Jake Sharp Tore It Up Against KSU / credit: annependleton.com
Can Jake Sharp Run Wild Again?
Series: NU 88-23-2
Time: Saturday, Nov. 8 - 1:30 p.m. (CT)
Venue: Memorial Stadium (81,067)
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
TV: Pay-Per-View (Details)
Line: NU (-1.5)
Recent History (NU 8-2)
1998 NU 41, KU 0
1999 NU 24, KU 17
2000 NU 56, KU 17
2001 NU 51, KU 7
2002 NU 45, KU 7
2003 NU 24, KU 3
2004 NU 14, KU 8
2005 KU 40, NU 15
2006 NU 39, KU 31
2007 KU 76, NU 39
Rock Chalk Roundtable 6 -- Nebraska Week
Hawk Digest Preseason Nebraska Preview
The Scene
It's a strange feeling to be more focused on the North title chase rather than 1968. History is interesting, but what's going on right now seems a little more significant. The Jayhawks are in the mix and Nebraska needs some help, but they're still in it as well, so it'll be a playoff atmosphere up in Lincoln.
The Key
There are really two things that KU has to do here:
1) Mount a pass rush
2) Set the running game free
I guess another way of saying that is we really have to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, which is no revelation. You know the drill though, KU has to get pressure on the opponent QB to be effective at pass defense. On the other side, defenses really struggle when the Jayhawks come at them with a balanced attack.
The Motivation
Other than a division title and a potential shot at a re-match with Tech, this one goes a long way toward establishing KU as a solid #2 in the North pecking order. The Jayhawks are 10-3 in the North since 2006 with the only losses coming to Mizzou and Nebraska. Taking two in-a-row against the Huskers says quite a bit. The other thing is I think fans are anxious for Mark Mangino to extend the Northern Fighting Mangino Road Tour Experience to Lincoln, Nebraska. Where it's been:
2004 -- Columbia, MO / 31-14
2006 -- Ames, IA / 41-10
2007 -- Manhattan, KS / 30-24
2007 -- Boulder, CO / 19-14
2008 -- Ames, IA / 35-33
“It’s going to be tough. They’re still Nebraska, and we’re going to be in Lincoln and it’s definitely a tough place to play. We’re going to have to have another great week of preparation and hopefully take care of business on Saturday.”
--Jake Sharp on Nebraska