Oklahoma vs. Kansas Prediction, Game Preview


Oklahoma vs. Kansas prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins the game between the Sooners and Jayhawks.


Oklahoma vs. Kansas Game Preview

When: Saturday, October 29 – 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Memorial Stadium, Norman, OK
Broadcast: FS1

Oklahoma isn’t working its way back into the playoff picture, despite what’s currently being suggested. But the Sooners are very much alive for a second straight Big 12 title. The Sooners have rallied back from a sluggish 1-2 start to win four straight league games, the latest a 66-59 shootout with Texas Tech that was the perfect embodiment of their 2016 identity. That streak ought to reach six with upcoming games against Kansas and Iowa State. The Jayhawks have no doubt improved under second-year coach David Beaty, but in the less visible ways that don’t impact the record. KU has lost 20 straight games versus FBS opponents.

What To Know About Oklahoma

The Sooners aren’t playing much defense this season, yielding 37 points per game. It’s a good thing home is the Big 12, where defense most definitely does not win championships. Oklahoma is moving the ball about as well as anyone in the country these days, averaging 50 points during the four-game winning streak. Baker Mayfield is back in Heisman contention, Dede Westbrook has been the nation’s most explosive receiver of the past month and Joe Mixon rushed for 263 yards in his first start after Samaje Perine was injured. Plus, the O-line has taken a quantum leap since some early season struggles.

What to Know About Kansas

The Jayhawks’ peak thus far came in a one-point loss to TCU on Oct. 8. Otherwise, it’s been a steady flow of lopsided affairs. The defense has shown heart around the likes of safety Fish Smithson and defensive end Dorance Armstrong, but this team lacks the personnel to derail Oklahoma in Norman. Beaty switched quarterbacks last week, handing the ball to junior Montell Cozart who did some early damage last week against Oklahoma State. Cozart must get the ball into the hands of top receivers Steven Sims and LaQuvionte Gonzalez to exploit a porous Sooner secondary that’s given up 22 touchdown passes.

Advantages

Offense: Oklahoma. Mayfield, Westbrook and either Perine or Mixon give the Sooners one of the best set of triplets in America.

Defense: Push. Yeah, the Sooner D is every bit as leaky as the Jayhawks, who have actually been better against the pass and at getting to the quarterback.

Special Teams: Oklahoma. Both teams are having special teams issues, but Sooners possess the better leg in Austin Seibert.

Coaching: Oklahoma. Stoops is the premier Big 12 coach, while Beaty is in the embryonic stages of his development as a head coach.

Intangibles: Oklahoma. Sooners are on a serious roll. Kansas hasn’t won a road game … this decade.

Matchup To Watch

Sims and Gonzalez vs. Oklahoma CBs Jordan Thomas and Jordan Parker

The only way this game is close after halftime is if Sims and Gonzalez are able to consistently make plays downfield. They should get their opportunities versus Thomas and Parker, a true freshman trying to bring improvement to the Sooner pass defense.

Oklahoma vs. Kansas Betting Odds

Spread: Oklahoma -40.5
Over/Under: No line as of post

Oklahoma vs. Kansas Prediction

Having seen the dark side of unmet expectations last month, there’ll be no letup in the Sooners. Beaty will have his kids ready to compete, a theme that’s marked his second team in Lawrence. But the Jayhawks have neither the defensive stoppers to sidetrack Mayfield & Co. nor the offensive playmakers to keep pace. Oklahoma will coast to a comfortable fifth win in a row in a game that’ll be decided shortly before halftime.

Oklahoma vs. Kansas Score Prediction: Oklahoma 52, Kansas 17

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