Oklahoma linebacker Eric Striker stalks an Iowa State ball-carrier in the Sooners’ game Nov. 1 in Ames, Iowa.

Oklahoma linebacker Eric Striker stalks an Iowa State ball-carrier in the Sooners’ game Nov. 1 in Ames, Iowa.

Kansas Jayhawks (3-7, 1-6) at No. 23 Oklahoma Sooners (7-3, 4-3)

11 a.m. Oklahoma Memorial Stadium – Game-time forecast: 62 degrees, 85 percent chance of rain, 16 mph winds out of the southeast – TV: FOX Sports 1

Log on to KUsports.com for our live game blog and follow our coverage team on Twitter: @KUSports @mctait @TomKeeganLJW and @bentonasmith

Keys for Kansas

1. Slow down Striker

Junior linebacker Eric Striker (6-foot, 221 pounds) is one of the top defensive players in the Big 12 Conference and often is the focal point of opposing offenses looking to attack the Sooners’ D. Striker’s athleticism and versatility allow the Sooners to use him in a number of different ways. His favorite, however, appears to be rushing the passer. Striker leads OU in sacks (6.5), tackles for loss (11.5) and quarterback hurries (4) and also has 45 tackles, 32 of which are solo stops. KU quarterback Michael Cummings called Striker “the best pass-rusher in the Big 12 and probably one of the best in the country” and said KU would have to pay close attention to where he is on the field at all times.

2. Dig in up front

Whether you’re talking offense or defense, OU’s monsters in the trenches have a significant size advantage against the Jayhawks. The Sooners’ starting O-line averages 6-foot-4, 327 pounds, and the D-line isn’t much smaller. Interim KU coach Clint Bowen has preached toughness since taking over in late September, and the Jayhawks are going to need every ounce of toughness they have to survive this one. They also are going to need to negate OU’s size advantage by playing extremely smart and avoiding penalties and using their quickness to get OU’s big boys moving laterally.

3. Keep the offense rolling

It’s no secret that KU’s offense has been much more productive and efficient during the past few weeks, and whether you tip your cap to co-offensive coordinator Eric Kiesau, Cummings, the guys catching the passes or Bowen for making it all happen, plenty of people deserve credit for the offense’s rebirth. KU truly believes it can put up points again in the Big 12. Cummings said he and his teammates are playing free and loose and no longer worrying about making mistakes. That has led to them taking more chances and gaining greater confidence, and both will be key to the game plan if KU hopes to hang with the Sooners.

— Matt Tait

Mega Matchup: KU’s front 7 against OU’s running game

With starting quarterback Trevor Knight out because of an injury and red-shirt freshman Cody Thomas starting in his place, look for the Sooners to rely a lot more on their running game. That was the recipe last week against Texas Tech, when the Sooners overcame a 14-7 halftime deficit to win 42-30. Freshman running back Samaje Perine ran 23 times for 215 yards and three touchdowns, putting him over 1,000 yards for the season. The 6-foot-4, 211-pound Thomas also carried eight times for 103 yards as the Sooners simply lined up and pounded away at the Red Raiders for most of the second half. That figures to be the game plan this week against Kansas, which means the big boys up front, particularly Tedarian Johnson and Keon Stowers, will have to be ready for the challenge, with Ben Heeney and company supporting them from the linebacker spots.

— Matt Tait

KU's Justin McCay is wide-eyed after his long touchdown run in the fourth quarter against Central Michigan on Saturday, September 20, 2014 at Memorial Stadium.

5 Questions with Senior WR Justin McCay:

1. How much has coming back to Kansas helped you deal with the personal issues you dealt with before coming back home to finish out your college career?

“A lot less stress. My relationships with my little sisters and my granny have grown so much more with me being here. I can go see ’em and do little things with them. We got a lot tighter, and I’m glad about that. It’s definitely eased the pain a lot.”

1. You’re going back to Oklahoma for the final time in your playing career. What do you remember most about your time there?

“Man. I went in there as an 18-year-old and red-shirted, and my red-shirt year, I suited up for the first time, and it was 85,000 people screaming strong, and I was just, like, ‘Wow, am I even ready to play in this?'”

1. Any trash talk or fun this week with any of your former OU teammates who are still there?

“No trash talk. Me and Julian Wilson have kept in touch throughout, so we’ve just had some fun. I just sent him a text, like, ‘Yo, get ready this week.’ It just makes it more competitive, and it’s, like, ‘You better bring it because I’m bringing it.'”

1. You’re known by many as a collector of Nike Air Jordans, but when did your sneaker obsession start?

“It was probably at the end of high school, going into college, and I got a pair of Concord 11’s for Christmas, and I was just, like, ‘Man, these are nice.’ And then one of my friends started collecting retros, too, and I was just, like, ‘Oh, I need those.’ I don’t know how many I have exactly. Not triple digits, but it’s up there.”

1. If someone asked you to describe your college football career, how would you explain it?

“Like an uphill battle the whole way, just fighting adversity the whole time. I’m not saying feel bad for me, but when I look back on it, I know I just always tried to be strong for my brothers and sisters and do what’s best for everybody. Since I’ve been here, I’ve just been a lot less stressed and relieved and happy.”

Jayhawk Pulse:

Two weeks ago, KU picked up a much-needed victory over Iowa State, but it was last week’s near-upset of No. 5 TCU that really got people’s attention. The Jayhawks played what was probably their best complete game in the past five seasons and hung in there physically and on the scoreboard with a very talented team that entered the week in the thick of the national title picture. That performance restored confidence and pride in both the program and the fan base and left people feeling like KU might be able to compete with OU and Kansas State in the final two weeks of the season. Led by a revived passing game, KU collected 418 yards of offense and 30 points and also won the turnover battle on defense. While the showing was big for the pro-Clint Bowen crowd, it may have been even bigger for the young players on the roster, who next year, Bowen or no Bowen, will be charged with building on the strong finish turned in by this year’s bunch, provided it continues today and in Manhattan.

— Matt Tait

Tale of the Tape:

KU run game vs. OU run D – advantage Oklahoma

KU pass game vs. OU pass D – advantage Oklahoma

OU run game vs. KU run D – advantage Oklahoma

OU pass game vs. KU pass D – advantage Kansas

Special teams – advantage Oklahoma