Following a heartbreaking loss to No. 12 Texas Tech, WVU Football (5-4, 2-4 Big 12) now sets its sights on possibly its last unranked opponent of the 2026-27 season, Kansas (3-6, 1-6 Big 12). Read more: Keys to the game: WVU hosts Kansas with hopes of becoming bowl eligible.
The Mountaineers seemed to have regained the momentum it had at the start of the season, going on a two-game win streak before falling to the Red Raiders. On the cusp of bowl eligibility, the Mountaineers are still searching for that sixth win to clinch it.
Kansas currently sits at the bottom of the Big 12 standings, only picking up a win against Baylor in conference play on October 24.
While the standings may lead the Mountaineer faithful to see the upcoming contest as an easy win, Kansas is by no means a team that should be taken lightly. The Jayhawks can be a threat both offensively and defensively.
Related: Coach Rodriguez and Alley overview loss to Texas Tech, set sights on Kansas
Kansas preview
WVU and Kansas faced off for the first time in 1941. The game on Saturday in Morgantown will be the 15th time the two teams meet.
The Mountaineers lead the all-time series 11-3 and are 7-1 against the Jayhawks at home.
In the past three meetings, Kansas has gone 2-1. That includes a win in the most recent game this past year, 41-10. Prior to that, the Mountaineers defeated the Jayhawks in eight consecutive games from 2014-2021.
Related: Tale of the Tape 2.0 – Kansas
Kansas has not had the best season this year. While its postseason hopes are not dead, there is no room for error as winning out is a must.
Arguably, Kansas is a better team than the record shows. Its biggest struggle has been closing out the game.
This past week, Kansas almost beat UCF. However, the Jayhawks gave up the go-ahead touchdown to the Knights with just one second remaining, losing 33-32.
The week prior, Kansas also held a lead in the fourth quarter against TCU but allowed a touchdown with 1:11 remaining and lost 22-16.
The frustrating part of both of those losses for the Jayhawks is that it had more total yards than both teams.
Now Kansas is set to face a WVU team that has had the same problem. If the Mountaineer defense does not improve this week, the Jayhawks might find a path to victory.
Here are the keys to the game:
Protect Hawkins and the run game from Leroy Harris III
WVU’s offense has been strong this season, but Kansas defensive end Leroy Harris can quickly make Saturday challenging for the Mountaineers.
Harris currently ranks 10th in the nation in tackles for loss with 14 this season. Additionally, he has the third most sacks in the Big 12 this season with 6.5 and has forced four fumbles.
Defensively, Harris stands out as a gamechanger for the Jayhawks. It is important that the Mountaineer offensive line limits Harris and does not give up crucial yards in what could be a close game.
While Harris is the standout, David Santiago and former Mountaineer Trey Lathan are also strong at pressuring the quarterback and finding tackles for loss.
WVU’s offensive line has allowed Hawkins to get hit quite a bit this season. In total, he has been sacked 18 times.
Cam Cook has also been an elite playmaker for the Mountaineers. Allowing the defensive line to stop Cook and the rest of the run game early too many times could be detrimental.
Don’t let Isaiah Marshall have the game Thomas Castellanos had this past week
The Texas Tech game was certainly a shootout between Michael Hawkins Jr. and Thomas Castellanos, who had recently taken over the starting quarterback duties for the Red Raiders.
Before WVU, Castellanos’ only start for Texas Tech was the week prior against Arizona. Overall, Castellanos shined against the Mountaineers’ defense and threw for 362 yards.
Headed into the game against Texas Tech, WVU ranked as the worst passing defense in the NCAA. The same remains true this week.
Kansas presents an even better passing game than Texas Tech did. Currently, it ranks as the 53rd passing offense in the NCAA, averaging 240.2 passing yards per game.
Throughout Big 12 games, Marshall has been consistent. He has thrown for over 200 yards in every game but one in conference play.
On top of that, Kansas has a solid run game too, ranking 24th in rushing offense. Allowing Marshall to have a great game and allowing the run game to thrive could cost WVU the game.
WVU’s defense did not prepare enough for Castellanos, who was not yet a proven passer. With Marshall being a proven passer, it cannot be taken lightly.
Let the run game lead the way
It is no secret that WVU loves to run the ball, and it is good at running the ball.
Prior to Kansas, WVU played a lot of teams that were better at stopping the run game than the passing game. Against Kansas, it is the opposite.
Kansas is only allowing 186 passing yards per game, ranking them 28th in passing defense. Meanwhile, it is 88th in rushing defense, allowing 157.8 yards per game.
Cam Cook and Michael Hawkins rank in the top 15 in total rushing yards across the NCAA this season. Cook has 1072 rushing yards while Hawkins has 924.
Theoretically, this is a game that Cook and Hawkins should be able to thrive in on the ground. Other than Jamal Roberts from Missouri, Kansas has not faced rushers of Cook and Hawkins caliber this season.
Overall, WVU should still aim to be effective in the passing game as Hawkins has the ability. However, it is hard to imagine the run game not playing a major role for WVU in this game.
Conclusion
WVU nor Kansas have become bowl eligible yet. For WVU, the path is easier as it just needs one more win. For Kansas, a loss to WVU would effectively end its hopes of becoming eligible.
Kansas and WVU both missed the postseason in 2025. Kansas has not been bowling since 2023.
Kickoff from Milan Puskar Stadium is set for 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. It is the latest kickoff for the Mountaineers in Morgantown since it faced Oklahoma State on September 26.
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