About a month ago, a tough loss to Kansas State raised questions about where Oklahoma was headed. Three games later, Sooner fans have their answer.

Since falling to what has turned out to be a damn good K-State team, OU has played like one of the best teams in the nation. Even if Kansas is one of the worst squads in the country, that level of execution was still on display for the Sooners on Saturday night in a 52-7 victory over the Jayhawks.

KU offered little resistance as the Sooners scored on their first eight possessions of the game. OU went up and down the field, primarily powered by the arm of Landry Jones (19-28 attempts, 291 yards, 3 TDs). Eight receivers caught passes, led by Kenny Stills’ six receptions for 90 yards and a score.

On the other side of the ball, stopping KU running back James Sims (28 carries, 106 yards, 1 TD) proved to be more of a challenge than the score would indicate. OU’s D forced three turnovers, though, and got timely stops that kept Kansas off the scoreboard until late in the contest when the back-ups had taken over.

The win sets up a blockbuster primetime game with undefeated Notre Dame next weekend that probably has the suits at the Worldwide Leader popping bottles.

The hype machine will be in full swing for a contest featuring two of college football’s elite programs that will have direct implications on the national championship race. The Fighting Irish have an unblemished record after stringing together a series of gutty wins.

If the same OU team that has been sporting the crimson and cream the last three weeks shows up for ND, the Irish will need a whole lot more than guts to come away with a win, let alone stay competitive.