Kansas vs. Colorado Team Analysis

by Owen Kemp on Oct 13, 2009 6:00 AM CDT Comment 21 comments

Why Kansas?	Edge	Scenario	Edge	Why Colorado?
Last week Todd Reesing and the Kansas offense exploited Iowa State anyway and every way they could on their way to a win. This was the offense we've been looking for all season and Todd, Kerry and Dezmon look like a trio that are difficult for anyone to stop. Throw in the play of the Kansas offensive line which seems to be making major strides and Kansas has the pieces in place to continue the balanced attack that can score in bunches.		KU Offense vs. Colorado Defense		Colorado's defense hasn't shown much this year but if there is a strength it's in the linebackers. The coaching staff has at times taken chances and thrown some different blitz packages that might cause some turmoil for Todd. If this same group can limit the Kansas ground game and the rest of the Colorado defense plays at the level they did last week in the first half against Texas then they've got an opportunity to slow the Jayhawks.
Exposed...that's the word that's been used more than once after last weeks performance against the Cyclones. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice...well you know. The Kansas defense has a lot to prove if they want to regain the trust of Kansas fans. The linebackers might be beyond repair but if the Kansas staff can cover for that area by "simplifying" the scheme perhaps this thing is salvageable. All I can say is, it's a good thing the Buffaloes are on the schedule this week.		KU Defense vs. Colorado Offense		Before this week I would have scoffed at the Buffalo offenses chances, now not so much. The Tyler Hansen era has begun in Boulder and what that means no one is real sure, but it does mean a fresh start. Kansas struggled against the Cyclones who had a big physical offensive line and established the ground game. Colorado can do the same if they commit to it. If they go back to feeling like they are a spread, pass happy offense they might let Kansas off the hook.
Kansas is average at best in this area as well but to some extent they are better than they look statistically. I'm still not nearly as high on this unit as I was at times but I think Kansas has a better coached group in this instance and has the edge against the Buffs.		Special Teams		This is far from a strength for the Buffaloes. Their only saving grace is Darrell Scott the former top running back recruit in the country whose talents have been relegated primarily to kick return duty. He's not bad at it, but that's about the only area they do well.
The Kansas staff self admittedly lost points in this area last week but by the same token Mangino led teams consistently improve throughout the year. In this game Kansas outmatches the Buffs staff but they'll need to make some major fixes to the defensive side of the ball to continue proving their worth as a quality staff.		Coaching		Much has been made of the myriad of coaching and personnel decisions that have severely damaged the Buffaloes hopes this season. 10 wins, no excuses was the rallying cry. 5 games in and 10 wins has long been out the window as a goal. Still perhaps Dan Hawkins most recent move to Tyler Hansen will be the right one. Problem though is, if it is the right move...he'll be blamed for waiting to long.

This game made me nervous at the beginning of the season. Then Colorado's season began with a giant thud of reality and Kansas looked like a pretty solid group with even the defense coming together.

Unfortunately last week once again changed my thoughts back to worry. Kansas struggled with Iowa State and a big physical offensive line, while Colorado put up their best effort of the year in challenging the Texas Longhorns in Austin.

I still expect and look for a Kansas victory, but this one is concerning with the play of last week and the sudden changes in Boulder. The Tyler Hansen era is underway, can he exploit the Kansas defense the same way Austen Arnaud and the Cyclones did? Even if they do can their defense slow Todd Reesing as they did Colt McCoy?

It's a tall order for the Buffs, but pressure mounts on the Kansas sideline to put things together and win the games they need to in the manner they are expected to.

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Stopping the running game

Will play another major role in this game. Kansas wasn’t that bad at stopping the pass last game, it was running the ball that killed them.

"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver

by wrigleyrocker12 on Oct 13, 2009 7:20 AM CDT reply actions

I can't agree.

Lowly ISU passed for almost 300 yards on our D, averaging 7 yards a pass. That’s bad.

Sawin' wood

by Rivethead on Oct 13, 2009 7:52 AM CDT up reply actions

This game worries me too

I’ve been having some friendly debate with mdfraz over on the KUSports board. He believes that CU is no better than ISU. I disagree.

Now, maybe it’s because I’m a bit biased. Due to kids’ soccer games, I had to DVR the KU game. I watched it and finished it just as the CU/Texas game was starting. Watched all of that too. Watching ISU and CU back-to-back the comparision was striking: CU has a lot more speed and athleticism than ISU. I haven’t been paying much attention, but apparently Hawkins can recruit a bit. He just can’t coach(?).

Stewart is a much quicker back than Robinson. He’s small and gets lost behind those big boys until he hits a hole and then he’s gone. He might be a little easier to arm tackle than Robinson (so that’s good for KU!), but you have to catch him first (that’s bad for KU!).

Fact is, CU physically man-handled Texas in the first half. They took the wind out of the sails of a 100K+ longhorn fans. I was impressed.

I think we’ll have a difficult time keeping track of CU’s TEs (for a half Texas certainly did). Hell our LBs can’t keep track of anything, so this isn’t saying much.

On the D side of the ball, the CU DL looked pretty decent. Again, very physical against one of the big boy lines. I’ve gotten some crap on the KUSports board for saying this but I’m standing firm: I’m not ready to jump on the KU Offense bandwagon just yet. No one seems to want to admit it, but ISU’s D is H-O-R-R-I-B-L-E. Bad. Their best kid is that NT Frerer(?) and he went down with an injury early in the game (don’t rember if he came back).

My fear is this: to slow down the KU O you only need to slow one of the three amigos. Find a DB that can actually cover Briscoe and you can bring safety help to cover Meier (or vice versa). And of course, get pressure on Todd and that’ll help as well.

I really felt like our O was predicable and unimaginative. Yes, I realize we set records and moved through ISU like air, but I would have like to see the ball spread around a bit more. And please can we start using the TE more consistently ala Derek Fine. Best play of the day was when Biere caught the pass on the broken play and then ran over the DB in front of their sideline. At least SOMEBODY wearing a KU jersey decided to get physical and bring the wood. His reward? One more pass attempt (which he caught) the entire day.

Ok, I’m done rambling. I guess what i"m saying is that I think KU’s O will have a much tougher time in Boulder (and if it’s cold and/or windy and/or snow….look out).

As for the D….stop the run and make the new guy beat you passing. Since we couldn’t stop an average ISU kid with a groin injury from rushing for record yards against us, I don’t hold out much hope. I’m just praying for a few stops. That’s the only way we’ll win a shoot out.

Sawin' wood

by Rivethead on Oct 13, 2009 8:15 AM CDT reply actions

Let the meltdown begin...

by hiphopopotamus on Oct 13, 2009 8:18 AM CDT up reply actions

I agree about the offense...

…being predictable. I know that Mangino’s staff scouts themselves to look for tendencies, but the tendencies seem to be pretty obvious to me. While they’ve worked against lesser opponents I’m concerned they won’t against competition that can press us and mess up our timing (not saying that is CU).

by freudhawk on Oct 13, 2009 8:52 AM CDT up reply actions

Hmmm

that’s something I’ve been saying we should do…

“I’m concerned they won’t against competition that can press us and mess up our timing”

You make some good points Rivet.

Wait. Sarah Palin's in Hong Kong? But who's watching Russia?

by labbadabba on Oct 13, 2009 8:58 AM CDT up reply actions

I still think we have other weapons besides Briscoe and Meier

Opurum has looked great, Sharp when healthy is lightning in a bottle, Wilson has been a little inconsistent but is still a playmaker, and McDougald has been impressive as a freshman and only has room to grow.

Covering Briscoe and Meier 1 on 1 is very very hard. Double team one of them and maybe you can shut one down, double team both of them and you’re screwed because that is too many players. I just don’t see where there is any issue with the offense, they will get it done.

by I need more Esteban on Oct 13, 2009 9:42 AM CDT up reply actions

Your offense can be predictable and unimaginative...

When you are easily moving the ball down the field and scoring at will. We’ve seen Mangino and co throw in trick stuff, etc in the past, we use it when we need to. I think against ISU it was a case of if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

Playcalling can be bad at times though, cute outside runs with Toben and etc that don’t work. And I still can’t forgive Warinerr for not calling a HB slam on second and 2 (and then third and 1 if it even came to that) on our last drive. Would have ended the game. Instead he calls some bullshit idiotic QB draw and then we don’t get third down because a cold ball didn’t come out of Todd’s hand right. This was such a bad call. Toben had been ripping off 5-8 yard runs and we were about to end it. Run him once or twice if need be and we win. Simple. Don’t get cute with some Todd fake draw crap. Run it.

It’ll be interesting how our run game shapes with Sharp back, if he ever returns (seriously his injury went from one game to now he hasn’t played in like 4 weeks what is going on?).

by KU Grad 08 on Oct 13, 2009 1:01 PM CDT up reply actions

Plus Toben deserved another carry

Kid ended the game with 98 yards rushing. I’m not saying stats should dictate play calls, but come on Coach….throw the kid a damn bone for all of his hard work and let him earn a 100 yard game.

Sawin' wood

by Rivethead on Oct 13, 2009 1:25 PM CDT up reply actions

Hopefully you sirs understand

but I will be bowing out of RCT for the week.

Also, we need more people for RCT Fantasy Hockey. Thanks.

I thought you knew that algebra was all razzamatazz. A Globetrotter always saves the good algebra for the final minutes.

by SlamDunkTheFunk on Oct 13, 2009 8:29 AM CDT reply actions

I'd do it, but I'd end up treating like the baseball league.

I’m about to do that with the football league because my team sucks.

Although, I did beat KC.

I used to work with an old man that told me. Son, every workplace has a dumbass, if you don't have one where you work, then I'm afraid you're it.

by Warden11 on Oct 13, 2009 8:16 PM CDT up reply actions

Add it to you sig, why don't ya, old man?

lol can't have a CKC without KC - Nicholai Khabibulin (LN21)

by Andy Edwards on Oct 13, 2009 9:33 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Eh

I’d rather have a few people who just don’t care than not be able to do the league at all.

I thought you knew that algebra was all razzamatazz. A Globetrotter always saves the good algebra for the final minutes.

by SlamDunkTheFunk on Oct 14, 2009 3:16 AM CDT up reply actions

Fine, I'll join it tonight.

I used to work with an old man that told me. Son, every workplace has a dumbass, if you don't have one where you work, then I'm afraid you're it.

by Warden11 on Oct 14, 2009 4:44 PM CDT up reply actions

Lose-Lose Situation

This game has no upside. We go in and kill them: congrats, you’re just as good as Toledo. We lose: Ha! I knew the Jayhawks weren’t for real.

Please, just win. I don’t care how. I don’t care what the score is. Just get out of there with a win. Please.

by KennyGregoryRockThaCradle on Oct 13, 2009 1:45 PM CDT reply actions

Trends that need to end

- For 3 straight weeks, KU has given up a huge play right of the bat. In all 3 cases it was either a screen pass or a dump off to the RB. These plays helped allow the opponent to score a TD early in the game and establish confidence.

- For 3 straight weeks, KU has struggled defending the screen pass. In the case of Iowa State, it was the WR screen that gave us fits. It’s been mentioned already by others but our LBs are a huge liability in pass coverage.

- For 3 straight weeks, the opposing QB has gashed our defense with runs/scrambles up the middle. What the hell is going on? How does our defense consistently have no one in the middle of the field? I think the problem is with the D-tackles not getting a good push up the middle and our LBs being out of position.

- For 3 straight weeks, our opponent has caused problems by employing a hurry-up offense. I would not be surprised to see CU try it.

by KU_Lew on Oct 13, 2009 10:38 PM CDT reply actions

Well if CU doesn't try the hurry up.......

you know OU will. Last year’s game was played in hyper-speed mode.

Sawin' wood

by Rivethead on Oct 14, 2009 7:42 AM CDT up reply actions

I have a theory that

would address each of the first three points.

Wait. Sarah Palin's in Hong Kong? But who's watching Russia?

by labbadabba on Oct 14, 2009 8:36 AM CDT up reply actions

Are we supposed to guess?

by BluManGrp on Oct 14, 2009 6:40 PM CDT up reply actions

KU loses to Colorado!

We have respect for your QB and Meyer, but Briscoe should be in jail and your defense cant stop the run. Colorado is going to pound you and by doing so control the clock. The noise at folsom will be to loud for the KU offense. Reesing will scramble, but our speed at linebacker will catch him. Meyer is my only concern, that guy can ball.

by BuffythePeliniSlayer on Oct 16, 2009 4:53 PM CDT reply actions