Game Day Preview: KU vs Louisiana Tech

Photo: www.annependleton.com

Series: Tied 1-1
Time: 6:00 p.m.
TV: FSN
Line: KU (-20.5)

Most Recent Meetings
2005 KU 34, LA Tech 14
1987 LA Tech 16, KU 11

The Rundown
After holding Florida International to just 2.5 yards per rush last week, the KU defensive line will step up from Sun Belt talent to WAC level talent when they take on Louisiana Tech tomorrow night. Throw in the fact that your talking about a WAC team that just knocked off SEC middleweight Mississippi State 22-14 last week and you like this matchup as a measuring stick for the d-line. Sure, most KU fans are focused solely on that offensive right tackle position and whether or not Jeremiah Hatch can help get the running game on track. That's a legitimate concern as well, but after last year, I have faith that Ed Warriner and John Reagan will get that worked out. So, that get us back to the d-line. If we want to play with the high-flying offenses of the Big 12, we need to improve over last year (minus James McClinton). Another solid game by the front line on defense will give us a peak into how far the Jayhawks can go in 2008.

The Key
From what I've heard, I guess the key is stopping Louisiana Tech's version of Daymond Patterson -- Phillip Livas. He wears #6 and is listed at 5-7/170 on the Tech website, but everyone has been raving about him all week. Evidently, Georgia Tech transfer QB Taylor Bennett can whip it around the field. That'll be a nice challenge for the secondary, though the word is the LA Tech wideouts actually struggled last week. RB Patrick Johnson is both a good runner and receiver.

The Bullets

• KU has been ranked 11 straight weeks in the AP poll. The longest streak ever for KU football
• KU has a 10-game home winning streak rolling right now
• Last week's 40-point performance was KU's lowest home output since the 39-20 victory over KSU in 2006 
• KU is 12-2 in the last 14 games played as an AP ranked team 
• Should Daymond Patterson be looking for Charles Gordon's freshman receptions record of 57? 
• All indications are that Jeremiah Hatch will start at right tackle 
• Kicker Jacob Branstetter has been cleared to play by the NCAA 
• The KC Star lists Johnathan Wilson, Kerry Meier and Dezmon Briscoe as the starters at wideout. We'll see. 

"Phillip Livas is a one-man highlight show. You'll enjoy seeing him play. He had a big game last year against LSU and was a game-changer against MSU last Saturday."
--Jimmy Watson, Shreveport Times from KJ-IBT