Baylor Bears Week 8 Opponent Preview: Kansas Jayhawks
The Baylor Bears football team returns home to the comfortable confines of McLane Stadium for a week eight showdown against the Kansas Jayhawks in a Big 12 matchup on Saturday, Oct. 22 at 11 a.m. Central Time.
Last year, coach Dave Aranda and the Bears destroyed the Jayhawks 45-7 in Lawrence, Kansas, as Baylor (3-3, 1-2 Big 12) aims to continue its dominance over the KU football program.
Over the past 20 games between the two schools, Baylor owns a lofty 16-4 record and has won the last 12 consecutive contests.
The Bears are hoping to bounce back this weekend at home after a disappointing 43-40 road loss at West Virginia on Thursday, Oct. 13.
The Jayhawks, meanwhile, lost last weekend by 10 at Oklahoma in a shootout, 52-42.
Here's a quick look at Baylor's week eight opponent.
Kansas Jayhawks
2022 Record: 5-2 (2-2 Big 12)
Head coach: Lance Leipold
Leipold is entering his second season at the helm of the Jayhawks football program, guiding Kansas to wins over South Dakota and Texas last year en route to a 2-10 overall record.
This season, the Jayhawks (5-2 overall) have already won more than twice that many contests — as Kansas was ranked in the Top 25 prior to last weekend’s loss at Oklahoma.
Offensive Scheme: Multiple Pro
Defensive Set: 4-3, 4-2-5
Returning starters on offense: 4
Kansas returns four starters on offense from last season's 2-10 team, as the Jayhawks aim to improve in the air and on the ground this season.
Last year, Kansas averaged 184.4 passing yards per game while amassing an average of 141.1 rushing yards per contest.
This season, the Jayhawks are averaging 439.9 yards of total offense per game, giving Kansas an average of 7.3 yards per play.
Offensive starters:
QB Jalon Daniels
RB Devin Neal
WR-X Lawrence Arnold
WR-Z Quentin Skinner
WR-SL Luke Grim
TE Mason Fairchild*
LT Earl Bostick Jr.*
LG Dominick Puni
OC Mike Novitsky*
RG Michael Ford Jr.
RT Bryce Cabeldue*
Returning starters on defense: 4
The Jayhawks' defense returns four starters from last year's squad as Kansas aims to beef things up defensively in 2022.
Last season, the Jayhawks' defense allowed an average of 236.8 passing yards and 250.6 rushing yards per game - an area that Kansas must improve upon if the team hopes to compete in the Big 12 this year.
This year, the Jayhawks’ defense is allowing an average of 439.4 yards of total offense per game, with the Kansas defense allowing an average of 5.8 yards per play.
Defensive starters:
DE Lonnie Phelps
DT Sam Burt
DT Caleb Sampson*
DE Malcolm Lee*
LB Taiwan Berryhill*
LB Craig Young
LB Rich Miller
CB Cobee Bryant
S O.J. Burroughs
S Kenny Logan Jr.*
CB Mello Dotson
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Denton Ramsey has been a journalist for over 20 years with a decade of experience as a sports writer and editor for a plethora of newspapers throughout Texas and Alabama. Growing up in Houston and attending Baylor University, Ramsey is a die-hard sports fan with a true passion for writing. He may be reached via email at denton.itb@gmail.com