Preview: Oklahoma v. Kansas State
On Saturday, it will have been 1,848 days since OU last lost a true road game.
Let’s put that into perspective--Barack Obama still had over two years left in his presidency, the Golden State Warriors had not won an NBA championship since 1975, and there had not been a Triple Crown winning horse since 1978.
5 years and 22 days to be exact. This is how long it has been since the Sooners lost in Ft. Worth, Texas on October 4th, 2014, to the TCU Horned Frogs.
This week, Oklahoma travels north to Manhattan, Kansas and will put the 22 game road win streak to the test.
K-State is led by first year coach Chris Klieman. The former North Dakota State head man takes over after the legend, Bill Snyder, retired following the 2018 season. Klieman was hired following four FCS championships in 5 years.
In his first season as the new head coach, Klieman has led the Wildcats to a 4-2 record, including a road victory at Mississippi State. One week removed from a victory against TCU, the Wildcats look to shock the world as they take on the number 5 ranked Oklahoma Sooners.
OU comes into the game rolling. The Sooners have only trailed in 9 plays all season long, totaling less than 1% of every snap during their 7-0 start.
The Wildcats will look to slow the game down and manage the tempo. As the fifth ranked team in the country, in terms of time of possession, K-state will look to play keep-away from Jalen Hurts and the offense. This game, although not the triple option, will be similar to how Army played the Sooners last season.
Kyler Murray leading Oklahoma to a 51-14 win over Kansas State in 2018.
K-State is a run heavy team and will pound the rock early and often. OU ranks 28th overall in the country in terms of total defense and are ranked 38th overall in rushing yards allowed. The Mountaineers tried, with no luck, to run the ball last week as they tallied only 51 yards all game against the stout OU front seven. The Sooner D will look to repeat their performance.
Although the defense has played better, coach Grinch is looking for turnovers. The new defensive coordinator is not happy with the lack of turnovers forced and has been very vocal about it. “Three straight games without a takeaway which is alarming,” Grinch said. “We have to come up with a better plan as a defense.”
With the emphasis put on the turnovers, expect an ultra-aggressive team looking for interceptions and/or fumbles.
The Oklahoma offense ranks near the top in almost every category. Total offense, total yards per game, efficiency, and first down offense. 80% of the first downs picked up by Jalen Hurts and the offense, come on first or second down. The Sooners have been dynamic and have avoided the headache of third down.
Speaking of efficiency, Jalen Hurts only missed one pass last week, which happened to be dropped by his receiver. After picking up nearly 400 yards through three quarters, Hurts will be challenged a bit more this week as he will see a much better defense. The Wildcats come into the game with the 40th best defense in the country.
Oklahoma enters the game as a -23.5 point favorite. The Sooners are 4-3 on the season against the spread. The over/under on the total points is the lowest for any OU game so far this season, at 57.5 points.
Final score prediction: Sooners 45 K-State 13
Fun Facts:
-According to Mike Houck, OU’s opponents have run seven more plays but have been outgained by 2,006 yards
-OU’s offensive line is on the Joe Moore Award midseason honor roll (best o-line)
-Lincoln Riley is on the Paul “Bear” Bryant coach of the year watch list
-Oklahoma has the toughest remaining schedule--based on opponents records
OU: 23-10
Alabama: 19-16
Clemson: 21-13
Ohio State: 22-13
LSU: 22-14
- Austin Wood
