Knee-Jerking: Oklahoma Sooners 62, Kansas Jayhawks 7
I don't see much reason to dwell on OU routing a horrific opponent. Just a few quick thoughts:
*Lately, this OU team reminds me of some of Bob Stoops' better squads in an important way: They've come out extra sharp to start games.
Ever since the Sooners lost to Texas, they have put the pedal down and not let up:
- Kansas: 21-0 at the end of the first quarter;
- Texas Tech: 21-3 early in the second quarter;
- Kansas State: 21-0 early in the second quarter.
Granted, those are three teams that are somewhere between mediocre and awful. Even so, OU is doing a good job of extinguishing their opponents' hopes right off the bat. It just looks like a team that is playing with an edge.
*The one exception to OU's overall sterling execution is ball protection. The Sooners are just way too loose with the ball, especially in the open field.
*Naturally, I don't put a ton of faith in Bob Stoops' assessment of Jonathan Alvarez's injury.
*At first blush, I liked what I saw out of OU's offense in goal-line/short-yardage situations. I will try to get a better look this week at the personnel.
*Baker Mayfield left himself to vulnerable to way too many hits by Jayhawk defenders. His ability to extend plays and make something out of nothing has bailed OU out numerous times this season. Still, he could use a little more discretion when it comes to getting rid of the ball and protecting himself.
*With how well OU is playing right now, this could be a super fun November stretch.