Saturday ISU faces a Kansas team team that faced a similar rebuilding on defense after having one of the best defenses in the the Big 12 last year. While both defenses have struggled in total and scoring defense, KU has once again put together a stout run defense. Kansas is 4th in the Big 12 in rushing defense and facing an ISU rush offense that ranks 10th in the league and is down a runner and a guard should continue to earn or even improve its ranking. Expect Scales/Johnson to struggle to deliver consistent yards Saturday putting the onus on our passing game.
The Jayhawks pass defense is their weakness. They are 7th in the league in pass efficiency defense, but do give up yards. In fact the pass yardage drags their total defensive yardage to last in the Big 12, one notch worse than ISU's. In the all important scoring defense they are 10th in the league. ISU will have an opportunity to put up some points via the air Saturday, but will need support from the offensive line. KU has the leagues 5th most sacks, while ISU gives up more sacks than any team in the Big 12 (by far). If Meyer is underpressure, watch out for Aquib Talib, who is second in the league and 19th nationally in interceptions. I expect Meyer to throw for over 300 yards Saturday, but will have drives stopped by sacks and perhaps and int or two.
Offensively the Jayhawks are 9th rated passing offensive will look to get healthy against ISU's 12th ranked pass defense. KU's rushing attack is 6th in the Big 12 and has nearly twice the yards that ISU's ground game has generated. Cornish averages 115ypg and is 2nd in the Big 12 in rushing. Expect KU to move the ball effectively against ISU as has been the norm. Expect more sustained drives with a stronger mix of run. Alvin, Tyrone, and Jon will have busy days and should continue to dominate the Big 12 tackle stats. Currently our LB's are 1,2 &5 in the league in tackles. Saturday KU will generate between 400 - 500 yards of offense.
While the Buffs are the weakest team remaining on our schedule, a loss at home this week will make a win on the road even more daunting. We really need a win this week if we are to avoid going winless in the Big 12.
We have a shot Saturday, but I think the passing games offset, and KU runs their way to victory in front of a surprisingly strong Jack Trice crowd.
The Jayhawks pass defense is their weakness. They are 7th in the league in pass efficiency defense, but do give up yards. In fact the pass yardage drags their total defensive yardage to last in the Big 12, one notch worse than ISU's. In the all important scoring defense they are 10th in the league. ISU will have an opportunity to put up some points via the air Saturday, but will need support from the offensive line. KU has the leagues 5th most sacks, while ISU gives up more sacks than any team in the Big 12 (by far). If Meyer is underpressure, watch out for Aquib Talib, who is second in the league and 19th nationally in interceptions. I expect Meyer to throw for over 300 yards Saturday, but will have drives stopped by sacks and perhaps and int or two.
Offensively the Jayhawks are 9th rated passing offensive will look to get healthy against ISU's 12th ranked pass defense. KU's rushing attack is 6th in the Big 12 and has nearly twice the yards that ISU's ground game has generated. Cornish averages 115ypg and is 2nd in the Big 12 in rushing. Expect KU to move the ball effectively against ISU as has been the norm. Expect more sustained drives with a stronger mix of run. Alvin, Tyrone, and Jon will have busy days and should continue to dominate the Big 12 tackle stats. Currently our LB's are 1,2 &5 in the league in tackles. Saturday KU will generate between 400 - 500 yards of offense.
While the Buffs are the weakest team remaining on our schedule, a loss at home this week will make a win on the road even more daunting. We really need a win this week if we are to avoid going winless in the Big 12.
We have a shot Saturday, but I think the passing games offset, and KU runs their way to victory in front of a surprisingly strong Jack Trice crowd.