Kansas Jayhawks vs TCU Horned Frogs: Delayed Reaction
Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
Coaching: Making a Case
What else can be said about the way the Jayhawks have played under interim coach Clint Bowen? They came into the game an overwhelming underdog against one of the best teams in the country and went toe to toe with them for four quarters. After the way the Baylor Bears beat down Kansas a few weeks ago, no one would have been surprised by a similar 60 point outing by the Horned Frogs.
Instead, Kansas followed up its win last week with an inspired performance this week that fell just short. Obviously to do this a team has to be well prepared with a solid game plan and that is a credit to the coaching staff.
As noted above, though, TCU did a better job of making adjustments after half time. While they were able to find ways to open up holes across the Jayhawks defensive front seven, Kansas appeared to pull back its attack and became much more conservative.
This change in play calling may have been the difference maker in the game. After mounting two six-minute drives to open the game, the next longest Kansas drive was 6 plays for 82 yards that only took 2:54 off the clock.
In the majority of the losses for the Jayhawks this year, a big finger could be pointed at the offenses’ inability to give the defense a rest. Saturday was no different. It may seem counterintuitive to suggest throwing on early possessions as incompletions stop the clock.
However, putting your offense in position to face third and short instead of third and long increases the likelihood of extending drives and keeping the opposing team’s playmakers off the field.
Ultimately, no one would say that Bowen and his staff coached a bad game at all. The players obviously respond to the interim coach and no one can argue that he has made a great case for himself to take the reins permanently at the conclusion of the season.
While the Sooners and Wildcats will rightfully be heavy favorites in the last two games of the year, if the Jayhawks can give similar performances to what we saw on Saturday, Bowen may find himself in his dream job sooner than he thought possible.