Oklahoma Football: 5 Positives from the Sooners' Win over Kansas

Oklahoma fans were pulling their hair out while watching the Sooners struggle in the first half of their 47-17 win over Kansas. But, by the time the Jayhawks were able to get their lone first down of the second half, the Oklahoma defense had done enough to show that they do belong in the same conversation as LSU and Alabama.

This was the last chance for Bob Stoops and his Oklahoma squad to make a strong showing before the season's first BCS Rankings are released on Sunday. Most experts believe the Sooners will find themselves behind Alabama and LSU in the first poll.

Oklahoma fans shouldn't be too concerned with their place in the first BCS Rankings. With a tough schedule ahead and a LSU matchup with Alabama still waiting, Oklahoma just needs to win out and finish with a Bedlam win over Oklahoma State.

Despite some turnovers that led to Kansas sticking around a little longer than Oklahoma fans would have liked, there were some really positive things to take away from the Sooners victory in Lawrence, Kansas.

Defense Continues to Dominate

The Oklahoma offense didn't help the defense out much by turning the ball over, but the Sooners were able to dominate an underrated Kansas offense.

The Jayhawks came in ranked in the top 20 nationally in rushing and averaging over 30 points per game. On Saturday the Sooners were able to hold Kansas to 144 yards on the ground, despite a fluke 56-yard touchdown run by Kansas RB James Sims on a broken play in the first quarter. Oklahoma gave up 17 points to Kansas, but shut them out in the second half.

Kansas finished with just 252 total yards and only 108 yards through the air. In fact, the Jayhawks didn't record a first down in the second half until the 3:14 mark in the fourth quarter.

The most impressive stat may be the six total yards given up by Oklahoma in the second half. That is the type of dominant defense that not even LSU or Alabama has shown.

The Special Teams Shows Big Improvement

Bob Stoops defended his special teams play after giving up a kickoff return for a touchdown against Texas. On Saturday against Kansas the special teams unit was productive in the kicking game and didn't allow the big return that has haunted them in the past.

Ryan Broyles had two nice punt returns of 33 and 36 yards to give the Sooners some good field position.

Stoops has taken some criticism of late over the kicking game. The Sooners have struggled in recent years to find a consistent field goal kicker. Oklahoma may have found it's kicker on Saturday.

Freshman Michael Hunnicutt carried the Sooners in the first half with some solid field goal kicking. Hunnicutt finished perfect on the night with his four field goals and has proven to be dependable after solid performances on the road and in the Red River Rivalry.

The kick and punt coverage was also good against Kansas. Punter Tress Way averaged over 45 yards per punt, including a long of 57 yards. Way also pinned the Jayhawks inside the 20 yard line three times.

The Run Game Is Coming Around

The one weakness for this Oklahoma offense has been the run game. Since offensive coordinator Josh Heupel made walk-on RB Dominique Whaley the Sooners featured back, the run game has improved.

Whaley ran for a career high 165 yards with one touchdown at Kansas. His fumble in the first half put a small damper on his big night, but the coaching staff is not concerned with Whaley's ability to protect the ball.

Oklahoma fans were also happy to see RB Roy Finch make some nice runs. The sophomore was able to rack up 58 yards on just six carries with one touchdown.

Finch has not been given much of an opportunity to produce so far this season. With RB Brennan Clay out with an injury, Finch was able to prove why Sooner fans were so excited about him coming into the season.

The Sooners will have to continue it's development of the running game if they hope to beat a team like LSU or Alabama in the BCS title game.

Ryan Broyles Is the NCAA's Career Receiving Leader

Ryan Broyles needed four receptions to pass Taylor Stubblefield as the NCAA's career leader in receptions. The senior claimed the record in style by making his record breaking reception on a 57 yard touchdown pass from Landry Jones.

Broyles would end up with 13 catches on the night for 217 yards and two touchdowns.

The record breaking catch for a touchdown was also enough to give Broyles his 43rd touchdown, which broke the Big-12 record. His 217 yards is also an Oklahoma single game school record.

Ryan Broyles is simply one of the best receivers in college football history and gives Oklahoma an advantage against any defense.

Style Points Don't Matter

With the BCS Rankings being released on Sunday, many Oklahoma fans were hoping for a more convincing win over the Jayhawks. For the Sooners, getting wins is all that matters.

Oklahoma is expected to be third in the first BCS poll behind LSU and Alabama. The good thing for the Sooners is that those two teams will play in November, which guarantees that one will lose.

Thanks to a tough schedule down the stretch, the Sooners won't have to worry about teams like Stanford and Wisconsin passing them. Thanks to a Kansas State win over Texas Tech on Saturday, the Sooners will likely face a top 15 team on the road when they face the Wildcats in two weeks.

Games with Baylor and Texas A&M still await, but a big showdown with Oklahoma State in Stillwater will likely be Oklahoma's second road game against a top five team this season. Stanford and Wisconsin lack the games with quality teams down the stretch that are needed if they want to pass Oklahoma.

Regardless of where the Sooners are in Sundays BCS Rankings, Oklahoma controls its own destiny.