Kansas needs statement win on Saturday

It may seem little early to be saying this, but Kansas needs a win tomorrow against Iowa State and they need to make a statement in doing so.  It’s only the conference opening game for the Jayhawks, but after Nebraska’s stunning come from behind win against Missouri on Thursday night, the Hawks need to show they’re ready to stake their claim as the Big 12 north frontrunner with a convincing homecoming show against the Cyclones.

Kansas has had a week off to rest and prepare for Iowa State.  The Cyclones are coming off a hard fought loss to K-State.  It should mean an impressive victory for the Jayhawks.  But you have only to look at last year and the 20-0 deficit that KU had to rally from in Ames to know otherwise.

Iowa State has a new coach and Kansas coach Mark Mangino says he’s impressed with how Paul Rhodes and his staff have produced a disciplined teams that plays to their teams strengths.  That’s been running the football behind and big physical offensive line.

Running back Alexander Robinson missed much of last week’s game but should be back for at least part time work in the backfield for ISU.  Quarterback Austen Arnaud is a veteran who can run and throw, but his passing game has been reined in by the coaches so far this season.

Kansas would like to run the ball effectively again this week and hope to have Jake Sharp back in the backfield to go with Freshman Toben Opurum, who’s filled in admirably the past two games.  Mangino says he’s unlikely to play Sharp unless he’s proven he’s 100 percent healthy for the game. 

The KU offensive line needs to rebound from a subpar performance protecting Todd Reesing against Southern Mississippi.  They allowed five sacks in the game.  All this still  says to me the Jayhawks will win by about a 45-21 margin.  The KU defense is just too good, particularly at home.

More importantly for KU, they want to let Nebraska know that to win the north you have to win in Lawrence.