Jayhawk Week

[NorthChamps07]

It's simple.  This game will not be close.  They have stomped directional schools. Whoop deedoo! They haven't seen anything like the D they will see Saturday. They haven't seen an O like they will see on Saturday.  They played weak competition and had a bye week.  Texas played week competition, waxing Rice 58-14, before the Cats came to town.  Texas had the revenge motive, a 4-0 record and the home field advantage.  They also had some skill players who will play on Sunday. We beat the H#** out them physically and on the scoreboard.

When the Sqawks come to town, we have the revenge motive.  The home field advantage.  The talent advantage. They have their week ooc and a bye week.  They will see speed that overwhelmed Texas.  They will see a defense that hasn't given up 100 yards to any rusher.  They will see a defense that punished every QB we have faced.  They will see a team ready to prove a point.

This game is pretty simple.  When we show up and play like we can, they will be shell shocked and pounded into the turf.  Like the little brother who threatens his big brother.
His rants(message board BS) are to be ignored.  When he steps up to prove his point (game day), smack his A$$ down. 

So when they come with their trash about being 4-0.  Just tell them that the #24 Wildcats look forward to a great time on Saturday!

 

[KungFoooKitty]

Aren't you a Nubbie fan?  I'm so confused but that may be due to the pbr train I'm riding.

[doom]

The speed that overwhelmed Texas didn't prepare well enough last year.  We need to focus, and we'll win, but if we just decide we're going to roll, we're no going anywhere.

[Pike]

So far everything north champs has said has pretty much come true....so yeah

[NorthChamps07]

The speed that overwhelmed Texas didn't prepare well enough last year.  We need to focus, and we'll win, but if we just decide we're going to roll, we're no going anywhere.

Nobody knows this better than Ron Prince, Josh Freeman, Ian Campbell, Justin Roland, Jordy Nelson, Marcus Watts, James Johnson, James Franklin, Tim Tibesar....  Feel me?
We will be ready and the hawks will receive a beat down that will leave no question as to who is THE football school in Kansas!  Go State!

[WildCatzPhreak]

How anyone can expect a blowout after last year is beyond me.

ku's D coordinator really knows how to &@#% up our offense.  He'll cluster his defense close, clog the short game, including the flat, making any short throw a danger and making our run game average.  He also knows that the best way to get Josh to make mistakes is to force him to throw into coverage instead of blitzing.  Kind of a Brad Smith strategy.

If we can throw a few balls successfully downfield to prevent them from clogging up the short game, we'll be a lot more efficient and score a lot more.  I don't know if we can though.

I really like how our defense matches up against their offense though.  I expect them to pass a lot.  We've got a pretty good secondary, especially if Watts and Moore end up playing on Saturday.  Our pass-rush is pretty sick, and our ability to tip balls isn't going to bode well for Reesing.  I really like how effective the 3-4 has been against the run so I don't expect to see much there.

Special teams and field position will probably mean a lot in this game.

[doom]

How anyone can expect a blowout after last year is beyond me.

ku's D coordinator really knows how to frack up our offense.  He'll cluster his defense close, clog the short game, including the flat, making any short throw a danger and making our run game average.  He also knows that the best way to get Josh to make mistakes is to force him to throw into coverage instead of blitzing.  Kind of a Brad Smith strategy.

If we can throw a few balls successfully downfield to prevent them from clogging up the short game, we'll be a lot more efficient and score a lot more.  I don't know if we can though.

I really like how our defense matches up against their offense though.  I expect them to pass a lot.  We've got a pretty good secondary, especially if Watts and Moore end up playing on Saturday.  Our pass-rush is pretty sick, and our ability to tip balls isn't going to bode well for Reesing.  I really like how effective the 3-4 has been against the run so I don't expect to see much there.

Special teams and field position will probably mean a lot in this game.

I think at home we're able to get short passes to Nelson and Murphy when needed, get Johnson and Patton going enough to get some TD's.  No matter how many of you guys bitch, we do not want to throw it deep against Talib.  They don't have the run game they had last year, and Reesing hasn't seen any real competition so I think we win, but probably by one touch, maybe a touch and a FG.

[Super PurpleCat]

To be honest, just because ku has played community colleges so far doesn't mean they suck.  It just means they haven't played anyone yet.  They haven't even gone on the road yet, so yeah, that may hurt them, but it may not hurt them as much as you might think.  These are still essentially the same teams as last year.

I'm feeling like 1995 all over again, when Top 10 ku with Grinnin' Glen Mason came to town and they scored that first touchdown with that big pass in the middle.  After that... well, you know what happened.  41-7.   

Here's to hoping.

[catzacker]

How anyone can expect a blowout after last year is beyond me.

ku's D coordinator really knows how to frack up our offense.  He'll cluster his defense close, clog the short game, including the flat, making any short throw a danger and making our run game average.  He also knows that the best way to get Josh to make mistakes is to force him to throw into coverage instead of blitzing.  Kind of a Brad Smith strategy.

If we can throw a few balls successfully downfield to prevent them from clogging up the short game, we'll be a lot more efficient and score a lot more.  I don't know if we can though.

I really like how our defense matches up against their offense though.  I expect them to pass a lot.  We've got a pretty good secondary, especially if Watts and Moore end up playing on Saturday.  Our pass-rush is pretty sick, and our ability to tip balls isn't going to bode well for Reesing.  I really like how effective the 3-4 has been against the run so I don't expect to see much there.

Special teams and field position will probably mean a lot in this game.

I think ku will do what they did last year....their DB's will play press and even in zone won't be more than 5 yards off the ball.  Load the box up and blitz Freeman because with the corners playing press or closer to the LOS, he can't make quick reads.  I'd really like to see us use the TE up the seam more this game.  We're going to have to find a way to get vertical offensively or get a running game going.      

[doom]

How anyone can expect a blowout after last year is beyond me.

ku's D coordinator really knows how to frack up our offense.  He'll cluster his defense close, clog the short game, including the flat, making any short throw a danger and making our run game average.  He also knows that the best way to get Josh to make mistakes is to force him to throw into coverage instead of blitzing.  Kind of a Brad Smith strategy.

If we can throw a few balls successfully downfield to prevent them from clogging up the short game, we'll be a lot more efficient and score a lot more.  I don't know if we can though.

I really like how our defense matches up against their offense though.  I expect them to pass a lot.  We've got a pretty good secondary, especially if Watts and Moore end up playing on Saturday.  Our pass-rush is pretty sick, and our ability to tip balls isn't going to bode well for Reesing.  I really like how effective the 3-4 has been against the run so I don't expect to see much there.

Special teams and field position will probably mean a lot in this game.

I think ku will do what they did last year....their DB's will play press and even in zone won't be more than 5 yards off the ball.  Load the box up and blitz Freeman because with the corners playing press or closer to the LOS, he can't make quick reads.  I'd really like to see us use the TE up the seam more this game.  We're going to have to find a way to get vertical offensively or get a running game going.     

[JBrown]

How anyone can expect a blowout after last year is beyond me.

ku's D coordinator really knows how to frack up our offense.  He'll cluster his defense close, clog the short game, including the flat, making any short throw a danger and making our run game average.  He also knows that the best way to get Josh to make mistakes is to force him to throw into coverage instead of blitzing.  Kind of a Brad Smith strategy.

If we can throw a few balls successfully downfield to prevent them from clogging up the short game, we'll be a lot more efficient and score a lot more.  I don't know if we can though.

I really like how our defense matches up against their offense though.  I expect them to pass a lot.  We've got a pretty good secondary, especially if Watts and Moore end up playing on Saturday.  Our pass-rush is pretty sick, and our ability to tip balls isn't going to bode well for Reesing.  I really like how effective the 3-4 has been against the run so I don't expect to see much there.

Special teams and field position will probably mean a lot in this game.

Finally.  A mature user w/ knowledge of the game.

I totally agree w/ your take. 

To win the game, ku will need to shut the special teams down and avoid costly mistakes.  UT didn't and they paid for it.

Its going to be a heckuva game.

[ksuno1stunner]

ku fans say that Young has their corners play pretty soft.  Deon Murphy's going to have to be on fire cause ku's true freshman corner hasn't faced anybody like him all year.

[tmramrod91]

The difference btw last yrs game and this yrs game will come down to 2 things:
1) KSU's offensive line
2) KSU's run D

ku pretty much owned both those units last year.
BUT, ku hasn't been tested as a team in '07. They havent been on the road and been punched in the mouth. No one knows how they will react in front of 55,000 fans after a huge play for the opposition. Who knows...they may fold just like UT did......
And I agree with most, the vertical passing game will be a key factor in KSU moving the ball. Although, AU and UT both knew Jordy underneath is KSU's offense, and couldnt stop it.

[doom]

3) Freeman being Sarah Lee in terms of turn overs.  That's what needs to not happen this year.

[ksuno1stunner]

I bet if we threw in the Statue of Liberty play in it would work for a big gain.

[wildcat79]

It would be a mistake to think we will get as many turn overs against ku as we did Texas. If KSU doesn't turn the ball over ku could have a long day. It could be a closer score though. Now, if we have turn overs all bets are off. That's why it got ugly last year. We basicly gave ku the game.

[Legore]

This game is much different then last year for several reasons:
1. It's in Manhattan not Lawrence
2. Freeman is older and wiser and KSU's o-line is many times better then the rag tag unit that went into Lawrance last year.  Auburn and Texas got 2 and 1 sacks on KSU and that is with 80K screaming at the top of their lungs.  ku  has struggled to generate a pass rush against lessor teams.  No reason to think ku's pass rush will pose a big problem to us this year.  Also Freeman turned it over consistently on the road last season.  That hasn't been the case this  year and this game is at home where he has never turned it over much.  
3.  No more cover 2 this year.  I said it last year when everyone was on his jock but Raheem sucked as a DC and his scheme sucked for the college game.  Prince has pretty much said the same thing about last year's defense.  We're playing much better D this year especially vs. the run and we've faced better competion then ku already and we've done it on the road.  
4. KSU clearly didn't handle the win over Texas well last year and came into the game unprepared.  It was just an awful peformance that I don't think will be repeated.  The guys won't forget what happened last year and people have been talking about this game for weeks now.  


Not predicting a KSU blowout or anything but it will be much different then last year.  That game was a fluke the way it went.  ku deserved to win but the spread wasn't reflective of the teams kind of like us beating Texas by 20 isn't reflective of the teams.  In fact the KSU v ku game last year reminded me a lot of the Texas v KSU game this year except for the fact we were on the road when we beat Texas and ku was at home when they beat us.

[Dirty Sanchez]

To be honest, just because ku has played community colleges so far doesn't mean they suck.  It just means they haven't played anyone yet.  They haven't even gone on the road yet, so yeah, that may hurt them, but it may not hurt them as much as you might think.  These are still essentially the same teams as last year.

I'm feeling like 1995 all over again, when Top 10 ku with Grinnin' Glen Mason came to town and they scored that first touchdown with that big pass in the middle.  After that... well, you know what happened.  41-7.   

Here's to hoping.

We were up 10-0 when that byrd bomb happened.  Two quick scores on bad punt snaps set the tone early.

[Super PurpleCat]

My bad, my memory can be selective sometimes. 

[lynchmb1029]

Other than the obvious differences from last years situation...as in, our O-line is much better and our run D is much better.

After beating Texas last season, the team was drained physically and emotionally. First big win under Prince and though we were up a bunch in that game, we ended up barely hanging on. We sort of threw everything we possibly coule at UT to win that game.  We were banged up and drained for the next week, I dont think anyone got up for that game.

This year we were on a mission. We physically beat down UT, a team that may be playing crappy but is loaded with size and talent.  This team is on a mission and though I dont think we blow ku out, I'd be shocked with a home loss to the hawks.

[NorthChamps07]

Stat line from last year says that we had decent offensive output. Our offense is improved, experienced and they have something to prove.  If they can move the ball against Auburn and Texas, on the road, I like our prospects against ku at home. 

Just like going down to Texas, last year was irrelevant.  Does anybody really expect us to hand htem the ball 6 times this year? Will they have a 200 yard rusher? Is ku suddenly going to be a solid road team?

In order for ku to be in this game their offense and defense will have to be equal to or greater than Texas'. Remember, Texas was at home with a revenge motive.  ku is undefeated on the road and unfamiliar with the level of football we play.  That's why I expect a blow out!
   

Stats from 2006:            Kansas Kansas State
TOTAL FIRST DOWNS         21          20
TOTAL NET YARDS           355         362
Total Plays                       59          74
Average Gain                      6         4.9
NET YARDS RUSHING         247        118
Rushes                             36         30
Average per rush              6.9         3.9
NET YARDS PASSING         108        244

How anyone can expect a blowout after last year is beyond me.

ku's D coordinator really knows how to frack up our offense.  He'll cluster his defense close, clog the short game, including the flat, making any short throw a danger and making our run game average.   He also knows that the best way to get Josh to make mistakes is to force him to throw into coverage instead of blitzing.  Kind of a Brad Smith strategy.

If we can throw a few balls successfully downfield to prevent them from clogging up the short game, we'll be a lot more efficient and score a lot more.  I don't know if we can though.

I really like how our defense matches up against their offense though.  I expect them to pass a lot.  We've got a pretty good secondary, especially if Watts and Moore end up playing on Saturday.  Our pass-rush is pretty sick, and our ability to tip balls isn't going to bode well for Reesing.  I really like how effective the 3-4 has been against the run so I don't expect to see much there.

Special teams and field position will probably mean a lot in this game.

[feralchat]

Our passing game suffered against the Hoax last year because Figurs and Moriera didn't play and Jordy was slowed with injuries.
Different story this year and at home.

[ksu_FAN]

ku will have to be at least + 2 in TO margin and gain several huge plays on special teams in order to win.  With their road record,  I simply don't see it.  I don't think we'll run away from them, but I'll be extremely disappointed if the Cats lose this game.

[michigancat]

Have to have a vertical passing game.

[ksu_FAN]

Have to have a vertical passing game.

True, but the question is will ku give us that?  They are primarily a zone team, so it will be interesting to see.  Also, after UT went away from cover 4, they played 2 deep safeties and took away flats, so they never really gave us vertical seems either.  The question will be can we dink and dunk vs cover 2 with the flats covered up and get enough run game to move the ball?  The opening vs cover 2 are behind the corners and underneath the safeties, but that's a tough through.  Also behind the LBs and in front of the safties in the middle.  Its a tougher D against our O IF we can't establish the run, but we should still be able to find some openings.  It will be interesting to see how we handle it.

[catzacker]

Have to have a vertical passing game.

True, but the question is will ku give us that?  They are primarily a zone team, so it will be interesting to see.  Also, after UT went away from cover 4, they played 2 deep safeties and took away flats, so they never really gave us vertical seems either.  The question will be can we dink and dunk vs cover 2 with the flats covered up and get enough run game to move the ball?  The opening vs cover 2 are behind the corners and underneath the safeties, but that's a tough through.  Also behind the LBs and in front of the safties in the middle.  Its a tougher D against our O IF we can't establish the run, but we should still be able to find some openings.  It will be interesting to see how we handle it.

I'd like to see our TE used a bit more (if possible), Jordy used in the slot and Murphy split out wide (on the same side as Jordy). 

[ksu_FAN]

Have to have a vertical passing game.

True, but the question is will ku give us that?  They are primarily a zone team, so it will be interesting to see.  Also, after UT went away from cover 4, they played 2 deep safeties and took away flats, so they never really gave us vertical seems either.  The question will be can we dink and dunk vs cover 2 with the flats covered up and get enough run game to move the ball?  The opening vs cover 2 are behind the corners and underneath the safeties, but that's a tough through.  Also behind the LBs and in front of the safties in the middle.  Its a tougher D against our O IF we can't establish the run, but we should still be able to find some openings.  It will be interesting to see how we handle it.

I'd like to see our TE used a bit more (if possible), Jordy used in the slot and Murphy split out wide (on the same side as Jordy). 

Here's one thing we could have going with our 2 back shotgun stuff.  We ran several sets where we swung the back.  If you do that to the 2 WR side and get protection, you can do some sort of combo route that could get that CB (in cover 2) in a bind.  You get a deep route with an intermediate underneath plus the back swinging to that side.  As a CB if you play the intermediate route, the back is going to get 5-10 (at least) on the swing.  If you play the swing, you have 10 or so on the intermediate route.  You only hope is to get a LB out there, which is tougher in the 4-3 and will open up the running game or inside throws.  This will be a fun match-up to watch.

[thedot]

Have to have a vertical passing game.

True, but the question is will ku give us that?  They are primarily a zone team, so it will be interesting to see.  Also, after UT went away from cover 4, they played 2 deep safeties and took away flats, so they never really gave us vertical seems either.  The question will be can we dink and dunk vs cover 2 with the flats covered up and get enough run game to move the ball?  The opening vs cover 2 are behind the corners and underneath the safeties, but that's a tough through.  Also behind the LBs and in front of the safties in the middle.  Its a tougher D against our O IF we can't establish the run, but we should still be able to find some openings.  It will be interesting to see how we handle it.

I'd like to see our TE used a bit more (if possible), Jordy used in the slot and Murphy split out wide (on the same side as Jordy). 

I think that's exactly what we're going to see.

KSU by 17 at the end of the 1st qrt.

Very long day for ku...in 5 days!

Go CATS!

[doom]

Have to have a vertical passing game.

True, but the question is will ku give us that?  They are primarily a zone team, so it will be interesting to see.  Also, after UT went away from cover 4, they played 2 deep safeties and took away flats, so they never really gave us vertical seems either.  The question will be can we dink and dunk vs cover 2 with the flats covered up and get enough run game to move the ball?  The opening vs cover 2 are behind the corners and underneath the safeties, but that's a tough through.  Also behind the LBs and in front of the safties in the middle.  Its a tougher D against our O IF we can't establish the run, but we should still be able to find some openings.  It will be interesting to see how we handle it.

I'd like to see our TE used a bit more (if possible), Jordy used in the slot and Murphy split out wide (on the same side as Jordy). 

We would use our TE more if Norwood could play, but Mastrud isn't really Mr. Dependable and we've got two recievers doing their jobs fairly well.  I want to see a Lamark or Pierce bomb, since it's probably a ridiculous notion and ku won't see it coming.

[FHSU92]

Have to have a vertical passing game.

I'd like to see our TE used a bit more (if possible), Jordy used in the slot and Murphy split out wide (on the same side as Jordy). 

Agree that the TE down the middle should be open and feel we will win the TO battle with McAndy having the dropsies.