The Kansas Jayhawks are without wide receiver Keaton Kubecka and cornerback Syeed Gibbs this Saturday at Kansas State.
Previously listed as “doubtful,” Kubecka and Gibbs are now out for the Governor’s Cup this weekend, as the Jayhawks search for an end to a 17-game losing streak against the Wildcats. Kubecka has 6 receptions for 67 yards, along with two kickoff returns; Likewise, Gibbs sustained an injury late vs. Utah last week and deprives Kansas of a rotating corner.
Both losses remove Kansas of valuable snaps this season, including in two Big 12 matchups already against Arizona State in London and at Utah, both losses for Lance Leipold’s program as part of a 2-3 (0-2 Big 12) start to the season. Kansas State, too, was in for a surprise on Thursday, learning that tight end Garrett Oakley is now “questionable” for Saturday’s game.
Can Kansas Rise to the Occasion?
Now down a target, young Kansas quarterback Isaiah Marshall has a big task on his hands this weekend.
It’s been quite some time since a Jayhawk team has hurdled the mountain that is the rivalry with Kansas State, which evaded Kansas in tight contests in 2022, 2023 and 2024; the Wildcats dominated Kansas 42-17 last year in Lawrence.
Kubecka isn’t Marshall’s key target, though – far from it. Nik McMillan, Nazahe Cox and Cam Pickett have all impressed since the season began, but the offense as a whole has been sluggish to get its pass game rolling out of the gate. Marshall, using his legs, can also exploit Kansas State’s struggles against the run; It’s also the homecoming for Wildcats transfer running back Dylan Edwards, who leads the Jayhawk backfield with 318 yards and 3 touchdowns on 59 carries.
The Confidence Booster Kansas State Needs
Kansas State enters this contest in similar light to their rival in a desperate search for a Big 12 win. Neither team can truly salvage their season without this one on Saturday, and the Collin Klein era is off to a rough start conference-wise.
Houston rushed for 233 yards, and Conner Weigman threw for another 242 yards and 4 touchdowns last week in Manhattan, as Kansas State chalked up the 35-16 loss; Avery Johnson has looked himself, but the Wildcats finished 6-of-13 on third down last week and let the Cougars hold the ball for nearly 35 minutes. Comparatively, Kansas is better against the run than a year ago, and it should be quite noticeable on Saturday; The Wildcats, too, are likely to step forward in the pass game vs. Marshall.
The oddsmakers like the Wildcats as a 4.5-point favorite on Saturday vs. Kansas. The spread opened closer to 7.5 points but narrowed down to a single score as the Jayhawks prepare to go on the road with a capable defense and a young quarterback.
