Kansas vs. Southern Mississippi Team Analysis
by Owen Kemp on Sep 22, 2009 6:00 AM CDT
in Football
37 comments
The Golden Eagles come to Lawrence this weekend in what many considered Kansas' first major test with UTEP being the other possible exception. To date the Jayhawks have handled their business with relative ease but haven't been quite as crisp or efficient as some would have hoped. Sure there are those that contend this offense is perfectly fine averaging in the top 3 in terms of production, but if you take the statistical blinders off for a moment it would be hard to not at least acknowledge some concerns.
| Why Kansas? | Edge | Scenario | Edge | Why Southern Miss.? |
|
Kansas has been good but not great on offense and last week lost the services of running back Jake Sharp temporarily. With or without Sharp back Kansas' balanced attack will need to continue to be a strength against the Golden Eagles. Stats or no stats Kansas is a top 20 offense nationally and you have to think the pieces will come together soon. Some teams might be able to contain the Jayhawks offense but not many will stop them. |
Closer than normal though based on Kansas' last few games. |
KU Offense vs. Southern Mississippi's Defense |
|
Southern Mississippi has been very strong against the run and better than average against the pass. If they can make Kansas one dimensional, continue to put pressure on the quarterback and ride that to a couple turnovers they'll be in this. Southern Mississippi's defense is fully capable of mustering enough chaos to give the Jayhawk offense some trouble if Kansas is sloppy. |
|
I want to believe, I'm trying to believe, I even added the Monkey's to my IPod this week to help me believe this Kansas defense has turned a corner. So far Kansas is winning the battle up front and it's translating to success on defense. What happens as the level of competition increases? Kansas has to continue to get pressure on the quarterback, continue stopping the run and this week take advantage of Southern Mississippi's mistakes which have led to them being ever so slightly turnover prone early this year. Do those things and Kansas wins this matchup and turns this fan into a believer. |
I wanted to say push on this one but after last season, I need one more good showing before I take the Kansas defense against such a solid offense. |
KU Defense vs. Southern Mississippi's Offense |
|
Southern Mississippi has the horses and athletes on offense to make this a game. This will be as solid a test for the Jayhawks defense that they've seen this year in every way. The quarterback can beat you through the air or with his feet. They field a running back that will punish you for blown assignments. The Golden Eagles also put a reicever on the field that will be a SERIOUS test for this Kansas secondary. Kansas' defense will have it's hands full in this one and if the Golden Eagles play mistake free football it will be tough for Kansas to stop them. |
|
Kansas looks to be an improved team in this area for 2009. Besides a few missed field goals every unit looks better. The kick coverage is solid as is the kick return. However, the most underrated stat has to be Alonso Rojas' punting which from a net standpoint looks pretty abysmal. Again though take the statistical blinders off and Rojas and the rest of the Kansas special teams are winning the field position battle for the Jayhawks. |
|
Special Teams |
|
Southern Miss. like Kansas has been pretty solid here if not slightly better in the return game. Like Kansas, the Golden Eagles do a nice job of putting their offense and defense in positions to succeed and no surprise here but one of these two has to give. At the end of this one special teams may be a major factor but deciding an edge is a push for me at this point based on how early it is in the season and how similar these two teams special teams units have performed. |
|
Last week against Duke the Jayhawks defense looked to be returning to old habits after a first drive which saw Duke go the length of the field in a hurry. From there though the Jayhawk defensive staff was able to buckle down and force 8 straight possessions with no points from the Blue Devils. Throw in the fact that the Hawks are getting much more creative in terms of stunting and blitzing and the only thing that is missing is a little more aggressive pass coverage. Once again just another example of the upgrade in coaching this offseason for the Jayhawks. Kansas staff is deep and Mark Mangino teams come around as good as any. |
|
Coaching |
Larry Fedora is the Southern Mississippi Coach and for those who think that name sounds familiar it's because he was the Offensive Coordinator with the Oklahoma State Cowboys from 2005-2007. Fedora was instrumental in taking OSU from Big12 South afterthought to what they are now. In his second season with the Cowboys Fedora took OSU from 96th in the nation in offensive production to 7th. Fact of the matter is the guy can coach. If he can put together a defensive scheme as good as some of his offensive one's he'll win this battle of wits against the Jayhawks. |
Southern Mississippi will be the most well rounded team the Jayhawks play, the best defensive team the Jayhawks play and they will have a legitimate playmakers on the field. Austin Davis returns at quarterback where he produced over 3500 yards of offense as a sophomore in 2008. Damien Fletcher returns in the backfield following a 1300 yard rushing season in 2008 and is off to a fast start in 2009 averaging over 5 yards per carry. Lastly, DeAndre Brown is perhaps their most dangerous weapon at the reciever spot for the Golden Eagles. Coach Mangino says Brown might be the toughest Kansas faces all year he is coming off of a 2008 season with over 1100 yards recieving and 12 touchdowns.
Factor in solid special teams play, a notable coaching talent on top of the fact that this team is riding a stout defense to an 8 game win streak dating to late last year and the Jayhawks are looking at a potentially tricky one at home.
0 recs |
37 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
a wee bit nervous.
just a wee bit though.
BREAKING NEWS!!!!
Kanye West just interrupted Patrick Swayze's funeral to let everyone know
that Michael Jackson's funeral was better!!!
Should be Interesting
I think we’ll finally start to learn what this team is really made of this week.
by KennyGregoryRockThaCradle on Sep 22, 2009 2:19 PM CDT reply actions
Just me nitpicking
But the 3rd Jayhawk looks sharper than the other 2. I noticed this when you first started doing these; our Jayhawks look a little fuzzy.
Austin Davis scares me.
Insanity is just a state of mind.
you are correct sir.
what gives Denver? Why must we have fuzzy Jayhawks?
BREAKING NEWS!!!!
Kanye West just interrupted Patrick Swayze's funeral to let everyone know
that Michael Jackson's funeral was better!!!
Duly noted in the minutes, thank you both.
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
lolz
well played sir.
How far back do you spose those Jayhawk mascots go?
Is that Big Jay and Baby Jay when they were little?
BREAKING NEWS!!!!
Kanye West just interrupted Patrick Swayze's funeral to let everyone know
that Michael Jackson's funeral was better!!!
Haha
Now you have it figured out…
P.S. Don’t take any of this seriously. I was trying to make a lighthearted joke the first time, but I didn’t know the RCT “code” the first time.
Insanity is just a state of mind.
oh don't worry
RC is very used to getting ragged on
by I need more Esteban on Sep 22, 2009 11:04 PM CDT up reply actions
I think we're going to see lots of surprises in this game
Such as:
Tim Biere being a big part of the game plan and snagging a TD pass (or two).
Jake Sharp running pissed off for over 100 yards (but, but, but….he’s injured! – so what?)
Jonathan Wilson out-shinning every other WR with over 150 yards and 2 TDs
Huldon Tharp and/or Drew Dudley in on so many plays the announcers just get tired of saying their names and revert to "them two mean sons a bitches tackled somebody….again…..and the ball pops loose! "
A CB blitz that results in a sack.
A fake punt resulting in a throw from Kerry Meier to somebody.
Sawin' wood
I hope Sharpie is good.
He looked like he was running through maple syrup last week. He had no burst. Hopefully he can get that back.
BREAKING NEWS!!!!
Kanye West just interrupted Patrick Swayze's funeral to let everyone know
that Michael Jackson's funeral was better!!!
You're preview
made me more nervous, stop it…
by I need more Esteban on Sep 22, 2009 5:31 PM CDT reply actions
well...
when you look at the facts, stats and matchups we have reason to be nervous. This game doesn’t have nearly the same feel of the first three and I can tell you that even the players know that. Is this Oklahoma or Texas? No, not at all, but it is the next step up in the competition level for the season. Hell Southern Miss. might eventually prove to be better than 3 teams we play in Conference. I’ll let you guess which 3.
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
Oh I totally agree
and I was definitely kidding…..don’t stop, keep going
by I need more Esteban on Sep 22, 2009 7:38 PM CDT up reply actions
Definitely better than 3, ...
and maybe better than 1 or 3 others. Probably not, but maybe.
OOO OO oOO OO raising hand emphatically OO OO OO OO
Colorado….Iowa State…..and, and, and….. KSTATE! YES!
And that is true. The way things look right now So. Miss would beat these teams handily. I’m glad we got this game at home. I have a feeling our O is really gonna put it together this week (hopefully). I know they will move the ball, but it’d be real nice to get somewhere between 2 and 78 turnovers.
well...
when you look at the facts, stats and matchups we have reason to be nervous. This game doesn’t have nearly the same feel of the first three and I can tell you that even the players know that. Is this Oklahoma or Texas? No, not at all, but it is the next step up in the competition level for the season. Hell Southern Miss. might eventually prove to be better than 3 teams we play in Conference. I’ll let you guess which 3.
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
So important, he had to say it twice.
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.
Looking forward to a GREAT game!!
I like the break down. I can’t call this one, I think we could be looking at a shoot out. There is no doubt that DeAndre is a beast, but since he broke his leg we haven’t really unleashed him. Perhaps this could be the weekend. Austin is only getting better with every snap he takes, but what I have noticed is that he hasn’t been as mobile this year as he was last, again what we see this weekend may change. Fletch is a beast and as I’ve seen here most will key on him, but Tory Harrison is just as much a threat and you will see him in the Eagle package along with Deandre and Fletch. No doubt this has the makings of one of the best games on in our SEC ridden part of the country. Heres to a safe game.
thanks for the added comments....
your welcome to join us for our Open game thread on saturday. Think of it as an online sports bar : )
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
From the least homer
position you can give (I know that isn’t easy) how do you like Southern Miss’s chances Saturday? Score prediction maybe?
by I need more Esteban on Sep 22, 2009 7:39 PM CDT up reply actions
Thanks guys
I like Southern Miss chance. In the game against Virginia last week they were able to pass all over us, most were on one DB in particular, but we played some really sloppy football. Too many pass interference calls, offsides, etc.
Esteban I honestly think this will be a high scoring game and would not be surprised to see the numbers in the upper 30 to mid 40’s. I say that the winner of this game will do so by no more than 10, but likely less than that. Clock management will be BIG for both these teams since they both seem to score at will.
As far as me picking who comes out on top..flip a coin. But I do like Southern Miss chances.
nice
thanks
I am definitely nervous.
by I need more Esteban on Sep 23, 2009 8:14 AM CDT up reply actions
What is the line?
Over-Under?
Vegas always had a solid idea.
I may be talking out of my ass here but...
I think the line opened at 14.5
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
Southern Miss definitely has me concerned
Without a doubt in my mind this Southern Miss team is better than anyone KU has played thus far and is better than a handful of Big 12 teams. Let’s just hope they don’t prove to be better than the Big 12 team that resides in Lawrence, KS.
Southern Miss has not allowed a team to rush for 100 yards in 8 games. As much as we all enjoy watching KU air it out, KU needs to be able to run the ball on Saturday. If Jake Sharp can’t go, KU’s chances of ending that streak get a lot tougher. As much as I like Toben Opurum, I’m not sure he’s ready to be the featured back yet – at least not against the likes of Southern Miss. I hope he and the offensive line prove me wrong in the event Jake is not able to play. Also, if TE Tim Biere is back this week I think that should help the running game.
Southern Miss likes to run their version of the “wildcat” formation which I think they call the “Eagle” formation where the ball is snapped directly to Damion Fletcher. Thus far, Southern Miss is averaging 256 ypg on the ground with Fletcher leading the way. I only saw a little bit of the UVA game, but Fletcher looked good to me. One thing to note about the Eagle formation is that Fletcher has yet to attempt a pass out of that formation. Maybe that will be something the KU defense can key on?
It remains to be seen how healthy star WR DeAndre Brown is but if he’s 100% or close to it, he will cause some matchup problems with our secondary. At 6’6" he towers over Daymond Patterson. Chris Harris might be the better matchup against Brown. So far Brown hasn’t been too involved in the Southern Miss offense (9 catches for 82 yards, 0 td).
QB Austin Davis is averaging 200 ypg passing and has yet to throw an interception.
An encouraging sign for Jayhawk fans is that Southern Miss gave up 312 passing yards last week to a mediocre (at best) Virigina offense. Let’s hope that UVA exposed a weakness there that KU can exploit.
by KU_Lew on Sep 22, 2009 8:09 PM CDT reply actions 3 recs
great rundown...
appreciate your thoughts for sure Lew. There effectiveness in stopping the run is probably the area that makes me most nervous and the area I need to see us overcome to make me feel good about our o-line and the “resurgent” running attack.
Also with respect to the “Eagle”, I’m beginning to wonder if Kansas doesn’t have a similar formation in mind at some point down the line. With Sharp out I don’t think we see it, but I’ve been getting strong hints that a “new” formation is in the works.
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
Damnit Lew
now you’ve scared the crap out of me.
Ah damnit, we’ve got to come out fast and hard………………………………
But seriously, a quick start will be really important, I heard some players talking about it on the press conferences today, that will be a key to the game for the coaching staff so if we don’t do it, I might start to be worried about this season.
by I need more Esteban on Sep 22, 2009 11:09 PM CDT up reply actions
How is this going to change the Game???
Just came across this on Rivals, not sure about the players involved. Could this sway one way or the other?
Lets try this
Try this link—I’m not a computer guy..may have to copy and paste…lol
Not sure it changes much in terms of who we see on the field...
this wasn’t as serious as it was blown out to be or sounded at first. As usual things seem to start big and eventually fizzle down.
Now it could factor in because Kansas may be less than 100% focused now going into this game which certainly concerns me. Factor that in with the fact that one would assume some extra conditioning might be in order and we may have a tired, unfocused team come Saturday. I hope not, but it’s certainly possible.
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
Great Game!!
Great game guys! Good luck the rest of the way. I think there were a lot of if onlys for both teams, but no complaints from my end. Hope to see you at the Rock next year.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Rock Chalk Talk
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
