Rock Chalk Talk: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
New Blog: Along The Olentangy for Ohio State Fans!

Kansas vs. Texas Tech Matchup Breakdown

 

Why Kansas? Edge Scenario Edge Why Tech?

I'm at a bit of a loss on this one.  Kansas is one of the top ranked offenses in the country but the last few weeks have held some struggles for the unit.  Kansas needs to avoid mistakes early so they aren't forced to abandon the run.  From there take a little hint from A&M and commit to the run.  In the passing game Briscoe and Meier are studs but it's time guys like McDougald, Biere and Wilson see more balls.  Balance is the key to keeping teams off guard.  It's almost as if the Jayhawks have become to predictable.  One other thing, if the other team wants to throw an giant umbrella out there against this tough recieving corps, check down to the running backs.  They've been open regularly.

 

Images_medium

Edge Still goes to the Jayhawks here but after the last two weeks it's by an ever slimming margin.  Todd and the O have earned the benefit of the doubt due to past success, let's just get this thing back on track so doubt doesn't continue to trickle into the picture.

 

 

 




KU Offense vs. Texas Tech Defense

 

 



Texas Tech is a middle of the pack defense after some key losses from last season.  However if they can force some mistakes and make Kansas one dimensional it becomes a different game.  The blueprint is out there on how to stop this Jayhawk attack, it's just a matter of executing and capitalizing on any miscues. 

The changes from a few weeks back look to be upgrades.  John Williams is solid up front, Justin Springer and Huldon Tharp look to be the best linebacking combo Kansas has fielded this year.  Finally, Lubbock Smith, Ryan Murphy and even DJ Beshears despite his struggles have looked very good at times.  Throw into the mix a rejuvinated Darrell Stuckey and this defense has been respectable since Iowa State and had Kansas been firing on all cylinders was likely good enough to beat Oklahoma.  The Kansas defense needs the offense to put the team ahead and let the Jayhawks tee off, mix things up and try and force more mistakes by the Raiders, beyond that...bend but don't break whenever possible. 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KU Defense vs. Texas Tech Offense

 

 

 


 


Texastechredraiders_medium



                             

 

 

Believe it.  Once again Mike Leach has the top passing team in the nation.  The only tricky thing is their running game has struggled and their most efficient quarterback in this years musical chairs is out.  Take advantage of a youthful Kansas secondary and put them on their heels and Tech's wild ride, shootout style could make for some serious problems for the Jayahwks.

Allright, Kansas needs to keep McDougald as the kick return man, find a way to get Daymond Patterson better blocking and special teams might be moving in the right direction.  I mean hell Jacob Branstetter bombed one in and Alonso Rojas is still our punter extraordinaire.  All Kansas needs to do is play with a little more fire and be a little less timid on the special teams units and this might one day be a strength again.

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Special Teams

Texastechredraiders_medium

I'll give Tech the edge because they have a solid return game and the last thing Kansas can afford to do is give Tech a short field.



Exploit the Kansas kick coverage and make Jacob Branstetter show why he's the best tackling kicker in the country.  Other than that, Mike Leach doesn't believe in field goals does he?  Still the Tech special teams unit can win field position with their return game and coverage.

Kansas coaching staff will come up with a gameplan of their own and I'm still confident in the group.  If it's me though, I'm going to commit to the run, keep things simple on offense and find ways to spread things around more.  On defense, channel whatever you did against Oklahoma in the first half and things will look allright.  Mix it up, disguise coverages and blitzes and make it difficult on whoever lines up behind center for the Red Raiders.

 

 

 

Images_medium

I say push on this one but let's be completely honest that the Jayhawk staff as got to find a way to get things back on track.  Like the offense they've earned a little bit of goodwill, but it's time to earn some money again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coaching

 

 

Texastechredraiders_medium


Tech's coaches need to find a way to get the run defense back under control.  Find a way to plug and play yet another quarterback in the offense, and put Kansas behind early.  Leach is a mad genius and he certainly didn't disappoint last year in Lawrence.  Can he do the same?

 

It's tough to look at this one and say Kansas has a chance.  At the same time, isn't it tough to look at this one and say they don't?  Kansas and Tech have been all over the board this year in terms of how they've played and the state of the team.  Kansas is coming off two weeks with losses to Colorado and OU where they hurt themselves to the point of putting themselves out of the game.

Things at Tech were looking up after throttling Kansas State and beating Nebraska behind an impressive defensive performance.  Then lowly Texas A&M came to town and ran up and down the field to the tune of 50+. 

So who wins this thing?  In Lubbock with the offense the Raiders put on the field they'd look to have a decided edge.  At the same time the Kansas defense is playing better now and at some point this offense has to get back on track, right?

With all the uncertainty I think it's safe to say this one comes down to coaching.  Which coach has his team more prepared, refocused and ready to go.  The great thing about football is there's always next week, well next week is here Kansas fans and the North is still there for the taking.

0 recs  |  Comment 5 comments |

Story-email Email Printer Print

More from Rock Chalk Talk

Week One Depth Chart Is Out

Aug 2010 by Owen Kemp - 35 comments

Rock Chalk Ramblings 8.29.10

Aug 2010 by Owen Kemp - 1 comment

Position Outlooks: Cornerback

Aug 2010 by Owen Kemp - 18 comments

Position Outlooks: Safety

Aug 2010 by Owen Kemp - 5 comments

Comments

Display:

I've been extremely

disappointed in our coaches the last 2 weeks. That’s all I’ll say.

by I need more Esteban on Oct 27, 2009 6:21 PM CDT reply actions  

Gotta agree with you Rivet.

The defense has been scary bad in a couple of games, but our main problem is Todd has look mortal.

by hunter s. royal on Oct 28, 2009 4:25 PM CDT up reply actions  

63-21

Tech. Hide the women and children…this may be the nadir of this season.

"He once had an awkward moment, just to see what it felt like - He is the most interesting man in the world"

by Home Run Tony Cogan on Oct 27, 2009 9:59 PM CDT reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Rock Chalk Talk is your independent source for Jayhawk sports news, information and conversation on the web. Our goal is to provide Kansas Jayhawk fans a diverse, fair and public forum to talk Kansas sports.
Start posting about the Jayhawks »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

Connect_with_facebook

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recent FanPosts

Gtefhgth_small
RCT Official CFB Fun Prediction Thread
Wardenhatcopy_small
RCT's Big 12 Picks
Small
Injury rate question
Miles2_small
Jayhawks in the Minors - 8/14/10
Gale2_small
An extremely early view at the upcoming roundball season
Small
Has there ever been a 5* recruit at KU?
Small
What a fun video site!
Tgillobama_small
Looking Forward: Neutral Site Games in a Ten Team Conference?
Small
The ongoing LB saga
Ty_smash_small
Poll: Who wins more football games this year? Chiefs or Jayhawks?

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

Rock Chalk Talk on Facebook

RCT Store


Owen Kemp and Rock Chalk Talk on Twitter

SBNation.com Recent Stories

Utah kicker Joe Phillips (39) kicks the winning field goal during overtime of an NCAA college football game against Pittsburgh on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010 in Salt Lake City. Utah upset No. 15 Pittsburgh 27-24. (AP Photo/Steve C. Wilson)

Utah Upsets No. 15 Pittsburgh In Opening Night Overtime Thriller, 27-24

HONOLULU - SEPTEMBER 2:  Ronald Johnson #83 of the University of Southern California Trojans runs in for a touchdown against Corey Nielsen #8 of the University of Hawaii Warriors during first half action at Aloha Stadium September 2 2010 in Honolulu Hawaii. (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images) +2 updates

Lane Kiffin Is Victorious In Debut, No. 14 USC Wins In A Shootout At Hawaii, 49-36

South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia, left, celebrates a first-quarter touchdown with South Carolina tackle Kyle Nunn, center, and South Carolina guard Rokevious Watkins, right, during the first half of their NCAA college football game against Southern Mississippi, Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010, at Williams-Brice Stadium, in Columbia, S.C.  (AP Photo/Brett Flashnick) link

South Carolina Rolls Over Southern Miss, Wins 41-13

More from SBNation.com >


Managing Editor

Photo_small Owen Kemp

Assistant Editor

Rockchalktalk_small rockchalk

Contributing Authors

Van_gough_the_siesta_small James Quinn

Gtefhgth_small Andy Edwards

Wardenhatcopy_small Warden11