Let’s discuss QB Jalon Daniels, OC Jeff Grimes + KU’s hoops rotation: Jayhawks Q&A

Kansas Jayhawks football coach Lance Leipold has preached patience amid this team’s disappointing start to the season.

More than a few times over the past month, he’s reminded us that there’s plenty of season left. He even had a special message this week for KU fans:

“We appreciate our fan support, and they are needed as much as ever to make a difference,” Leipold said. “If they are not disappointed or frustrated, they wouldn’t be a fan. ... But hopefully they show up, are energetic and can help us when we need them. They can continue to make a difference.

“Hopefully, the same reason they believe in this university and program — maybe if they are newer to jumping on — they still see that this team has a lot of season to play. … There are some books or movies that start off really slow, but they end up being quite a story at the end. I plan on this team being one.”

If that’s going to happen this year, Saturday’s matchup against TCU — at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium — is probably a must-win for the Jayhawks.

KU came into this season with Big 12 championship aspirations. To have any chance of playing for a league title in 2024, KU, which lost last weekend at West Virginia, can’t start 0-2 in conference play.

Last season’s Big 12 championship game participants, Oklahoma State and Texas, lost no more than two games each. OSU had two losses at the time, UT one (the Longhorns beat the Pokes for the league title).

We’ll see if KU can end its three-game losing streak in KC on Saturday. Until then, let’s get into another Q&A.

As always, thank you for the questions ...

How much do you think having Grimes in the press box changed things? @NickSpringer29

It certainly helped a bit. Leipold and Grimes said that Daniels was more comfortable with coach Jim Zebrowski on the field and Grimes in the box.

It’s too early to say how much of a difference this could make. Daniels had an OK day in Morgantown, W.Va. — 180 passing yards and two turnovers — but he was going against one of the worst secondaries in the nation.

What’s been the bigger disconnect for offensive success for KU: Daniels’ QB play or Grimes’ playcalling? @Bryan_J_Hawk

This is a really good question. We covered it in Rock Chalk Film Room this week, with former KU QB Carter Stanley breaking down what he’s seeing from Daniels this season.

The gist is this: Daniels probably shoulders more of the blame here, but Grimes’ play-calling isn’t doing him any favors. Besides the opening game against Lindenwood, Daniels hasn’t put together so much as a mistake-free half this season.

And he has nine turnovers in four games, some on mistakes that no senior quarterback should make. When he completes a throw, the pass rarely seem to be in perfect position for his receiver.

KU needs Daniels to return to form and not turn over the ball multiple times per game. His gaffes have cost the Jayhawks dearly this season.

Why hasn’t Jeff Grimes been fired yet? @Jethrow23

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Grimes is probably not going anywhere. Leipold has only let go a handful of assistants in his many years of coaching.

On top of that, Kansas would be on the hook for 70% of Grimes’ remaining salary if his contract is terminated.

Look, things are definitely tough right now, but it’s only been four games. Perhaps this situation will resolve itself with improved performance going forward.

Pat Riley said of player usage in big games “use eight, rotate seven, play six, trust five.” What’s your prediction for the 8/7/6/5 for important games of Kansas basketball this year, especially with a huge game coming just a week into the season? @ben_h_hooke

Great question.

Given how much hoops coach Bill Self has raved about Zeke Mayo, we can presume the Lawrence High product will be KU’s fifth starter alongside KJ Adams, Hunter Dickinson, AJ Storr and Dajuan Harris.

I expect Alabama transfer Rylan Griffen to be KU’s sixth man; after all, he was a starter on a team that made a deep run in last year’s NCAA Tournament. Self has also raved about freshman Flory Bidunga, so he could be a good bet to emerge as the Jayhawks’ “seventh man.”

“Our two (of our) freshmen are good, and one of them (Flory Bidunga) has a chance to be special,” Self said in a recent interview with Field of 68.

The last spot is a tough one. It’ll come down to Zach Clemence or Shakeel Moore. I lean Clemence, due to his skill-set and size.