Sooners vs. Jayhawks

The Sooners do their best SEC impersonation this week when they simulate a late season bye week by playing a patsy. The Kansas Jayhawks are losers of 9 straight. It's hard to imagine a team that has raced faster back to the bottom after having made an appearance in a BCS bowl.

The Sooners need to stay healthy and "TCB". It would be a bonus if they could leave the outcome so little in doubt that as many players as possible get some "quality reps". The defensive backfield in particular needs to take this one quite seriously. Today could be the springboard towards galvanizing a very young secondary for the rest of the season.

OFFENSE

Is there a good way to describe being aggressively on cruise control? Whatever that is, is what the Sooners need to be today. They need to put the hammer down and be sharp. Motivation could be tough and they need to get on the board early. It'd be nice to see Baker get his arm loosened up by making some easy throws to some different targets. Maybe the offensive line can set the tone. Orlando Brown has spoken highly of the KU d-line in the past so I assume he'll be ready to play.

For my OPOG I'll go Rodney Anderson. Going into the season he would not have been in my top 7 list of difference makers on offense and he has been absolutely incredible. I'm real happy for this young man what with overcoming multiple years lost to injury. I think he'll run rough-shod over a discombobulated and overwhelmed Jayhawk defense.

DEFENSE

This D needs a break but that should not be confused with rest or complacency. It's actually the opposite. They need a break from looking like hammered dog shit and hanging on for dear life. They need to be crisp. They need to figure out what they have going forward and they, above all, need some confidence.

This is an opportunity to do all of that and more. As mentioned previously there are guys up front like Amani Bledsoe that they are still trying to work into the rotation. The secondary could see three freshmen starting. They need reps, reps and more reps. It's regrettable that, at some point, this team will need Jordan Thomas to step up and be ready. So if/when he gets a chance maybe he can have some success. The Ghost of Parnell Motley might want another chance.

The point is this could be chance to reset, regroup and lock it in for the rest of the season for this group. It's a big day for them.

For DPOG I'll go dartboard style and take Kenneth Mann. I hear his name every now and then. I'm not even sure if he'll play today. Sounds perfect.

THE SCORE

This just needs to be a business trip. TCB on offense, reset on defense. It would be a total waste to come out flat, uninterested and leave Lawrence less prepared for West Virginny next week.

I'll take the Sooners 56-10