Oklahoma Sooners (3-3 SU, 1-3-1 ATS) vs. Kansas Jayhawks (5-1 SU, 2-3 ATS), 3:30 p.m. EST, Saturday, October 24, 2009, Memorial Stadium, Lawrence, Kan. TV: ABC
by Ryno of Predictem.com
Point Spread: Oklahoma -7.5/Kansas +7.5
Over/Under: 54.5
Sam Bradford was back on the field two weeks ago in a win over Baylor. The Oklahoma quarterback was out there again in the big game against Texas on Saturday. But his appearance didn’t last long, as Bradford re-injured his shoulder in the first quarter and left the game. Bradford could now be out for the rest of the season. Freshman QB Landry Jones, who filled in for Bradford before the Baylor game, will be the Oklahoma QB on Saturday when the Sooners face the Kansas Jayhawks.
In the 16-13 loss to Texas, the Sooners defense held Texas QB Colt McCoy to 127 passing yards. Jones threw for 250 yards and a touchdown, but also threw two interceptions. The Sooners weren’t able to get any consistent rushing attack going, as they totaled just 16 yards on 22 carries. They were able to move the ball downfield on screen passes to running back Demarco Murray, who had eight catches for 116 yards.
The Sooners are 3-3, but they could easily be 6-0 right now. They lost to Texas by three, Miami by one and BYU by one. In five games, Jones has totaled 1,111 passing yards, 11 touchdowns and five interceptions. Murray, who had -3 rushing yards against Texas, leads the team in rushing with 403 yards and three touchdowns. Chris Brown, who splits carries with Murray, has 361 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Jones’s favorite targets are Brandon Caleb and Ryan Broyles. Caleb leads with 382 receiving yards on 24 catches, but Broyles has 25 catches for 379 yards and leads with eight touchdowns.
Kansas started the season with a 5-0 record before falling at Colorado on Saturday, 34-30. That could have been a look-ahead situation where the Jayhawks overlooked Colorado and were thinking ahead to their matchup with Oklahoma. Kansas hasn’t really played much competition yet this season. Its best wins were close victories over Southern Miss and Iowa State. The Jayhawks have scored at least 30 points in every game this season.
Kansas QB Todd Reesing is having another stellar season with 1,980 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, four interceptions and a 67.1 completion percentage. Reesing’s main targets are Dezmon Briscoe (38 receptions, 671 yards, four TD’s) and Kerry Meier (54 receptions, 580 yards, six TD’s). The Jayhawks like to pass a lot, but they do run the ball almost as much as they pass. Leading the way in the backfield are Toben Opurum (95 carries, 421 yards, eight TD’s) and Jake Sharp (55 carries, 277 yards, three TD’s), who is questionable for this weekend’s game with a calf injury.
Oklahoma defeated Kansas last season, 45-31. But Oklahoma has lost a lot of talent since last season, including Bradford and tight end Jermaine Gresham.
Oklahoma has a terrific defense this season, but Kansas will still put some points on the board. The key will be whether or not the Kansas defense can contain Oklahoma’s offense. Kansas is giving up 245.7 passing yards per game, while Oklahoma is allowing just 189.8. And Oklahoma has faced much better competition thus far. Oklahoma’s run defense is even better, as the Sooners have given up 68.3 rushing yards per game on 2.2 yards per carry, good enough for the fifth best run defense in the nation. The Sooners are one of just two teams that haven’t allowed a single rushing touchdown.
BET KANSAS AT +27.5 USING A 20 POINT
TEASER AT 5DIMES
Kansas is 5-0 SU in its last five home games, but 0-5 SU in its last five games against Oklahoma. The total has gone over in each of the Jayhawks’ last four games. Oklahoma is 6-1-1 ATS in its last eight road games and 13-4 SU in its last 17 road games. The total has gone over in five of Oklahoma’s last seven road games. The total has gone under in all five of Oklahoma’s games this season.
Ryno’s Pick: Kansas lost by two touchdowns at Oklahoma last season. This match is at Kansas, and the Sooners aren’t nearly the same team they were last season. Kansas should be able to keep this game close. The Jayhawks have a lot to prove after losing to Colorado, so this game could define their season. Oklahoma already has three losses and lost its star QB for the second time this season, so the Sooners may not have the same motivation as Kansas does at this point. Oklahoma’s offense hasn’t dominated against good competition yet this season. If Kansas can play inspired football and hold the Sooners to only a couple touchdowns, the Jayhawks could definitely win this game. With the Jayhawks getting more than a touchdown at home, it’s hard to pass that up. Take Kansas +7.5.