The meeting coming up on Saturday afternoon in Lawrence is one of two teams each seeking an identity on one side of the ball.
For Kansas, they are looking for the defense to step up and play to the level that was expected of them when the season began. For Oklahoma, they have to find offensive consistency with Landry Jones at the quarterback spot now that Sam Bradford is likely done for the season.
Against Colorado in the Jayhawks first loss of the season, the defense couldn’t stop a Buffalo offense being led by QB Tyler Hansen for the first time when the game was one the line and they had a lead. They also weren’t able to bail out the offense from two turnovers inside the five when holding them to a field goal just once would have made the difference.
Oklahoma is not the same offensive team with Jones in at quarterback and so far their running game hasn’t been up to the challenge when they’ve needed to step forward. Against Texas in their loss last weekend, the Sooners had -16 yards rushing for the game.
While those units play will be critical in the contest, it will be great to watch the high flying KU offense against an OU defense Texas coach Mack Brown said had the best personnel in the country. Defensive coordinator Brent Venables had Longhorn QB Colt McCoy confused with zone blitzes and last minute movement along the defensive front.
Todd Reesing can expect to see more of that this week. If OU is blitzing, Reesing will have to find his dynamic receiver tandem of Kerry Meier and Dezmon Briscoe. The past three weeks, Meier has had at least 10 catches each game.
Against Colorado, Reesing had 400 yards passing for the second week in a row but KU’s running game, which had averaged 189 yards per game finished with -8. The Hawks will have to make the running game work to limit pressure on the QB. This will be a huge test for the still young offensive line.
Pride will be on the line for both teams Saturday, but Kansas needs a win to stay in the thick of the Big 12 north race.
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