West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Kansas Jayhawks: Mountaineers Look To Continue Winning Ways In Lawrence

When and Where

Kickoff for Saturday's Kansas game is set for noon ET in Lawrence, Kansas.

How to Watch

The game will be televised on Fox Sports Network and will air locally on ROOT Sports. Full list of stations will be provided on our usual "Game Day Vitals" post early Saturday.

Kansas Jayhawks

First year head coach David Beaty entered this season knowing the uphill battle that was ahead of him. His team is young, inexperienced even have a freshman starting at quarterback. The combined 22 starters on offense and defense include 7 freshman or sophomores. These factors have led to an 0-10 record on the season with only two more chances to to grab a win.

While the offense is more balanced this year, the Jayhawks have only managed 17 points per game compared to their opponents 46. The team did turn heads last week against TCU when they held the Frogs to 23 points. Leading that defense is senior defensive end and "player to watch" Ben Goodman. With the right amount of pressure, he and the Kansas defense could throw West Virginia quarterback Skyler Howard off.

West Virginia

Wendell Smallwood has become the first running back to eclipse a thousand yards since 3rd round NFL draft pick Charles Sims in 2013. That production show's no sign of slowing whether against a top 25 team or the mediocre Kansas run defense. The eyes more than likely will still be on the quarterback and pass game. Howard is only completing 57 percent of his passes and has no pass catcher even close to a thousand yards receiving. Kansas gives up over 300 passing yards a game and starts a freshman at cornerback. Unless veteran safety Fish Smithson can play all 4 secondary positions at once look for West Virginia to get its groove back running the Air Raid.

Prediction

There just isn't enough offensive fire power and defensive presence to for Kansas to succeed right now. Not to say this team should be considered an easy win when the Mountaineers come to town. The Jayhawks have play makers but just lack consistent great performances. The Mountaineers cannot afford to take this team lightly because they themselves aren't at full potential either. The coaching and the overall talent of the roster for West Virginia is just starting to realize the heights they can reach. That climb should continue Saturday.

WVU 52
KU 13