GAMEDAY BREAKDOWN: A look at Saturday’s Kansas-West Virginia football game

Kansas' Michael Zunica dives on a fumbled snap as he is followed by Texas Tech linebacker Micah Awe (18) during the first quarter on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015 at Memorial Stadium.

Kansas Jayhawks (0-10 overall, 0-7 Big 12) vs. West Virginia Mountaineers (5-4 overall, 2-4 Big 12)

11 a.m., Memorial Stadium — Game-time forecast: 35 degrees, sunny, 0 percent chance for rain, winds 20 mph from the northwest — TV: FOX Sports Net

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Keys for Kansas

Kansas' Michael Zunica dives on a fumbled snap as he is followed by Texas Tech linebacker Micah Awe (18) during the first quarter on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015 at Memorial Stadium.

1 . Ball security is crucial

Heading into its Nov. 14 game against West Virginia, Texas had turned the ball over just seven times in nine games. But the Mountaineers forced UT into five turnovers in their 38-20 victory, and those miscues played a huge role in West Virginia’s second consecutive Big 12 win. “I think it will be a fun match-up because it’s both teams that value possession and getting the ball out,” KU coach David Beaty said. “We’ve got to do a great job of managing that this week. They’re too good. You can’t give away a possession and expect to win the game against these guys.”

2 . Start fast

While all of these 11 a.m. games have taken their toll on the KU tailgating scene, they almost always give the home team the advantage. Today’s game marks KU’s final shot at capitalizing on that, and it’s important the Jayhawks show up at Memorial Stadium awake and ready to roll. Two years ago, when KU ended its Big 12 losing streak with a 31-19 win over West Virginia, the early-morning kick lulled the Mountaineers into a rough game. Other teams have suffered the same fate in the recent past and nearly been knocked off by Kansas in the process. A fast start — which means early points on offense and a turnover or couple of three-and-outs on defense — could turn up the pressure on the Mountaineers and give KU the confidence needed to pull off the upset.

3 . Kick coverage key

In a perfect world, Kansas would kick off a lot in this one, because a high number of kickoffs means a team is scoring points. Even if that happens, though, the Jayhawks have to be aware of the Mountaineers’ dynamic kick-return game. Led by Jovon Durante (24.9) and Shelton Gibson (30.2), WVU’s special-teams unit features three players who average 20 yards or more per kickoff return. The team’s average of 26.2 yards per return ranks first in the Big 12 and 11th nationally. WVU also is one of just three Big 12 teams to have returned a kickoff for a touchdown this season. KU appears to be poised to handle the match-up, as the Jayhawks rank second in the conference in kickoff coverage at 19.8 yards per return.

Mega Matchup

WVU RB Wendell Smallwood vs. the KU front six

West Virginia running back Wendell Smallwood breaks into the secondary during the Mountaineers’ 45-6 win over Maryland on Sept. 26 in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Kansas defensive tackle Kapil Fletcher (90) and Kansas defensive end Dorance Armstrong Jr. (46) bring down Oklahoma State running back Chris Carson (32) during the third quarter on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015 at T. Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla.

During each of his past two games — both Big 12 Conference victories — West Virginia junior Wendell Smallwood has topped 160 yards and averaged seven yards per carry. The emerging superstar ranks second in the Big 12 and 14th nationally in rushing yards per game (124.3) and also ranks 22nd nationally in all-purpose yards per game (138.3). He has rushed for 100 yards or more in six of the past seven games and is the kind of player whom WVU coach Dana Holgorsen will feed until an opponent proves it can stop him. What’s more, Holgorsen hinted earlier this week about Smallwood’s ability to impact games as more than just a runner. “We don’t do a lot of the other things he’s capable of in the pass game because he’s so important between the tackles,” Holgorsen said. Smallwood could be the catalyst for one of the biggest mismatches in today’s game, as WVU ranks third in the Big 12 at 224.2 rushing yards per game, and Kansas ranks ninth in the league in rush defense at 255.4 yards per game.

5 Questions with junior kicker Matthew Wyman

1 . You’ve been handling all of KU’s kicking duties the past few weeks — kickoffs, punts, field goals and extra points. Does all of that work wear you down?

I mean, yeah, it takes a toll. I was definitely more sore after this last game than I’ve been, just my hips and my knee. For a couple days, it’s definitely sore, but I like it. I’m out there a lot more, and I like being able to make an impact.

Kansas kicker Matthew Wyman watches a field goal during the third quarter on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014 at Memorial Stadium.

2 . We already know that this whole punting thing is new to you, but what has been your favorite part about being KU’s punter?

It’s nice when you hit a long one, and it feels good when it comes off and you know you spiraled it and it’s gonna go.

3 . Having said that, you’re averaging 43.2 yards per punt since taking over. Are you surprised at how successful you’ve been in that role?

I guess I’m not surprised. I mean, I knew I could hit it far. I was a little surprised how well I did in the first game, but I feel like I’ve started to mature, and I’m starting to get used to it more and more. I’m looking forward to continuing to develop. I know they don’t want me doing everything, but if they need me to do it, I want to do it.

4 . Your background includes some time on the soccer pitch. Is soccer in the United States — non World Cup years — ever going to reach the level that it has in Europe?

It’s slowly growing. I don’t know if it’ll ever reach the popularity of baseball and football, but it’s definitely getting up there. I’ve always loved soccer. I never grew up loving football. It was more high school coaches knew I could kick and came out and asked me to try out. But I’ve definitely grown to love football.

5 . Speaking of predicting the future, you’re a psychology major, so what’s it going to take to get the KU program turned around and winning again for good?

It definitely helps to know how your mind works, and it’s definitely helped me be mentally strong. We don’t talk about it too much, but we’re a resilient bunch, and I think we’re a mentally strong team.

Jayhawk Pulse

Kansas’ near-upset of 13th-ranked TCU last week provided the program with a couple of important elements heading into the final two weeks of the 2015 season. First, it gave KU concrete proof that carrying out assignments and executing the game plan can put these the team in position to succeed. Perhaps more importantly, coming so close to knocking off a Top-25 team and ending that ugly road losing streak filled the Jayhawks with a hunger to finish the season strong. KU’s final two Big 12 foes (WVU and K-State) enter today with a combined conference record of 2-10. Their struggle thus far this season does not mean KU will bring down either one. But after being bullied by Baylor, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas this fall, records like that certainly have this team believing it can close Beaty’s first season on a high note.