When K-State has the ball. . .
Now, while GG hasn't thrown the ball much at all (144 att.) he has been decently accurate throwing for 61% completion. It's going to take GG to be able to stretch the Nebraska secondary down the field. Nebraska has a top three pass defense rating in terms of ypg. but Oklahoma is tops in the conference and the Cats threw for 215 yards on the Sooners. Which is the third most against the Sooners this season.
While KSU isn't a passing team, it is still vital that they stretch the ball down the field on long passes. Given time to throw Gregory could hook up with Banks or Brown for a big play in the passing game.
By stretching the NU defense with the pass, the running game will be more effective. Daniel Thomas, who is leading the Big 12 in rushes, and yards per game, is the main man for the Wildcats. While Nebraska is staunch against the run (3rd in Big 12, 94 yards/game). Keithen Valentine is the conferences leading back in terms of yard/carry so expect to see some of KV in the ball game.
K-State's bread in butter is the run game. But setting up the pass is vital this week more than ever. If K-State is to establish balance it has the tools to put up 25+ points on the Nebraska defense, which just might be enough since Nebraska has scored 25 points just twice since the start of October...
When K-State is on defense. . .
For me this may be the most simple offense that K-State has played against to date. Nebraska is the worst in the conference in yards per game through the air in conference play. For Nebraska to be successful they run the ball to set up the pass, and for K-State I feel that the Cats need to throw to set up the run. Jeffery Fitzgerald is one of the best DE's in the Big 12, in the top 10 in sacks and 6th in conference games. K-State's giving up about 110 yards on the ground per game.
To beat NU: load up the box. 7 or 8 men in the box. Make Zac Lee be the one that beats up. IMO GG is better than Lee throwing and running the ball. If Nebraska is throwing the ball more than 25 times, I like what K-State is doing. Helu is a physical runner, one of the best in the Big 12. Loading up the box against him and the stable of NU's backs will help slow them down and dare Lee to try and find Niles Paul downfield. Josh Moore and the defensive backs may not have many chances to play the deep ball, but when the do it is vital that they are able to make positives plays for K-State.
Go Cats!
