After a weekend off, the Oklahoma Sooners are back at work preparing for a meeting of ranked teams. The 15th ranked Kansas State Wildcats visit Norman on Saturday and bring with them what’s been a very impressive rushing offense.
OU's Javon Harris says the key to beating K-State is following assignments.
"We took advantage of every ounce of time that we could get,” said Oklahoma Safety Javon Harris. “Not every team gets a chance to get a bye week before a big game, so it was taking advantage of every minute, every film moment and every snap we take on the field. That's one thing that we did take advantage of.
"Knowledge, knowing the game plan a little more in depth. We know more about the opponent. And that's really about it."
The Wildcats are 3-0 following impressive win over 51-9 over Missouri State, a 52-13 win over Miami and 35-21 win over North Texas.
The impressive K-State run game starts with 6-5, 226 pound senior quarterback Collin Klein.
"Most definitely,” said Harris. “He's a big guy, he can run, he lowers his shoulder when he runs. But I'm physical too. I feel like that's one thing for me I'm going to take advantage of. Everybody else on the defense, d-line, linebackers, we will be talking all week who's going to be more physical, who's going to take the person to the ground, who's going to make the play.
"Especially in the run game, I feel like he's a runner first. He is looking to pass a little more but when it comes down to it and the game was on the line, I believe that he would be running the ball.
"They play very team oriented. They don't make a lot of mistakes. They don't make a lot of turnovers and they play real sound. That's one thing, they are going to continue to get better like we are so when it comes right down to it, it's going to be a good game."
The Sooner defense has seen its share of big physical quarterbacks and OU has one of its own in sophomore back-up Blake Bell. While Bell is not running the scout team this week, the defense has had plenty of opportunity to see Bell in practice.
"It's a bit of an advantage to have a big quarterback like Blake [Bell] that we against all two-a-days and all summer,” said Harris. “We'll take advantage of that and go into the game, like I said earlier, it's about physicality. [Klein's] a very physical runner but we think he's going to want to pass more. We're going to go into it and make sure we focus on what we're supposed to focus on and make sure we read our keys."
For the Sooner defense it all comes down to the basics, taking care of responsibilities and assignments. A breakdown in assignments could mean a long evening for the Sooners.
"I wouldn't say necessarily tougher,” said Harris. “I would say it makes you respect the part of the game you're supposed to be doing. Getting your eyes in the wrong place can easily turn into a big play. I think if we go into the game and make sure we keep our keys right and do everything we're supposed to do then it won't be a problem.
"I like the game to be physical. It's just putting a hat on bone foe me. If we just go out here and continue to do what we do and keep our responsibilities we'll come out with a win."
The Sooners and Wildcats will kick off at 6:50 p.m. Saturday evening on Owen Field.
