9 yards....

[ksu_FAN]

Last year for ku's 4 TDs in Lawrence they had to drive a total of 36 yards, or 9 yards per TD drive.  For the game, they scored 39 points on 8 drives totalling 182 yards, or 23 yards per scoring drive.  ku's longest drives were 36, 50, and 56 yards and all those only got them FGs.

Granted, we had similar numbers last week.  7 drives totalling 162 yards to score 41 points, or 23 yards per drive.  We did have to drive 110 yards for our 5 TDs, or 22 yards per TD drive.  We did have to put together an 80 yard drive for the first score, but outside of that our longest drive was 39 yards for a FG.

In both situations you have to realize those things are probably not going to be repeated.  I think it is important to know that we managed ours on the road vs a ranked team, whereas ku put it together at home vs an average K-State team.

What this tells me going in is that unless either team gains the dramatic breaks we saw in those two games (unlikely), its probably going to be a decent ball game.  I think ku is talented enough and well coached enough not to expect some 30 point blowout unless they fall apart like last year, and I do not forsee us doing the same, especially with Freeman being a much better decision maker and this team being much healthier than what we saw in Lawrence last year.  If this K-State team is what we think it is, this should be a game you win at home.  No excuse to lose to a solid, but not exceptional Big 12 team on your home field, rivalry game or not.

[catzacker]

ku got 30 points by moving the ball 72 yards, which includes one INT for a TD and one fumble recovery in the end zone for a TD.  ku gets credit for forcing those turnovers, but this year if we don't turn the ball over and we win.  Also, we have to prove that last week's penalties (or lack thereof) was not an anomaly.

[ksu_FAN]

ku got 30 points by moving the ball 72 yards, which includes one INT for a TD and one fumble recover in the end zone for a TD.  ku gets credit for forcing those turnovers, but this year if we don't turn the ball over and we win.  Also, we have to prove that last week's penalties (or lack thereof) was not an anomaly.

I will be shocked (and ticked) if Freeman makes those same bone-headed mistakes.

[Pittcat]

ku got 30 points by moving the ball 72 yards, which includes one INT for a TD and one fumble recover in the end zone for a TD.  ku gets credit for forcing those turnovers, but this year if we don't turn the ball over and we win.  Also, we have to prove that last week's penalties (or lack thereof) was not an anomaly.

I will be shocked (and ticked) if Freeman makes those same bone-headed mistakes.

Won't happen.  Freeman's proven himself smarter and more mature against quality opponents thus far in '07.

[catzacker]

ku got 30 points by moving the ball 72 yards, which includes one INT for a TD and one fumble recover in the end zone for a TD.  ku gets credit for forcing those turnovers, but this year if we don't turn the ball over and we win.  Also, we have to prove that last week's penalties (or lack thereof) was not an anomaly.

I will be shocked (and ticked) if Freeman makes those same bone-headed mistakes.

I don't know if I'd be shocked, but I do wish we'd try to run more (I say that every week).  I'm just curious as to how we're going to adjust to ku.  I don't think there's anyway that ku doesn't employ the same scheme/approach as last year defensively....play everyone close to the LOS, press coverage or shorten up the cushions in zone, zone blitz the LB and drop the DE into the passing lane - forcing freeman to throw over the DE or make freeman hold the ball longer.....I don't know what we do to counter that because I'm not sure any other teams we've faced have given us that look or done that to us (maybe Auburn?).  UT was playing off our recievers, constantly worried we were going to throw a double reverse flea flicker.  

[ksu_FAN]

ku got 30 points by moving the ball 72 yards, which includes one INT for a TD and one fumble recover in the end zone for a TD.  ku gets credit for forcing those turnovers, but this year if we don't turn the ball over and we win.  Also, we have to prove that last week's penalties (or lack thereof) was not an anomaly.

I will be shocked (and ticked) if Freeman makes those same bone-headed mistakes.

I don't know if I'd be shocked, but I do wish we'd try to run more (I say that every week).  I'm just curious as to how we're going to adjust to ku.  I don't think there's anyway that ku doesn't employ the same scheme/approach as last year defensively....play everyone close to the LOS, press coverage or shorten up the cushions in zone, zone blitz the LB and drop the DE into the passing lane - forcing freeman to throw over the DE or make freeman hold the ball longer.....I don't know what we do to counter that because I'm not sure any other teams we've faced have given us that look or done that to us (maybe Auburn?).  UT was playing off our recievers, constantly worried we were going to throw a double reverse flea flicker.  

I think we will run it more b/c I'm sure Prince "trusts" his running game more than last year.

We are going in with a healthy WR corp, who was our best healthy WR last year at ku?  Gonzales or Wilson?  I think we have more options with a healthy Nelson and Murphy.

We simply have more that ku must prepare for.   We've shown more formations and more variety in our play calling than we ever managed last year, so we have more options.  I agree, ku will try to take the flats so its going to come down to establishing a run game and protection.  I expect that if we get Nelson running across the field we can hit him on crossing routes like we saw vs AU b/c their plan was to press the flats and take that away. 

And Freeman simply hasn't shown at all some of those same throws that he made last year, especially in that game.  He does a much better job going through his progression and finding his 2nd or 3rd option than last year.

[KsuRules07]

And Freeman simply hasn't shown at all some of those same throws that he made last year, especially in that game.  He does a much better job going through his progression and finding his 2nd or 3rd option than last year

And examples of this would be?

I'm sorry but I still have not seen Freeman making the tough downfield throws.  He didnt make them vs. Auburn.  He didnt make them vs. Texas. 

Going through a progression just because you are not physically capable of making the downfield throw is not a sign of a good quarterback.  Basically all we've seen are dumpoffs to Jordy and some short passes to the tight ends and other receivers.  We've been bitchin about not running the ball but in essence thats what we're doing with the short passing game because of freemans inability to hit an open receiver downfield.  It worked for one drive during the Texas game.

Now none of us are 100% sure what ku brings to the table.  They could be pretenders, or they could be the real deal. But if they find a way to cut off the short passing game we are in for a very long day.  The obvious way to combat this would be to stretch the defense out with a vertical game, and then kill them underneath with Jordy.  However, until Freeman can hit an open guy downfield I will be concerned. 

[ECN]

can i get a word count on this thread?

tia

[ksu_FAN]

And Freeman simply hasn't shown at all some of those same throws that he made last year, especially in that game.  He does a much better job going through his progression and finding his 2nd or 3rd option than last year

And examples of this would be?

I'm sorry but I still have not seen Freeman making the tough downfield throws.  He didnt make them vs. Auburn.  He didnt make them vs. Texas. 

Going through a progression just because you are not physically capable of making the downfield throw is not a sign of a good quarterback.  Basically all we've seen are dumpoffs to Jordy and some short passes to the tight ends and other receivers.  We've been bitchin about not running the ball but in essence thats what we're doing with the short passing game because of freemans inability to hit an open receiver downfield.  It worked for one drive during the Texas game.

Now none of us are 100% sure what ku brings to the table.  They could be pretenders, or they could be the real deal. But if they find a way to cut off the short passing game we are in for a very long day.  The obvious way to combat this would be to stretch the defense out with a vertical game, and then kill them underneath with Jordy.  However, until Freeman can hit an open guy downfield I will be concerned. 

I haven't seen enought to know if he's even had opportunities to be honest.  That may indeed be true, or it could be teams are playing 2 deep safties and forcing K-State to beat them by driving the football.  And it could be that we are simply taking what the defense gives.  I agree, this offense right now is far from some sort of juggernaut, but Prince and Franklin are playing it safe.  Another issue is often we only have 3 or even 2 WRs out on routes b/c we tend to keep one or both TEs in with the RB for protection.  There is a reason that this team has played 4 games, 2 in very hostile environments, and only given up 3 sacks on the year.  Right now Prince is putting an extreme amount of trust in the defense and special teams and asking the offense for a couple drives a game and not to turn the ball over.  We'll have to see if a team forces us to open it up how we will respond.  Still, I think its easy to see that Freeman is not forcing balls and simply taking what the defense gives at this point.  We'll see how he reacts if he's asked to attack more or against a team that is able to put more pressure on him.  

[Dirty Sanchez]

This game is shaping up big time like '95.  Expect a big play early and untested ku folds on the road.