New Kansas Jayhawks Q&A features Daniels’ plays, KC ‘home games’ & KU basketball
The Kansas Jayhawks football team faces another challenge Saturday.
KU (1-4, 0-2 Big 12) travels to Tempe, Arizona, to play an evening game at Arizona State.
Kansas is looking to end its four game losing streak and head into its bye week with some positive momentum.
“We’re still moving forward in the areas that we believe in and got us to this point,” coach Lance Leipold said. “I believe in what we do and what got us here. I know what we have to do to improve those (things) on a daily basis. As I’ve said before, it’s frustrating and disappointing to many. It’s correctable.”
If KU loses to the Sun Devils Saturday, it wouldn’t be surprising to see some significant changes occur during the Jayhawks’ off-week.
With that, let’s get into another KU mailbag. As always, thank you for the questions.
Do you think we might see more Ballard if Daniels continues to struggle? Or does coach stick with Daniels to give him a farewell tour no matter what? @Charlie_s1m
Well, KU is in a slightly weird position. Technically, KU QB Jalon Daniels can decide to return for next season if he wishes. But if KU and Daniels stay their current course, I wouldn’t be surprised if he weighs his options and considers transferring.
This game Saturday will help determine a lot. First, if he’s not playing well there’s a real possibility he’ll be benched in favor of Cole Ballard.
And there’s a chance Ballard starts KU’s first game after the bye week, against Houston. I think it ultimately depends on how Daniels plays Saturday night.
I’m convinced that no true home field advantage this year is an issue…what does our coaching staff believe? @GregSimmsGLS
Not playing in Lawrence has probably hurt the Jayhawks a bit. Although the crowds have been solid for games in KC, it’s hard to re-create the atmosphere of a packed David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.
The coaching staff may not believe KU is at a disadvantage. Multiple times, Leipold has said how great it is that Kansas gets to play in Kansas City and how the program appreciates the support from Jayhawk fans.
Having never been a fan of this team when Jalon Daniels played a majority of games pre injury, why did it feel like the offense seem like it had better plans and scheme with a “less talented” quarterback in Jason Bean? Why is the larger toolset of Daniels so hard to maximize? @ben_h_hooke
Former OC Andy Kotelnicki did a better job of maximizing the skills of both Bean and Daniels, but he also worked with them for years.
So, it was easier for Bean to step in when Daniels missed most of the season with a back injury. Kotelnicki then emphasized his strengths, and it’s clear Bean had improved over the years ... so KU had one of its best seasons ever last year.
Daniels doesn’t resemble the quarterback we saw in 2022 (during the Liberty Bowl) or the first three games last year. Whether this is due to regression, rust or something else, it’s hard to tell.
Second, OC Jeff Grimes hasn’t found a way to maximize Daniel’s skills the way Kotelnicki did. I think that comes back to a lack of familiarity between both parties — OC and QB.
How well do you think KU mens basketball will do this year? Hopefully better than football. @Big12BurnerKU
I have very high expectations.
One of the team’s biggest problems last season was the lack of shooting around Hunter Dickinson. KU did an excellent job addressing that with transfer additions Zeke Mayo, AJ Storr and Shakeel Moore.
KU’s depth is also much better this year — even with the season-ending injury to Elmarko Jackson and Moore missing a few weeks to start the season. The Jayhawks have 7-8 players who could start on most Division I teams.
I expect Kansas to contend for a Big 12 title and make a deep NCAA Tournament run.
