Senior defensive lineman Jerome Robinson jumps off the line of scrimmage in the game versus Iowa State on Nov. 9, 2024 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Chad Cushing / The Kansan)
Editor’s note: This story was cross-published on the The University Daily Kansans website as a collaborative story for the Colorado vs Kansas game on Saturday Nov. 23, 2024.
With two straight upsets, Kansas football looks to make it three when welcoming the No. 16 Colorado Buffaloes to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday. Colorado will bring Heisman favorite and one-of-a-kind athlete Travis Hunter and a team second in the Big 12 Conference standings. The Jayhawks will welcome the Buffaloes, ready to play spoiler. Before the game, co-sports editor Liam Carson of The Daily Kansan and CU Independent football beat writer Baylan Wysuph preview the high-stakes Big 12 Matchup. Kickoff at Arrowhead is set for 2:30 p.m. CST and will be broadcasted on Fox.
What did you learn about your team this past week?
Carson: Kansas is the best 4-6 football team in the country, and it can beat anyone right now. Despite the slow start that not many people expected, the Jayhawks have caught fire as of late and are winners of their last two, both of which were against ranked opponents (BYU and Iowa State). This past week I learned that Kansas can pull out a win on any given Saturday.
Wysuph: The Buffs can play a sloppy game and still blow out any team on any given day. Their aerial attack is of the best in the nation, and it’s still not at full power. Our defense is a well-oiled machine that beats down a hurt offense and thrives off momentum.
What’s a matchup in this one that favors your team?
Carson: The Kansas rushing attack. The Jayhawks ground game has been the bright spot and focal point of their offense even after the start to the season. Kansas ranks 23rd in rushing offense in the FBS Division I with an average of about 200 rushing yards a game. Although Colorado’s rushing defense has improved as the season goes on, I still give the advantage to the Jayhawks ground game, especially with runners like senior running back Devin Neal and redshirt junior quarterback Jalon Daniels.
Wysuph: Daniels and the Kansas offense is very prone to turnovers, and our defense has had 10 interceptions and 10 forced fumbles this year. Our offense and defense feeds off each other so once one side gets going the other plays better.
And one that doesn’t?
Carson: The Kansas secondary versus the Colorado passing game and wide recovers. Although the Jayhawks have bright spots like senior cornerbacks Cobee Bryant and Mello Dotson in the secondary, I think Colorado’s wide receiver room is just too deep. The Kansas defense gives up an average of 229 passing yards a game, and this is the best passing offense it will face. The Jayhawks could have trouble stopping senior quarterback Shedeur Sanders, junior wide receiver Travis Hunter and the Buffaloes’ passing attack.
Wysuph: Kansas has a very good offensive line, protecting Daniels to only nine sacks on the year. Although it’s gotten better, that is not the case for the Buffs. The o-line has surrendered 31 sacks, but don’t let that fool you. The unit has grown and continued to get better as the season goes along.
Looking ahead, what’s the best-case scenario from Saturday’s game onwards? The worst case?
Carson: Get to a bowl game. The slow start to the season was not ideal by any means, but Kansas can end on a high note and have a four-game winning streak. The Jayhawks are halfway from 2-6 to 6-6 and bowl eligibility, but the best-case scenario is winning out and becoming bowl eligible in a season that looked finished in early October. Worst case is losing the game and the shot at a bowl game.
Wysuph: At this point in the season, it doesn’t matter how it happens, along as the Buffs walk away with a victory. There is one goal at this time, and the final score could be 6-3 and it would be a success.
Who is an impact player that could change the outcome of Saturday’s game?
Carson: Senior cornerback Cobee Bryant and, honestly, the whole defense. Bryant can change the outcome of this game solely because he will likely be covering Heisman favorite Travis Hunter for most of the day. If Bryant can stop, or slow down because it’s extremely hard to stop Hunter, it increases the Jayhawks’ chances of winning significantly.
Wysuph: Freshman receiver Drelon Miller is one of the most underrated young wideouts in the Big 12. He has stepped up in the recent absence of Jimmy Horn Jr., and although Horn is expected to make a return, he will likely be on a snap limit, giving Miller more opportunities. Last week, the freshman had a tremendous game with a touchdown and over 100 yards. He adds to the danger of this receiving room, as the Buffs have five different archetypes of players that make Shedeur Sanders’ job a lot easier.
In one sentence, what determines who wins this?
Carson: The amount of opportunities the Jayhawks give the Buffaloes offense, Colorado will score, and the only way Kansas has a chance is if it limits the Buffaloes’ possessions.
Wysuph: Since we know how consistent the offense attack is, this game will come down to the Buffaloes defense getting takeaways and allowing the offense to win the game.
Who wins, and why?
Carson: This game will likely be a high-scoring matchup, and I just don’t see Kansas keeping up with Colorado on the scoreboard. The Buffaloes can score tons of points, and so can the Jayhawks at times. However, I think Colorado will pull away in the end because I like its matchup versus the Kansas defense. Give me Colorado to keep its Big 12 Championship hopes alive and beat Kansas 38-31 on Saturday.
Wysuph: I believe the Buffaloes will get a close win. This team has a million differences from last year, and with some weapons on offense like Jimmy Horn Jr. and Micah Welch expected to return, the Buffs should continue their win streak to five games and keep their Big 12 Championship and College Football Playoff hopes alive.
