There have certainly been better weeks for Kansas football fans.
The Jayhawks (1-2) have lost two straight games against opponents they were favored over. The latest defeat came on Friday, when Kansas lost 23-20 to UNLV at Children’s Mercy Park.
A season with sky-high expectations suddenly is on the verge of disaster. Naturally, Kansas coach Lance Leipold isn’t pleased.
“I’m not going to sit up here and make excuses,” he said. “That’s not right. ... We have to own that we aren’t playing well enough to win. … It starts with the head coach. I need to do better and our staff needs to do better and we will find a way.”
On top of that, Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels has had a dismal start to the season . He threw another two interceptions vs. the Rebels — he has six on the season.
“It’s become a fragile situation at the moment that his confidence is in,” Leipold said on Friday.
With that, let’s get into this week’s mailbag. Thanks, as always, for all the questions.
How long is Jalon Daniels’ leash? @LosJayhawk
At the very least, I’d like to see a few more games.
Look, Daniels is the most talented quarterback the Jayhawks have had since Todd Reesing. He was in legitimate Heisman contention in 2022 until he got hurt.
He was named Preseason Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year before the 2023 season. When he’s healthy and in form, he raises the ceiling of this Jayhawks team. If Kansas wants to contend for a Big 12 title, it needs Daniels to return to form.
His past coaches believe he’s on the verge of turning things around. And his personal QB coach, Sam Fisher, told The Star he believes Daniels is close to clicking, possibly as soon as next week.
I understand that expectations around Kansas football are the highest they’ve been, maybe ever. Still, the minute you bench the quarterback who helped turn KU football from a laughingstock into a Big 12 Championship contender, it’s admitting that the season is lost.
When will Jeff Grimes be fired? @topkubob
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Jeff Grimes isn’t going anywhere. Leipold rarely fires staff members, if ever. Also, it’s been three games.
Yes, Grimes’ play-calling has been questionable at times, but the adjustment period to a new offense takes time. Even Fisher pointed that out when speaking with The Star on Saturday.
“The only difference I think is that (Daniels has) been with an OC for the last 2-3 years, and (now) there’s a new guy,” Fisher said. “I think they are going to start cooking here pretty soon, I really do. I think it’s a familiarity, that’s all. It’s relational — they were really in sync. When you get a new coordinator, it takes a minute.”
With JD playing very little football against legit competition for almost two years, why didn’t the staff grab a QB in the portal to be a legit number 2 option? @Hopjake
This is a fantastic question and it’s something I pondered this offseason.
I’ve gathered that the KU coaching staff believes in Cole Ballard. Leipold and other coaches raved about him all offseason and his teammates told The Star similar things.
Still, I was surprised KU didn’t pick up a transfer portal QB because of Daniels’ injury history. Now they have to hope it doesn’t come back to bite them.
When does freshman Isaiah Marshall get a serious look at starter? @barmstrong2185
He’s not starting this season unless Daniels and Ballard get hurt.
While very talented, Marshall is a true freshman and isn’t ready to start for a Kansas team that hopes to compete for a Big 12 title, even after two nonconference losses.
Here’s one example of how much he has to learn: Marshall told The Star in fall camp that he’s learning to throw more check-downs because he never did it much in high school.
He’s a talented quarterback, but he’s one for the future, not the present.
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