FOE SURE: Jon Kirby, publisher of JayhawkSlant.com

Instead of a standard preview every week, we’ve decided to simply talk straight to someone with intimate knowledge of the other guys. This week, it's Jon Kirby, publisher of JayhawkSlant.com.

1. No Xs and Os and such silliness - just real talk. How is Kansas this bad?

It is a hard thing to figure out. They had a bye week going into the Texas Tech game and were coming off an offensive performance where Khalil Herbert had 290 yards rushing and 370 as a team. The game before that Herbert had 140 yards rushing against Ohio.

After the bye week they struggled against Texas Tech and were basically shut down against Iowa State and TCU.

The question you ask is what changed? And how did it change that fast? They have been without starting center Mesa Ribordy and that has been a factor. But it can be the deciding factor. These are still the same players who showed they can move the ball.

Peyton Bender has struggled at quarterback. He’s a pocket passer and doesn’t elude pressure well. He’s been sacked and pressured a lot over the last three weeks. The combination of not being able to scramble and a patch-work offensive line has led to a lot of the issues.

The defense started the year off poorly but has played better the last two weeks. The front four was supposed to be a strength going into the season but is last in the Big 12 in sacks.

2. Back-to-back shutouts - have the Jayhawks all but quit on David Beaty?

They haven’t quit. When you look back at the Iowa State and Texas Tech games they were giving effort in the fourth quarter. (Tuesday) at the press conference the players said defensive lineman Daniel Wise gave a fiery heartfelt speech to everyone after the TCU loss.

Interviewing several players (Tuesday) they said they are still playing hard. But it has been hard to tell getting shut out the last two games and judging by the results.

3. Realistically, how long will it take to fix this mess?

It is hard to say. After injuries they only have five seniors who are currently playing on the roster. The numbers in the senior class are incredibly low and most of that is what Beaty inherited.

They are starting a lot of juniors and sophomores. At some point you have to point to next year which would be Beaty’s fourth year in the program. He will have a lot of upperclassmen on the field and in the two deep. If everything stays on course Beaty would likely judged on what he does on the field next year.

If something were to happen and they made a change then you factor in players leaving, a new staff, new systems on offense and defense, and the clock for turning the program around resets once again.

2018 would be the year people point to see progress based off the roster and experience that would return. The way to fix it is with development and recruiting. Much like they did in the Mangino era. Current KSU strength and conditioning coach Chris Dawson played a big role in that success.

4. Is the 24-point spread too low?

Based off the last two weeks all K-State would need to do is score three touchdowns and a field goal and they are at the spread number.

History shows that Snyder has put up some lopsided wins over the Jayhawks.

Before Vegas released the line I figured somewhere between 20-25 would be the number. So I think that line is accurate.

5. Does KU have ANY chance against K-State, which isn’t exactly a juggernaut at the moment? Best-case scenario is what?

It is going to be difficult for Kansas to win the game. Over the last two weeks they played Iowa State and TCU both who showed a running quarterback formation. Iowa State used Joel Lanning in a very similar way to the way Kansas State uses their quarterback run game. The hope would be that gave the defense an early feel how to play against that style.

Kansas State is going to score their points although their offense isn’t as high-powered lately as it has been in the past. But they did put up 35 against Oklahoma last week and the Sooners defense is better than KU’s.

One of the biggest issues plaguing the team has been poor starts. They have been behind every game going into the second quarter and many of them have been by more than one score.

KU has to stay with Kansas State early. They have to find a way to believe they can play with a Big 12 team and build confidence. If they don’t it will be a long day.

The offense has to find a way to move the ball. The defense has been on the field way too much over the last three games. Last year Carter Stanley played quarterback and Kansas had 450 yards of offense against Kansas State.

Beaty didn’t give any hints on Tuesday who would be the starting quarterback.

The best-case scenario would be Kansas moves the chains and scores enough points to hang in the game. The defense gets a couple turnovers and the going into the fourth quarter Kansas fans feel they have a fighting chance. Right now any positive sign would be looked at as a plus. A competitive game would be step one.