Getting to know: Oklahoma football

By Staff     Nov 17, 2018

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Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray (1) carries past UTEP linebacker Kalaii Griffin (7) during an NCAA college football game between UTEP and Oklahoma in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

The University of Kansas football team has not beat Oklahoma in this century.

KU’s last win over OU came on Oct. 4, 1997, when the team claimed a 20-17 decision at home. The Jayhawks have lost the last four meetings with the Sooners by at least 37 points, failing to score more than seven points in each contest. Over that span, Oklahoma has scored at least 41 points in each outing.

This season, No. 6 Oklahoma (9-1, 6-1 Big 12) looks to wrap up an undefeated home schedule when it hosts Kansas (3-7, 1-6) at 6:30 p.m.

The Sooners have won 31 of their last 33 games (.939) against Big 12 opponents dating back to the 2015 season. Their only two losses during that span came at the hands of Iowa State on Oct. 7 last year (38-31 in Norman) and Texas this season (48-45 in Dallas). Eighteen of those 30 victories have been by at least 15 points, and nine by at least 30 points.

**BREAKING DOWN OKLAHOMA:**

**OFFENSE**

**Quarterback** — Kyler Murray ranks first nationally in pass efficiency rating (212.9), yards/pass attempt (12.3), and yards/completion (17.4). This season, Murray has accounted for 39 TDs and has thrown for at least three scores in eight outings. In addition, 51 of Oklahoma’s 63 offensive touchdown drives (81 percent) have taken less than three minutes of game clock.

**Running backs** — Sophomore Trey Sermon has racked up 330 rushing yards and five scores over his last two outings. Sermon ranks fifth in the conference with 84.6 rushing yards per game, notching a total of 10 scores. According to Pro Football Focus, Sermon led the Big 12 last year with an averaged of 4.13 yards after contact.

**Receivers** — Junior Marquise Brown is Murray’s go-to option, as he ranks 13th nationally with 95.6 yards per game. Since the start of 2017, Brown leads the nation with 13 catches that have accumulated over 50 yards. Sophomore Ceedee Lamb, who has started in 22 of his 24 career games, has 87 catches for 1,584 yards and 16 scores.

**Offensive line** — Redshirt junior Bobby Evans has started in each of his last 36 games, and is holding down the left tackle spot. Senior Ben Powers, who is from Wichita, is the team’s starting left guard. Creed Humphrey, a redshirt freshman, is listed as the starting center. Senior Dru Samia (guard) and junior Cody Ford (tackles) are slated to take care of the right side of the offensive line.

**DEFENSE**

**Defensive line** — The defensive line is anchored by team captain Kenneth Mann, who is tied for seventh on the team with 37 tackles. Neville Gallimore is the team’s nose guard, and has also notched 37 stops. Junior Amani Bledsoe, who is a Lawrence native, has 23 tackles and four pass breakups this season.

**Linebackers** — Kenneth Murray, a sophomore, ranks second in the Big 12 and ranks fifth nationally with 11.4 tackles per game. The middle linebacker has 114 tackles, which is more than any Sooner since 2012. Curtis Bolton and Ronnie Perkins have also made plays alongside Murray in the linebacker unit.

**Secondary** — A pair of sophomores are starting at the cornerback spots, as Tre Norwood and Tre Brown are holding down the position. Senior Khalil Haugton is the team’s strong safety, while Robert Barnes is the free safety. Brendan Radley-Hiles is the the nickelback for the Oklahoma defense.

**SPECIAL TEAMS** — Austin Seibert, a senior, is one of three players in the nation to lead his team in punts, place kicks and kickoffs. Siebert ranks sixth in the league with an averaged of 41 yards per punt. He’s also converted an NCAA-record 287 career extra-points.

**FUN FACT** — OU has won 15 straight November games (last loss on Nov. 8, 2014). Since the start of the 2000 season, the Sooners are 59-11 (.843) in the month.

**VEGAS SAYS**… According to Bovada, Oklahoma is 35-point favorites as of Saturday afternoon. The Sooners can win this game by any margin they want to, and I don’t expect they will hold back. KU hasn’t played within five scores of Oklahoma since 2013, so I’m willing to give up this many points.

Prediction: Oklahoma 49, Kansas 10

Record against spread: 7-3

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