Kansas defensive coordinator Brian Borland estimates that when the Oklahoma offense gets in gear, the Jayhawks will have about 10 seconds from the end of one play to the start of another.
“I can’t be up there, thumb through my notes about making the perfect call,” Borland said. “You got to make a good call right now, (which) is better than the perfect call five minutes from now.”
KU will have a dangerously tight window in which to fit in its defensive signals — shortened to one word from four or five in a traditional huddle situation, plus comprehensively overhauled because the Jayhawks’ former defensive signaler Darrian Wilson is now an analyst on the OU staff — then get substituted and aligned and prepared to face the Sooners’ potent offense.
“They look like they go fast all the time,” Borland said. “As fast as you can possibly get it done.”
KU prepared for tempo when it faced UCF, but whether due to game script or depleted personnel, UCF didn’t line up “lightning-fast like they had, or can,” Borland said. But after losing to KU, the Knights came off a bye week newly healthy, with players like quarterback John Rhys Plumlee and defensive tackle Ricky Barber back in the fold, and put a scare in the Sooners before falling 31-29.
That gives the Jayhawks a blueprint to follow; of course, OU did still end up with 442 yards of offense.
Veteran quarterback Dillon Gabriel, a former Knight who is No. 8 in the nation in passing efficiency, helms coordinator Jeff Lebby’s dangerous group. Top receiver Andrel Anthony is out for the year, but that hasn’t done much to slow Gabriel as he looks for players like Jalil Farooq (23 receptions, 438 yards) and Nic Anderson.
The Sooners are averaging a modest 4.1 yards per carry on the ground, but if KU is able to let OU gain traction on early downs, the tempo could set the Jayhawks back dramatically. Oklahoma State wore out the KU defense quite effectively in that domain with an array of quick passes and screens, which the Jayhawks marked as an area for immediate improvement over their bye week. They devoted a period of practice to it Wednesday.
“They’ll do the same type of stuff (as OSU did),” defensive end Austin Booker said. “Just redirecting and getting out of the stacks has been a big emphasis this week.”
No. 6 Oklahoma Sooners (7-0, 4-0 Big 12) vs. Kansas Jayhawks (5-2, 2-2 Big 12)
• David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, Lawrence, 11 a.m.
• Broadcast: Fox
• Radio: Jayhawk Radio Network (in Lawrence, KLWN AM 1320 / K269GB FM 101.7 / KKSW FM 105.9)
• Betting line: OU -9; over/under 66
• Series history: OU leads 80-27-6
What to watch for
1. Running back intrigue: The Sooners have started four different running backs in seven games, in part due to the ongoing absence of Jovantae Barnes following his brief return from offseason foot surgery, and JUCO transfer Tawee Walker’s suspension for OU’s last game against UCF. Redshirt freshman Gavin Sawchuk staked his claim for more playing time with 63 yards and a touchdown last week — he previously had 45 yards on the season — and fifth-year senior Marcus Major continues to lead the team in rushing. The group will receive plenty of work against an erratic KU run defense, especially if it is as cold and rainy as expected Saturday.
2. Second-team connection: Quarterback Jason Bean is expected to start again for KU, as Leipold said Tuesday on 810 WHB’s “Border Patrol.” OU would therefore do well to keep an eye on Trevor Wilson. The backup wideout has built a rapport with Bean and has scored in three straight games, twice on deep balls and once on a punt return. On average this year, Wilson gets targeted thrice per game with Bean at the helm, as opposed to once per game when Jalon Daniels (still dealing with back tightness) is starting.
3. Big game: KU announced Thursday that it has sold out David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium for the second time this season and fifth in the last two years. The venue sold out once in the prior 12 seasons. The sellout crowd combined with the on-site “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show and the first early kickoff of the season will create a unique atmosphere that could give the Jayhawks a slight advantage.
Spotlight on…
Austin Booker: The breakout player of the season thus far for KU was slowed by a knee injury at Oklahoma State — though still performed well there — but with the benefit of a bye week, some recovery and reduced reps, he’s fully back in the fold. He’ll be tested by a pair of strong tackles in Walter Rouse (a team captain this week) and Tyler Guyton, with distinct styles. He’ll also be called upon to help keep containment and prevent Gabriel from scrambling, a facet of the game in which KU has been unable to limit most quarterbacks this year: “If we’re just doing our job and we’re where we need to be I don’t think it’ll be a problem,” Booker said.
Inside the numbers
212: KU’s average rushing yardage per game, which is eighth among Power Five teams.
50: The percentage of catches (16) on which OU’s redshirt freshman receiver Anderson has scored touchdowns (eight). It is the highest such mark in the country for a player with at least five touchdown catches.
18: The number of consecutive times OU has beaten KU. The Jayhawks’ last victory in the series came in 1997.
Prediction
OU wins 31-24. The Jayhawks were able to air it out on the road at Oklahoma State when the Cowboys shut down their run game, but if Devin Neal and Daniel Hishaw Jr. can’t get going early, Bean might find it tougher to throw for 400-plus yards and five touchdowns against what has been a ball-hawking OU secondary.
This has a chance to be a get-right game for the KU run defense, which got gashed at Texas and OSU after stout performances earlier in the year. But even if the Jayhawks can curtail Major, Sawchuk and Walker, Gabriel has the experience and poise to make the throws the Sooners will need in what should be a close game throughout.
AP Photo/Mitch Alcala
