Dave Aranda has Baylor playing good football as the Bears are on a five-game winning streak. They are trying to end the season with eight wins but have a challenge with Kansas visiting on Saturday.

The Jayhawks have been playing good football winning four of their last five including three straight over ranked opponents. Aranda believes KU could be their toughest test of the season.

“I have a lot of respect for our opponent,” Aranda said. “You pop on their tape and its apparent. Probably the best team we’ve played. You look at all three sides of it and you look at the level of what they’re playing right now, this is the best team we’ve played. Our guys feel that way when they watch it. And so, it demands attention and so excited to get into it.”

Aranda has been helping coach the defense and has a reputation as a good defensive mind. If they are going to slow down the Jayhawks offense it will take a better tackling performance than they have shown in recent games.

“It’s going to take better tackling than what we’ve done,” he said. “For some of the positive things from Saturday, the negative, and it’s been too long a negative, it’s just the lack of tackling guys leaving their feet and chasing ankles and all this other thing. It lessens us and I think it makes us look small and weak and vulnerable.”

Tackling has been an issue and if they are going to beat Kansas that is one area that must improve.

“You have to be able to step on people’s feet and put your face on their face and run through them,” he said. “And we have not done that to the degree that we should. And we’re going to have to in this game. If we tackle like how we’ve tackled, we’re not going to win the game.”

The defense will go against KU’s offense coordinated by Jeff Grimes, who was the offensive coordinator at Baylor from 2021-2023.

“It’ll be good to see him,” Aranda said. “I know that he’s going to look at all of it, but he’s going to look at Iowa State, and that was probably our worst game. And he’s going to want to replicate a lot of the things that are in that game. We’re going to have to play much better than we did back then.”

Aranda was asked about Jalon Daniels and how he has been playing better as the season goes. He believes a lot of that is dependent around a strong running game for Kansas.

“The run game is clicking for him, and they can run wide zone and get seven, eight yards anytime they want,” Aranda said. “I think he plays with the confidence that’s the case. I think a lot of people are playing them off and giving them field outs and things. I think the run game has opened up. There’s a lot of bluff back into the boundary and crack and loads where there’s alleys down the sideline and makes you have to defend with 11.

“I think the more receivers make plays when the ball’s in the air, which they’ve shown to do that, you’re running out of people to cover all their people. I think they’ve got things clicking on offense over there. It’s going to be tough matchup.”

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — One woman died and a second was injured in a shooting Monday night in Kansas City, Missouri’s, Westside neighborhood, police said.

About 8:25 p.m., officers were called to the 1300 block of West Bluff Drive on reports of a shooting.

On arrival, officers located two women suffering from gunshot wounds inside of a vehicle east of Avenida Cesar E. Chavez.

Both victims were transported to an area hospital; one of the women died at the hospital while the second was listed in stable condition, police said.

A preliminary investigation found there was a large disturbance outside of an apartment on West Bluff Drive.

Police said the disturbance escalated when more people arrived at the scene and gunshots were fired, hitting the victims.

No suspect information was immediately available.

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LAS VEGAS — Top-ranked Kansas is set to face No. 11 Duke in a high-profile clash Tuesday night, a matchup showcasing two of college basketball’s most storied programs.

With the Jayhawks entering as the No. 1 team in the country, the game presents a significant opportunity for both squads to test their depth in the early season.

Duke head coach Jon Scheyer, preparing for the challenge of facing the Jayhawks, praised Kansas for the test they present.

“We want to make sure they’re as ready as possible, while still building up their strength and their physicality,” Scheyer said about his team’s approach. “Understanding what these games are going to present.”

Kansas, led by Hall of Fame coach Bill Self, has a roster packed with experience and firepower, headlined by preseason All-American Hunter Dickinson.

The Jayhawks have flexed their dominance early this season, solidifying their position at the top of the rankings.

Scheyer stressed the importance of his players staying focused amid the high stakes.

“We’ve worked really hard on attacking every game, no matter the situation, no matter the ranking, no matter (the location), the same way,” he said. “How can you approach it and be better than you were in the last game?”

For Kansas, this matchup serves as a chance to reinforce their status as the team to beat. For Duke, it’s an opportunity to test their young but talented lineup against the nation’s best.

Tip-off at T-Mobile Arena promises an electric atmosphere as two blue-blood programs collide on a national stage.

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