Kansas vs. Iowa State Tale of the Tape

			VS.
Conf	National	Actual	Category	Actual	National	Conf
Rank	Rank				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...