Kansas vs. Oklahoma Betting: Will returning Gabriel guide Sooners to skid-snapping win?

Was last Saturday’s destruction in Dallas rock bottom for the Oklahoma Sooners? We’ll find out tomorrow when they host Kansas, who will visit Norman following its first loss and without its starting quarterback.

The last three weeks could not have gone any worse for Oklahoma. The Sooners have lost three straight games, including last weekend’s 49-0 humiliation at the hands of rival Texas.

This weekend’s matchup against Kansas offers the opportunity for the clouds to clear, but the Jayhawks certainly aren’t to be taken lightly even without Jalon Daniels, who is not expected to play after suffering a shoulder injury in last week’s 38-31 loss to TCU.

While KU will be without Daniels, Dillon Gabriel is set to return for OU after suffering a concussion against TCU two weeks ago.

His return certainly won’t cure everything that ails the Sooners, given that he can’t play defense. But the news does set them up favorably for a successful Saturday, which is desperately needed after an 0-3 start in Big 12 play.

Kansas Jayhawks vs. Oklahoma Sooners Matchup Information and Betting Odds

Matchup Information

• Matchup: Kansas Jayhawks (5-1, 2-1 Big 12, #19 AP Poll/#20 Coaches) vs. Oklahoma Sooners (3-3, 0-3 Big 12)
• Venue & Location: Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium (Norman, Oklahoma)
• Date: Saturday, October 15, 2022
• Game Time: 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time (11:00 a.m. local time)
• How to Watch Kansas vs. Oklahoma: ESPN2

Kansas vs. Oklahoma Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline. Odds from our other recommended legal sports betting sites may also appear in this article.

Spread

• Kansas +8.5 (-112)
• Oklahoma -8.5 (-108)

Over/Under

• Over 62.5 (-110)
• Under 62.5 (-110)

Moneyline

• Kansas +250
• Oklahoma -315

Kansas Jayhawks vs. Oklahoma Sooners Prediction and Betting Picks

Kansas vs. Oklahoma Prediction: Oklahoma to win

Kansas vs. Oklahoma Picks: Kansas/Oklahoma over (Best Value: over 62.5 @ -110 at BetOnline, Bovada Sportsbook & BetMGM) & Kansas team total over (Best Value: over 26.5 @ -115 at BetOnline)

Without Gabriel, Oklahoma’s offense generated little against TCU and even less against Texas. Across the two games, backup Davis Beville was just 13 of 28 for 88 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception.

After venturing into Texas territory three times in their first four possessions and coming up empty, the Sooners didn’t cross midfield again.

There were many low points for OU, but the lowest was arguably Eric Gray’s failed jump pass that ended what would be the Sooners’ final serious threat.

So, from that standpoint, Gabriel’s likely return is huge. Thus far this season, the UCF transfer has completed 63.9 percent of his passes for 1,215 yards and 11 touchdowns, and he has yet to throw an interception.

And prior to the TCU game, he had run for 116 yards in two games against Nebraska and Kansas State. Gabriel’s absence would have been felt regardless, especially given his mobility, but Beville’s struggles made it all the more glaring.

For all that Gabriel’s return should bring, there is the matter of Oklahoma’s defense, which has been dreadful. Not generating much offense is going to put more pressure on the defense, obviously.

But the Sooners were run over, around, and through by Adrian Martinez, Deuce Vaughn, and Kansas State and were being torched by TCU before Gabriel went down.

In all likelihood, they were going to have a bad day no matter what against Texas, who compiled 35 first downs and 585 yards in Quinn Ewers’ return to action.

Opposing Quarterbacks vs. Oklahoma (Last Three Games)

• Adrian Martinez (Kansas State): 21 of 34, 234 yards, TD passing; 21 carries, 148 yards, 4 TD rushing
• Max Duggan (TCU): 23 of 33, 302 yards, 3 TD passing; 5 carries, 116 yards, 2 TD rushing
• Quinn Ewers (Texas): 21 of 31, 289 yards, 4 TD, INT passing; 2 carries, 17 yards rushing

That is why the Jayhawks shouldn’t be dismissed even with Daniels out. Against TCU, backup Jason Bean was 16 of 24 for 262 yards and four scores (with one pick) and ran for 34 yards on seven attempts.

BEAN there, done that! Another @KU_Football TOUCHDOWN! ‼️

TIE GAME! (again) pic.twitter.com/sCwkKhoYrn

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 8, 2022

Over the past three weeks, the Sooners were lit up by offenses that have mobile quarterbacks and can run the ball well.

Along with what Martinez, Duggan, and Ewers did through the air, the Sooners allowed 275 rushing yards against Kansas State at 5.6 yards per attempt, 361 against TCU at 8.8 yards per attempt, and 296 yards against Texas at 5.9 yards per attempt.

There is zero reason to feel like they will have a lot of success against Kansas.

Fortunately, with Gabriel back on the field, OU should be able to score enough points themselves to pull out the win. I’m not going anywhere near the spread on either side, but the two total plays above should hit with little stress.

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