Kansas football coach in a tough situation
By Stan Unruh
The 2017 Kansas football season is not what anyone expected. David Beaty’s program that fans expected might move forward is actually taking steps backwards.
Coming off last season’s upset of Texas and a one point loss to TCU, many Kansas football fans had reasonable expectations for the 2017 season. Going into the opening preseason camp, we heard a lot of great news about what this team might accomplish. As a matter of fact, there were published reports that discussed a bowl game for this team. On the other hand, we heard Las Vegas odds makers predict a grim one-win season. I expected somewhere in between and I was wrong too.
Coach David Beaty described the job of turning around the Jayhawk football program as a process.
"I never said this is a three-year deal. Never said that. I said this thing is going to be a process, not an event."
Kansas football fans had been burned by the hype surrounding star transfer quarterbacks. Peyton Bender has shown he can run Doug Meacham’s Air Raid offense. He also is among the Big 12 leaders throwing interceptions. In addition, the offensive line is inconsistent. You can’t blame everything on Bender.
The Kansas defense under Clint Bowen is inconsistent too. Joe Dineen is the exception. He is among the nation’s leaders in tackles for loss and is active on every play. His defensive teammates are struggling. It’s no fun to watch.
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When the offense clicked early in the season, the defense didn’t. While the defense shows some sign of improvement, the offense is gone. They Jayhawks not only can’t score, they can barely make a first down. Losing a football game is one thing. The past two games are embarrassing.
During this week’s Big 12 coaches teleconference Beaty said, “We’re in a tough situation but we’re tougher.” The Jayhawks need to be tough as they look forward to Saturday’s Sunflower Showdown.