Three keys for the Kansas Jayhawks against the Oklahoma Sooners

The Kansas Jayhawks’ unimaginable undefeated season, sadly, got here to an finish, falling to the TCU Horned Frogs 38-31. Although this recreation was laborious to maneuver previous, we realized lots about this workforce. For one they aren’t the Jayhawks of outdated. After quarterback Jalon Daniels exited the sport with a shoulder harm, the Jayhawks continued to play laborious and had been in it to the tip. This is a crucial element as we focus on the three keys heading into an enormous matchup in Norman, Oklahoma in opposition to the Sooners.

Sturdy Quarterback Play

Jalon Daniels might be out versus the Oklahoma Sooners, and Jason Bean will step up in his place. Bean performed about pretty much as good as he may coming off the bench in a significant recreation at house in opposition to the Horned Frogs. Bean accomplished 16-out-of-24 passes for 262 yards and 4 touchdowns. He additionally added seven carries for 34 yards and had one mistake throwing an interception to linebacker Jamoi Hodge. Bean’s taking part in fashion will bode nicely in opposition to the Sooners.

Oklahoma is having a disappointing season, to say the least, and Brent Venables’ protection has been lackluster. The Sooners permit roughly 29.2 factors per recreation and are giving up a median of 443.7 yards per recreation. While you break that down, they’re permitting 223.7 yards via the air and 210 yards on the bottom. With these abysmal stats, Jason Bean ought to be capable to command the offense that’s averaging 440 complete yards.

Kansas Huge Receivers

The Kansas Jayhawks have been extraordinarily spectacular on the offensive facet of the soccer and heading into this season, the working again room was extremely talked about, particularly with Leipold’s historical past of working the soccer. Quick ahead to the present week, and the Jayhawks’ extensive receivers have developed nicely. If you happen to simply look again on the spotlight reel of catches within the TCU recreation, you’ll perceive what I’m speaking about.

Luke Grimm leads the group with 25 receptions for 281 yards averaging 11.2 yards per catch and three touchdowns. The one extensive receiver who has impressed me probably the most is Quentin Skinner. Skinner has 12 receptions on the season for 232 yards averaging 19.3 yards per catch and three touchdowns. One factor stats do not present is the clutch moments he has been part of this season.

The Sooners’ secondary has been torched three consecutive weeks giving up 234 yards to Ok-State quarterback Adrian Martinez, 302 yards to TCU quarterback Max Duggan, and 289 yards to Texas freshman phenom, Quinn Ewers. In that span, the Sooners gave up eight touchdowns via the air and 830 yards via the air. If the Jayhawks stick to the development it could possibly be a observe meet as an alternative of a soccer recreation.

Neutralize the Highway Surroundings

The Kansas Jayhawks will head on the highway for the primary time in 28 days, and that might be a tricky atmosphere in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners have taken their lumps this 12 months dropping three video games, and the followers in Norman won’t wish to lose in opposition to the Jayhawks. So what can the Jayhawks do to neutralize the group? Shut down the Sooner offense.

Oklahoma has struggled mightily within the final three weeks as nicely, with Dillon Gabriel taking greater than a half to get began in opposition to Kansas State and being very inaccurate in opposition to TCU earlier than leaving with an harm. He’s anticipated again in opposition to the Jayhawks, however Kansas has proven the power to cease quarterbacks for vital stretches. If the protection can drive Oklahoma to begin gradual, then the group will get stressed and any benefit that the house crowd may give will as an alternative flip into strain.

It will not be simple, however the Jayhawks have an opportunity to impress much more folks with a highway victory over the Sooners this week earlier than they head off to the SEC.

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