Tag: Kansas Jayhawks football

Big 12 Power Rankings: Sooners loss to Jayhawks shakes up the top of the conference

Big 12 power rankings are a mess after the Kansas Jayhawks knock off the Oklahoma Sooners.

The Kansas Jayhawks upset win over the Oklahoma Sooners was their first since 1997 after an 18-game losing streak against OU. It showed off the strong direction their program is heading under Lance Leipold and added another team to the Big 12 title race mix.

While the Sooners are still in first place in the Big 12 due to tiebreakers, there are currently five teams with a 4-1 record in Big 12 play and two more teams (West Virginia and Kansas) that are one game back of first place at 3-2.

The depth of the Big 12 is starting to reveal itself as teams begin to beat up on each other. Week 9 provides a semifinals of sorts for the Big 12 title game with Kansas State traveling to Austin to take on Texas and Oklahoma State hosting the Sooners in Stillwater for Bedlam. The teams that come out of this weekend with a win will have the best shot to make the Big 12 title game.

Best Photos from the Oklahoma Sooners loss to the Kansas Jayhawks

A look at the best photos from the Oklahoma Sooners loss to the Kansas Jayhawks.

It was a cold, wet, and dreary day in Lawrence, Kan. and the skies got even dimmer at the end of a hard-fought, weather-interupted contest between Oklahoma and Kansas.

The Sooners dropped their first game of the year 38-33 in a performance that was inconsistent from start to finish.

From Dillon Gabriel’s pick six to the inability of the defense to make stops late in the game, the Sooners struggled to execute in key moments in Oklahoma’s first loss of the season.

Oklahoma will need a bounceback next week when they go to Stillwater for what could be the final Bedlam in years.

Here’s a look at some of the best photos from Oklahoma’s loss to Kansas.

Observations, Social Media Reacts: Lightning Delay halts Oklahoma’s momentum after a slow start vs. Kansas

The Oklahoma Sooners and the Kansas Jayhawks are in a weather delay, here are a few observations and social media reactions to the game thus far.

Well, that first quarter didn’t go the way anyone wanted. It was a struggle in every aspect of the game as the Kansas Jayhawks jumped out to a 14-0 lead to put the Oklahoma Sooners on upset alert.

The Sooners gained some ground back with a huge touchdown drive to pull within seven, but they’ve still got a long way to go to come out on top.

Here are few observations and social media reactions as we await the restart of the game.

‘Physical makeup of the team’: Kansas sports reporter on why Leipold’s Jayhawks are different

To get ready for the Oklahoma Sooners matchup with the Kansas Jayhawks we talked with The Topeka Capital-Journal sports reporter @JordanGuskey.

A decade and a half ago, Mark Mangino and Todd Reesing helped elevate the [autotag]Kansas Jayhawks[/autotag] to the national conversation. They became Big 12 title contenders behind an offense that was able to keep pace with just about everyone.

But that was a long time ago. In the aftermath, Kansas became one of the worst programs in the country, cycling through Turner Gill, Charlie Weis, David Beaty, and Les Miles. They couldn’t replicate the success of the Mangino-Weiss era, failing to reach bowl eligibility for 13 consecutive seasons.

Then the Miles era abruptly ended and the Jayhawks went all the way up to Buffalo to bring Lance Leipold to the Power Five and to a program in desperate need of resuscitation. Coming in late in the spring, Leipold didn’t have much of a chance to find success that first year, but they were a team that was far more competitive than they had been in a long time despite the two-win season. One of those two wins came on the road against Texas.

Then last year, the Jayhawks started strong, earning their first bowl bid since 2008, and in 2023, they are 5-2 and on the verge of reaching a bowl game for the second straight season.

And while they head into their matchup with the Oklahoma Sooners as a double-digit home underdog, there’s a sense this Jayhawks team could cause some problems for the Sooners.

To get ready for the 114th meeting between the Oklahoma Sooners and Kansas Jayhawks, Sooners Wire had the pleasure of discussing the matchup with Jordan Guskey, a Sports Reporter covering the Kansas Jayhawks for The Topeka Capital-Journal.

No. 6 Oklahoma at Kansas Jayhawks: Sooners Wire Staff Predictions for Week 9

The Oklahoma Sooners get set for their 114th meeting with the Kansas Jayhawks. Here are this week’s Sooners Wire Staff Picks.

The undefeated Oklahoma Sooners go on the road to face the [autotag]Kansas Jayhawks[/autotag] in a Big 12 showdown that has title game berth ramifications.

The Sooners control their own destiny to get back to the title game after a two-year hiatus. Go 1-0 each week and the Sooners will get there. But each week will present unique challenges for the No. 6 Oklahoma Sooners. And that includes this week against the Kansas Jayhawks.

Kansas is on the verge of bowl eligibility for the second straight season. With two losses in conference play, they’re also fighting for Big 12 title game survival. It’s unlikely they’ll reach the title game, but they certainly can’t afford another loss in conference play and still make it.

The Sooners will face an impressive run game and a quarterback very capable of making plays in the passing game.

Will the Sooners keep their undefeated season alive on the road in Lawrence? Will Oklahoma maintain its historical dominance over the Jayhawks, or will Kansas thwart the Sooners’ Big 12 national aspirations?

Sooners Wire Staff Predictions and more from the College Wires

5 Jayhawks to know ahead of Oklahoma vs. Kansas

Get ready for Oklahoma’s road trip to face Kansas by getting to know these 5 Jayhawks.

Oklahoma’s quest to Arlington for the right to play for one final Big 12 title continues again this week as the Sooners travel to Lawrence, Kansas, to take on Lance Leipold’s Jayhawks.

Kansas has had a renaissance of late. They are no longer the sport’s worst program and can undoubtedly give Oklahoma a fight. There’s an avenue for KU to win, especially if the Sooners play like they did against UCF.

Kansas (5-2, 2-2 Big 12 play) will try to get back on track vs. No. 6 Oklahoma (7-0, 4-0) after suffering a loss in their last game on October 14th against the Oklahoma State Cowboys. The bye week came at a perfect time. The Jayhawks will be motivated and rested to try and knock off a top-10 team at home and secure bowl eligibility for the second straight season.

Oklahoma will have their hands full, especially defensively. Kansas has a dynamic offense. KU averages 212 yards on the ground per game on 5.6 yards per carry. The most dynamic aspect would have been their talented signal caller, Jalon Daniels, but he will not play. Instead, senior Jason Bean will lead the way.

Who are the players to know for a team that Oklahoma can’t take lightly? We’ve got you covered below.

By the Numbers: No. 6 Oklahoma Sooners vs. Kansas Jayhawks

Get a By the Numbers look at the Oklahoma Sooners matchup with the Kansas Jayhawks.

Saturday marks the 114th meeting between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Kansas Jayhawks. It’s a series the Sooners have dominated, holding a record of 80-27-6 against the Jayhawks.

Over the last two decades, that dominance has been on display, with the Sooners winning the last 18 matchups. However, that doesn’t tell the whole story.

The Jayhawks have been improving since Lance Leipold took over in the spring of 2021. Though no one would mistake Kansas for a national title contender, it has seen a drastic upswing in performance. Leipold holds a 13-19 record in two-plus seasons on the job. But since the start of 2022, the Jayhawks are 11-9.

They’re a good offensive team that has a defense that can make some plays, even if they do give up a ton of yardage.

Regardless of the history, this Saturday’s game could be a completely different story. The Jayhawks have closed the gap significantly on the Sooners. If Oklahoma isn’t ready to play from the outset or experiences lulls like we saw against UCF, it could be a long day in Lawrence.

Here’s a look at the statistical breakdown of this week’s matchup.

Jason Bean expected to start for Kansas when they host the Oklahoma Sooners

While Jalon Daniels is making progress, it sounds like the Sooners will see Jason Bean at quarterback for the Kansas Jayhawks this week.

The biggest question mark this week ahead of the Oklahoma Sooners’ road trip to Lawrence is the health of Kansas Jayhawks quarterback Jalon Daniels.

Daniels has been out the last several weeks due to a lingering back issue that kept him out of the season opener against Missouri State. And it looks like it may keep him out against the Sooners this Saturday.

Joining Steven St. John and Nate Bukaty on Sports Radio 810 a.m. Tuesday morning, Kansas Jayhawks head coach Lance Leipold provided an update on the KU quarterback.

“He’s making progress,” Leipold said of Daniels. “It’s still not where it needs to know. Again, today will be a big day. I haven’t heard what the trainers are going to say, but right now, I would expect Jason Bean to be the starting quarterback, and that’s the direction we’re heading.”

Jason Bean isn’t your typical backup quarterback. He’s played a lot of football and been productive when he’s gotten the opportunity to play. This season, Bean has completed 65% of his passes for 913 yards and nine touchdowns. He’s thrown just two interceptions (both in the loss to Oklahoma State). Bean is averaging 9.6 yards per attempt, which would be tied for seventh in the nation if he had enough attempts to qualify.

He may not have the same ceiling that a guy like Jalon Daniels has, but he’s a player capable of putting on a show through the air. Just last year against Oklahoma, Bean threw for 265 yards and four touchdowns. That was a week after throwing for 262 yards and four scores against TCU.

As Leipold mentioned, Daniels is making progress. So Brent Venables and his staff will have to be prepared for the potential that Daniels could play. However, it’s looking like it will be Jason Bean leading the way for the Jayhawks on Saturday.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on Twitter @john9williams.

Updated look at the ESPN matchup predictor after the Sooners win over UCF

How does the ESPN Matchup Predictor see the rest of the Oklahoma Sooners 2023 schedule playing out?

At 7-0 overall and 4-0 in the Big 12, the Oklahoma Sooners are in the driver’s seat for a Big 12 title game berth and possibly more. But as Saturday against UCF showed, each week is going to be a challenge.

We’ve seen in recent years that the Big 12 provides stumbling blocks along the way for any team attempting an undefeated run. This year is no different.

Heading into the 2023 season, many thought the Oklahoma Sooners’ schedule had few difficult matchups. Just over halfway through the season, games against Kansas, Oklahoma State, West Virginia and BYU look far more difficult than they once did. While TCU may not look like it has a lot going for them after a 41-3 loss to Kansas State, much could change for the Horned Frogs in the next five weeks to make them a serious challenger.

The Oklahoma Sooners simply have to take it one game at a time and show up for each matchup ready to roll. If they are locked in, they’re as good as any team in the conference and nearly every team in the nation.

Let’s take a look at how the win probabilities shifted via the ESPN matchup predictor after Week 8.

Game time, broadcast information announced for Oklahoma Sooners’ Week 9 contest at Kansas

Game time and broadcast information released for Oklahoma’s Week 9 matchup in Lawrence with the Kansas Jayhawks.

As the Oklahoma Sooners get set to take on the UCF Knights in Week 8, we learn what time they’ll face the Kansas Jayhawks.

Oklahoma goes on the road in Week 9 to take on the Jayhawks and will be playing at everyone’s favorite time, 11 a.m. CT (note sarcasm).

Including this week against UCF, next week’s contest will be the fifth time in eight games the Sooners will play in the early time slot and the third game in a row.

The Oklahoma Sooners have won 18 in a row over the Jayhawks dating to the 2000 national championship season. OU holds an 80-27-6 record all time over their opponents to the north.

In their last trip to Lawrence, the Sooners needed heroics from Caleb Williams on a cold and dreary day to pull out the 35-23 victory. The Sooners trailed 10-0 at halftime and were able to get their running game going in the second half.

Last year, the offense erupted for 700 yards of total offense, including nearly 300 yards rushing.

This year, the Kansas Jayhawks (5-2) and the Oklahoma Sooners (6-0) have the potential to be a big-time Big 12 matchup in Week 9. The game can be seen on Fox, and Lawrence could be the location for Fox “Big Noon Kickoff.”

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on Twitter @john9williams.