Kansas football (2-1) returns to David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, opening Big 12 Conference play against the West Virginia Mountaineers (2-1). The Jayhawks are fresh off a bye week and had two weeks to prepare for a familiar foe. The Mountaineers are coming off an overtime rivalry win in the Backyard Brawl against Pitt. Here are three things to keep an eye out for on Saturday when Kansas takes on West Virginia.
West Virginia’s pace on offense
The Mountaineers average the nation's second-fastest seconds per play at 19.9. West Virginia pushes the tempo, presenting a challenge for the Kansas defense. Jayhawks coach Lance Leipold credited their pace of play and how impressive it is when speaking to the media on Monday.
West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez is known for his high-tempo spread option offense that is centered around a good run game and quick offense. Kansas defensive coordinator D.K. McDonald is excited for the matchup and ready to see his defense compete with the challenge.
“We’ll be prepared for it, ready to go,” he said on Tuesday. “They do a great job, so it will be a great challenge for our guys.”
West Virginia looks to get its run game going, but is without starting running back Jaheim White, who is sidelined for the season. Tye Edwards took command with 25 carries, 141 rushing yards and three touchdowns last week.
“He’s a big guy, runs behind his pads, and we’re gonna have to do a good job once again getting there and wrapping up, driving our feet,” McDonald said about the challenge Edwards brings.
The Kansas defense has its hands full, but keep an eye out for how the Jayhawks handle the Mountaineers' tempo and rushing attack.
How healthy are the Jayhawks?
Kansas is looking relatively healthy heading into conference play. In Thursday’s Big 12 Conference Player Availability Report, Kansas only has 11 players with injury designations, with six players ruled out.
Leipold talked about transfer wide receiver Cam Pickett not playing at 100 percent recently, but it seems he is good to go with no injury designation. Redshirt senior defensive lineman Gage Keys has not seen game action, but he is not listed on the injury report. It looks like he could make his season debut.
Linebacker Joseph Sipp Jr. has worked his way back, and he is listed as probable alongside a big piece in running back Daniel Hishaw Jr. Kansas fans should keep an eye out for more availability reports, as there will be one released on Friday night and 90 minutes before kickoff.
Thursday's Kansas vs. West Virginia Big 12 Conference Player Availability Report courtesy of big12sports.com. Can Kansas establish the run?
The Jayhawks tallied only 31 rushing yards in their rivalry loss at Missouri two weeks ago. Kansas has three talented rushers in the backfield with quarterback Jalon Daniels and running backs Hishaw Jr. and Iowa transfer Leshon Williams. Establishing the run will be a key to victory on Saturday.
West Virginia’s defense gives up an average of 114 rushing yards per game, so the opportunity for Kansas to establish the run is there. Look out for Williams to have a decent workload with Hishaw Jr. listed on the availability report as probable. If Hishaw Jr. can’t go or is limited, then Williams could be primed for a big day.
If the Jayhawks can get their rushing attack going, Daniels can build on his momentum through the air, where he’s tallied 679 yards and nine touchdown passes.
Kansas fans can keep an eye out for these points on Saturday when the Jayhawks have a chance to secure their first Big 12 Conference win against West Virginia. Kickoff at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium is set for 5 p.m. CT on Fox Sports 1.