Attempting to scout the Kansas Jayhawks

Oct 15, 2011; Lawrence, KS, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Travis Lewis (28) reacts after making a tackle against the Kansas Jayhawks during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. Oklahoma defeated Kansas 47-17. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-US PRESSWIRE

Many would call this weekend a bye for Oklahoma. Coming to town is Charlie Weis and the Kansas Jayhawks, who look like the worst team in the conference.

On paper, they are just flat out bad. Kansas has one win, though, it came against an FCS school. The rest have been losses to FBS programs.

The Jayhawks rarely find themselves as leaders in any statistical category, though they are near the top in interceptions thrown and times punted.

This team is just at the bottom of the Big 12, wishing they could contribute something to an otherwise deep conference. Sorry if this is harsh, but no one should feel bad for overlooking Kansas.

Then again, they should feel bad if the Jayhawks do sneak up on you. They may be the worst team in the conference, but Kansas has not been completely awful these past seven weeks.

They hung with Kansas State momentarily and played an incredible fourth quarter to nearly beat Oklahoma State. However, the Jayhawks make way too many mistakes. More than a respectable ball club should.

How does one fix this? Time. Weis really needs time.

Six years ago, Kansas actually was a decent football team. So decent, they won the Orange Bowl that season. That’s big time for a basketball school that has had little football success.

So maybe one day Kansas get back to that point, but in order for them to do so, they need some big help.

Dayne Crist has not been the savior at quarterback for Kansas by any means. He is completing only 49.4% of his passes, though he has thrown the ball more times than only three other Big 12 quarterbacks.

They do have three running backs with over 300 rushing yards, but none of them average more than five yards per carry. Also, Crist does not really have any big threats at receiver.

Their defense includes Bradley McDougald and Ben Heeney, who both are tied for the fourth-most tackles in the conference. Which is good, though McDougald is a defensive back and Heeney a linebacker.

Kansas will definitely need defense to stop the Sooners. Call this a plus if you like, but Kansas does not give up the most points per game in the league. No, Baylor, West Virginia, and Texas give up more, though we’re not sure if any of those teams want to claim they actually have a defense.

The Jayhawks offense will look to outscore Oklahoma, but the Sooners have been playing much better themselves on the defensive side of the ball. And it does not help Kansas is only averaging 19 points a game in a conference known for its explosive offenses.

At the end of the day, Kansas needs a bonafide miracle to knock off the ninth-ranked Sooners. The people up in Lawrence will be praying OU looks ahead to Notre Dame or sleepwalks through the first half like they did last season.

However, OU came around last season against Kansas and I would expect much of the same this time.