Kansas vs. Oklahoma – Game Preview – October 15, 2022 – ESPN

NORMAN, Okla. — — Kansas is in a a lot completely different scenario than traditional heading into Saturday’s recreation at Oklahoma.

The Jayhawks are having a particular 12 months, opening the season with 5 straight wins earlier than final Saturday’s loss to TCU. With a victory towards the Sooners, the Nineteenth-ranked Jayhawks can be bowl eligible for the primary time since 2008.

Coach Lance Leipold is attempting to verify his Jayhawks don’t concentrate on the place they could find yourself.

“If you happen to get caught up in any of that, you’ll by no means get to the place you need to be,” he mentioned. “Fear about what you possibly can management. If you happen to’re fearful about that different stuff, these shall be good, however you’ve bought to earn it. And one of the simplest ways to earn it’s get after it right this moment and prepare for the subsequent one.”

, regardless of shedding three straight. And Oklahoma has received 17 straight towards the Jayhawks.

Leipold remembers the powerful occasions final 12 months in his first season, and he mentioned Oklahoma coach Brent Venables goes by among the identical issues.

“Perhaps it hasn’t gone their manner of late, however as we all know from final 12 months as nicely, the primary 12 months, there’s going to be occasions the place you’re going to have some bumps,” he mentioned. “That’s too good of a workers, too good of a program and all the things, and a roster — it’s going to be an enormous take a look at for us down there.”

The Jayhawks will possible be with out beginning quarterback Jalon Daniels due to an harm. Jason Bean will possible step in. He began 10 video games for Kansas final 12 months, and he threw 4 landing passes in reduction towards TCU.

Oklahoma has quarterback points, too. Dillon Gabriel was in concussion protocol and missed final week’s blowout loss to Texas. He has been among the finest gamers within the Huge 12 this season, having handed for 1,215 yards and 11 touchdowns with out an interception this season. He’s additionally rushed for 126 yards and two scores.

With out him, the Sooners had been held to 195 complete yards within the 49-0 loss to Texas. Venables mentioned he expects Gabriel to play on Saturday so long as he passes his exams through the week.

The Sooners have stumbled since a 3-0 begin that pushed them to No. 6 within the AP High 25. Earlier than the loss to Texas, they misplaced 55-24 at TCU and 41-34 at residence towards Kansas State.

Venables challenged his group after the loss to Texas.

“If we don’t like what they’re writing, let our play be our voice,” he mentioned. “The criticism that has taken place is well-deserved. That’s how I take a look at it. Doesn’t imply our guys aren’t working and placing nice effort into attempting to achieve success. I do know. I see that on daily basis.”

STRUGGLING DEFENSE

Oklahoma allowed 585 yards to Texas per week after giving up 668 to TCU.

“We’re not tackling excellent proper now, if all people hasn’t observed,” Venables mentioned. “What we’re seeing by the course of the week isn’t translating persistently prefer it wants to simply to play nicely. To not play nice, simply to play nicely.”

MISSING MIMS

Oklahoma receiver Marvin Mims is among the finest gamers within the Huge 12, however he had only one catch for minus-2 yards towards Texas. Mims has 23 catches for 436 yards this season. However Oklahoma caught to the bottom recreation towards the Longhorns. He may very well be a menace once more if Gabriel returns.

DISRUPTIVE DEFENDER

Kansas defensive finish Lonnie Phelps ranks second amongst Huge 12 gamers with six sacks. Protecting him away from Gabriel, if he performs, shall be essential with Gabriel popping out of concussion protocol.

HONORING GAUTT

Oklahoma will honor former operating again Prentice Gautt, the primary Black scholarship soccer participant on the faculty, by carrying a “Unity” uniform.

Gautt starred on coach Bud Wilkinson’s groups from 1957 to 1959. He was an All-Huge Eight Convention choice twice and was an Tutorial All-American in 1958.

The uniform, designed by a gaggle of the varsity’s athletes, will function darkish grey jerseys, pants and helmets with crimson trim and lettering. It’ll have the phrase “TOGETHER” sewn on the collar, the phrase “UNITY” on the back-of-the-jersey nameplate and an overview of the state of Oklahoma.

QUOTABLE

Venables on having a number of good quarterbacks: “I’ve seen different packages which have a number of good quarterbacks. Kansas is one in all them. How are they doing it? I don’t know. Perhaps I must ask coach Leipold that and get slightly knowledge from him. Each of these guys (Daniels and Bean) had been not likely extremely recruited guys. Perhaps that has one thing to do with it. I don’t know. They’ve completed a superb job culturally.”

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Observe Cliff Brunt on Twitter: twitter.com/CliffBruntAP

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