This week, WVU football is set to face off against Kansas in the Big 12 opener for both teams. We've already taken a look at a scouting report for the Jayhawks from our end, but we recently took the time to sit down with Connor Mardian, the site expert at our parent company's Kansas site Through The Fog and had him answer some questions about Kansas' team this season. Check out his answers below.
Based on your analysis of Kansas so far this season, what are some things Kansas does that WVU should be worried about? Likewise, what are some things you’ve seen from the Jayhawks that the Mountaineers can take advantage of?
Kansas’ wideout corps has been pretty consistent and has found a great way to mesh with Daniels, despite the top-three guys being transfers. I think WVU could struggle with that, because this isn’t a one-guy wrecking ball – you should see Cam Pickett, Emmanuel Henderson Jr, and DeShawn Hanika (especially in the red zone). There are a lot of passes to go around. On the flipside, I think there are question marks on the offensive front line of Kansas. With Jimmori Robinson suiting up, the trenches are a scary part for this Kansas side.
There have been some ups-and-downs for quarterback Jalon Daniels throughout his career, a lot of that due to injury struggles. Does he seem to have returned to pre-injury form (i.e 2022 Jalon Daniels), or is he still struggling with some of the issues from last year?
I think Daniels has been efficient enough through both the ground and the air. The cap around Daniels’ potential is probably a little lower than what people may think, but Daniels has the potential to lead a team to nine wins. Leipold spoke a little about his performance against Missouri last Monday.
“He tried to do a little bit too much again, but all in all, I think he’s continued to play confidently within himself, and not trying to put everything on his shoulders," Leipold said.
“I thought maybe there was a time or two in the [Missouri] game we’re looking to get something going, and face it, he’s done that in his career in creating a lot of plays for us here, and in that. So, that’s a hard one to totally reel in. But like I continue to say, his maturity and understanding, and he’s been that way all the way through, he doesn’t show frustration and panic in what he’s doing, and again, this team’s gonna need that throughout conference play.”
Kansas is ranked Top 15 nationally in total sacks, and there’s been buzz about some three-man defensive tackle sets that cause problems. WVU’s offensive line has been a weak point for the team this season. How good would you assess the Jayhawks’ defensive line to be right now?
I have mixed feelings about Kansas’ defensive front, I know it was just one game, but to give up 261 yards on the ground is never a good thing even if it is to Missouri. I think D.K. McDonald has done a really good job of throwing some versatile blitzes that have confused offenses, and I know Matt Moore took a number of rising stars to Blacksburg, so it will be interesting to see the balance between a poorer rush defense but a great pass rush.
Trey Lathan is the starting linebacker for Kansas, and WVU fans are very familiar with him after his stint in Morgantown. He leads the Jayhawks in total tackles, and is a very athletic defender – however, his pass coverage got the Mountaineers in serious trouble numerous times during his tenure with WVU. What’s your assessment of his play so far and his strengths and weaknesses?
I think they have been managed relatively well, with linebackers, their performances can be muddied based on what fans’ expectations may be, versus what they are supposed to do on the field every play. I think the addition of Bangally Kamara, a transfer from South Carolina and Pitt, has shored up things as well. But I haven’t seen many, if any, glaring mistakes from Lathan. But we are still very much green into this season.
The 13.5 point spread – from someone who covers Kansas regularly, is that a fair spread or not?
This is funny, I think, for any Kansas fan to see themselves as two-touchdown favorites in a conference game is a big shock. At the same time, Kansas looks consistently good under Leipold, and I think WVU fans are still very much in the feeling-out process under this new regime. 13.5 points can still be a close game up until the final minutes, and I can see it going something like that on Saturday.