Oklahoma Preview – 34 Days Until Kansas Football

Mark the calendars for October 28. Not only is Oklahoma coming to Lawrence for the final time with the Sooners and Kansas Jayhawks as Big 12 opponents, but it’s going to be KU’s Homecoming. The Booth, as they say, should be lit.

Here’s an early look at the Sooners squad the Jayhawks will be facing in three months.

Pre-Game Notes

Kansas and Oklahoma have been playing football against one another since 1903, facing off more than 110 times in that span. But the 21st century has belonged solely to OU. The Sooners have won 18 straight games from 2000 to 2022, including a matchup last year when OU put up 52 on the Jayhawks a week after getting shut out by Texas. The last time Kansas beat Oklahoma was 1997 when Terry Allen’s Jayhawks won 20-17 in Lawrence.

The Mike Plank Four-Down Scouting Report

First Down

It wasn’t the smoothest first year for OU coach Brent Venables, going 6-7 and losing in the Cheez-Its Bowl to Florida State. And perhaps the oddest aspect with a new defensive expert at head coach was that the defense was routinely in pretty rough shape. OU allowed 30 points per game, which ranked 99th out of 131 FBS teams. This year will look different, at least on the roster. OU only brings back 62% of its production from 2022, which ranked ninth in the Big 12.

Second Down

Former UCF quarterback Dillon Gabriel is back for a second year in Norman. His health was one factor in Oklahoma’s struggles early in Big 12 play. Gabriel was injured and knocked out of the game against TCU and was forced to sit out the Red River Rivalry against Texas. But he bounced back well and Kansas saw one of his best performances of the season, throwing for 403 yards and four touchdowns, while rushing for 37 yards and a touchdown. And he would go on to be named the Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year.

Third Down

The continuity at QB is offset by the loss of OU’s biggest playmakers. Gabriel has lost stud receiver Marvin Mims (54 catches for 1,083 yards and six TDs) and running back Eric Gray (1,366 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground) to the NFL, as well as 500-yard receiver Brayden Willis. OU will look to Jovantae Barnes to fill Gray’s shoes at running back and joining Jalil Farooq at receiver is Michigan transfer Andrel Anthony.

Fourth Down

The defense lost two key linebackers, but it does bring back Danny Stutsman, who led the conference in total tackles (125) and was fourth in solo tackles (68). Then the Sooners went out and got a big piece on the defensive line, bringing in Dasan McCullough from Indiana. McCullough recorded 6.5 tackles for loss and four sacks on his way to Freshman All-American status.

Matchup On Paper

Last year’s Sooners were well-rounded in the sense that they both excelled in the passing and running games on offense (averaging more than 200 yards in both per game) and were susceptible through the ground (188 yards) and air (274) on defense. OU averaged 474 yards per game offensively and gave up 461 on defense. This was comparable to KU, who recorded 438 yards of offense and 469 yards against on defense. But the Jayhawks are returning more playmakers on both sides of the ball.

The issue last year was that KU let OU gash it on the ground for nearly 300 yards and five touchdowns. Some of that likely came from the Sooners being extra motivated after being humiliated by Texas the week before.

Final Whistle

A positive for KU this year may be that the Jayhawks don’t have to face OU right after the Texas game. Interestingly enough, the Sooners will come to Lawrence after playing Gabriel’s former program in UCF. Kansas will have the atmosphere on its side this year, but as of now, it’s probably safe to take the over, no matter what it is.