Kansas Game Preview
Kansas is 4-0 with a healthy and improved Jalon Daniels - watch out. Photo: Chad Cushing, UDK
Outlook
Texas opens its final Big 12 home slate with Kansas on Saturday in what will be the fifth game of the season for the undefeated Longhorns. Kickoff is at 2:30pm in DKR, with the game being televised on ABC.
The Horns are 4-0 entering this game, coming off a 38-6 thrashing of Baylor in a game that wasn’t even that close. It was another great road performance in what is becoming a trend for this team under Sark. Another trend, on the other hand, has been the inability to play our best at home over the last few games. Texas should be coming out with something to prove - that they can put together a complete game in Austin. That will be crucial as Kansas will be the toughest test the Longhorns have faced at home, by a great deal.
The Jayhawks are also 4-0 and come in with a #24 ranking in the AP, having beaten BYU 38-27 in Lawrence in their last time out - a game in which they scored 2 defensive touchdowns. Last year the Longhorns embarrassed Kansas 55-14 in their home after getting embarrassed ourselves two years ago by a 1-8 Jayhawk team.
Both teams should be coming in highly motivated, and not only because of how the last couple games in this series have gone. This winner of this game will stake an early claim at the top spot of the conference standings, alongside the Oklahoma Sooners should they take care of lowly Iowa State this week.
More on that team north of the Red River later.
This week it’s all about Kansas, a program that has made a tremendous turnaround under head coach Lance Leipold. KU is a very good offensive team and has significantly improved their defense from a season ago. Still, if Texas brings the same level of focus and intensity that they did in Waco, they’re going to be very hard to beat no matter how well the Jayhawks are playing.
The Longhorns’ passing game will look to get going early and often - something they haven’t done at home this year. Photo: Gareth Patterson, Associated Press
Texas Offense vs. Kansas Defense
This game will largely be dictated by how well Texas can execute their offense. We know that this offense is capable of having success in the run game or through the air - it just hasn’t come at the same time very often. It did against Baylor, where the Horns threw for 328 yards and rushed for 175. Jonathon Brooks is looking better and better with every game, and has the ability to be a 20-carry type of back who gets better as the game goes along. The passing attack is dynamic and versatile - as we’ve seen explosive plays coming in a variety of ways. Whether it has been deep balls to wide receivers, tight end seam routes for big catch-and-runs, or a running back screen taken to the house, we’ve shown the ability to do it all. That’s all been predicated on the play of the quarterback, and Quinn Ewers has shown to be somewhat inconsistent - in home games, that is. If he plays like did on the road in Tuscaloosa or Waco, it’ll be big trouble for the Kansas defense.
KU gave up 357 passing yards and was actually out-gained overall by BYU. They did however hold the Cougars to just 9 total rushing yards, on 22 attempts. 9?? That may be something to watch for, as Texas has also gotten out to some slow starts in the run game at various points this year. However, without the 3 turnovers including 2 of them taken back for touchdowns, it wasn’t necessarily a stout defensive performance overall. But it got the job done, and that’s exactly what they do - they’re opportunistic and they turn people over.
I really don’t want to go there and say it’s a ball hawk-ing defense, but I just did. Had to be done.
The Ballhawks Jayhawks have forced at least 2 interceptions in 3 of their 4 games this season. Quinn Ewers has yet to commit a turnover this season. It appears that something has to give. I’m betting on the sophomore quarterback from Southlake.
Advantage: Texas
Will Kansas be the first team to crack 25 points against the Longhorns defense this year? Photo: Chris Jones, USA Today
Texas Defense vs. Kansas Offense
At the beginning of this preview I mentioned that the Kansas offense is very good. I did not say great. They have not put up more than 34 points offensively in a game this year, FCS opponents not included. Sure, everyone is raving about the play of Jalon Daniels, Devin Neal, and co., and they should - they’ve played well this year. But this isn’t Caleb Williams or Michael Penix coming to DKR. It’s an efficient offense that plays well on 3rd down - #1 in the nation in conversion rate at 60% actually. Expect them to try and get off a lot of quick passes and not let the Texas defensive front seven get home. They’ll also attempt to hurt us in the QB run game with Daniels and keep us off balance with some misdirection. Containing the rushing attack is a key to slowing down these guys.
What more is there to say about the Texas defense? Until proven otherwise, this is one of the top units in the nation that has consistently delivered week over week. Okay, they may still have some things to clean up against the deep ball. But that’s about it. This is a dominant group and I expect them to continue to do what they do. That being said, it’s probably their toughest test of the year thus far and I do think this will be the closest matchup to watch on Saturday.
Advantage: Texas
Lance Leipold knows what it feels like to beat Texas in Austin. Photo: Ron Jenkins, Associated Press
Coaching
Lance Leipold is a name being thrown around in the early coaching carousel sphere, and rightly so. Beginning with that shocking win over the Horns two years ago, they’ve been a program on the rise and have played even better this year than in their breakthrough season a year ago. What the Jayhawks lack in recruiting stars, they more than make up for in experience and scheme.
Leipold currently owns a 12-17 overall record at Kansas but is 10-7 over the last two years. At Kansas!! That’s a remarkable job done by the man who won 6 national titles at the Division III level with Wisconsin-Whitewater. Go and beat up the rest of the frail Big 12 this year and let’s meet back in Arlington for the conference title.
On Saturday, however - Leipold better pack a lunch because it’s going to be a long day for him and the Jayhawks. KU this season has not faced the level of competition that they will see from the burnt orange and white - in talent, physicality, speed, effort, and scheme. I expect Sark to be in his bag as he seeks to finish with a winning record over Leipold and Kansas.
Advantage: Texas
Prediction
For the first time this season, the Texas Longhorns will come out swinging at home. This is a completely different team from the one that lost to these Jayhawks a couple years ago. Look for a huge game from Quinn Ewers as well as the Texas defensive line. Horns roll to 5-0.
Texas 45, Kansas 24
Hook ‘em
