Fiesta Bowl/Oregon FB Discussion

[kso_FAN]

Special teams.

On paper, K-State has the advantage, but mainly in a couple areas. K-State's KO return averages 28 while Oregon gives up over 20 yards per return and K-State has made 18/21 FGs while Oregon has only made 5/12.

K-State is better in the punt return game, 22 yards per, but Oregon is averages a solid 14. Both teams are very good in punt coverage; Oregon only gives up 3.4 yards per punt return and K-State only gives up 2.2. Surprisingly Oregon's KO return unit only averages 16.7 per return, which is probably K-State's biggest ST weakness, giving up 23 yards per return.

Its cliche for a K-State game, but there is no doubt in my mind a big special teams play will be needed for K-State in this game. Having Lockett back to 100% again will be huge. The biggest fear is allowing a big Oregon KO return. If the game does come down to a final FG, K-State has the advantage there.

Oregon Defense.

K-State needs to run the ball, but Klein will have to make throws to win it. Oregon's pass defense is very efficient, only giving up 5.9 yards per attempt. K-State needs to approach 10 YPA in this game and take advantage of Oregon's aggressiveness. K-State was 6th best nationally, averaging 9.0 yards per attempt. However, bigger than that will be Klein's decision making as Oregon led the nation with 23 interceptions and finished 3rd (2 spots behind K-State) in turnover margin. Oregon is average in getting sacks at 2.3 per game. Oregon was solid against the run, giving up just over 4 per carry. K-State will still want to run it and gained over 4 yards per carry in only 2 of our last 7 games. However, the key will be staying sound with our number of carries, and K-State probably needs 36-40 carries (mixed with 25 or so throws) to keep the balance that has made K-State most successful offensively. K-State averaged running the ball 63% of the time and only had one game where that number was below 57%, the abismal performance agaisnt Baylor where the Cats ran the ball only 38% of the time.

Keys:

1. Limit Oregon's big plays. The Ducks will likely gain 400+ yards and run 70+ plays, but K-State can't give up a bunch of 30+ yard scores.
2. Win the TO battle. Oregon thrives on TO margin and a big reason they scored so much is they forced a nation leading 38 turnovers on the season. However, they also turned it over themselves 19 times.
3. Maintain offensive balance. The numbers are clear above, K-State can't make this a high volume pass attempt game, but they must be efficient while still being near 4.0 yards per carry rushing the ball.
4. Big play special teams. K-State has thrived on the return game putting up big numbers in both KO and punt returns. Lockett needs to have a big game in this area tonight.

I think the Cats win 3 of those 4 key battles and if they do that they will be fine. Yeah, bowl games are merely exhibitions, but it would be nice to celebrate our first bowl victory since was the number one song in the land.

Cats 41
Ducks 37

[bigwillie20]

 

[MadCat]

Straight to the bottom...I did read some of the keys though. 

[pc5k]

When Oregon is kicking off they have only had 13 of their kicks go for touchbacks- so there's a chance of 1 or 2 getting taken to the house by Babylock

[Belvis Noland]

I don't view Bowl Games as exhibitions.  I think a win over Oregon on the national stage does a lot for this program. 

[GoDucks349]

where are the rest of your message boarding fans?  hope you stick around after the bowl.

we have a michigan guy, and an illinois guy who are really good.

Sure I'll come back.

[GoDucks349]

Special teams.

On paper, K-State has the advantage, but mainly in a couple areas. K-State's KO return averages 28 while Oregon gives up over 20 yards per return and K-State has made 18/21 FGs while Oregon has only made 5/12.

K-State is better in the punt return game, 22 yards per, but Oregon is averages a solid 14. Both teams are very good in punt coverage; Oregon only gives up 3.4 yards per punt return and K-State only gives up 2.2. Surprisingly Oregon's KO return unit only averages 16.7 per return, which is probably K-State's biggest ST weakness, giving up 23 yards per return.

Its cliche for a K-State game, but there is no doubt in my mind a big special teams play will be needed for K-State in this game. Having Lockett back to 100% again will be huge. The biggest fear is allowing a big Oregon KO return. If the game does come down to a final FG, K-State has the advantage there.

Oregon Defense.

K-State needs to run the ball, but Klein will have to make throws to win it. Oregon's pass defense is very efficient, only giving up 5.9 yards per attempt. K-State needs to approach 10 YPA in this game and take advantage of Oregon's aggressiveness. K-State was 6th best nationally, averaging 9.0 yards per attempt. However, bigger than that will be Klein's decision making as Oregon led the nation with 23 interceptions and finished 3rd (2 spots behind K-State) in turnover margin. Oregon is average in getting sacks at 2.3 per game. Oregon was solid against the run, giving up just over 4 per carry. K-State will still want to run it and gained over 4 yards per carry in only 2 of our last 7 games. However, the key will be staying sound with our number of carries, and K-State probably needs 36-40 carries (mixed with 25 or so throws) to keep the balance that has made K-State most successful offensively. K-State averaged running the ball 63% of the time and only had one game where that number was below 57%, the abismal performance agaisnt Baylor where the Cats ran the ball only 38% of the time.

Keys:

1. Limit Oregon's big plays. The Ducks will likely gain 400+ yards and run 70+ plays, but K-State can't give up a bunch of 30+ yard scores.
2. Win the TO battle. Oregon thrives on TO margin and a big reason they scored so much is they forced a nation leading 38 turnovers on the season. However, they also turned it over themselves 19 times.
3. Maintain offensive balance. The numbers are clear above, K-State can't make this a high volume pass attempt game, but they must be efficient while still being near 4.0 yards per carry rushing the ball.
4. Big play special teams. K-State has thrived on the return game putting up big numbers in both KO and punt returns. Lockett needs to have a big game in this area tonight.

I think the Cats win 3 of those 4 key battles and if they do that they will be fine. Yeah, bowl games are merely exhibitions, but it would be nice to celebrate our first bowl victory since was the number one song in the land.

Cats 41
Ducks 37

The Duck kick return stat is really misleading, for most of the season opponents squib kicked to avoid letting Oregon return the ball. Oregon also faced a lot of "quick kicks" by opponents also meant to avoid letting Oregon "return" the ball. Don't be fooled by the low yards on the return stat.

[kso_FAN]

The Duck kick return stat is really misleading, for most of the season opponents squib kicked to avoid letting Oregon return the ball. Oregon also faced a lot of "quick kicks" by opponents also meant to avoid letting Oregon "return" the ball. Don't be fooled by the low yards on the return stat.

That's reasonable. Starting field position after a KO return would be a more meaningful stat. Overall K-State led the country in average starting field position on the year.

[kso_FAN]

When Oregon is kicking off they have only had 13 of their kicks go for touchbacks- so there's a chance of 1 or 2 getting taken to the house by Babylock

That's a good KO return stat. I haven't watched a ton, but it would seem their kicker is not very good.

[GoDucks349]

The Duck kick return stat is really misleading, for most of the season opponents squib kicked to avoid letting Oregon return the ball. Oregon also faced a lot of "quick kicks" by opponents also meant to avoid letting Oregon "return" the ball. Don't be fooled by the low yards on the return stat.

That's reasonable. Starting field position after a KO return would be a more meaningful stat. Overall K-State led the country in average starting field position on the year.

I agree that's a better stat. I don't know where Oregon ranks in that area.

[Rage Against the McKee]

The Duck kick return stat is really misleading, for most of the season opponents squib kicked to avoid letting Oregon return the ball. Oregon also faced a lot of "quick kicks" by opponents also meant to avoid letting Oregon "return" the ball. Don't be fooled by the low yards on the return stat.

That's reasonable. Starting field position after a KO return would be a more meaningful stat. Overall K-State led the country in average starting field position on the year.

Did K-State lead the nation in average starting field position after a KO return or does that stat include every possession?

[kso_FAN]

The Duck kick return stat is really misleading, for most of the season opponents squib kicked to avoid letting Oregon return the ball. Oregon also faced a lot of "quick kicks" by opponents also meant to avoid letting Oregon "return" the ball. Don't be fooled by the low yards on the return stat.

That's reasonable. Starting field position after a KO return would be a more meaningful stat. Overall K-State led the country in average starting field position on the year.

Did K-State lead the nation in average starting field position after a KO return or does that stat include every possession?

Overall, including after punts, turnovers, etc.

[kso_FAN]

I don't view Bowl Games as exhibitions.  I think a win over Oregon on the national stage does a lot for this program. 

I agree, but I think that a lot of fans view it as basically an exhibition. Probably to feel better if a loss happens.

Its annoying that our last bowl win was over Arizona State.

[Bqqkie Pimp]

2/3 of our bowl wins have come vs teams from west of Manhattan with half coming against the PAC 10/12

Generally speaking, teams are "tougher" as one moves from west to east across the country.

 

[bones129]

2/3 of our bowl wins have come vs teams from west of Manhattan with half coming against the PAC 10/12

Generally speaking, teams are "tougher" as one moves from west to east across the country.

 

[MixBerryCrunch]

40,000- 17,000

 

[Stevesie60]

40,000- 17,000

 

link?

[Unruly]

40,000- 17,000

 

link?

Holly Rowe just said it on TV

[Institutional Control]

I'm pretty sure Lou Holtz is a muppet or something. Can't be a real person.

[_33]

Why does Mark May always get angry and start yelling at Lou? I'm pretty sure it's an act, but it's really stupid.  Not everything has to be an argument. Or a pretend argument.

[gcat]

Anyone have a link to watch the game online????

[kim carnes]

GO CATS!

[kso_FAN]

Special teams.

On paper, K-State has the advantage, but mainly in a couple areas. K-State's KO return averages 28 while Oregon gives up over 20 yards per return and K-State has made 18/21 FGs while Oregon has only made 5/12.

K-State is better in the punt return game, 22 yards per, but Oregon is averages a solid 14. Both teams are very good in punt coverage; Oregon only gives up 3.4 yards per punt return and K-State only gives up 2.2. Surprisingly Oregon's KO return unit only averages 16.7 per return, which is probably K-State's biggest ST weakness, giving up 23 yards per return.

Its cliche for a K-State game, but there is no doubt in my mind a big special teams play will be needed for K-State in this game. Having Lockett back to 100% again will be huge. The biggest fear is allowing a big Oregon KO return. If the game does come down to a final FG, K-State has the advantage there.

Oregon Defense.

K-State needs to run the ball, but Klein will have to make throws to win it. Oregon's pass defense is very efficient, only giving up 5.9 yards per attempt. K-State needs to approach 10 YPA in this game and take advantage of Oregon's aggressiveness. K-State was 6th best nationally, averaging 9.0 yards per attempt. However, bigger than that will be Klein's decision making as Oregon led the nation with 23 interceptions and finished 3rd (2 spots behind K-State) in turnover margin. Oregon is average in getting sacks at 2.3 per game. Oregon was solid against the run, giving up just over 4 per carry. K-State will still want to run it and gained over 4 yards per carry in only 2 of our last 7 games. However, the key will be staying sound with our number of carries, and K-State probably needs 36-40 carries (mixed with 25 or so throws) to keep the balance that has made K-State most successful offensively. K-State averaged running the ball 63% of the time and only had one game where that number was below 57%, the abismal performance agaisnt Baylor where the Cats ran the ball only 38% of the time.

Keys:

1. Limit Oregon's big plays. The Ducks will likely gain 400+ yards and run 70+ plays, but K-State can't give up a bunch of 30+ yard scores.
2. Win the TO battle. Oregon thrives on TO margin and a big reason they scored so much is they forced a nation leading 38 turnovers on the season. However, they also turned it over themselves 19 times.
3. Maintain offensive balance. The numbers are clear above, K-State can't make this a high volume pass attempt game, but they must be efficient while still being near 4.0 yards per carry rushing the ball.
4. Big play special teams. K-State has thrived on the return game putting up big numbers in both KO and punt returns. Lockett needs to have a big game in this area tonight.

I think the Cats win 3 of those 4 key battles and if they do that they will be fine. Yeah, bowl games are merely exhibitions, but it would be nice to celebrate our first bowl victory since was the number one song in the land.

Cats 41
Ducks 37

We hit on 0 of the 4, fortunate to keep it as close as we did.

[Bloodfart]

i am so gratefull for all that you do fan! I'm pak'd now but I will still have the same sentiment tomorow. THANK YOU!!!

[Stevesie60]

Why does Mark May always get angry and start yelling at Lou? I'm pretty sure it's an act, but it's really stupid.  Not everything has to be an argument. Or a pretend argument.

Mark May honestly reminds me of Ben Stiller in Happy Gilmore, angrily yelling at all the old senile people. Sickening.