Oklahoma vs. Kansas State: 5 Half Time Adjustments for the Sooners

Kansas State Wildcats are giving the Bob Stoops and the Sooners a little bit more than they bargained for.  The Sooner's lead 23-20 at the half thanks to Michael Hunnicutt's 53-yard field goal as time expired. Here are 5 adjustments the Sooners need to make if they want to escape Manhattan with a W.  

More Conservative Passing Attack:

Landry Jones has to be better. Period.  So far the Sooners’ Heisman Trophy candidate put the ball in harms way too many times in the first half.  Part of the problem maybe the gusty wind conditions in Manhattan.  But, the Sooners aren’t playing well enough to overcome Jones’ mistakes.  If they are going to pull this one out Stoops has got to start calling a more conservative passing attack.

Heart:

It was great to see things get a little chippy between the Wildcats and Sooners during today’s pregame festivities.  Looks like Bob Stoops used this week of practice to wake up a lethargic Sooners team.  K-State has made it clear they came to play.  OU is going to win this game and revive their National Title hopes they are going to have to find their killer instinct and squash the Wildcats in the second half. 

Tackle:

The Sooners haven’t done it in the first half.  It seems like every time Klein or RB John Hubert touch the ball they are breaking at least 2 tackles.  It will be tough for OU to escape Manhattan with a win if the defense can’t remember how to tackle.

Make Collin Klein Throw the Ball:

It would be an understatement to say Wildcats’ QB Collin Klein doesn’t like to throw the ball.  Over Half of Klein’s total yards and two thirds of his touchdowns have come on the ground.  His only touchdown on this game came on a read option.  The Sooners need to start putting 7 and 8 guys in the box and dare Klein to beat them with his arm.

Keep the Crowd Out of It:

The Sooner’s fast start quickly silenced a rowdy Wildcat crowd.  But Klein and Co. have brought the Snyder Stadium faithful back into the game.  The Sooners need to keep things simple and boring in the second half the crowd will never get back in the game and the K-State’s home field advantage will be nullified.