GAMEDAY BREAKDOWN: A look at Saturday’s Kansas-Oklahoma football game

Kansas quarterback Ryan Willis (13) is wrapped up for a sack by Oklahoma State defensive tackle Vincent Taylor (96) during the first quarter on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015 at T. Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla.

No. 14 Oklahoma Sooners (6-1 overall, 3-1 Big 12) at Kansas Jayhawks (0-7 overall, 0-4 Big 12)

2:30 p.m., Memorial Stadium — Game-time forecast: 52 degrees, cloudy, 15 percent chance for rain, winds 5 mph from the northwest — TV: FOX Sports 1

Log on to KUsports.com for our new-look live game blog coverage and follow the KUsports.com staff on Twitter: @KUSports @mctait @TomKeeganLJW and @bentonasmith

Keys for Kansas

1 . Protect Willis

Last week, against the top-rated defense in the Big 12, freshman quarterback Ryan Willis was beat up and badgered all afternoon by the ferocious Oklahoma State pass rush. Hit on two of the game’s first three plays, Willis never looked comfortable against the Cowboys and was forced to endure his roughest day as a starter. With the conference’s second-ranked defense in town today, giving Willis more time to operate will be key to KU having a chance to compete with OU, which ranks first in the Big 12 in pass defense and pass defense efficiency. “If we protect him a little bit better (early last week), we’ve got a couple of wide-open guys, (and) maybe it’s a little bit different,” KU coach David Beaty said. “So that’s a big deal. We’ve got to do a better job of protecting him. Because when that guy gets protection, he’s pretty accurate. He makes some pretty dadgum good throws.”

2 . Remember Mixon

With so much of KU’s defensive game plan focused on slowing down sophomore tailback Samaje Perine, who last season set an NCAA single-game record with 427 rushing yards against the Jayhawks, it’s important for the Jayhawks to remember that the Sooners have another back who can be just as dangerous. Red-shirt freshman Joe Mixon, who entered last season as one of the most highly touted players in the Big 12 and ahead of Perine on the depth chart, can kill opponents who worry too much about Perine. The key to stopping Samaje (638 yards and seven TDs on 116 carries) is wrapping up and getting him to the ground. The key to hanging with Mixon (396, 4, 64) is not letting him get too comfortable in the open field. It’s a heck of a challenge for any defense and one that will require KU’s defenders to be sharp with a couple of different sets of fundamentals from start to finish and sometimes within the Sooners’ same offensive series.

3 . Run for coverage

Paging Marnez Ogletree, Tyrone Miller Jr. and Brandon Stewart. Please pick up a red courtesy phone for an important message: Be ready to run. In senior Sterling Shepard and junior Dede Westrbook, the Sooners’ offense features two of the Big 12’s top wideouts. Both are burners, who like to stretch the field and create more running room for Perine and Mixon, and if KU’s trio of top cornerbacks is not ready to lock up with these two vertically all afternoon, the Sooners may not have to give the ball to their backs that often.

Mega Matchup

Kansas defensive end Ben Goodman (10) flaps his arms after sacking Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes (5) during the third quarter on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015 at Memorial Stadium.

Oklahoma offensive lineman Dru Samia

KU defensive end Ben Goodman vs. Oklahoma right tackle Dru Samia

KU coach David Beaty said earlier this week that senior co-captain Ben Goodman had shown severe disappointment over his no-show last week against the Cowboys. “He didn’t have his best game the other day,” Beaty said. “And I know he took that personally.” Combine that redemption mentality with the fact that Goodman, 6-foot-3, 253 pounds, likes his match-up this week, and you’re looking at a guy who could be in for a big week. Despite its youth and lack of experience, Oklahoma’s offensive line has been solid this season both in keeping OU quarterback Baker Mayfield clean and blowing open holes in the run game. The 6-4, 284-pound Samia has been a big part of OU’s success up front, but Goodman likes his chances to bounce back this week. “I’m looking forward to that match-up,” he said. “I’d keep your eyes on that match-up. It’s going to be pretty interesting. I would love to go against a true freshman, and I finally get my opportunity.”

5 Questions with junior safety Fish Smithson

1 . You lead the team and rank second in the Big 12 Conference with 65 tackles so far this season. What does it take to be a good tackler?

It’s really before you get to the ball. A lot of people think it’s just at the point of attack, but, really, it’s before. It’s the angle and then your body position. Run down, set your feet and then explode through the defender. There’s just a lot of things, technique-wise, before you get to the guy with the ball.

2 . What’s the best Halloween costume you’ve ever seen or worn?

It wasn’t something that I threw on, but I remember one that my cousin threw on. It was like a Chucky doll. He went around and acted like he was Chucky, but it was funny because he was short and he looked exactly like Chucky.

Kansas safety Fish Smithson (9) returns a fumbled ball by Texas Tech deep into the Red Raiders' territory during the fourth quarter on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015 at Memorial Stadium.

3 . Have you ever dressed up as a fish for Halloween?

Oh, man. Never. I’ve never even thought of that. I probably should do that. That’s a good one. I like that.

4 . What was your favorite Halloween candy to get in your trick-or-treat bag?

Probably a Reese’s cup. I just like the mixture of the peanut butter and the chocolate. I usually went through my bag and pulled those out first.

5 . What was your philosophy on eating your Halloween candy? Make it last or eat ’til you’re sick?

I remember in high school, my coach was always trying to keep my Halloween candy away from me because in the state championship playoff game, I had like 40 Reese’s cups, and I ate like 20 the night before, and it slowed me down. On one play, I almost scored, but I got caught at the one. When I went to the sideline, my coach made sure I didn’t forget. He said, ‘If you wouldn’t have eaten those 20 Reese’s, you probably would’ve scored.’

Jayhawk Pulse

The Jayhawks return to the field looking to bounce back from, arguably, their roughest outing of the season, a 58-10 loss at Oklahoma State. Rather than sulk and stew about falling flat after an encouraging effort against Texas Tech the week before, the Jayhawks have vowed to regroup and make a run at 14th-ranked Oklahoma. Like the Cowboys, the Sooners bring to town an aggressive defense and potent offense, both of which figure to provide a number of challenges for the home team. Rather than dreading the showdown with the 6-1 Sooners, the Jayhawks, as they have done all season, are looking forward to another chance to hit the field. Win or lose, respectable or embarrassing, these guys are looking to learn lessons and make progress. “We’re playing really good opponents,” Beaty said. “And we have another great one coming in here that’s going to be a good opportunity. So we’ll get back to work today on the very foundation of what we have to do to get better, which is work on our craft, improving our fundamentals.”