Kansas Football Gameday: Oklahoma Preview

Kansas vs. (9) Oklahoma

Saturday, October 20th – at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium; Norman, Oklahoma

Jayhawks: 1-5, 0-3 (10th in Big 12) | Sooners: 4-1, 2-1 (5th in Big 12)

• Kickoff – 6:00 p.m. (CST)
• Television – FSN
• Radio – Sirius/XM Radio (138/196)
• Weather – Mostly clear, 81-62 degrees 0% precipitation (via ESPN)
• Odds – Kansas is a road underdog. The total over/under is set 57.0 (via ESPN)

Quick History

• 102th meeting, Sooners lead series (69-27-6)
• It has been a series dominated by the Sooners overall and in recent history. The Sooners are on a seven game win streak against Kansas.
• In Norman, Oklahoma, Kansas is 13-36-3 all-time against the Sooners.
• Sooners beat the Jayhawks last year 47-17 in Kansas.

Oct 15, 2011; Lawrence, KS, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Travis Lewis (28) comes from behind to tackle Kansas Jayhawks running back Tony Pierson (23) during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-US PRESSWIRE

This week, Charlie Weis talked about many things at his weekly press conference at the University of Kansas. During this press conference, he discussed Oklahoma’s offense, how the quarterbacks would split reps in practice, and how he feels about the two quarterback system.

Weis on the Sooners’ Offense

“Everyone knows about Blake Bell, but it really all starts with Landry Jones. He’s 6-foot-4, 218-pounds, has experience, a big arm and accurate. He throws for 270 a game. The things that you have to look for to stand out for good quarterbacks is touchdown-to-interception ratio and in this case it’s 3-1, which I think is always a magic number. He has nine touchdowns and three interceptions, which is a 3-1 ratio.” (Source: kuathletics)

Weis on Crist and Cummings’ reps in practice this week

“We have two main periods of offense today. One period, Michael (Cummings) will be the lead guy and the next period Dayne (Crist) will be the lead guy. Now they both rep within that period, but I’ll have to wait and see how it goes. I have a whole bunch of things in for this game.” (Source: kuathletics)

Weis on two quarterback system

“Let’s hope that whoever goes in first is so great that it makes it impossible for me to want to put the second guy in. But I have to think, in a 60-minute game, there will probably come a time where I say ‘okay, let’s flip over to this other package right here’.” (Source: kuathletics)

[Also read: Balanced Attack Fuels Sooners Offense]

Three Keys to Victory

1. Start Michael Cummings. In the past two games for the Jayhawks, head coach Charlie Weis has pulled quarterback Dayne Crist for Michael Cummings. Weis in this week’s press conferences said that Kansas will run a two-quarterback system this week, but it isn’t smart. Michael Cummings is a better choice than Dayne Crist.
2. Run, run, run. Kansas has tried to be a run first team all season. Now, the run will not be able to beat the Sooners by itself, but it will need to be strong to help out whoever is playing quarterback for the Jayhawks.
3. Stop the run. Damien Williams will be a key player for Oklahoma in the game. Even though Landry Jones will be the player killing the Jayhawks all day, it will be Williams that will take the pressure off of Jones overall. Also, Blake Bell can run the ball as well. Duel Rushing Attack.

[Also read: Three Ways to Defeat Oklahoma]

Gameday Thoughts

• James Sims has been great in the run game for the Jayhawks. He has averaged 115 yards per game since coming back to action three weeks ago. Kansas will need to have a strong running game to help them against the Sooners. If the run game lacks today, Kansas will be in for a long day.
• The defense for Kansas will need to be a sharp as they were last week against Oklahoma State. This week will definately harder than last week, but the defense will need to stay strong. If they are not, the offense for Kansas will have no chance of saving them.
• Dayne Crist still has a job, but his time might be coming to an end. Charlie Weis said the Jayhawks will run a two quarterback system and that he does not know when he will change quarterbacks. However, if Cummings plays and impresses against Oklahoma then Crist might be out as starting quarterback sooner rather than later.

[Also read: Kansas and Oklahoma Game Notes]

Sep 1, 2012; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks halfback Tony Pierson (3) rushes for a touchdown against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits in the second half at Memorial Stadium. Kansas won the game 31-17. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-US PRESSWIRE

Injury Report

Kansas halfback Tony Pierson is questionable with an elbow injury, but is expected to play against the Oklahoma Sooners. The Jayhawks need him to play and help out Sims in the running game. Kansas linbacker Tunde Bakare is also listed as questionable with a concussion, but it looks like he will play in the game. KU needs both Pierson and Bakare to play to help their chances against the Sooners.

[Also read: Oklahoma Defense Showing Improvement]

Prediction

This will be a very rough game for the Kansas Jayhawks. The Sooners will be a tough opponent and the game will most likely not be a close one. Kansas’ defense will come out strong early, but the offense will struggle and that will hurt the defense as the game goes on. Landry Jones will come alive and be the main “Jayhawk Killer” in the game.

This will be the official “rise” of Michael Cummings for the Jayhawks. Crist will most likely start and Cummings will come in later in the game. Kansas’ offense will not score much, but they will produce more points with Cummings in the game rather than Crist. This will be the game where Cumming starts to prove he should be the man to start at quarterback for kansas the rest of this season.

Final score: Oklahoma 42, Kansas 10

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