We have already reviewed our #130 ranked team in our PRS Rankings with UTEP, and now move on to Kansas, who comes in at #129. Kansas gets the distinction of being the biggest Power 5 dumpster fire brewing in the nation once again in 2017, and the program is going absolutely nowhere with David Beaty in charge, which led to him not actually being fired, because someone in the administration just likes him so darned much. Blah, blah, blah...
What Went Wrong
It all started when David Beaty wasn't fired at the end of the 2016 season, continued on through 2017, and was told he would be back in 2018. Let me tell you now that we will be right back around this spot this time next year.
Once again, Kansas could not settle in on one QB, and played two, and neither could pass a 1:1 ratio on TDs to INTs. Peyton Bender was the best they had at 10:10, while Carter Stanley finished at 4:7.That's not turning the dial in the passing game for Kansas. Khalil Herbert probably should have been the feature back, but again, they gave a large amount of carries to three different backs, even though Hebert was the lone back that averaged over five yards per carry. Still, Beaty found it in his heart to dole out 141 carries to Taylor Martin and Dom Williams, neither of which broke the 3.5 yards per carry barrier.
Only one receiver caught more than 30 passes, and only two caught as many as 30. In total, the Jayhawks combined for 14 TD receptions as a team, while allowing 31.
Kansas had no issue with making plays behind the line on runs, but when it came to sacks, Kansas was fairly below average at pressuring QBs on passing play. Daniel Wise was the only player to finish with five or more sacks in 2017, as he finished with seven. Nobody else generated more than 2.5.
Pass defense was a mess as well when it came to generating turnovers, as Kansas managed just four INTs as a team all season. Only one player managed more than five PBUs as well.
The defense, which was not terrible every week (more on that shortly), was not given any gifts by the punting game, as the Jayhawks averaged just 39.47 yards per punt on the season.
What Went Right
When you go 1-11, it is hard to find the light at the end of the tunnel. In the case of Kansas, where the program has been down so long, it makes it even tougher.
While not great, the passing game did manage to generate some yards between the 20s, averaging 226.4 yards per game. Now, someone needs to step up and take the job, and give them some stability under center. Bender and Stanley both return. Steven Sims, Jr. needs to decide if he is coming back, but he is the default receiver to go to in that passing game, as he caught 59 passes on the season and caught six TDs. Someone needs to develop as a credible deep threat to make this passing game go.
Herbert needs to be the guy at RB moving forward as well. He ran for 663 yards, and averaged over five yards per carry.
If the line can develop on offense, all other things can start to move forward, but you cannot allow over two sacks per game and 7.67 TFLs per game and succeed on any real level.
Defensively, some improvements were evident at times, but giving up 31 TDs to just four INTs on the season makes those improvements harder to recognize. The team did improve by 62 yards per game against the run, however. Joe Dineen, Jr and Daniel Wise had terrific seasons on the whole, as did Dorance Armstrong, Jr. That group combined for 50 TFLs on the year. Hasan Defense gave them some effort as well, as he finished with nine PBUs.
The field goal unit was solid as well, as Gabriel Rui, a junior, hit 17/20 FG attempts on the season. He should return as a senior in 2018.
What Does the Future Hold?
Beaty returns in 2018, for better or for worse. Kansas has the revenue and resources to do better than what they have done under him, and so better options should be out there, but Kansas has to prove that they want all in on football, and that they are no longer satisfied with being a basketball school. There are some decent pieces coming back next fall, and there should be opportunities to improve. A 4-8 season next year would be reason to celebrate. The non con schedule is manageable with games against Nicholls State, Central Michigan, and Rutgers. The Jayhawks just have to go get those wins.
No comments:
Post a Comment