Tomorrow gives the Kansas Jayhawks their first of three chances to snatch bowl qualification. If Kansas can push through a versatile Arizona Wildcats team, then it would be Leipold’s third bowl season with Kansas.
On the season, Arizona sits with a 5-3 record; however, what stands in front of the Jayhawks is a team that easily could stand at 7-1. The Wildcats have lost a 33-27 heartbreaker to BYU and another in a 31-28 loss to the Houston Cougars.
Both of those games gave Arizona chances to snatch victory; however, the former Pac-12 school has come up just short.
When speaking with the media earlier this week, Kansas offensive coordinator Jim Zebrowski spoke about the difficulties that an Arizona defense, which ranks as the nation’s 16th-best in total yards allowed (309.3).
…They rush the passer exceptionally well …Their cornerbacks are outstanding. Really good coverage skills, and they're probably one of the more if not most, multiple teams in the back end. Just in terms of the different looks…I can see why they cause confusion, and interceptions have happened. They're way up there in interceptions and those kinds of things. So I think I can do a great job of causing confusion.
To say that Kansas will not have its problems come Saturday evening would be a fallacy.
Arizona notches the nation’s 10th-best interceptions per game rank with 1.4, and the Wildcats rank 4th in the country in total takeaways per game with 2.3.
Brett Brennan's team also specialized in getting to the quarterback, as Arizona totals 2.1 sacks per game, which ranks 43rd in the nation.
The “weakest” part of Arizona’s defense likely lies in its rushing defense; however, that seems to be nitpicking. Brennan’s team still only allows 141.6 rushing yards per game, which is inside the top-50, but it provides more room for work than their 10th-best passing defense.
However, this isn’t to tell Kansas fans that the Jayhawks have no chance Saturday; the margins are just tighter. At times this season, fans have seen a Kansas offense that is balanced on offense and keeps itself ahead of the chains, and even if drives may sustain more time, more often than not, the longest drives have found success for the Zebrowski’s offense. Yet, there have also been points where a mini panic button has been hit when faced with adversity, and a reliance on unsustainable momentum swings has taken place.
In Kansas’ two most recent losses, both involved Leipold’s team heading into the second half with momentum on their side after a gripping comeback. Against Texas Tech, Kansas was down just 21-17, against Kansas State, the Jayhawks were down 21-14. And in both, Kansas was dismantled in the second half and ended up with 42-17 losses.
Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. CT on ESPN2.
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