Kansas Jayhawks: Keys To The Season, Top Game, Top Transfer, Fun Stats
Kansas Jayhawks: Key To The 2022 Offense
Establish the running game as soon as possible.
There’s been one giant problem with Kansas trying to run the ball – it has to throw to get back in games. The team was down 101-49 after first quarters of games last year and the ground attack and control were gone.
This isn’t going to be Wisconsin on the ground, but as long as it’s able to start averaging well over four yards per carry – it hasn’t done that for a few years – and start threatening to push close to 200 yards on a regular basis, everything starts to change.
For this year, just being over 150 yards every week would be a plus.
And on the other side …
Kansas Jayhawks: Key To The 2022 Defense
Stop … the … run.
The Jayhawks were hammered time and again last year, allowing over 210 yards in ten of the last 11 games – the win over Texas being the lone exception.
There should be a decent pass rush., there’s size up front, and Kansas really and truly has enough depth to matter at linebacker. Now the run D that’s been progressively worse in yards per carry allowed over the last five years has to start allowing closer to four yards per carry.
Last year the Jayhawks were gouged for over six yards per pop, close to 3,000 yards, and 40 touchdowns. Reducing that by half is asking for a lot, but it has to start improving.
And that’s why …
Kansas Jayhawks: Key Player To The 2022 Season
DT Kenean Caldwell, Jr.
A good recruit for the program, Caldwell hasn’t done a whole lot so far in his first two seasons with 13 tackles all coming last year. However, he’s got the 6-2, 325-pound size – he slimmed down a bit – has two years in the mix, and he needs to be more of an anchor for a team that desperately needs to be stronger in the interior.
Kansas Jayhawks: Key Transfer
DE Lonnie Phelps, Jr.
Pick any one of about ten different transfers who could and should make a massive impact. However, the Jayhawks needed a pass rusher with Kyron Johnson done, and it got one.
The 6-3, 242-pound Phelps was an All-MAC performer for Miami University with 9.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss last season. He won’t be a volume tackler, but he’ll get behind the line.
Kansas Key Game To The 2022 Season
Duke, Sept. 24
It’s one of those games that shows where things are at.
Take nothing for granted at Kansas, but Tennessee Tech should be a win, and the road games at West Virginia and Houston will be likely losses. And then Duke comes to town in what needs to be a must win.
Last year the Jayhawks got rocked by a bad Blue Devil team 52-33. Win this time around, and all of a sudden there might be a little bit of hope.
Kansas Jayhawks: 2021 Fun Stats
– Rushing Yards: Opponents 2,999 – Kansas 1,672
– Fumbles: Opponents 15 (lost 8) – Kansas 15 (lost 3)
– Red Zone Scores: Opponents 53-of-58 (91%) – Kansas 29-of-40 (73%)
Offense, Defense Breakdown | Season Prediction, What Will Happen
Kansas Top 10 Players | Kansas Schedule & Analysis