B.J.: We are four games into the season, and the Jayhawks still have some problems that need to be addressed. Which of the problems has surprised you the most so far?

Taylor: That’s got to be the running game. There haven’t been any significant injuries on the offensive side of the ball to deter the run, yet it stinks. Obviously the loss of offensive tackle Anthony Collins, who’s now in the NFL, was huge. Freshman Jeff Spikes hasn’t been terrible in replacing him, but without Collins there doesn’t seem to be the same fire. This also makes me realize just how good of a running back Brandon McAnderson was.

B.J.: McAnderson was a freak of nature, and I wonder how he was able to put up those numbers last year. The running game has been so hard to figure out because I just don’t get why the players are struggling so badly. Jake Sharp and Jocques Crawford are both quality backs, but they get no room when they get the ball.

Taylor: Coach Mark Mangino has passed the blame around to just about everyone except the running backs. He’s called out his veteran interior on the offensive line and chastised the wide receivers for not holding blocks, but when do we finally realize that there’s not a No. 1 runner anywhere in the backfield? It may be time to take a step back and admit that the backs simply aren’t as good as we thought they were.

B.J.: That might be the case, but I’m not ready to give up on them just yet. They all have put up some pretty good numbers in the past, and at some point, they will end up producing like they have before. The big concern for me is the cornerback position. There is a chance the Jayhawks could get Kendrick Harper back for the Iowa State game next weekend, but if they don’t, they have to find someone that can cover somebody. Chris Harris has emerged as a shut down corner on the left side of the field, but they must get Corrigan Powell, Ryan Murphy, Isiah Barfield or maybe even somebody else to be able to at least stay with their guy.

Taylor: That’s certainly a problem, but there’s not a medication available that magically turns freshmen into upperclassmen. Those kids need to learn through experience. Preferably back-up experience, but at least their mistakes are easily explained by youth. If I were Mangino, I’d leave Harper on the bench until the game against Colorado, a team that can actually hurt you with the pass. We’ll see some vast improvements from the right cornerback position against the Cyclones, who rank dead last in the Big 12 in passing yards per game.

B.J.: We’ll have to wait another week to see Kansas on the field, but check out The Hot Route blog and podcast for news and information to get you ready for next weekend’s game.

— — Edited by Lauren Keith