Jayhawks face tall task in clash with sixth-ranked Cowboys

NCAA Football Betting Lines

10/05/2011 - Stillwater, OK (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The sixth-ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys are one of the most explosive offensive teams in the nation, and they are clearly favored in Saturday's home clash with the Kansas Jayhawks, a Big 12 Conference foe.

Kansas opened the season with back-to-back victories over sub par opponents, but the team has lost its last two outings, surrendering a total of 111 points in eight quarters of football. Last weekend, the Jayhawks jumped out to a 20-0 lead over Texas Tech to the delight of the Homecoming crowd, but the Red Raiders roared back to claim the 45-34 victory.

"You can't turn the ball over three or four times against a good football team and a win," said Kansas head coach Turner Gill, identifying the main reason for the loss to Texas Tech. "Our guys played hard; we've got some good things that did occur. We made some good progress. We have to be able to sustain, but we'll get that stuff corrected."

As for Oklahoma State, it had a well-deserved open date last weekend after recording an emotional 30-29 victory over Texas A&M last time out. That comeback win was the fourth triumph in as many games for the Cowboys, who undoubtedly have national title aspirations. Mike Gundy's group hopes to be unbeaten heading into the regular-season finale against bitter rival Oklahoma in Stillwater.

"The way they handled that situation was beautiful," said Gundy of his team's comeback versus A&M. "And the win makes it special. The way they fought back as a group shows a lot about their character and who they are."

Oklahoma State crushed Kansas last season, 48-14, evening the all-time series at 29-29-3.

Kansas scored on each of its first three possessions against Texas Tech, but only two touchdowns were managed the rest of the game by the Jayhawks. Still, they finished with five scores and 478 total yards, offensive numbers that should almost always result in a victory. Kansas did turn the ball over four times, including three interceptions by quarterback Jordan Webb. On a positive note, freshman tailback Brandon Bourbon ran for 101 yards and a score on just 10 carries.

Defensively, Kansas simply did not play well enough to win. The Jayhawks were victimized for 530 total yards and six touchdowns, as they had trouble stopping both the run and the pass.

"I know we're moving forward, but at the same time, it hurts that we lost," said Kansas linebacker Steven Johnson. "All our goals are still obtainable. We just have to keep going."

Through four outings, Kansas is generating 36.2 ppg and 455.2 total ypg while surrendering a staggering 44.2 ppg and 545.0 ypg. The Jayhawks are rushing for 236.0 ypg, but the fact that they are yielding 252.5 ypg at a clip of 6.6 ypc is extremely disappointing. Already, 24 touchdowns have been surrendered to opposing offenses, including 15 rushing scores. The horrendous defense puts added pressure on Webb and the offense. The quarterback has performed admirably, completing 67.9 percent of his passes for 814 yards and nine scores with only three interceptions. As for the ground attack, James Sims leads the charge with 339 yards and four scores.

It is hard to find many offenses nationally that can match the firepower of Oklahoma State. The Cowboys rack up 46.8 ppg and 571.8 total ypg, impressive numbers to say the least, and their 22 offensive touchdowns have been split evenly between the run and the pass. Quarterback Brandon Weeden has connected on 74.3 percent of his passes for 1,592 yards with 10 touchdowns and six interceptions. Star wideout Justin Blackmon has hauled in 38 balls for 450 yards and four scores, while tailback Joseph Randle has rushed for 461 yards and seven touchdowns.

While the Oklahoma State offense has been deadly, the team's defense, at times, has been flat-out dead. The Cowboys are yielding 27.5 ppg and 428.0 total ypg, numbers that must improve for the team to make a legitimate run at the national title. On a positive note, 13 takeaways have been logged, including eight interceptions.

Weeden threw for a school-record 438 yards and two touchdowns in the win over A&M last time out, and Blackmon had 11 grabs for 121 yards and a score.

"We came out confident in the second half," said Blackmon. "We knew we could come back if we played our game and executed the game plan (and) that's what we did."