Arkansas
Kansas vs. Arkansas Prediction, Preview, and Odds – 12-28-2022
Kansas will likely be trying to clinch its first profitable season since 2008 when it faces Arkansas within the Liberty Bowl on Wednesday evening. The Jayhawks raced out to a 5-0 begin earlier than dropping six of their subsequent seven video games, however they’re nonetheless making their first bowl look since 2008. Arkansas misplaced six of its ultimate 9 video games this season and will likely be with out a number of gamers and coaches on Wednesday.
Jayhawks excited to be again in a bowl recreation
Kansas ended the season with losses in six of its ultimate seven video games, however the Jayhawks are nonetheless showing in a bowl recreation for the primary time in 14 years. They weren’t anticipated to be a aggressive workforce this season, so they need to be very motivated for this chance. Their success got here primarily within the opening phases of the season, after they knocked off West Virginia, Houston, Duke and Iowa State throughout their 5-0 begin. Kansas’ solely different win this season got here towards then-No. 18 Oklahoma State in early November, however it misplaced to Texas Tech, Texas and then-No. 12 Kansas State every by double digits to wrap up the marketing campaign.
Santa got here early 🎅 pic.twitter.com/4tjnesdoRo
— Kansas Soccer (@KU_Football) December 24, 2022
The Jayhawks received a complete of 4 convention video games over the earlier seven seasons, going 2-10 total final season. They had been picked to complete final within the Huge 12 however had been one among simply two undefeated groups within the convention after they confronted TCU in early October. Beginning quarterback Jalon Daniels harm his shoulder in that loss after receiving some early Heisman Trophy consideration, forcing him to overlook a number of video games, however he returned for the ultimate two video games and will likely be enjoying on Wednesday. Daniels accomplished 65.7% of his passes for 1,470 yards, 13 touchdowns and two interceptions. He additionally rushed for 398 yards and 6 touchdowns, averaging 6.3 yards per carry.
Arkansas coping with a number of decide outs
Arkansas had hopes of competing for the SEC West title this season, so an look within the Liberty Bowl won’t be an enormous motivator for the Razorbacks. They’ve performed on this recreation 5 instances beforehand. Their season obtained off to a robust begin after they received their first three video games, they usually entered the marketing campaign ranked No. 19 within the AP High 25. They proceeded to drop three consecutive video games towards Texas A&M, Alabama and Mississippi State in October, knocking them out of rivalry within the SEC. Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson introduced that he’ll return for subsequent season and will likely be enjoying within the bowl recreation.
Wishing all of Razorback Nation a secure and blissful vacation season!#WPS 🐗❄️ pic.twitter.com/9Ce9LLxk3D
— Arkansas Razorback Soccer (@RazorbackFB) December 25, 2022
Jefferson accomplished almost 70% of his passes for two,361 yards, 22 touchdowns and simply 4 interceptions. He additionally rushed for 510 yards and 7 scores on the bottom. Operating again Raheim Sanders led the dashing assault with 1,426 yards and 10 touchdowns—the workforce averaged 223.4 dashing yards per recreation. Jefferson goes to be with out a number of targets on this recreation, as a number of wideouts entered the switch portal and one declared for the NFL draft. He’s dealing with a Kansas protection that allowed greater than 40 factors in every of its final three video games and nearly 200 dashing yards per recreation this season. Defensive coordinator Barry Odom left to take the UNLV head teaching job, and linebackers Drew Sanders/Bumper Bool are each out as nicely.
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Some bowl video games come down nearly totally to motivation, which is the case on this recreation. Kansas goes to be extraordinarily motivated for its first bowl recreation since 2008, whereas Arkansas shouldn’t be excited to play within the Liberty Bowl. The Razorbacks had a number of gamers decide out of this recreation, and they’re additionally going to be with out their defensive coordinator. Kansas had its star quarterback return down the stretch of the common season, so it has sufficient firepower to match Daniels. This recreation must be a shootout that’s received by Kansas as a consequence of a late motivation edge.
Prediction: Kansas +3
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I’m not anticipating many stops on this recreation, notably from Arkansas’ protection. The Razorbacks usually are not solely going to be enjoying with out their defensive coordinator, however they’re additionally going to be lacking their prime two linebackers. They’re additionally going to be missing motivation in a low-profile bowl recreation, which does bode nicely towards a Kansas offense that’s led by a former Heisman Trophy candidate. Jefferson is enjoying for Arkansas, so he ought to have loads of success towards a Kansas protection that was horrible down the stretch. This recreation won’t garner a ton of consideration, however it is going to be thrilling for many who tune in.
Prediction: Over 69