchdowns, and just 5 interceptions this season. Mayfield leads his team like a general as he is able to command the entirety of his offence effortlessly. Mayfield at this point is still one of the frontrunners for the Heisman trophy. The Heisman being of course awarded to the most outstanding player in college football and Mayfield’s extraordinary performance this season could warrant such an award. For Mayfield to lead his team to victory this Saturday he simply must continue his tremendous play. The KU has been suspect most games and Mayfield could take advantage of that.
Another Sooner that has been having quite a nice season is Sophomore wideout Marquise Brown. Brown already has 40 catches this season and has 799 yard receiving to go with is, as well as 4 touchdowns. It not hard to see Brown is having a very nice season. When a receiver can average basically 20 yards per catch their having a very nice season. For a comparison, Kansas receiver Steven Sims Jr. is averaging just over 15 yards per catch and he is leading the Jayhawks comfortably. This is troublesome for the Kansas defense and could cause big problems for a secondary that has been weak this season.
Prediction
Oklahoma will unfortunately win this game comfortably, and KU’s woes will continue.
Final Score: Kansas 10, Oklahoma 55
Players to watch
Oklahoma
Baker Mayfield, QB (6-1, 220, SR)- 213/299, 3559 yards, 31 touchdowns, 5 interceptions.
Marquise Brown, WR (5-11, 162, SO)- 40 receptions, 799 yards, 4 touchdowns.
Kansas
Carter Stanley, QB (6-2, 196, R-SO)- 38/76, 985 yards, 4 touchdowns, 6 interceptions.
Steven Sims Jr., WR (5-10, 176, JR)- 48 receptions, 732 yards, 5 touchdowns.
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