KU Wednesday Walkthrough: Baylor Week

Momentum has swung away from the Kansas Jayhawks over the last couple of days. It's not for lack of effort, of course, suffering two losses back to back by just seven and 10 points, respectively. But after rising to prominence as arguably the best story in college football following a 5-0 start, KU is back outside the AP Top 25 and is still searching for the all-important sixth win.

Enter another road trip and enter the Baylor Bears, the preseason favorites to win the Big 12 who have since started the year 3-3 and have also dropped consecutive games. They've even lost those contests in similar fashion to KU's last two defeats; both the Jayhawks and Bears lost two weeks ago to a ranked team at home before losing to unranked team on the road last Saturday. It goes without saying that this weekend means a great deal for both Lance Leipold's and Dave Aranda's programs.

LISTENING IN ON LANCE

"Jalon is not practicing right now, neither is Cobee. That's as far as I'll take it."

It's not good news but it's also not unexpected news on the injury front for the Jayhawks this week. Leipold was quick and curt with the injury report this week as two of KU's biggest breakout stars and most important players, quarterback Jalon Daniels and Cobee Bryant, are out of practice. Daniels is still recovering from a shoulder injury suffered against TCU, while Bryant suffered a lower-body injury in the loss to Oklahoma last weekend.

"We'll battle for 60 minutes, I'm proud of that in all circumstances...People that watch this football team that I highly respect and interact with talk about how this team plays hard, and I feel the same way."

Even after suffering a second straight defeat, Leipold remained optimistic about KU during his press conference this week. He added that he thought the Jayhawks were hesitant in some situations against a Sooners team with its backs against the wall, but still made sure to start his retrospective with the bright side of last week's game.

"He's a pretty flat-lined guy, which is good, it's hard to get a read sometimes with him. He's a pretty cool customer, it isn't like he gets rattled."

Jason Bean was far from perfect against Oklahoma but still posted some gaudy numbers in his first start of the season. Leipold complimented Bean's demeanor and said he "didn't flinch" against OU, although conceded there were also some plays he'd certainly like to have back. The coach also reiterated his positivity about Bean being able to stay prepared in spite of being relegated to the backup role for KU this year.

"I think the extra two days will probably, definitely benefit his chances of playing, I'll say that. I would expect to see him."

Baylor is dealing with its own quarterback health issues pertaining to Blake Shapen (more on him later), but Leipold said he's expecting the sophomore pivot to play on Saturday. He was also, unsurprisingly, glowing about Shapen's game and multiple different skills that he brings to the table.