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Kansas vs. Duke Tale of the Tape


 

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

7
291.5 Rushing Offense 44.5 115


24 270
Passing Offense 258 30


6
561.5 Total Offense 302.5 96


18
41.5 Scoring Offense 25.5 T-70


8
39

Rushing Defense

195.5 99

55
116.51 Pass Effic. Defense 94.74 23


26
227 Total Defense 333.5 64


6
5
Scoring Defense 21.5 64


114
25.75
Net Punting 26.08 114


40
10.13
Punt Returns 9.67 44


117
12.5 Kickoff Return 23.5 48


T-42 .5
Turnover Margin 1 T-28


50
188
Pass Defense 138 17


41
146.54 Passing Efficiency 133.95 59


6
4.5
Sacks .5 T-108

21 8
Tackles for a Loss 3.5 T-96


T-13 0.5 Sacks Allowed 1 T-26

 

Still a little early for me to get to excited when looking at this but there are certainly some areas where the Jayhawks look very strong versus last season.  7th in the nation in terms of rushing yards per game has led to a 6th overall offensive rating for the Jayhawks.  Balance and the ability to control the clock are two huge advantages in football and at first glance it appears the Jayhawks may be developing that. 

On the defensive side of the ball the Jayhawks front 4 has stepped up through 2 games averaging 4.5 sacks per game.  Obviously I think that takes a drop off as we play more spread teams in the Big 12 but nonetheless when you combine that with a total defensive effort that is borderline top 25 at this point, you have to be a little happy.

As far as this game goes, Duke has been inept in running the ball so Kansas can really tee off and focus on the pass which I think only helps the claim that Kansas is an improved defensive team.  Combine that with Duke's poor rushing defense and the recipe doesn't add up to anything but a win for Kansas.  Duke has two choices here, first overload on the run and try to plug that weakness in which case Todd Reesing will pick them apart.  The second is to do what everyone else has done so far and decide you are going to stop Todd Reesing, in which case the Kansas backs and offensive line could be in for a fun day.  Look for Trevor Marrongelli to be flying over some piles in this one laying some haymakers as Jake Sharp and Toben Opurum rack up the yards on our way to a route. 

I'm excited for Saturday, only problem is Comcast pulling versus off of DirecTV.  That mean's I'll likely be headed to Choppers in Denver on Saturday morning for some beers and breakfast burritos and an early kickoff against Duke.  I think I'll have a good laugh as I look up at the Mark Randall poster over the door as you walk in and think of this as just another payback opportunity for that 1991 basketball team that didn't quite make it.  Anyway, if anyone's in the vicinity and thinking about going...say hey and let's grab a beer.  Rock Chalk.