West Virginia
Kansas football vs West Virginia: Scouting report, prediction for Jayhawks’ road game
Kansas football DC Brian Borland previews Jayhawks’ West Virginia game
Here’s what Kansas football defensive coordinator Brian Borland had to say Tuesday ahead of the Jayhawks’ game Saturday on the road at West Virginia.
LAWRENCE — Kansas football will attempt to end a two-game losing streak Saturday on the road against West Virginia.
The Jayhawks (1-2) are coming off of a 23-20 loss at home against UNLV. The Mountaineers (1-2) are coming off of a 38-34 loss on the road against Pittsburgh. It’s the first time these two sides have matched up since Kansas won in overtime at West Virginia in 2022.
What’s on the mind of Kansas’ coaches ahead of this Big 12 Conference opener? What’s on the mind of the Jayhawks’ players? Ahead of the 11 a.m. (CT) scheduled kickoff, take a look at this scouting report and prediction for the game:
Kansas football could be without linebacker Jayson Gilliom again, against West Virginia
Kansas football’s Lance Leipold previews West Virginia
Kansas head coach Lance Leipold understands West Virginia has faced multiple rivals, so he’s not discounting the Mountaineers because they are 1-2 so far. He also noted how talented the West Virginia quarterback can be, especially with his feet. Much like the Jayhawks, the Mountaineers have a running back duo that will help create a significant test for Kansas.
Jeff Grimes highlights what stands out about West Virginia
Kansas assistant head coach/offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes might be new to the KU coaching staff, but he isn’t new to facing West Virginia with Mountaineers head coach Neal Brown. Grimes, who has a lot of respect for Brown, described West Virginia as tough, physical and sound. Grimes hopes redshirt junior quarterback Jalon Daniels’ mobility is something the Jayhawks can use to their advantage, and is aware of how aggressive the Mountaineers can be up front.
Brian Borland points out what he’s thinking about West Virginia
Kansas defensive coordinator Brian Borland considers West Virginia’s offense similar to that of the offenses the Jayhawks have faced so far this season. Borland highlighted how much experience the Mountaineers have, and the talent along their offensive line. He didn’t only echo what Leipold said about West Virginia’s mobile quarterback, but praised the one-two punch the Mountaineers have at running back — one smaller and faster, and another more physically imposing.
Kansas players discuss West Virginia matchup
Kansas players spoke with a lot of respect about West Virginia.
Jayhawks redshirt senior defensive end Dylan Wudke mentioned how veteran the Mountaineers’ offensive line is, and the balance their offense possesses. He’s not going to lose sight of West Virginia’s physical running back. He thinks it helps Kansas will have faced mobile quarterbacks in back-to-back weeks, but noted the UNLV quarterback was more of a bruising runner and the WVU quarterback is more elusive.
Jayhawks senior offensive lineman Bryce Cabeldue praised the front the Mountaineers have, as well as how much movement West Virginia incorporates. He described it as similar to what Kansas has faced so far this season. However, he outlined it’s important for the Jayhawks to focus on themselves.
Senior running back Devin Neal said the Mountaineers are sound and disciplined, especially at linebacker. He anticipates facing an opponent that is as motivated as Kansas is, after the start it’s had this season. Neal, though, is confident the Jayhawks can get back on track against West Virginia.
Prediction: Kansas 37, West Virginia 27
Kansas has struggled at times this season, and is in a situation where it’s definitely in need of a win. The same can be said for West Virginia, but KU is a program that needs this win more than the other. The Jayhawks should be able to persevere here, and get their season back on the right track against the Mountaineers.
Jordan Guskey covers the University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He is the National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas for 2022. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.
Saturday was another busy one for Virginia Tech coach James Franklin. He landed two more transfer commitments, one from Ohio State offensive tackle Justin Terry and another from West Virginia EDGE/linebacker Curtis Jones Jr.
The 6-foot-4, 226-pound Jones played both ways at WVU. A native of Ona, West Virginia, Jones appeared in 11 games as a freshman in 2024, almost exclusively on special teams. His role increased in 2025, when he played in 12 games, making 14 tackles, including three for loss, two passes defensed and one forced fumble. Jones was also used as a short-yardage back on offense, where he was highly efficient, carrying the ball 11 times and scoring 3 touchdowns.
Make no mistake, Jones will play defense in Blacksburg. He’s the sixth EDGE commitment for Virginia Tech’s transfer portal class. However, the Hokies lost Baylor transfer Kamauryn Morgan this week. With students scheduled to report next week, an admissions issue prevented Morgan from enrolling at VT and he is back in the portal. While it was a tough loss, adding Jones softens the blows.
Here are Virginia Tech’s other four EDGE commitments:
The Hokies have placed a premium on upgrading the trenches this offseason, and Jones’ commitment further strengthens Tech’s stable of pass rushers for 2026.
West Virginia and Colorado will meet for just the third time in program history on Saturday, with tonight being the Buffs’ first-ever trip to Morgantown.
The ESPN BPI matchup predictor is leaning heavily in West Virginia’s favor for tonight’s game.
What the BPI says
According to the ESPN Basketball Power Index, the Mountaineers have an 82.1% chance to remain perfect inside Hope Coliseum, while Colorado has just a 17.9% chance to send WVU fans home in a bad mood.
Although the two teams boast similar records coming into tonight’s contest, the Mountaineers are just a different animal at home. Since the start of last season, West Virginia is 24-4 when playing at home, winning fourteen straight dating back to the tail end of last season with their victories over Cincinnati, TCU, and UCF.
80% may seem strong, but quite frankly, it’s deserved.
West Virginia’s recent games
It’s been a tale of two teams for West Virginia in its last two times out. They weathered the storm against Kansas a week ago, turning an eight-point deficit into an eight-point lead within the snap of a finger, thanks to a 22-2 run. The defense smothered the Jayhawks out of the paint, allowing WVU to go on to win by double digits.
Tuesday’s affair with Houston went about as poorly as one could imagine. It was one of the worst offensive first half performances in program history, and likely would have been had it not been for true freshman forward DJ Thomas knocking down shots from range. Now, the focus shifts back to taking care of your own floor.
Colorado’s recent games
After opening league play with victories over Arizona State and Utah, the Buffs have dropped two straight to Texas Tech and Cincinnati.
Despite trailing to Tech 43-27 at the break, they made it an interesting game, in large part due to their free-throw shooting, 14/16 from the line in the second half alone. A three from Sebastian Rancik made it a two-point game with 43 seconds left, and after a defensive stop, Barrington Hargress missed what would have been a game-winning three at the buzzer.
Against Cincinnati, the first half proved to be a problem again, burying themselves a 43-25 hole. They outscored the Bearcats 43-34 in the second half, but the free-throw line was their enemy this time. Cincinnati shot 24/35 on the day from the stripe.
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On Tuesday, some lawmakers heard presentations of transmission line projects, but they said they got no real answers when asking if these lines would benefit West Virginia.
“My biggest concerns about these transmission lines are that they’re going to cost West Virginia electric ratepayers money but bring very few benefits to the state,” Delegate Evan Hansen said.
The big project lawmakers had questions on was the MARL project, which would stretch from Pennsylvania to Virginia, going through West Virginia, but in the maps, no substations were in West Virginia, meaning power wouldn’t be distributed anywhere in the state.
“I’m not against the transmission lines but if they’re not going to benefit West Virginians, rate payers, because the math they provided us seemed like everything was going over to Loudoun County, Virginia and why should the rate payers of West Virginia pay for that transmission line to benefit Virginia,” Senator Rupie Phillips said.
Phillips said he wants to see more economic development coming into the state, but this may not be the way to do it.
“You lose voltage in distance so, to me if they really wanted to save and I want to say burn less coal you think they burn, build stuff really close to the power plants so they wouldn’t have to put all that extra burn, extra energy in the power line for to lose it at the end of the rope,” he said.
When lawmakers asked if ratepayers would be paying for the lines, the company was not able to provide an answer. Leaving both parties skeptical.
“There was an analysis done independently last year that calculated $440 million of increased costs on our electric bills in West Virginia due to two of those transmission lines,” Delegate Hansen said.
People representing the companies said West Virginia would still see benefits, because it would strengthen the overall stability of the grid.
“If it was in front of me today to vote West Virginia out of PJM, I would do it. I’ve had at least six to eight delegates and a couple senators come up to me and say hey you put a bill in and we’ll go with it,” Senator Phillips said.
Another issue Delegate Hansen mentioned is that these lines travel across majority private property. He said Monongalia County commission and others along the path of these lines have formally come out against the proposal.
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