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KANSAN.COM
SPORTS
More pressure on Willis ahead of Baylor matchup
BRIAN MINI
BRIAN MINI @brianminimum
After a close loss to TCU at home, it won't get any easier for Kansas football. Kansas will travel to Waco, Texas this weekend to take on the No. 11 Baylor Bears.
Sophomore quarterback Ryan Willis receives a snap during the third quarter of the Oct. 8 game against TCU.
Past problems with Kansas have usually been due to a lack of size, talent and speed among other things, but this year it seems that the focus has shifted to the mental aspect of the game.
Kansas' defense will be looking to replicate the success the team had against TCU on Saturday. The defense only allowed 24 points, despite sophomore quarterback Ryan Willis' early turnover problems.
During coach David Beaty's Tuesday press conference, Beaty said that Willis' three interceptions were "absolutely on [Willis]" and noted that the second-year quarterback's problems stemmed from procedural issues.
"One of the big things that he really continues to
have to work on is separating procedure from how you control what they're doing," Beaty said. "You're like, okay, now I'm in ace flip, I've got this, got this motion, got that motion, and then by the time, oh, you looked up and now I've got to snap the ball."
Ashley Hocking/KANSAN
Despite that difficulty, Beaty praised Willis' ability to make plays, specifically citing his pass to sophomore wide receiver Steven Sims Jr. on the last drive.
Offense aside, Kansas' main strength this season has been its defensive play and that won't change against Baylor. While Kansas turned the ball over four times, the defense created four of its own turnovers.
Defensive coordinator Clint Bowen's management of the defensive unit's depth is a major part of the success in limiting opposing offenses.
"Don't get caught up in the depth chart," he said. "You'll either be above the line or you're below the line. Your only goal is to get above the line and if you're
above the line, we'll put you in the game."
One such example of the successful depth management is senior linebacker Cameron Rosser's emergence against TCU. Rosser, like many walk-ons, hadn't garnered much attention
until the game against TCU,
where he had three sacks
and four tackles-for-loss.
"I'm growing in confidence every game," Rosser said. "It was a matchup thing too. Coach Bowen put me in good positions to make plays."
The senior also emphasized the need to play tough against Baylor and "just go in confident as a team and play the same way" they did against TCU.
Kansas' defensive toughness will need to come into play against a Baylor team
that ranks 20th in the country in total offense and 13th in rushing.
If Rosser and the rest of Bowen's defense can stay as focused as they were against TCU, Kansas could hold another offensive powerhouse to a respectable score.
Big 12 Weekly Rankings
▶ WESLEY DOTSON
@WesleyDee23
a. Baylor (Record: 5-0, 2-0 Big 12)
The Bears found themselves in a closer game than expected against Iowa State on Oct. 1. The team needed a 17-point fourth quarter effort to rally past the Cyclones, 45-42. Still, Baylor remains the best team in the Big 12, and its rushing attack remains spectacular.
2. West Virginia (Record:
4-0, 1- Big 12)
West Virginia survived Kansas State's strong rush defense and escaped with a one-point home victory on Oct. 1. Next up for this third-ranked defense is a tough road test against quarterback Patrick Mahomes II and Texas Tech.
3. TCU (Record: 4-2, 2-1 Big 12)
Make that three years in a row the Horned Frogs have just sneaked past the Jayhawks. After its bye week, TCU will have a tough test against West Virginia.
4. Oklahoma State (Record: 4, 2-1 Big 12)
The Cowboys are riding high after back-to-back wins against Big 12 foes Texas and Iowa State. The team will have a chance to secure a third-straight Big 12 victory when it travels to Kansas on Oct. 22.
5. Oklahoma (Record: 3-2,
    2-o Big 12)
The Sooners have finally stopped the bleeding, winning their last two games, and a lot of it has to do with their revamped offense. Quarterback Baker Mayfield has the second best pass efficiency (174) in the Big 12, behind only Patrick Mahomes II.
6. Kansas State (Record:
3-2, 1-1 Big 12)
The Wildcats' defense proved why it's the best in the Big 12 when it held the high-scoring Texas Tech Red Raiders to 38 points on Saturday, dropping Tech's points per game to 46.5. Kansas State quarterback Jesse Ertz has been a decent game manager, and wide receiver and kick return specialist Byron Pringle has been a welcome addition to the team this season.
7. Texas Tech (Record:
3-2, 1-1 Big 12)
The duo of quarterback Patrick Mahomes II and wide receiver Jonathan Giles has been the best in the Big 12 this season, but they were non-existent in the loss to Kansas State. Mahomes led Texas Tech to only ten points in the second half, and Giles finished with four catches with 49 yards. This high-octane offense will be looking to get back on track and hand West Virginia its first loss on Saturday.
8. Texas (Record: 2-3, 0-2 Big 12)
Just over a month ago the Longhorns upset the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and many thought they were back to national prominence. Now, Texas is on a threegame losing streak, and it appears coach Charlie Strong is once again on the hot seat. The defense, which has been one of the worst in the nation in terms of passing efficiency defense, will need to play better against Iowa State. This will essentially be a must-win game for Strong.
9. Kansas (Record: 1-4,
0-2 Big 12)
Another heart-breaking loss to TCU has Kansas fans wondering if the team will ever defeat the Horned Frogs. Still, one positive note from the game: the team is steadily improving. The defense has made major strides, ranking second in the Big 12 in rushing defense and eighth in passing defense. As for the offense, well, that is still a work in progress with Ryan Willis at the helm.
10. Iowa State (Record: 1-5, 0-3 Big 12)
The Cyclones have actually played better football, they just haven't been able to finish games. They took a 42-28 lead into the fourth quarter against Baylor on Oct.1, only to lose. Iowa State also took a 31-21 lead into the fourth quarter against Oklahoma State on Saturday, which eventually just led to another loss. The offensive line has also been brutal. Iowa State quarterback Joel Lanning has been sacked seven times in the last two games.
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