WVU showed a lot of heart in their comeback victory against Pittsburgh in the Backyard Brawl last week. They now own a 2-1 record and have a lot of momentum, but have a tough test against Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas, this week. They begin conference play as double-digit underdogs on the road against a talented Jayhawks team, who are 2-1 and coming off a loss to Missouri. The Mountaineers must ride the momentum and get off to a hot start in the Big 12. The game starts at 6 p.m. Eastern and will air on FS1. Read more: Five Keys to the Game for WVU at Kansas.
Five Keys to the Game for WVU at Kansas
Tye Edwards exploded out of nowhere last week after a federal judge granted him and three other WVU players eligibility to compete this season. It could turn the season around, especially after Jahiem White suffered a season-ending injury. The 225-pound running back ran for 141 yards against Pitt and scored three touchdowns. That production is enough to give the Mountaineers’ offense the lift it needs.
Related: Brick by Brick: WVU Lays the Foundation for a New Era
Head coach Rich Rodriguez opened up about how emotional the win over Pittsburgh was for him earlier this week, but he has since turned the page to focus on Kansas. He knows what he must do to prepare his team for the upcoming, mainly due to Kansas having an extra week to prepare.
“Offensively, they can do a lot more stuff with the open week for them,” Rodriguez said during the Rich Rodriguez Show on Monday. “They’ve also had two weeks to work on defensive stuff. We have to be really disciplined defensively because they’re going to come out and do stuff we haven’t seen.”
Establish the Run Early
Kansas was exploited on the ground in its last game against Missouri. They allowed 261 rushing yards in the game, for an average of 5.6 yards per rush. The Jayhawks did not have an answer for Missouri’s ground attack, and WVU can exploit the same weakness. Edwards and Clay Ash were solid on the ground last week, and the offensive line showed a lot of cohesiveness after a poor performance against Ohio.
The best way to beat a good offense is by keeping them off the field. Kansas scored 31 points against Missouri with only 19 and a half minutes of possession. They did most of their damage early, with the help of a fumble return, as the ground attack of Missouri wore them down in the later stages of the game. Establishing the run and setting the tone early are vital keys to this matchup.
Third-Down Efficiency on Both Sides
Third downs will play a vital role in this matchup. Kansas converted 29.03% of third downs this season, while WVU sits at 29.27%. The key difference is that WVU has only allowed teams to convert 29.03% of third downs, while Kansas has allowed 50%. WVU’s defense must get off the field and will enable the offense to get into a flow, especially early in the game. WVU can run on this team, and they must do so to stay ahead of the chains.
Contain Jalon Daniels
Jalon Daniels is a sixth-year senior quarterback after injuries and an extra year of eligibility after the COVID-19 pandemic. He is as experienced as it gets and is elusive in the pocket. He has never topped 500 rushing yards in his career, but he avoids sacks well. WVU defensive coordinator Zac Alley knows how mobile Daniels is and how well he throws on the run. The defense must remain disciplined and stay engaged until the whistle is blown against this dynamic offense.
Force Turnovers
The Jayhawks have three turnovers in three games this season and have done a solid job of protecting the football. WVU has forced six turnovers in its three games this season, four interceptions and two fumbles. Daniels was prone to interceptions last season, throwing 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The defense can wreak havoc on this offense if they get pressure on Daniels and force him to make quick decisions. The WVU secondary is an experienced group that can capitalize on poorly thrown balls.
Execute in the Red Zone
The Mountaineers are one of 27 teams in the nation to score on every trip to the red zone this season, while Kansas ranks 101st, scoring on 76.5% of trips. WVU has allowed eight scores on 10 trips to the red zone against opponents this season. Kansas has allowed a score on opponents’ five red zone trips this season. This game hinges on third-down and red-zone conversions, especially if WVU can swing the turnover margin in its favor. The offense and quarterback Nicco Marchiol must execute effectively in the red zone and on key downs to increase their chances of winning this game.
