Steve Sarkisian shares key to stopping Kansas offense

If teams are not careful, the Kansas offense can run all over them. Jalon Daniels is the conductor of a high powered ground attack, quietly being one of the best units in the Big 12. They will be hoping to play well against Texas on Saturday, with Steve Sarkisian needing to devise a plan to stop the Jayhawks with defenisve coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski.

First up, Sarkisian beleives Texas is going to have to communicate well. Kansas will not be afraid to pull out some option-esque run plays and attempt to read the defense. Making sure all 11 players on the field are assignment sound are really the only way to beat it. Being on the same page is priority No. 1.

“I think it’s important we play a disciplined brand of football,” Sarkisian said. “I think we’ve got to have great eyes, have great communication so that we’re tight on a string. Everybody is working well together. That everybody trusts their keys and what they need to do and that they can trust the guy next to them… That’s always important, especially when you start talking about option football. Everybody has got to have their rules and dial into that.”

Kansas is averaging 217.8 rushing yards per game, the second most in the Big 12 and only behind UCF. Maybe even more impressive, the YPC is sitting at 5.48. Attempting to defend against that can get physciality exhausting if you allow them to control the clock.

But Texas beleives if they can control the line of scrimmage, the Kansas rushing attack will get canceled out. Making contact with the runner as soon as possible and keeping them well below the 5.48 YPC and Sarkisian will be happy with his squad.

“It goes back to our level of physicality,” Sarkisian said. “We have to play a physical brand of football. Most notably at the line of scrimmage. We’ve got to be really sounds at the line of scrimmage. Any time a team can run the ball, that opens up all of the other things they want to do. I think it’s really important that we’re really good up front.”

Texas did a good job last season against Kansas, limiting them to 104 rushing yards on 30 attempts. Devin Neal wound up as the Jayhawks’ leading rusher with just 51 yards. A great showing in what was a blowout win in Lawrence.

Replicating it would avoid a second consecutive loss in Austin to Kansas — something that has never happened.