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KANSAN.COM
KANSAS
SPORTS
EVAN RIGGS
@EvanRiggsUDK
+1
Football Gameday
T
TEXAS TECH
SHANE JACKSON
@jacksonshane3
KANSAS
KEY CONTRIBUTORS
RYAN WILLIS
FRESHMAN, QUARTERBACK
TEXAS TECH
Willis was the lone, bright spot in Kansas' 66-7 defeat at the hands of Baylor. He threw for just 158 yards, but could have easily racked up more yards if not for a handful of drops by his receivers. He's still showing some growing pains, but his touchdown pass to freshman wide receiver Steven Sims Jr. was the best throw by a Kansas quarterback this season.
★★★☆☆
KEAUN KINNER
JUNIOR, RUNNING BACK
After a hot start to the season, Kinner's production has been declining each of the last three weeks, including just two carries for six yards last week. The decline in production can be attributed to the offensive line's inability to run block, as well as a hamstring injury which cropped up last week. The Jayhawks need him to get back on track this weekend to take pressure off Willis.
STEVEN SIMS JR.
FRESHMAN, WIDE RECEIVER ★★★★☆
With injuries sidelinesinger senior receiver Tre' Parmalee and freshman Bobby Hartzog, Sims stepped up with a 36-yard touchdown. Willis has proven he can throw the deep ball, and Sims will need to be the playmaker down the field to help open up the short passing game and running game.
★★★☆☆
Roberts is the leading tackler among the Jayhawk's front seven with 32, and is the only linebacker with a tackle for loss this season. A week after scoring the lone defensive touchdown for the Jayhawks, he recorded seven tackles against Baylor. The Jayhawks will look to him to help shore up their rush defense that ranks 121st out of 128 teams.
MARCQUIS ROBERTS
JUNIOR, LINEBACKER
FISH SMITHSON JUNIOR, SAFETY
Smithson enters the Texas Tech game leading the Jayhawks, with 45 tackles this season after recording nine of them last week. That number is also good for fourth in the Big 12. Like the rest of the Jayhawk secondary, Smithson has struggled defending the pass. But his three pass breakups lead the team this season.
★★★☆☆
KEY CONTRIBUTORS
PATRICK MAHOMES II
SOPHOMORE, QUARTERBACK
Was dubbed Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week for the third time as he continues to direct a high-octane offense. Mahomes has thrown for over 300 yards in eight of his last nine games and tossed four or more touchdowns in six of his last nine games. Baylor junior quarterback Seth Russell torched the inexperienced Kansas secondary even just in one half, but expect Mahomes to do far more damage.
DEANDRE WASHINGTON
SENIOR, RUNNING BACK
★★★★☆
Currently ranks as one of the best running backs in yards per carry (7.1) at 11th in the nation. He sits 26th in total rushing yards with 586 and 37th in yards per game with a 97.7 mark. Only four backs in program history have had a pair of 1,000-yard seasons, but it appears Washington is on pace for that mark for the second-consecutive year.
JAKEEM GRANT
JAKEEM GRANT
SENIOR. WIDE RECEIVER
★★★★
Another senior on its roster that will be a tough matchup for Kansas. Grant ranks first in the Big 12 and sixth nationally in all-purpose yardage with 174.83 yards per contest. Grant has the ability to score in several ways as he threw a touchdown pass, return a kickoff for a score, in addition to having at least one rushing and receiving touchdown. Look for the Red Raiders to get the ball in the hands of Grant this week.
GARY MOORE
GARY MOORE
SOPHOMORE, DEFENSIVE END
★★☆★★
Kansas has struggled up front this year particularly the last two games against some of the better defensive lineman in the conference. Texas Tech does not create a lot of pressure, but Moore is someone to keep an eye on. He leads the team in sacks with two, both coming against Iowa State. The sophomore defensive lineman has not started in a game, but Moore might have done enough to be more involved upfront this week.
J.J. GAINES
5.3 GAINES
SENIOR, DEFENSIVE BACK ★★★★☆
As a team, the Red Raiders have a turnover margin with a 0.83 margin that ranks them in the top 20. They have forced a dozen turnovers that also put them in the top 20 in that category. A third of those turnovers have come on four interceptions by Gaines. The senior defensive back intercepted a pair of passes last weekend. It was the first time a Red Raider had recorded two interceptions since 2012.
PREDICTION: TEXAS TECH 59, KANSAS 17
Marian McCoy @mare_mccoy All eyes on Dallas #WeeklySpecials @KansanNews
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