Kansas vs. Coastal Carolina: Preview and Prediction
Here is everything you need to know about the upcoming Big 12 game in our Kansas vs. Coastal Carolina preview and prediction.
Game Info
6:00 p.m. Central Time, Saturday September 7th, 2019, David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, Lawrence, Kansas.
TV: ESPN+ (Get your ESPN+ subscription in the link below!)
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Texas Radio: Jayhawk IMG Radio Network (PxP: Brian Hanni)
Spread: Kansas (-7.5)
Fun Fact: Kansas hasn’t started off a season 2-0 since the 2011 season when Turner Gill was the head coach. That was eight years and three coaches ago.
Key Players
Coastal Carolina
QB Fred Payton
I’ll say this about Fred Payton, he is accurate. Although he was a bit too accurate to the wrong team last weekend when they played Eastern Michigan where Peyton threw four interceptions as his team fell 30-23. He is a career mid-sixties completion percentage guy who was running for his life last season as his offensive line gave up over 35 sacks a year ago. If he can get some time in the pocket, he can pick a defense apart with his accuracy.
DE Tarron Jackson
Even though he just had three sacks a season ago, Tarron is Coastal Carolina’s best edge man up front. He was third on the team in tackles in 2018 and had 11 tackles for loss. I know Kansas will try and run the football so having a guy like Tarron up front is beneficial but also keep an eye on him when the Jayhawks drop back to pass.
Kansas
RB Pooka Williams Jr.
This is the moment all Kansas fans have been waiting for, the return of Pooka. Well, it is here and after rushing for over 1,100 yards a season ago, he is back after being suspended from the season opener. We all know what Pooka can do with the football in his hands and when the ball is in his hands, he is one of the most electrifying playmakers not just in the Big 12, but in the entire country.
DE Darrius Morange
First off, Darrius being 6’7 caught my eye. He played in some guys last season and showed some flashed, but he had an excellent game last week against Indiana State as he finished the ball game with 7 tackles and a sack. If this is the year where he puts it all together, watch out. I could see him causing some trouble for the Chanticleers offense in this game.
Key Storylines
Coastal Carolina
Due to hurricane Dorian, Coastal Carolina was forced to move west across the state to hold their practices at the Clemson football facility. Kudos to Clemson for letting them in due to the tough circumstances. Mentally, I hope the players are fine for the game. Now, as for the game itself, they must stop Pooka Williams Jr. The Jayhawks will feed him the football and if they can’t stop the run, the Chanticleers have a slim chance to win this game on the road.
Kansas
The Kansas rushing game last week was pretty meh. They only rushed for about 100 yards against Indiana State and with the competition picking up, the offensive line must do a better job opening holes. More importantly, Pooka is back and he can make some plays on his own. I am sure the Jayhawks will try and establish that run game early and hopefully it will open some things up in the passing game so Carter Stanley can get the football to guys like Daylon Charlot and Andrew Parchment.
Prediction
Kansas 31, Coastal Carolina 21
I think the return of Pooka Williams Jr. will have a huge impact on this game. Coastal Carolina won’t see a player of his caliber all season long and the Jayhawks will jump out to an early lead and let their defense protect it throughout the ball game. With the run game being effective, Carter Stanley will play better than he did last week as Kansas is just too much for Coastal Carolina to handle. The Les Miles era starts off 2-0.
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