Lance Leipold feeling positive about Jayhawks following bye-week

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Kansas is looking to finish strong down the stretch as it approaches a pivotal matchup with Iowa State at Arrowhead Stadium, and having the extra time off should be beneficial.

The Jayhawks had plenty of time to absorb their loss in the Sunflower Showdown, and Coach Lance Leipold made sure that they utilized their second bye-week because of it. Now Kansas (2-6) is striving to keep its’ bowl hopes alive, but have no margin for error the rest of the way.

There’s no denying the Jayhawks’ backs are against the wall, and one more loss would mean a losing season. So there’s plenty at stake for Leipold’s squad, and he’s trying to keep the program’s bowl streak alive for a third-straight year. The Jayhawks haven’t defeated a ranked opponent all season, and the No. 17 Cyclones will be a perfect opportunity. After all, Kansas has won the past two meetings in this series, and the players are embracing being the underdogs.

“Hopefully the routine and the focus, and resetting ourselves in a point to go out and play well, and be a little fresher than we’ve been at other times,” Leipold said. “Again we got a huge challenge with a ranked football team coming in here, and this’ll be another test to them coming off a bye-week.”

Iowa State (7-1) will be looking to prove that last week’s home loss to Texas Tech was a fluke, in pursuit to staying alive in the Big 12 race. The Jayhawks haven’t won three-straight against the Cyclones since 2007-09, and Leipold expects the pressure to be on Matt Campbell’s boys. This will likely be Kansas’ toughest challenge to date, but home field advantage should help. Leipold has a ton of respect for Campbell, and expects the Cyclones’ best Saturday afternoon.

“Matt Campbell and his staff, Matt is one of the better football coaches in this country, and he’s been recognized as that, and rightfully so,” he said. “Well-coached, physical football team that continues to get better each and every week, they play well within themselves, and they know what they want to do.”

The Jayhawks can put up enough points offensively to win the game, but if their defense continues to allow explosive plays, the ending could be very similar to the loss to the Wildcats. Which is why Leipold wants his team to finally close out a game. It’s going to start with taking care of the football, especially quarterback Jalon Daniels. If Kanas can limit the turnovers, and execute, Leipold is confident it’ll be a close game.

“It’s going to be a team that is going to come in here and want to put themselves back on track to have a chance to compete in the conference championship,” the 60-year old coach said. “They’re still in the Playoff conversation, and it’ll be a huge test for us.”

Kansas will want to make a statement, and send a message to the rest of the Big 12 not to count it out yet. Although the Jayhawks started out the season ranked in the top-25, they’re now viewed as one of this year’s biggest underachievers, but a victory over the Cyclones will change that narrative.

All of the scouting, film study and work in the weight room over the past two weeks should show improvement, considering Kansas already won a game coming off its’ first bye-week against Houston. Leipold believes his team can do it again, but on a bigger stage this time around, and and a better opponent.

“Obviously we’ve had decent success off of it, hopefully it can repeat itself.”