Around CFB: Rock, Chalk, Undefeated Jayhawks

Undefeated Kansas:

In what’s been the most shocking surprise of the 2022 season, the Kansas Jayhawks are ranked in football. The Jayhawks slid into the rankings at 19 after a narrow 14-11 victory over Iowa State. The last time Kansas was ranked this high was in October of 2008. 

This Saturday, ESPN College Gameday is making their first-ever trip to Lawrence for #17 TCU vs Kansas in what many people now have circled as their game of the week. Kansas is led by Quarterback Jalon Daniels, a junior from Lawndale, CA. He’s thrown for 11 touchdowns this season while only throwing one interception. Last week though, he struggled mightily, throwing for under 100 yards and only completing 50% of his passes. 

Kansas only needs one more win to become bowl eligible, which hasn’t happened since 2008. However, the schedule gets brutal, and it starts with TCU. Next week they travel to Norman, Oklahoma, to face a Sooner team that’s on a down year. Then, they travel to Baylor and finally return home to face Oklahoma State on November 5th. 

Red River Rivalry:

The Red River Rivalry this year features two teams that haven’t really lived up to expectations. Texas hasn’t looked like the same team that took then #1 Alabama down to the wire. Meanwhile, Oklahoma is coming off a very lopsided loss to TCU.

Both teams have been forced to find some depth at the quarterback spot. However, Quinn Ewers is expected to return for the Longhorns after suffering a shoulder injury against Alabama. For Oklahoma, it’s looking like Dillon Gabriel will play after suffering a concussion on a very nasty hit.

Both Steve Sarkisian and Brent Venables are in their first year as head coaches at Texas and Oklahoma. A win here can serve as a building block for the future and add some momentum toward the second half of the season.

Must-Watch Games:

Besides the ones above, here are some must-watch games this weekend:

No 8. Tennessee at No 25. LSU, Noon on ESPN

Brian Kelly has LSU ranked after a 21-17 win over Auburn and has the Tigers at a 2-0 start to SEC play. Their only loss this year has come on a blocked extra point against Florida State to open the season.

However, Josh Heupel has what’s been arguably the best Tennessee football team in a long time. Quarterback Hendon Hooker has looked absolutely spectacular and has been just as great using his legs as well. This will be a great test for the Volunteers before hosting Alabama next week.

No 11 Utah at No 18 UCLA, 3:30 on Fox

The Utes head to Pasadena to face the Bruins as both teams look to solidify themselves in the PAC-12. Utah is coming off a very dominant win over Oregon State, a team much better than most expected. Meanwhile, UCLA is coming off an upset victory over then-ranked Washington. That win catapulted them into the rankings for the first time this season. The winner of this game stands a good shot at making the PAC-12 Championship game.

No 16 BYU vs Notre Dame, 7:30 on NBC

These two teams will dual it out in Las Vegas. Marcus Freeman has gotten two straight wins after starting 0-3, including a 45-32 win over North Carolina. Notre Dame’s offense is starting to show some life after losing True Freshman Quarterback Tyler Buchner for the year due to a shoulder injury.

BYU is coming off a much closer-than-anticipated game against Utah State. The Cougars are actually 4 point underdogs in this game. But I think there’s a very good chance at a BYU victory here.