Kansas Jayhawks

Kansas at Memphis: Three Things to Watch

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

After a demoralizing 37-21 defeat to Ohio, the Jayhawks face their first road test of the year Saturday at Memphis, searching their first road win since 2009. Last year in Lawrence, the Tigers crushed the Jayhawks 55-23 en route to a 9-4 season under head coach Justin Fuente. The Tigers look much different this year. Fuente left for Virginia Tech, and was replaced by Arizona State offensive coordinator Mike Norvell. Star quarterback Paxton Lynch is also departed, having rewritten the school record book in his time leading the Tiger offense. This season, Memphis is 1-0, after defeating Southeast Missouri State 35-17. Here are three things Kansas fans should watch for Saturday at 11 AM.

Can Kansas stop the run? Last week, the Jayhawk defense was dominated at the line of scrimmage, allowing 329 rushing yards to the Bobcats. Memphis presents another challenge, even though they struggled at times running the football last season. The Tigers return two top running backs from last season, junior Doroland Dorceus and multi-talented senior Sam Craft. The Tigers four offensive linemen that made nine or more starts in 2015, headlined by sophomore left tackle Trevon Tate. Along with depth, the Memphis offensive line has size, averaging nearly 300 pounds per man. The Memphis offense is much more athletic than Ohio’s as well. First down runs could easily become touchdowns if KU’s defense doesn’t improve.

Will the first half, or second half offense show up? The Kansas offense was abysmal in the first half last week, gaining only 21 yards and failing to convert on four third down opportunities. The Jayhawks were much better in the second half, putting up 211 total yards, but also failing to convert a third down. In his weekly press conference, head coach David Beaty emphasized being better on first down, when KU averaged .7 yards per play in the first half on first downs last week, as key to improving on third down and on offense as a whole. On the quarterback front, look for Montell Cozart to receive the vast majority of snaps, after playing well last week, competing 17/24 pass attempts for 198 yards and two touchdowns.

Will the “little things” get corrected? Kansas made several crucial mistakes against Ohio that shifted momentum back to the Bobcats, just when it appeared the Jayhawks could get right back in the football game. Two major mistakes were muffed punt returns by LaQuvionte Gonzalez that gave Ohio the football in KU territory. Beaty announced today that he is now personally coaching the punt returners, hopefully to clean up these kind of mistakes. KU did only have four penalties for 50 yards, but they also cost the Jayhawks dearly. To have any chance at a rare road victory, KU can’t afford any big mistakes.

Bottom line. This is by far KU’s toughest non-conference game of the year, on the road against a very talented Memphis team. KU also carries the yoke of a 35 game road losing streak, dating back to 2009 against UTEP. While the game should be closer than Memphis’s drubbing of KU last season, they simply have too much talent to lose to KU at home. Memphis wins, 41-24.