Kansas vs. Iowa State Tale of the Tape

by Owen Kemp on Oct 8, 2009 5:00 AM CDT in Football Comment 15 comments

			VS.


Conf	National	Actual	Category	Actual	National	Conf
Rank	Rank	Actual	Category	Actual	Rank	Rank
2	16	209.25	Rushing Offense	207.6	20	3
5	12	302.25	Passing Offense	171.6	106	12
3	6	511.5	Total Offense	379.2	53	10
2	6	40.5	Scoring Offense	25	78	11
2	3	59.25	Rushing Defense	157.6	84	10
10	62	123.69	Pass Effic. Defense	129.85	74	11
5	35	310.75	Total Defense	358.4	65	9
3	11	13.5	Scoring Defense	20	40	8
12	114	30.57	Net Punting	42.65	3	3
8	59	9.54	Punt Returns	5.33	92	11
6	44	23.25	Kickoff Return	22.30	54	8
5	T-36	.75	Turnover Margin	-.4	80	11
11	98	251.5	Pass Defense	200.80	49	5
3	18	153.58	Passing Efficiency	109.43	97	11
3	6	3.75	Sacks	1.8	62	10
3	T-11	7.75	Tackles for a Loss	5.8	58	9
8	T-56	1.75	Sacks Allowed	.2	1

First thing that doesn't really surprise me but just doesn't seem right is the effectiveness of our offense. It's funny because '07 and '08 it felt like the offense clicked better but yet this year the Jayhawks are putting up bigger numbers, or else comparably bigger in the grand scheme of things. Maybe this is another example of the defensive adjustments across the college football landscape that have been implemented to offset the spread.

On defense the Jayhawks continue to look like an improved group. Pass defense is still a bit lagging behind but as an overall unit they are stopping the run better, overall a better group and when you look at big plays they are making them more often. Tougher tests to come but it's hard to argue with what they've done so far.

Lastly the special teams is better, kick returns is out of the bottom of the nation which is where the group spent much of last season. The only area that statistically looks to be lagging is the net punting stat. However, that area isn't the least bit concerning because Alonso Rojas is typically being called upon to punt it inside the 20, and he's been extremely reliable in doing so.

Overall coming out of non-con this year versus last year the signs are there that we are a better team on paper. Not sure if it feels that way with the eyeball test or not, but on paper we're better...

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I didn't realize

how bad ISU’s passing offense is. If we stop their running game, they’re screwed. They don’t give up many sacks (lead the nation) but you have to wonder if that’s because they don’t attempt many passes…..because their passing game is weak.

This should be a fantastic game to give KU’s pass D some confidence…..but it really won’t be a good test (at least it shouldn’t…..hope our LBs keep an eye out for those middle routes).

Sawin' wood

by Rivethead on Oct 8, 2009 7:49 AM CDT reply actions

agree...shouldn't be a huge test...

if we can stop the run, Iowa State will have trouble getting much going on offense I have to think.

Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.

by Owen Kemp on Oct 8, 2009 8:52 AM CDT up reply actions

Eyeball test...

You think we looked better last year than we have so far this season?

by hiphopopotamus on Oct 8, 2009 9:17 AM CDT reply actions

I think from the perspective...

of being in a rhythm and Todd looking crisp we looked better in ’07 and ’08 than this year. Although probably not as glaringly different from last year. However I will say the running game alone probably hurts my point because that was nonexistent through 4 games last season.

I guess maybe I’m speaking more from a passing game perspective. We are seeing more sacks, drops and seemingly having more difficulty finding open receivers than at this same point last year. Fortunately it’s been offset by an improvement to the running game.

Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.

by Owen Kemp on Oct 8, 2009 9:38 AM CDT up reply actions

I see your point...

and I think it’s just us the fans, as well as Todd and the offense, getting used to the pistol. He doesn’t look quite as comfortable in it and we’re also used to a much more rhythmic offense.

We can still run most of our same plays from it, but the timing is just enough different that I think we look a little choppy at times. But like you just said, it’s also helped us to establish a viable running game through four games – something we didn’t have at all last year.

I think trust what the numbers are telling you – we aren’t as crisp as we want to be, but we’re more balanced. By no means am I saying that I don’t have a ton of worries (I do), but I think we’ll immediately see the benefit of having the bye week when we did (though I still wish we had one later).

by hiphopopotamus on Oct 8, 2009 5:01 PM CDT up reply actions

We're not playing as well as we could/should offensively

But we are scoring a lot haha. Can’t be no wrong with that. If we start to really get clicking then kazoowie

by KU Grad 08 on Oct 8, 2009 5:38 PM CDT up reply actions

Interesting Question...

Last year at this time we had absolutely no running game, and no one really knew what Briscoe was truly capable of (until that Oklahoma game, really). Certainly getting to the qb was a problem. But we were also scoring so many points no one really seemed to notice.

Todd hasn’t been exactly perfect so far, but we still have an explosive offense. Really, the question will come down to this: if it comes down to a situation in which we need Reesing and his receivers to win us a game, does he still have enough left in the tank to get it done? Has Todd been “holding back” a bit in these early games (or really trying to get a feel for what he can and can’t get away with at this point), or has there been some kind of an actual regression in his abilities for whatever reason?

Unfortunately for us fans, we probably won’t know the answer to that until the Oklahoma game. By that time, we could be seeing a lot of hype (maybe even cracking the Top Ten), and a disappointing performance against the Sooners could really end up being a slap to the face.

by KennyGregoryRockThaCradle on Oct 8, 2009 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions

I think part of the "Todd" problem is....

He thrives on rhythm. When he’s in a groove he’s hard to stop. But this season we’ve been running more and throwing less….harder to get into a passing rhythm when you’re handing the rock to JS/TO for (yet) another 5 yard carry.

Our O takes what the D gives them…..once we face a D focused (and successful?) at stopping our run game and we pass more….I expect Todd to return to form.

Just my $0.02

Sawin' wood

by Rivethead on Oct 8, 2009 2:18 PM CDT up reply actions

Well hopefully we get

a good look at how good our run D is. If they truly are a run-first team then this should be a decent test to guage how good our run defense really is. I’d like to think that Southern Miss’s run offense is better than Iowa St., but still it should be good.

41-17 final.

by I need more Esteban on Oct 8, 2009 3:25 PM CDT reply actions