Few expected Kansas to keep its game versus Oklahoma close, let alone possibly have a chance at winning. The Sooners entered the game favored by 40 points, a daunting number but one that was covered nonetheless. In one of the week’s least surprising outcomes, Oklahoma destroyed Kansas in Norman 56-3, embarrassing the Jayhawks.
Offensive Discrepancies
Oklahoma moved the ball and scored with ease on Saturday. Quarterback Baker Mayfield completed 16 of 24 passes, four for touchdowns. Dede Westbrook, the hottest receiver in the country, had another excellent game, pulling in five receptions for 105 yards and a touchdown, while also returning a first quarter punt for a score. The Sooners dominated on the ground as well, even with a hampered Joe Mixon. Nine different Sooners ball carriers combined for 267 rushing yards, averaging seven yards per attempt.
As dominant as Oklahoma was, Kansas was equally inept. Montell Cozart started again for the Jayhawks, passing for just 120 yards on 36 attempts with two interceptions. His 3.33 yards per attempt and 72.4 passer efficiency rating are both season lows for Cozart. Kansas’ running game was completely unproductive as well, with four ball carriers racking up 49 yards on 28 attempts.
This trend is nothing new for Kansas, as its offense has looked inept for most of the season. Coach David Beaty’s decision to start Cozart will face scrutiny leading up to next week’s game versus West Virginia. The fact that Cozart played long into the blowout, with Carter Stanley not entering the game until there were mere moments left in the game, will only add to the vitriol directed at Beaty’s decisions. Kansas couldn’t score in the fourth quarter for the seventh-straight game, even with Oklahoma’s backups in for much of the second half.
Defensive Standouts
Entering Week 9, Kansas’ defense showed almost weekly improvement on the field, in spite of some lopsided scores. That improved defense was not displayed against Oklahoma, but some players did stand out.
Safety play remains a strong suit for Kansas, with Fish Smithson and Mike Lee continuing to punish opponents. Smithson led the team in tackles with nine, while Lee added six and forced a fumble. Defensive end Dorance Armstrong Jr. added a sack for the sixth-straight game, giving him eight on the year.
The Sooners showcased their defensive prowess all night long against the Jayhawks. Three Oklahoma players recorded a sack on Saturday, with two others adding an interception each. Linebacker Jordan Thomas’ third quarter pick of a terribly thrown Cozart pass was returned for a touchdown.
Future expectations
For Oklahoma, expectations for the rest of the season are simple. With Baylor and West Virginia losing in Week 9, Oklahoma is now in first place in the Big 12. If the Sooners can run the table, a New Years Six bowl berth is in their future.
Kansas’ goals for the rest of 2016 are not so tangible. Pulling off one more victory would be ideal for the Jayhawks. However, steady improvement is necessity at this point, for the roster and for Beaty as a coach. Each player needs to earn playing time at this point, and needs to prove they belong on the field as a member of an FBS program. At the same time, Beaty needs to prove that he can be an FBS coach.
At some point, there needs to be repercussions for Beaty’s offense failing to improve at all. Beaty’s modified air raid offense, closely-related to most Big 12 offensive systems, is yielding less than 19.5 points per game, an unacceptable amount in a conference dependent on high scores. This is in spite of the fact the roster is certainly improved over last year, and the system has been implemented for more than a season and a half at this point.
The improved Kansas defense is constantly in bad situations due to the offense’s ineptitude. It’s not as if both sides of the ball don’t have young, talented players. Peculiar-at-best play calling, tons of turnovers and a lame duck quarterback are not helping Beaty’s cause. The Jayhawks need to show some level of offensive competence in the last few games of the season. If they can’t, David Beaty’s tenure in Lawrence will not survive long-term.
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