The No. 13 Utah Utes will take on the Kansas Jayhawks in a significant college football matchup on November 28, 2023. The game is set to kick off at 10:00 a.m. MST at the David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kansas. Both teams have compelling narratives heading into this game, with Utah aiming for a potential spot in the Big 12 Championship and Kansas fighting for bowl eligibility.
Utah enters the game with a record of 9-2 overall and 6-2 in the conference. After dominating their first eight opponents, the Utes faced a tougher challenge last week, narrowly defeating Kansas State 51-47. This victory keeps their championship hopes alive, contingent upon winning this game and receiving favorable outcomes elsewhere. ESPN’s analytics model gives Utah an impressive 82.9% chance of securing a win against Kansas, which would mark their tenth victory of the season, a milestone they have not achieved since 2022.
In contrast, Kansas, with a record of 5-6 and 3-5 in the Big 12, has struggled recently, losing four of their last five games. The Jayhawks’ performance has been concerning, with three of those losses coming by margins of 24 points or more. Nonetheless, a victory this Friday could still grant Kansas a chance to qualify for a bowl game, a feat they accomplished in 2022 and 2023 after a long postseason drought.
Key Matchups and Player Highlights
Utah’s offensive strength has been largely attributed to their formidable rushing game, ranking second in the nation with an average of 279.6 rushing yards per game. Running back Wayshawn Parker has been a standout player, accumulating 836 rushing yards and six touchdowns this season. He has consistently performed well, registering over 100 rushing yards in each of the last four games, all of which resulted in victories for the Utes. Kansas, on the other hand, has struggled defensively against the run, ranking as the third-worst rushing defense in the Big 12, allowing an average of 174.2 yards per game.
The Jayhawks have a chance to gain an emotional boost, as the game coincides with Senior Day, marking the last home appearance for several players, including quarterback Jalon Daniels. While Kansas has been inconsistent, they will look to leverage the home-field advantage and the emotional weight of the occasion to compete against a formidable opponent.
Coaches’ Perspectives
Kansas head coach Lance Leipold spoke highly of Utah, noting their physicality and consistency across all phases of the game. He remarked, “They’re a really good football team… top two or three in the league in almost every important category.” This acknowledgment underscores the respect Utah commands within the conference.
Utah’s head coach Kyle Whittingham emphasized the importance of the game, stating, “We have one day less to prepare, as do they, so there’s no advantage one way or the other there, but looking for an opportunity to win a 10th game in the regular season, which I can’t remember the last time we were able to do that.” His comments reflect the high stakes of the encounter, as both teams aim to capitalize on the opportunity presented by the matchup.
As the Utes and Jayhawks prepare to clash, the game promises to offer fans an exciting showdown filled with implications for both teams. The outcome will not only impact potential postseason opportunities but also shape the trajectory of each program moving forward.
