This college football season has been a ride so far for the Kansas Jayhawks. With a perfect (2-0) start to the campaign, and a big win over Illinois, the Jayhawks prepare to face a winless Nevada Wolf Pack team. But with two KU players being flagged for targeting, fans were curious about the implications those decisions would have for future games. This article will explore what is expected of Kansas in their upcoming games.
The current season
Since Travis Goff joined Kansas as the athletic director, KU has experienced a positive development. Having previously worked at Northwestern, he was eager and confident to get Kansas to the top. And with the 2023 season underway, Kansas has been off to a good start. Behind team-leading rusher Devin Neal and leading receiver Lawrence Arnold, the Jayhawks certainly have a talented roster.
Expectations have been high for the Kansas team for the first time in several years, with players like Jalon Daniels and Cobee Bryant receiving preseason awards like the Big 12 Player of the Year and a spot on the 1st Team All-Big 12. Because of the promising season, fans of KU and other sports fans have therefore looked for the best sports bets of the day to wager on their favorite teams.
The win against Illinois
Before the Big 12 vs. Big Ten battle between Kansas and Illinois, both teams had high hopes. Having shown outstanding performances in the first week, both teams were passionate about letting the same energy shine through the game. Illinois had just won against Toledo, and Kansas defeated Missouri State 48-17, where one of the star players was defensive end Hayden Hatcher. Even though Illinois also has an excellent defensive front, Kansas could show off players like Kwinton Lassiter and Rich Miller. And when looking at the odds, the Kansas Jayhawks were the favorites for good reason.
The game started with the Illini’s defensive secondary being exposed, allowing two quick touchdowns. The Jayhawks had several chances where receivers were open 10 yards downfield. Illinois seemed unprepared to meet the team, which is why KU won the game 34-23. In a post-match interview, coach Leipold seemed very content with his team’s performance. He praised Jalon Daniels’ outstanding play, despite dealing with a back injury.
The situation with the roster
Even though KU walked away with a win, multiple players received targeting suspensions. Cornerback Cobee Bryant and defensive lineman Austin Booker were flagged for targeting in the second half of the Kansas-Illinois game. While KU ended up appealing the penalties, those appeals were denied. As a result, both Bryant and Booker will miss the first half of the upcoming game against Nevada.
Furthermore, the Kansas roster has been plagued with injuries-Jalon Daniels has battled with a back injury, and now Luke Grimm and Devin Neal are questionable to play in week 3. As coach Leipold mentioned in an interview, those players would take it easy at practice so they could hopefully be ready for the following games.
However, there is no denying that the absence of the players at training sessions could affect the overall on-field chemistry. The Jayhawks are also hopeful for the return of linebacker Taiwan Berryhill.
Conclusion
The Kansas Jayhawks have had a great season so far, but the suspensions and injuries have been a tall hurdle to clear. With several key players questionable to play in the upcoming games, coach Leipold is responsible for building a solid roster with a “next man up” mentality. But seeing as the players have shown excellent performances in the previous games, the expectations for the rest of the season are still high.
