#62 Kansas - Season Preview

2019 RECAP

Les Miles first year in Lawrence probably went as expected to most people. The Kansas team was not ready to compete what so ever and the 3-9 record showed just that. Two of the wins did come against Power5 opponents, however, which is a great start. A surprising beatdown of Boston College away from home in week 3 and a solid win at home vs Texas Tech. However, the Kansas that many are used to also showed up last year with a week 2 loss to Coastal Carolina, where the Jayhawks could only score 7 points.

Offensively, Kansas was mediocre, scoring 23 PPG (100th Nationally) with 145 yards rushing (86th) and 230 yards passing (66th). In the middle of last year, Kansas also made a change at the Offensive Coordinator position. Brent Dearmon took over the job in October after the loss to Oklahoma. Moving to a more RPO heavy style offense, Kansas managed to put up 48 points vs Texas and 37 in the win vs Texas Tech in his first 2 games as OC. Defensively, Kansas was in the bottom tier among the Power5. They struggled tremendously against the run, giving up nearly 230 YPG (worst in the P5) while yielding close to 5 yards per carry. Through the air was not much of a relief either. Jayhawks ranked in the bottom third of the Power5 across the board statistically. With no big playmakers defensively, Kansas really struggled to get any needed stops. Saw

Losing out on spring practice will turn the race for starting quarterback into more of a sprint. The Jayhawks only return one single passing attempt from a year ago and that was an interception thrown by Thomas MacVitte. Most are not expecting the more versatile Miles Kendrick to earn the Week 1 start. Kendrick, ranked as the 21st QB in the BIG12 per Finnelytics FPR, will have ample weapons around him. The strength of the Jayhawks roster is at the skill positions. They return 70% of rushing production with 2019 leading rusher Pooka Williams Jr. Williams is a great weapon, ranking as the 2nd best RB in the BIG12 behind the obvious Chubba Hubbard. Pooka managed to rack up over 1,000 yards while averaging over five YPC. Impressive when you look at the Jayhawks offensive line performance last year, which ranked right around 100th nationally amongst all advanced metrics provided by Football Outsiders. Leading the nation in missed tackle percentage when facing a stacked box, a stat provided by Pro Football Focus, is how Pooka managed to get his name on the All-BIG12 1st team in back to back years. An offensive line unit full of upperclassmen, Jayhawk fans can at least hope for an improvement, but more of the same may be ahead. The weapons don’t stop at runningback, however. Kansas also over 80% of their receiving production from a year ago, including their top 2 receivers. Both seniors, Andrew Parchment and Stephon Robinson enter 2020 ranked in the top10 among WR in the BIG12. Combining for over 100 catches, 1,500 yards, and 15 touchdowns, the duo is hoping the change at quarterback will not hurt those numbers. Spring practice would have helped tremendously but one would think having another versatile QB under center and the threat of Pooka Williams the RPO heavy system should work. The offense should be average at worst, and if a surprise emerges at quarterback there is potential for a breakout year.

Unfortunately, the Kansas defense will probably be in for another long year. Getting defensive captain, Dru Prox, back after he missed the final 8 games of 2019 will be a nice boost. The inside linebacker was the clear leader of the unit early last year and while opponents may have improved the defense really started to struggle after his departure. Gavin Porter was forced into action as a true freshman after Prox went down, and performed well. Assuming Kansas will find a way to work them both on to the field could give the Jayhawks some hope within the LB unit, which will be an integral part of their success with how the defensive line played in 2019. Much like the offensive line, the DL unit was ranked towards the bottom of most advanced metrics as well. Teams seemed to run at will against Kansas last year and that must improve before anything else does defensively. Kansas will have a veteran presence throughout the defense which may help turn things around, but much more of the same is likely to Lawrence in 2020.

The non-conference schedule is weak again, very similar to last year. They open up with an FCS opponent in New Hampshire, who finished 6-5 and 4th in the CAA. The tail ends of home and home series against Boston College and Coastal Carolina wrap up the non-con. Kansas unexpectedly throttled BC in 2019, but the Eagles will have a new coach in 2020 and more than likely a much more explosive offense. Finnelytics is currently projecting that as a close Jayhawk loss. Coastal Carolina should be a win, but keep in mind the Chanticleers beat Kansas just last year. As for BIG12 play, Kansas is currently projected to go winless. With just two projected spreads under 10 points, on the road against West Virginia and at home to end the year vs TCU. Overall, Kansas should have some explosiveness on offense, especially if the quarterback position can bring things forward. However, the lack of talent on defense and the offensive line talent should end up having Les Miles see more of the same in his second year.