Kansas and Arizona State bid for their first Big 12 victory of the season at the other’s expense when the teams meet in Tempe, Ariz.
It is also the first time the programs will play each other.
The Jayhawks (1-4, 0-2 Big 12) dropped their fourth straight decision with a 38-27 setback to TCU at home last Saturday.
Arizona State (3-1, 0-1) did not play last week after losing 30-22 at Texas Tech on Sept. 21.
The Sun Devils play their first Big 12 game in front of their home crowd against a Kansas team that has lost its four games by a combined 24 points.
The Jayhawks held a lead in the fourth quarter of three of those defeats.
“They’re the same team that was predicted to potentially win the league to start the season,” Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham said. “They’ve had two end of the first halves where they’ve turned the football over and the opponent has gotten seven points to essentially end the first half, which is the difference in two of their games (against) Illinois and UNLV.”
Dillingham noted that Kansas’ turnover margin of minus-0.8 — including minus-1.5 on the road — as a significant reason for the Jayhawks’ struggles.
Kansas coach Lance Leipold said the Jayhawks are “extremely, extremely down” after their difficult start to the season.
“Why wouldn’t you be?” Leipold said. “I mean, if they’re not, you’re not a competitor. You put all this time in, we talk about emphasis and things, and we’re not making it happen.
“It starts with the head coach. I’m not getting it up for this program and for this fan base.”
Kansas’ strength is its running game, which averages 226.0 rushing yards per game, ranking third in the Big 12 and 15th nationally.
The Jayhawks are led by senior Devin Neal, who has rushed 86 times for 513 yards and four touchdowns.
Daniel Hishaw Jr., another experienced back who is a fourth-year junior, has 38 rushes for 262 yards and three touchdowns.
Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt, a transfer from Michigan State, has completed 65 of 110 passes for 855 yards and three touchdowns and two interceptions. He also has rushed 39 times for 180 yards and four scores.
–Field Level Media
