Wednesday Walkthrough: Duke Week
It's been a long time since we've been able to say this in a football context, but everything's coming up Jayhawks.
Kansas is 3-0 to start the season, the first time that's happened since 2009, and it's coming off an impressive road victory last weekend over the team picked to win the American Athletic Conference. More national recognition is being heaped upon Lance Leipold's group, specifically for quarterback Jalon Daniels, the reigning Walter Camp Offensive Player of the Week.
The next major test for the Jayhawks comes this Saturday at home as the Duke Blue Devils, another basketball power off to a hot start in football, come to town. Anticipation and excitement is rapidly building for this weekend, even if ESPN decided to take College GameDay elsewhere. KU is favored this weekend has become something of a national darling of late, but to keep that momentum going it needs to stay sharp at The Booth.
LISTENING IN ON LANCE
"It's nice to see that our early start's being recognized for the guy's efforts, but shortly after that happens you have to just keep your head down and stay focused on what you've got to get done and get better at."
Kansas received votes in both the AP and Coaches polls this week, the first time that's happened since 2009. While another win this weekend might actually get a number next to KU's name, Leipold is sticking to what he always preaches: building consistency and staying in the moment.
"There's some things that we've got to start better probably on the defensive side where we've given up the points ... We've got to come out and play a little more confidently, maybe aggressively, early. But it's important for us to get off to good offensive starts, too."
Even with two impressive wins back to back over West Virginia and Houston, Kansas has gone down 14-0 in the first quarter each of the last two weeks. It's worked out well so far, but is understandably an unsustainable model. Leipold made sure to point out that it's not just a defensive area of concern but an all-around fix that's needed.
"The loyal fans have been waiting for something, starving for something, being successful. Hopefully it's meshing at the right time that we have three weeks of great crowds and great crowds that can be beneficial to help this program take another step."
Leipold was asked about having three consecutive home games starting this weekend, followed by games against Iowa State and TCU over the next two Saturdays. He said that while it helps with routine there you also need to balance it with the other distractions that come with playing at home. But, he ended the comment directly addressing how much good crowd turnout can help carry the program's momentum.
"I think you have to stay in the moment, be where your feet are at. My wife Kelly and I, we came to Lawrence, Kansas not to move. At this stage of our career it's flattering, it's early in the season but our focus is trying to build the Kansas Jayhawks into a winner and a consistent winner for the long haul."
This one doesn't come from Leipold's press conference, rather an interview he did with Ryan Leaf on the latter's show "The Straight Line." Reaction to this quote on KU Twitter and the rest of the college football internet has been mixed, with some reading it like a commitment to the Jayhawks while others view the less-than-direct wording as a sign that Leipold will bolt. The only thing that's for sure is that this storyline is going nowhere any time soon.
KNOW YOUR ENEMY
When: Saturday, Sept. 24 at 11:00 a.m. CT
Where: David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, Lawrence, Kansas
Spread: Kansas -7.5
Sticking with the "Hasn't happened since 2009" theme of the week, that was also the last time Kansas was favored over a Power 5 opponent. That was a 1.5-point spread over Kansas State. The spread is more than a full touchdown this week ahead of a matchup with Duke.
The Blue Devils have, like the Jayhawks, started hot this year, going 3-0 to open the season under new head coach Mike Elko. Granted, they also haven't played an especially tough schedule, collecting wins over Temple, Northwestern and most recently North Carolina A&T. According to TeamRankings.com, that's the second-easiest strength of schedule for any Power 5 team so far this year.
Duke quarterback Riley Leonard has been efficient and effective to start the year, with his 183.7 passer efficiency rating currently tops among all ACC passers. The Blue Devils have also moved the ball well on the ground to the tune of 5.9 yards per carry as a unit. Defensively, Duke has allowed 23 or fewer points in all three of its games, including a shutout over Temple.
Kansas fell to Duke in last year's high-scoring meeting 52-33. A win for the Jayhawks this week would even the all-time series; KU won the first head-to-head meeting in 2009, followed by wins in 2014 and 2021 for the Blue Devils.
JAYHAWK TO WATCH
We'll cheat a little bit this week and instead go with a group to watch. KU's offensive line has been tremendous in the early going, both in terms of opening up running lanes and protecting Daniels. In fact, Kansas is one of just three teams in FBS that hasn't allowed a sack so far this year (the other two are Oregon and Georgia Southern).
Duke has tallied seven sacks this season, including three last weekend. This is already expected to be another shootout, with the current total sitting at 66.5 points. If the Jayhawks can remain stout on their offensive line there's reason to believe they'll pour on the points again this week.
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