Friday Night Heights: BC vs. Kansas Final Preview

Rock Chalk, Jayhawk.

You’re not in Kansas anymore.

Carry on my wayward Eagles.

That’s every Kansas-related reference I can think of. It’s Friday Night Heights with BC taking on Kansas. Kick off at 7:30 pm, stay tuned for a How To Watch post tomorrow morning.

Way Too Long Preview

It’s former LSU coach, Les Miles’s first season at the helm, and I can’t say it’s off to a bang, but it was always meant to be a project retooling this historically bad program. Kansas is 1-1 heading into this game. They narrowly defeated FCS Indiana State in week one 24-17, actually trailing with four minutes left in the game. Last weekend, they were smacked 12-7, by Coastal Carolina, a program that was 0-7 vs Power-5 programs. Contrary to popular belief, Kansas still maintains this classification, so Coastal Carolina achieved a first in the victory. The Jayhawks were absolutely rocked on the ground defensively, allowing Coastal running back CJ Marable 168 total yards, two touchdowns, 31 yards after contact, and four rushes of 10 yards or more. This bodes well.

If you hate when BC runs into loaded boxes, you’ll love Kansas, who do so to the point where two receivers have publicly called for more shots to be taken down field and a more balanced offensive attack. The Jayhawks do have two very talented runners in Pooka Williams Jr. and Khalil Herbert, who combined for 181 yards on the ground last week, but their anemic offense can only get these guys loose so often (thus the seven points last week). Williams was the Big 12’s second leading rusher with 1,125 yards last season and in fact led the conference in all-purpose yards as he doubled as a kick returner.

If they can get Williams into open space and utilize the abilities of their mobile quarterback, they can cause problems, but Miles has not exactly had the penchant to run the offense this way. BC had some troubles with exactly that against Richmond, but who knows, maybe they were trying to “hide stuff” defensively too.

Quarterback Carter Staley had some trouble last week, posting a QBR of 16, throwing for only 107 yards and two interceptions. There was some controversy at the end of that game as well, where Staley said he was unable to audible out of a terrible fourth down run call, while Coach Miles claimed the opposite. Staley may be on a short leash.

Despite having played relatively less formidable opponents thus far, Kansas’s defense is no joke. This group led the Big 12, a conference that actively forgets defense is a thing, in interceptions. They literally have a corner named Defense and are thus unable to be blind to this phase of the game. Defense already has a pick-6 under his belt this season.

Fun fact, Les Miles’s son, Ben, was recruited and offered by BC. The fullback instead committed to Nebraska, but when the program eliminated the fullback from their offense, he transferred to Texas A&M. Now, Ben and his older brother Manny have transferred to Kansas to play under their father. REVENGE GAME.

Oddsmakers

Spread: BC -21

Over/Under: 51

UFC Fight Night 00: Baldwin vs Big Jay and Baby Jay (Baldwin -250)

Will I ask Chase Rettig to sign the poster of him I “stole” from the football team supply closet? Yes -210, No +120

Big line movement here. BC opened as an 18.5 point favorite and the point total was brought down from 54.

This game might look ugly at times, especially if BC starts trying to match Kansas’s offense were they to keep the defense on the field for too long. I expect BC to take care of business.

Staff Predictions:

Niraj: 38 BC - 14 Kansas

Arthur: 28 BC - 7 Kansas

Grant: 31 BC - 24 Kansas

NSFW

If anyone has a Jayhawk piñata they could bring to this game, it would be much appreciated. Here’s Coastal Carolina after the W.