Oklahoma football 2018 kickoff preview: Games 9 through 12

OK, let’s make something perfectly clear: the matchup against Kansas in Norman should be viewed as little more than a tune-up scrimmage prior to the titanic clash against West Virginia the following week in Morgantown.

Jayhawk football continues to wander in the wilderness, and there is little here to suggest that they will be able to do anything but get blown out by a Sooner team that by this time in the season could very well be looking at a Big 12 title and College Football Playoff positioning.

Last year was abysmal for the Jayhawks, who finished 1-11 with a 0-9 conference record, with the sole victory coming against Southeast Missouri State.

Against Oklahoma, the Jayhawks got blown out 41-3, a game that is remembered mostly for the Jayhawk captains’ refusal to shake hands with Baker Mayfield and Mayfield’s sideline antics and hand “gestures”.

Quarterback Peyton Bender returns to guide the Jayhawk offense, which was anemic last season, managing to gain only 123 yards through the air against the Sooner defense. The rushing story for the Jayhawks was not much better: Kansas gained just 32 rushing yards on 27 attempts for a paltry 1.2 yards per attempt.

The key for the Sooners in this one is quite simple: take care of business while avoiding any critical injuries, especially since the season-ending matchup against West Virginia occurs the following week. This may be a great opportunity to give backups some reps and experience.

Prediction: Oklahoma 65, Kansas 0