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Michigan State football: Power ranking head coaching candidates after Week 7

By Connor Muldowney

Oct 14, 2023; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Elko runs out before the first half of the game against North Carolina State Wolfpack at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 14, 2023; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Elko runs out before the first half of the game against North Carolina State Wolfpack at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 30, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks Head Coach Lance Leipold argues with an official during the second half against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks Head Coach Lance Leipold argues with an official during the second half against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports /

I’m keeping Lance Leipold at No. 3 this week despite losing at Oklahoma State. Like Charles Huff, Lance Leipold’s defense didn’t show up against a Cowboys team that hasn’t exactly looked like an offensive juggernaut this season, surrendering 554 total yards and 39 points. That’s a tough look for a Kansas team that just got ranked No. 23 the week prior.

Why am I leaving Leipold at No. 3 despite this? He’s playing a backup quarterback and Jason Bean is excelling. Jalon Daniels plays and Kansas is probably 6-1 and ranked in the top 20, but Bean wasn’t exactly a slouch outside of his two turnovers — he did also fumble twice but both were recovered by Kansas.

Bean had 410 passing yards and five touchdowns against Oklahoma State, but the defense just didn’t show up on the road.

If Leipold and the Jayhawks can pull off the upset of No. 6 Oklahoma this week in Lawrence, I think everyone will need to buy some stock in him as a realistic candidate.

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