Three takeaways from Kansas Jayhawks at Baylor Bears

The Kansas Jayhawks limped their means into the bye week, each figuratively and actually, with a loss to the Baylor Bears on Saturday. However regardless of the third straight loss and one other sluggish begin, the Jayhawks did have some positives that we are able to level to. With that in thoughts, listed here are the primary takeaways from Saturday’s recreation.

This staff must get wholesome.

It is no secret that the Jayhawks have been coping with some very vital accidents this season. Daniel Hishaw went down towards Iowa State, with an unclear timetable for his potential return this season. Cobee Bryant injured his ankle towards Oklahoma in a means that regarded fairly critical, though a return this season hasn’t been dominated out but. And naturally, Jalon Daniels was injured towards the TCU Horned Frogs on a routine run out of bounds. Whereas Jason Bean has stuffed in pretty properly, the drop-off in consistency has been noticeable.

And Saturday did not assist a lot both, as LT Earl Bostick Jr left the game with a leg injury and Wealthy Miller was additionally shaken up on a play late within the recreation. With each Lonnie Phelps and Kenny Logan coping with some recurring harm considerations, it is honest to say that this staff is simply beat up throughout.

However there may be excellent news on the horizon, as Daniels warmed up with the staff whereas in uniform on Saturday, and Leipold has indicated that Bryant can also be trending in direction of returning sooner somewhat than later:

Leipold talked within the postgame press convention about what number of gamers have been lacking from this recreation, so it will likely be vital for the staff to get wholesome through the bye week to make a push for bowl eligibility.

Nonetheless loads of playmakers

A few of the largest stars for the Jayhawks being restricted or out doesn’t suggest that Kansas is devoid of playmakers although. Jason Bean could not have fairly the identical consistency as Daniels this season, however he nonetheless has thrown for 759 yards and 9 touchdowns to go together with his 100 yards and 1 dashing landing within the final three weeks

And on the defensive finish, Jereme Robinson had most likely the most important play of the sport for Kansas, as his sack of Blake Shapen compelled a fumble, which he scooped up and virtually ran all the way in which for a landing:

And there have been loads of different gamers stepping as much as fill large roles and make large performs whereas the starters are out. This expertise will give them extra confidence when these guys return.

This staff continues to be means forward of schedule

It is vital to be sure that we do not permit the new begin for this staff to obscure the truth that this staff has enormously outperformed expectations this season. Even within the rosiest of predictions, I didn’t count on this staff to go into the bye at 5-3. However a mix of gamers stepping up in large positions and catching a number of groups on the proper time, the Jayhawks have already blown previous the variety of wins that most individuals stated can be an computerized success within the preseason.

And even within the losses, the Jayhawks have proven the advance that we have been anticipating to see. Leipold himself has commented a number of instances that final yr’s staff wouldn’t have been capable of mount comebacks within the second half towards Oklahoma and Baylor. Add in that they’ve been this aggressive whereas nonetheless coping with some main accidents, and there may be much more motive to be excited.

Even when the Jayhawks one way or the other do not make a bowl recreation this season, it is nonetheless unimaginable to consider this season as something however successful.

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