The Kansas Jayhawks are set to kickoff the most anticipated season in the program’s 134 years of football history on Thursday night against the Lindenwood Lions at 7:00 pm (CT). The trajectory this team has taken since head coach Lance Leipold took over the team has been impressive. Going from 2-10 in Year 1, to 6-7 in Year 2, and then to 9-4 in Year 3 would get any fanbase juiced up.
With a multitude of talent coming back on both sides of the ball, and an easier schedule than some of the other top tier teams in the conference, the Jayhawks can be considered legitimate contenders in the Big 12 Conference this season. It all starts out in Week 1. In what is expected to be a big win for the Jayhawks, what should fans be looking for in this game?
Jalon Daniels Looking Good and Staying Healthy
Everyone wants to see how Jalon Daniels looks after sitting out the second half of the season with a back injury. When Daniels is healthy, he is one of the most electrifying quarterbacks in America. It would be ideal to see Daniels go out and have a dominant first half while the Jayhawks get out to a big lead. This would give the fans what they want to see and then give the coaching staff a chance to rest him in the second half and get some of the younger quarterbacks some reps. A true win-win scenario for all. Well, everyone except Lindenwood.
Dynamic Running Back Duo
Yes, everyone wants to see Daniels ball out and stay healthy in Week 1, but what about the running back duo that could very well be the best tandem not only in the Big 12 but in all of college football. Devin Neal, the hometown hero, and Daniel Hisahw will both get plenty of touches. It wouldn’t be surprising to see both of these guys rush for over 100 yards and a touchdown or two in the opener against Lindenwood. Dominating performances from Neal and Hishaw would get fans excited for the possibilities for the rest of the season.
The Jayhawk Defense
Like Neal and Hishaw, on the other side of the ball, the cornerbacks duo of Mello Dotson and Cobee Bryant could be the best in the Big 12, and possibly in all of college football. They shouldn’t have any trouble shutting down Lindenwood’s passing game, but what about the rest of the defense? The defensive front and linebackers will be showing a lot of new faces and could be the determining factor of how far the Jayhawks can go this season. Yes, the offense is expected to hum along this season, but the defense still has some questions to answer. Showing a dominating effort in Week 1 against Lindenwood would go a long way to easing the fears of the Jayhawk faithful.
While this Week 1 matchup isn’t expected to be the best game of the season, or even a very competitive game, getting the first week jitters out of the system and dominating an inferior team will be a good building block for the Jayhawks in what is supposed to be their best season in 15 years. One week at a time, but getting these wins early in the season will build confidence for what is to come in conference play. With high hopes for what is ahead, a big win over Lindenwood would be a great start.
