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Gameday: Nov. 15, 2008

By Taylor Bern, B.J. Rains

Friday, November 14, 2008

KU GAMEDAY

OFFENSE

Todd Reesing became the school’s all-time passing yardage leader during the 45-35 loss at Nebraska last Saturday — the 32nd school record set by the Austin, Texas junior. Reesing was just 15-for-30 but finished with 304 yards and three touchdowns. He was only 8-of-14 entering the fourth quarter before erupting as he tried to bring the Jayhawks back into the game. Reesing has passed for 2,942 yards this season but has thrown 10 interceptions — three more than he threw all of last season.

Rating: 4/5

DEFENSE

The weak spot for the Jayhawks in 2008 has been the defense — hands down. After being one of the top defenses in the nation a year ago, the losses of Aqib Talib, James McClinton and defensive coordinator Bill Young seem to have had a bigger effect than expected. The Jayhawk defense is giving up an average of 28.2 points per game after allowing only 16.4 points per game last season. Tackling, poor pass rush, a young secondary and injuries have all contributed to the poor turnaround.

Rating: 2/5

SPECIAL TEAMS

The Jayhawks kick returning unit continues to be dead last, 119th out of 119 teams, in kick returning yardage. After being named a preseason All-American by several national publications, Marcus Herford inexcusably has struggled mightily in 2008. He is averaging just 14.7 yards on his 24 returns in 2008 and his replacement, Jocques Crawford, is averaging 18 yards on seven returns. Punt returner Daymond Patterson took a 77-yard punt return for a touchdown early in the season but has averaged just 12.4 yards in his 18 punt returns.

Rating: 2/5

COACHING

You can’t fault coach Mark Mangino and his staff for trying. They have tried just about everything to fix the struggling Kansas defense but nothing seems to be working. They have tried to use James Holt as more of a pass rusher. They made personnel changes to the secondary. They have even tried rotating multiple guys in to keep everybody fresh. None of it has seemed to work, as the defense has given up 12 more points a game this year compared to last.

Rating: 4/5

MOMENTUM

Kansas comes into this game knowing that they need a miracle to win the Big 12 North. Had they beaten Nebraska, they could have lost to Texas and it wouldn’t have mattered. But the crushing loss to the Cornhuskers pretty much sealed its fate as runner ups in the North. They would have to beat both Texas and Missouri and hope Nebraska loses a game along the way to sneak into the Big 12 Championship game. Seems unlikely.

Rating: 2/5

AT A GLANCE

Kansas hasn’t beaten Texas since a 19-18 win in 1938 but don’t let the numbers deceive you. The teams have met just eight times in history including the 2004 when the Jayhawks lost on a controversial offensive pass interference call against Kansas late in the game. Mangino’s BCS rant after the game helped turn around the program - Kansas was 11-23 before it, and 32-16 since.

BY THE NUMBERS

(2008 Averages and National Rank)

31st - rushing defense (116.4)

116th - passing defense (276.30)

84th - scoring defense (28.2)

68th - rushing offense (143.70)

11th - passing offense (299.50)

21st - scoring offense (34.50)

PLAYER TO WATCH

Junior quarterback Todd Reesing

The Austin, Texas, native wasn’t recruited by his hometown school, Texas. Kansas hasn’t played the Longhorns since Reesing has been a member of the team, meaning Saturday’s game will give him his first shot at getting them back for overlooking him. Reesing plays well with a chip on his shoulder, and could be in line for a big game.

QUESTIONS MARKS

Can Kansas slow down Texas QB Colt McCoy?

The Jayhawks will be facing a Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback for the third time this season when they face off against Texas QB Colt McCoy. Sam Bradford of Oklahoma and Graham Harrell of Texas Tech both lit up the Jayhawks for record setting days. If the Jayhawks want to have any chance against the Longhorns, they must find a way to slow down McCoy.

Can Kansas limit its turnovers?

The Jayhawks have been turning the ball over at an alarming rate. Coach Mark Mangino always stresses winning the turnover battle and that will be a big key come Saturday. Kansas will have to win the turnover battle to have a real chance against the Longhorns.

TEXAS GAMEDAY

OFFENSE

The Longhorns have scored fewer than 30 points just once this season, and that’s coming against one of the best schedules in the country. The Longhorns run through junior quarterback Colt McCoy, who leads the team in rushing (449 yards) and completes 78 percent of his passes. Recently, running backs Fozzy Whittaker and Chris Ogbonnaya have balanced the offensive attack. However, the offense still thrives on McCoy’s passing to wide receivers Jordan Shipley and Quan Cosby. A defense can only hope to contain these guys.

Rating: 5/5

DEFENSE

Texas’ secondary couldn’t put the reins on Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford or Texas Tech’s Graham Harrell, but then again, who could? The Longhorns defensive passing numbers are atrocious, but that has more to do with the stellar passing attacks they’ve faced. Texas’ front four is a menacing bunch that excels at getting to the passer. The Longhorns hit both Bradford and Harrell more than any other team had before or since. They make up for any perceived deficiencies in the secondary.

Rating: 4/5

SPECIAL TEAMS

Top receivers Shipley and Cosby double as a dynamite tandem on kick returns, too. Cosby has 16 returns with an average gain of 21 yards, while Shipley averages over 30 yards on his nine returns. The special teams highlight of Texas’ season was Shipley’s 96-yard kickoff return for touchdown against Oklahoma. It brought the Longhorns back into the game and proved they can strike at any time. Shipley has also returned two punts for 68 yards, including a 45-yard touchdown return. Kicker Hunter Lawrence is 9-for-11 on field goals.

Rating: 5/5

COACHING

Since Mack Brown took over at Texas in 1998, no team in the country has won more games. Brown’s teams average 10.2 wins per season, and that’s including this incomplete year. He won one of the most exciting national championships in the history of college football and he’s a legend among legends in Austin. If you search for “University of Texas football” in google, it takes you to the official UT athletics site, which is titled www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com. What more can I say?

Rating: 5/5

MOMENTUM

No team faced a more brutal four-week schedule than the Longhorns. Texas played four consecutive games against top 12 opponents, and the Horns would have emerged unscaved if not for a dropped interception in the waning seconds against Texas Tech. As it stands, Texas needs help to reach the Big 12 title game. Oklahoma must beat Tech, but all that Brown’s team can do is win its remaining games. They looked awfully focused in last week’s 45-21 pounding of Baylor.

Rating: 4/5

AT A GLANCE

There isn’t a long history between the two teams, but Texas does lead the series 6-2. The Longhorns have won six in a row starting in 1996. Kansas’ two victories came at home in 1938 and 1901. That doesn’t figure to change as Texas comes into Lawrence with a goal – the Big 12 championship. The Longhorns still have a shot at the Big 12 and national championships, so Brown will likely tell his players that they need to not only win, but win with style.

BY THE NUMBERS

(2008 Averages and National Rank)

5th – scoring offense (44.3 ppg)

10th - passing offense (301.9 ypg)

37th - rushing offense (174.1 ypg)

37th - scoring defense (20.7 ppg)

109th - passing defense (266.9 ypg)

6th - rushing defense (86 ypg)

PLAYER TO WATCH

Junior quarterback Colt McCoy

He’s the soft-spoken boy next door, but with a win on Saturday McCoy will tie Vince Young for most quarterback victories in school history. He beats teams with his arm or his legs and McCoy’s machine-like efficiency is just one reason to keep an eye on him Saturday.

QUESTION MARKS

How often will Texas hit Todd Reesing?

The junior quarterback took his worst beating of the season last week, and Texas’ pass rush is far better than Nebraska’s. The Jayhawk offensive line will have to work really hard to keep Reesing upright.

Will Colt McCoy bump his Heisman status?

Most agree that a Big 12 quarterback will win the Heisman trophy. This week, McCoy’s contenders (Sam Bradford and Graham Harrell) will watch from their couches. A big game combined with a sub-par performance from Harrell could vault McCoy back into the lead.

MEMORIAL STADIUM WILL ROCK IF...

Kansas can win the time of possession battle and not have any turnovers. If the Jayhawks can keep control of the ball and not turn it over, they might have a chance to hang with Texas. They also need a strong performance from the secondary, which has struggled in recent weeks

GALE SAYERS WILL WEEP IF...

The Kansas secondary has another poor performance and allows Texas QB Colt McCoy to have a big game. The Jayhawks pass defense ranks fourth worst in all of Division 1, and they must find a way to slow down the high scoring Texas attack. If they can't, it's going to be a long day for the Jayhawks and their fans.

PREDICTION:

Texas 45, Kansas 24

Comments

todd1007 (anonymous) says...

Texas 61 kansas 17

and that is being generous.

November 14, 2008 at 6:13 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

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