Three keys for Kansas Jayhawks football against the Kansas State Wildcats

The final outing for the Kansas Jayhawks wasn’t nice, as they’re coming off a 55-14 loss to the Texas Longhorns. Nevertheless, staff and fan alike might want to put that within the rearview mirror because the Jayhawks will head to Manhattan, Kansas for an instate rival showdown towards the Wildcats. Not solely is that this the ultimate recreation on the common season schedule, however for a lot of, that is probably the most vital recreation on the schedule attributable to bragging rights. So with out additional ado, let’s get to the three keys.

Get again to being explosive

The Kansas Jayhawks’ offense is thought to attain factors and has demonstrated they’ll do it on the bottom and thru the air, scoring 34.8 factors per recreation. Quarterback Jalon Daniels returned to recreation motion towards final week’s opponent the Texas Longhorns. After sustaining an damage towards the TCU Horned Frogs, Daniels was capable of full 17 out-of-26 passes for 230 yards whereas throwing two touchdowns and one interception. However what was lacking was the quantity of explosive performs for enormous features. Texas was capable of restrict these, and Kansas suffered enormously. With the rust being shaken off, Daniels will now be requested to guide the Jayhawks towards a really proficient Wildcat protection.

The Kansas State Wildcats have allowed a complete of three,980 yards within the 2022-23 season. This averages out to 361.8 yards per recreation, rating them 2nd within the Huge 12. To interrupt that stat down even additional the Wildcats’ protection has proven to restrict opposing quarterbacks to 2,389 yards this season for a mean of 217.2 yards per recreation. This ranks Okay-State 2nd within the Huge 12 in that class. The Wildcats have allowed opposing run video games to achieve 1,591 yards for a mean of 144.6 yards per recreation, which ranks them fifth within the Huge 12. The daunting Wildcat protection shall be a real take a look at for the Jayhawk offense.

Though the Wildcat protection doesn’t show many holes, they can provide up yards on the bottom. In the newest recreation, the Wildcats gave up a mixed 153 speeding yards to the West Virginia Mountaineers. The Jayhawks prefer to run the soccer with not solely their operating backs but in addition their quarterbacks.

Devin Neal eclipsed 1000 yards on the bottom when he rushed 13 instances for 51 yards towards the Texas Longhorns. Earlier than the sport towards the Longhorns, Neal couldn’t be stopped as he rushed 32 instances for 224 yards, a landing towards Oklahoma State, after which 24 makes an attempt for 190 yards towards Texas Tech. The Lawrence, Kansas native has been very spectacular this yr, and for the offense to attain factors towards this stout Wildcat protection, they might want to have Devin Neal run the soccer.

The Kansas Protection should cease the run

There is no such thing as a secret the Okay-State Wildcats prefer to run the soccer, and so they have a particular operating again that may try this. The Wildcats rank 2nd within the Huge 12 in speeding with 2,290 yards on the bottom averaging 208.2 yards per recreation. Junior Deuce Vaugh has rushed 220 instances for 1,148 yards and 6 touchdowns. The explanation that is vital is that the Jayhawks haven’t proven they’ll cease the run.

The Kansas Jayhawks’ run protection has been atrocious all season giving up 2,095 yards which is a mean of 190.5 yards per recreation. This stat ranks them ninth within the Huge 12. As if I must pour extra salt within the wound, in final week’s contest towards the Texas Longhorns, Bijan Robinson rushed 25 instances for 243 yards and 4 touchdowns. The week earlier than that the Jayhawks allowed the Texas Tech Crimson Raiders to mix for 264 yards on the bottom. This can be a weak point for Kansas and why it’s key for the Jayhawks to restrict the Wildcats on the bottom.

There is no such thing as a query this can be a huge recreation for each groups. The bragging rights are apparent, but in addition a chance for the Jayhawks to roll into Manhattan, Kansas, and upset a really proficient Wildcats soccer staff. 

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