Fortunate biSon

[catzacker]

We return 8 starters, 7 of which are on offense.  That’s 10th in the Big 12…and 122 out of 125 in the nation.  This doesn’t even count replacing a kicker and a punter.  We’re starting a JC college transfer at QB.
They return 18 starters, losing only a guard/center and TE on offense and a CB on defense.  I believe their QB will be a 4year starter.

NDSt rushed for 203ypg last year (4.76 ypc), KSU is replacing 3 of 4 DL and both LB’s. 

KSU’s “strength” on defense is its secondary, moot because NDSt only throws for 166yds a game anyway.

But KSU will throw the ball more this year?  NDst only allows 140ypg through the air.  Further, the OL hasn't had to protect like it will have to this year compared to last (which wasn't that great to begin last year).

KSU is an inexperienced team with zero returning leadership at key positions on offense and defense, playing against a physical team that looks to run at the very weakest point of KSU’s defense.  Any “talent gap” we might have certainly didn’t matter for 3 quarters against EKU, for basically the entire game against North Texas or a half against KU…and that was with an entirely better team. 

In short….

[steve dave]

 

[CNS]

Zacker has really been holding back this offseason.

[SEK_EMAW]

 

[kso_FAN]

All of his points are good points. If the offense is ready to go at a decent clip, I think NDSU will have a ton of trouble defending us and we should score some points. But the game will be low scoring because both teams are slow paced. The concern is not only all of the defensive issues that zacker presented, but also that this defense is built to defend spread teams, not power "football in a phone booth" teams like NDSU. If they are wise, they will just try to run it at us between the tackles all game as long as K-State doesn't get going early and build a lead. If the Cats can manage some offense (and special teams) to go up by 2-3 TDs by the 3rd quarter, NDSU will have a lot of trouble making a comeback.

[puniraptor]

[steve dave]

feels good to have my two real life buds catzacker and _FAN back 

[catzacker]

All of his points are good points. If the offense is ready to go at a decent clip, I think NDSU will have a ton of trouble defending us and we should score some points. But the game will be low scoring because both teams are slow paced. The concern is not only all of the defensive issues that zacker presented, but also that this defense is built to defend spread teams, not power "football in a phone booth" teams like NDSU. If they are wise, they will just try to run it at us between the tackles all game as long as K-State doesn't get going early and build a lead. If the Cats can manage some offense (and special teams) to go up by 2-3 TDs by the 3rd quarter, NDSU will have a lot of trouble making a comeback.

NDSt should just look at the NT game tape.  Power running with short yardage situation passing.  And that was against a veteran defense last year.  NT just made a few mistakes that cost them. 

And I still have questions about our OL’s ability to pass block.  Collin may have been part of the problem, but we had some issues with pass protection. 

NDSt will execute.  Will we?

[SEK_EMAW]

Hey guys, what if our D-Line used the 239 days since the Fiesta Bowl to get better everyday?     Go Cats!

[kso_FAN]

feels good to have my two real life buds catzacker and _FAN back 

It would be fantastic to watch a game with zacker.

[catzacker]

feels good to have my two real life buds catzacker and _FAN back 

It would be fantastic to watch a game with zacker.

I'm a trainwreck of emotion.

[kso_FAN]

feels good to have my two real life buds catzacker and _FAN back 

It would be fantastic to watch a game with zacker.

I'm a trainwreck of emotion.

Don't worry, I've watched a few games with Stevesie.

[GoodForAnother]

does our o-line actually suck?  I thought they were good?

thanks,
gfa

[Cartierfor3]

Some folks are born to wave the flag,
Oh they're purple and white
And when the band plays "Wabash Cannonball"
Oh they'll point the cannon at you, Lord!

They won't win. They won't win! They ain't no fortunate biSON NO!
They can' win! Cats will win! They ain't a fortunate ONE! NO!

[catzacker]

does our o-line actually suck?  I thought they were good?

thanks,
gfa

i'm skeptical on their pass-pro.  but acknowledge that part of that might have been collin.

[420seriouscat69]

Welcome back, 'Zacker. Cats by 28.

[Mixed-Nutz]

does our o-line actually suck?  I thought they were good?

thanks,
gfa

i'm skeptical on their pass-pro.  but acknowledge that part of that might have been collin.

They are better at pass protection then run blocking but it is super tight. It is a really balanced line with most likely 4 future NFL players on it. FOUR NFL PLAYERS, THAT IS INSANE.

[Sandstone Outcropping]

Some folks are born to wave the flag,
Oh they're purple and white
And when the band plays "Wabash Cannonball"
Oh they'll point the cannon at you, Lord!

They won't win. They won't win! They ain't no fortunate biSON NO!
They can' win! Cats will win! They ain't a fortunate ONE! NO!

[kso_FAN]

does our o-line actually suck?  I thought they were good?

thanks,
gfa

i'm skeptical on their pass-pro.  but acknowledge that part of that might have been collin.

Its a fair point. At first glance the sack numbers from last year don't look too bad; only 14 sacks given up, good for 2nd in the Big 12 and 15th nationally. However, its like looking at traditional stats vs advanced (like kenpom) in basketball. When you look at how many pass attempts per sack given up, the Cats fall to 38th nationally and 7th in the Big 12. (22.5 attempts per sack)

[Mixed-Nutz]

does our o-line actually suck?  I thought they were good?

thanks,
gfa

i'm skeptical on their pass-pro.  but acknowledge that part of that might have been collin.

Its a fair point. At first glance the sack numbers from last year don't look too bad; only 14 sacks given up, good for 2nd in the Big 12 and 15th nationally. However, its like looking at traditional stats vs advanced (like kenpom) in basketball. When you look at how many pass attempts per sack given up, the Cats fall to 38th nationally and 7th in the Big 12. (22.5 attempts per sack)

Great point, also have to consider that Collin would sit it the pocket a little to longer then the statical norm because of how conservative he was. Wish there was a stat like seconds in pocket per sack; this would help with the extreme sack stats that spread offenses put up.

[Katpappy]

does our o-line actually suck?  I thought they were good?

thanks,
gfa

i'm skeptical on their pass-pro.  but acknowledge that part of that might have been collin.

Its a fair point. At first glance the sack numbers from last year don't look too bad; only 14 sacks given up, good for 2nd in the Big 12 and 15th nationally. However, its like looking at traditional stats vs advanced (like kenpom) in basketball. When you look at how many pass attempts per sack given up, the Cats fall to 38th nationally and 7th in the Big 12. (22.5 attempts per sack)

So sack that occured during a run design play do not count?

[kso_FAN]

So sack that occured during a run design play do not count?

That is just a run resulting in lost yardage; the official stats differentiate between those and yards lost during sacks, though in college football, the yards lost on sacks do count against the quarterback's rushing total. For example, K-State's 14 sacks resulted in a loss of 89 yards last year, but in K-State's official rushing stats, Collin is listed as having losses of 121 yards, so he lost 32 yards on designed rushing plays.

[wetwillie]

Zacker did you factor in the noise level increase of the new press box and booze cat Friday night cat fans?

[Dugout DickStone]

feels good to have my two real life buds catzacker and _FAN back 

It would be fantastic to watch a game with zacker.

meh, overrated

[catzacker]

Zacker did you factor in the noise level increase of the new press box and booze cat Friday night cat fans?

Yes.  Negated by their returning experience.