Kansas interim head football coach Clint Bowen watches over the defense during practice on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2014.

Kansas Jayhawks (2-2) at West Virginia Mountaineers (2-2)

3 p.m., Milan Puskar Stadium – Game-time forecast: 53 degrees, 13 mph winds, 0 percent chance of rain – TV: FOX Sports Net

Log on to KUsports.com for our live game blog and follow our coverage team on Twitter: @KUSports @mctait @TomKeeganLJW and @bentonasmith

Keys for Kansas:

Kansas interim head football coach Clint Bowen watches over the defense during practice on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2014.

1 . Can KU rein in its focus?

It’s been a wild week full of change, excitement, opportunity and hope. And, judging by the responses to all of that, it was much needed. But it’s still game week. And all of the changes and extra energy and outstanding news conferences in the world won’t mean a thing when it’s third-and-three inside your own 20 and the other team is looking to score. Being on the road will force the Jayhawks to be tighter, but will they be able to overcome the emotions and distractions of such a crazy week and be ready to play when the ball is teed up?

2 . The secondary must step up

West Virginia quarterback Clint Trickett is a big, tall, accurate, dangerous quarterback who loves taking chances and hitting on big plays down the field. If JaCorey Shepherd and Dexter McDonald aren’t ready to roll and don’t have their track shoes on, this could be a long game. They’re not the only ones back there who will be counted on, though. Look for true freshman cornerback Matthew Boateng to be tested often when he’s on the field, and pay close attention to Isaiah Johnson. He has been quiet so far this year, and this would be as good of a game as any for him to get on track.

3 . Paging John Reagan

Reagan said earlier this week that he was headed up to the booth to call this week’s game. It will be interesting to see what impact that has on the offense. Will the distraction-free work zone allow Reagan to solve the Mountaineers defense, and will the fact that interim head coach Clint Bowen is now running the team free Reagan up to try more or different things with the offense? The two coaches have worked together for a long time, and Bowen has total faith in Reagan’s ability. Both realize that scoring more points is critical, and it should be interesting to see what the new set-up allows them to do.

Mega Matchup: Buck Michael Reynolds vs. WVU LT Adam Pankey

Kansas' Michael Reynolds (55) and Courtney Arnick (28) team up to sack Central Michigan quarterback Cooper Rush during the second half of their game Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium.

The Mountaineers have surrendered 11 sacks in four games, so it’s not impossible to get to QB Clint Trickett. Reynolds figures to have his hands full with Pankey, a 6-foot-5, 302-pound, third-year sophomore, but the KU senior is coming off of a productive game against the Longhorns (2 tackles for loss, 1 sack) and has taken steps forward as a pass rusher each week. It’s imperative that the KU pass rush forces Trickett to throw earlier than he’d like so the secondary does not have to cover for extended periods. If that’s going to happen, Reynolds needs to be the guy who leads the charge.

5 Questions with Senior nose tackle Keon Stowers:

Kansas defensive lineman Keon Stowers celebrates with the fans on the field following the Jayhawks' 31-19 win over West Virginia on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013 at Memorial Stadium.

1 . You’ve played for Clint Bowen on defense for the past few seasons, but what do you think it’s going to be like to play for him as your head coach now?

“We’re jacked up even more. This is our guy now, the head coach. So this is pretty cool. We’re sprinting from drill to drill. Before practice, we all touch the Jayhawk together at a specific time and all take the field together, and he’s leading the charge.”

2 . What’s this whole week been like with Bowen taking over head coaching duties for Charlie Weis?

“It’s felt like new, like a new season almost. New motivation, new reason, new everything, and I think we’re actually able to be ourselves now, from coaching staff to players.”

3 . What’s one of the biggest changes that stood out to you?

“We’ve got our music now. We don’t gotta to listen to Bon Jovi. We actually had some music during practice. We had music during the team period, so that was pretty cool.”

4 . When you think about last year’s 31-19 win over West Virginia, what comes to mind?

“Obviously, you want to think about the win last year, but we can’t really base our performance this year off of what we did last year or how that game played out. We’re two different teams now, and I think we’ve got two different motivations now. I think you’ll see a different game than last year.”

5 . Finally, you outed your Rock Hill, South Carolina, boy Jadeveon Clowney for his “Doo Doo” nickname last year, so now the tables have been turned on you. What’s your nickname?

“I don’t have a one. I don’t. I mean, if you all have one for me, I’ll take one.”

Best suggestions so far include one from our Tom Keegan, “Neon Keon Stowers,” and one Stowers helped approve: “Mr. Pick-Six,” for his interception return against South Dakota that was nullified by a teammate’s penalty in last year’s opener and his interception return for a touchdown in Tuesday’s practice. Doesn’t sound like we’re getting very close.

Jayhawk Pulse

It’s as if someone has hit the reset button on the 2014 KU football season for the players, fans, coaches and supporters. The coaching change four games into the season has reenergized the team and brought renewed hope to town as the Jayhawks prepare to battle through the final eight games of the Big 12 schedule. Although the response to Clint Bowen being named KU’s interim head coach has been fantastic, the Jayhawks, including Bowen, are not letting the euphoria overshadow the fact that the deck is still stacked against them. Better energy and urgency or not, the team still needs to show drastic improvement on offense if it hopes to be competitive the rest of the way. Still, there’s something to be said for the clouds clearing and rays of light taking their place, and it should be interesting to see what impact all of this has on the performance on the field on Saturdays.

Tale of the Tape

KU run game vs. WVU run D – advantage KU

KU pass game vs. WVU pass D – advantage WVU

WVU run game vs. KU run D – advantage WVU

WVU pass game vs. KU pass D – advantage WVU

Special teams – advantate WVU