Game Preview: Kansas vs Missouri

Credit: ojbyrne / flickr CC (click photo for link)

High Noon

Series: 54-53-9
Series in Kansas City: KU 12-7-3
Time: Saturday, Nov. 29 - 11:30 a.m. (CT)
Venue: Arrowhead Stadium
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
TV: FSN
Line: MU (-16)

Recent History (Tied 5-5)
1998 MU 41, KU 23
1999 KU 21, MU 0
2000 KU 38, MU 17
2001 MU 38, KU 34
2002 MU 36, KU 12
2003 KU 35, MU 14
2004 KU 31, MU 14
2005 KU 13, MU 3
2006 MU 42, KU 17
2007 MU 36, KU 28

Hawk Digest Preseason Missouri Preview

The Scene
Welcome back to the concrete and asphalt playground known as the Truman Sports Complex. The Tigers have already secured the north division title, so this one is all about the Border War and the overall battle of good vs evil. Of course, like most of the Big 12 games this season it'll look less like a war and more like an Arena Football game. If Jake Sharp is a no go, we'll see more of Jocques Crawford and Angus Quigley. You saw how physical Quigley can be. If he can hold onto the ball, that might make things a little more interesting as KU never really got B-Mac untracked last year against Mizzou. A fresh back with a hard hitting attitude ... could be fun.

The Key
Pass rush. The KC Star noted that KU comes into the game with only 23 sacks this season. Actually, that means we have improvement up front. Last year we came into this one with just 19 sacks, so considering the schedule upgrade this year there is reason to believe that facing the MU offensive line won't be quite the shocker that it was last November. We can be sure that they are under-estimating the KU front line.

The Motivation
We wear red, white and blue, they wear black. It's not hard to tell who the good guys are.

“I think it’s a good location for the game. I think it allows more fans to come and it is more of a neutral site, kind of like the Cotton Bowl with Oklahoma and Texas. It allows us to be seen by more people and gives the game a bigger stage, so it’s fun to play on a stage like this.”
--Darrell Stuckey on KU/MU in KC

Game Preview: KU vs Texas Tech

Series: TTU 9-1
Time: Saturday, Oct. 25 - 11:00 a.m. (CT)
Venue: Kivisto Field - Memorial Stadium
Location: Lawrence, Kansas (50,071)
TV: ESPN
Line: KU (-1)

Recent History (Tech 5-1)
1996 TTU 30, KU 17
1997 TTU 17, KU 7
2000 TTU 45, KU 39
2001 KU 34, TTU 31
2004 TTU 31, KU 30
2005 TTU 30, KU 17

Rock Chalk Roundtable 1.4 -- Tech Preview

Hawk Digest Tech Preseason Preview

The Scene
KU has never beaten Texas Tech in Lawrence. You'll never get any respect with that figure being thrown around. The road team has won four of the six games in this series since the programs joined the Big 12.

The Key
The Jayhawk defense has to get past the concept that it is okay to allow Tech to score. This is a good offense, but it's not OU or Texas or even Mizzou for that matter. If you're comfortable sitting behind Tech in the Big 12 power structure, then you're not one of the Fighting Mangino's. It's time to get your headgear on and defend your goalline (see Darrell Stuckey).

The Motivation
10-2 is still out there. In fact, with a win tomorrow, it becomes quite visible.

The Bullets

• The Jayhawks last beat a top 10 team at Memorial in 1984 (OU)
• It's homecoming. KU is 41-48-5 all-time in homecoming games, but have won four of their last five
• KU's home win streak is at 13 games including six straight Big 12 home games
• Mark Mangino is 42-38 and fourth on the all-time wins list. Next up is Jack Mitchell at 44-42-5.
• KU has averaged 50,516 fans per game. Last year's record-breaking attendance average was 46,784.
• With 6,012 career passing yards, Todd Reesing is within striking distance of Frank Seurer's record of 6,410
• He'll likely break the season passing yard record tomorrow as well held by Bill Whittemore with 2,385. The Reesing has 2,322
• Dezmon Briscoe has 15 career TD receptions. The record is 17 shared by Bruce Adams and Willie Vaughn

"I think that you have to put things on the field that our players do best and execute those. We need to be good in coverages, but we also need to do a good job of putting pressure on the quarterback. We cannot allow him to sit back there because he will find somebody open. We have to be good at coverage, but we also need to find ways to have him get rid of the football sooner."

--Mark Mangino, stopping Tech

Game Preview: KU vs Colorado

Photo: www.annependleton.com

Series: CU 41-23-3
Time: Saturday, Oct. 11 – 11:30 a.m. (CT) 
Venue: Memorial Stadium (50,071)
Location: Lawrence, Kansas
TV: ESPN2
Line: Kansas (-14)

Recent History (CU 6-4)
1998 KU 33, CU 17
1999 CU 51, KU 17
2000 KU 23, CU 15
2001 CU 27, KU 16
2002 CU 53, KU 29
2003 CU 50, KU 47
2004 CU 30, KU 21
2005 CU 44, KU 13
2006 KU 20, CU 15
2007 KU 19, CU 14

Hawk Digest Colorado Preview Capsule

Rock Chalk RoundTable 1.2 -- CU Preview

The History
It was two years ago when the Buffs came town and kicked the Jayhawks around Memorial like a Terry Allen squad for the first half. Mark Mangino ripped off Todd Reesing's redshirt and the rest is history. By now, I'm sure the Buffs have had plenty of TR, especially since he tends go on long gallups right when it feels like the black and gold has everthing under control.

The Rundown
KU has a great opportunity to jump out to 2-0 in the division and 5-1 overall. That kind of momentum would be excellent as the schedule starts to kick into high gear. It's no surprise that CU is bruised up mentally and physically coming into this game after facing West Virgina, Florida State and Texas. Clearly that favors the Hawks, but the upside for the Buffs is that they are definitely playing at top 25 game speed.

The Key
Early offensive execution and putting the pedal to the metal for four quarters. Our youngsters in the d-line rotation should be able to build up some confidence as CU has injuries on the offensive line. The media and fans have been critical of QB Cody Hawkins, so the Hawks should take advantage of the opportunity to rattle him early on. If KU can eliminate the passing threat, I like their chances of keeping Rodney Stewart in check on the ground.

On the other side of the ball, we could use another big game out of Jake Sharp as CU does have a good defense. However, even if the Buffs do stifle the running attack, we all know Todd Reesing can still pick you apart as there are a lot of weapons available. If the running game gets going, it becomes a real challenge for Colorado.

The Bullets

• The last time KU had a home game on ESPN or ESPN2 was the TCU game in 1995 on ESPN
  
• Todd Reesing is 16-2 in his career as a starter with 47 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions
•  KU has only started 2-0 in Big 12 --1997, 2007
• KU has won 12 straight home games and is 21 of the last 23 at Memorial Stadium
  
• The Jayhawks are 11-3 in the last 14 games against Big 12 North opponents
  
• KU has held its opponent to less than 200 yards rushing in 32 consecutive games
  
• WR Kerry Meier has recorded 100 receiving yards in three straight games.
  
• WR Dezmon Briscoe has caught at least two passes in 11 consecutive games
  
• LB Joe Mortensen has recorded a sack in two straight games
  
• The Jayhawks scored eight touchdowns from outside the red zone this season
  
• KU opponents have started 17 drives at their own 20-yard line or inside their own 20-yard line and have completed those drives with just one score - a field goal by South Florida.
  
• CU WR Josh Smith leads the team in all-purpose yards with 221 receiving, 153 on punt returns and 435 on kickoff returns.
  
• The KC Star noted today that the game has bowl pecking order implications,."with a Colorado win, the Buffaloes would pull even with the Jayhawks at 4-2 overall and 1-1 in the Big 12. Colorado doesn’t have to face Texas Tech or Oklahoma from the South and gets Oklahoma State at home, so its schedule is more favorable down the stretch than KU’s."

"Last year they held us to our lowest point total of the season, that is enough said right there, so obviously they did something last year that gave us a lot of problems. I would assume they would want to take a similar approach, because we struggled moving the ball at times and our passing game was rather ineffective last year.  It’s going to be a week where we are going to have to study hard and prepare, because they are one of the few teams that shut us down last year."

--Todd Reesing, on Colorado's Defense 

Game Preview: KU at Iowa State

Photo: www.annependleton.com

Series: KU 47-34-6
Time: Saturday, Oct. 4 – 11:30 a.m. (CT) 
Venue: Jack Trice Stadium (55,000)
Location: Ames, Iowa
TV: VERSUS
Line: Kansas (-13)

Recent History (Tied 5-5 | all time series link)
1998 ISU 23, KU 20
1999 KU 31, ISU 28
2000 ISU 38, KU 17
2001 ISU 49, KU 7
2002 ISU 45, KU 3
2003 KU 36, ISU 7
2004 ISU 13, KU 7
2005 KU 24, ISU 21
2006 KU 41, ISU 10
2007 KU 45, ISU 7

Hawk Digest Preseason Capsule on Iowa State

The Rundown
Until 2007, October was not a fantastic month for Mark Mangino. The Jayhawks went 4-16 in October during Mangino's first five seasons before posting a 4-0 mark last year. Generally, Mangino fared better in November, but it was impossible to garner national attention with the mid-season slumps. Check your calendar as it's October again and Mangino is actually riding a five-game October winning streak. Tomorrow brings a fantastic opportunity to sustain momentum and get a leg up in the North with a coveted road division win. The Cyclones are in transition but the near upset of OU last year and the home victories against KSU and Colorado indicate a hard-working squad that will obviously play tough to defend the home turf. Exhibition play is over and it's time for the Jayhawks to make a statement about where they stand in the division and conference for 2008.

The Key
Thanks to Todd Reesing, KU can win this game without dominating in the run game, but they sure would like to see another step in the right direction. Especially on the road, a run game can help establish control and smooth out the times when momentum appears to shift (see USF game). The Clones play seven seniors on defense so it may be a bit of a challenge for the "work in progress" Jayhawk offensive line. Three of those seniors are on the defensive line, but standout senior LB Michael Bibbs is questionable. On the other side of the ball, ISU has played both Phillip Bates and Austen Arnaud at QB. Bates is mainly a runner at this point, but Arnaud led a key 98-yard drive last week to tie UNLV late and send that game to overtime. However, KU is generally solid against average QBs and Arnaud falls into that category in the Big 12.

Essentially, the big key is whether or not KU will finish the job if they get control of the game. The step on the throat mentality that was there in 2007 hasn't quite appeared yet.

The Bullets

• KU has held its opponent to less than 200 yards rushing in 31 consecutive games
  
• Todd Reesing currently has 5,095 career passing yards and needs 38 passing yards to pass David Jaynes (5,132) for third place Frank Seuer is KU's all-time leader with 6,410 yards
  
• ISU posted a 45-3 win in Mark Mangino’s first game as the head coach at KU.  He is 4-1 against the Cyclones since
• KU has won 13 straight games against un-ranked opponents and 16 of the last 17 games against teams not ranked
• Kansas’ defense allowed a season-low 45 rushing yards against Sam Houston State
• The Jayhawks are 12th nationally in total offense (473 ypg) and sixth in passing offense (354.0 ypg)
• Kerry Meier leads the nation with 9.25 receptions per game
• Justin Thornton leads the Big 12 with 8 passes defended
  
• James Holt leads the Big 12 with 3 forced fumbles
• KU is third in the Big 12 in rush defense (94.8 yards per game)
• Iowa State is tied (OU) for first in the Big 12 with +6 turnover margin. KU is +3
• KU leads the Big 12 in time of possession 34:09 per game

"Those guys worked extremely hard all week. They were sweating and were dog-tired. It gives the running backs confidence when we see our offensive lineman working like that. They are trying to be more physical and that was encouraging."

--Angus Quigley, on the offensive line

Game Preview: KU vs Sam Houston State

Photo: www.annependleton.com

Series: First Meeting
Time: September 20, 6:00 p.m. (CT)
Venue: Memorial Stadium (50,071) Location: Lawrence, KS
TV: FCS 
Line: None

Most Recent Meetings:
None

Hawk Digest Preseason Capsule on Sam Houston State

The Rundown
Consider segment one of the 2008 season completed. The earlier schedule all built toward the heavyweight matchup with USF. KU came up a little bit short in that and identified/confirmed strengths and weaknesses. The game against Bearkats kicks off another segment that builds toward the big one in Norman. It's a great time for Jeff Spikes and Jeremiah Hatch to apply what they learned in Tampa. More importantly, we've got to see this defense get more aggressive -- yes, specifically in the pass rush.

The Key
The key to the game probably occured when Jayhawk fans nailed the advance sellout. An angry Jayhawk team is going to want to put on a show for the growing fan base. The team may not quite realize what it means to have an advance sellout at Memorial after a tough road loss, but I think we can be assured the coaching staff will pass that along. On the field, I think we know what it takes for KU to win -- line up and execute. There are a few things we'd like to see -- Dezmon Briscoe and Daymond Patterson back with attitude, a decent kick return, some sacks, Angus Quigley as the starter and a 100 yard back. Oh yeah, and we'd also like to see Kerry Meier at QB in the second half.

The Bullets

• Kansas is riding an 11-game home winning streak and has won 16 straight home non-conference games  
  
• The 2008 NCAA Men's Basketball National Champions will be honored at the end of the first quarter
  
• Three Jayhawks are leading the nation -- QB Todd Reesing in pass completions (34.3 per game), WR Kerry Meier leads with 29 receptions and LB James Holt with fumbles forced 
• Kansas is 26-8-1 all-time against FCS teams with all of the losses coming before 1940
  
• Daymond Patterson still leads the Big 12 in punt returns with 20.6 yards per return 
• Alonso Rojas is fifth in the conference with a 42.5 average. He's placed three balls inside the 20 yard line 
• James Holt now leads KU with 21 tackles and tackles for loss with 4.5 
• KU leads the Big 12 with a 56% success rate on third downs (28 of 50) 
• The Jayhawks also lead the Big 12 in red zone defense and time of possesion 

"We do know that they have a fine quarterback in Rhett Bomar, that started his career at OU and then consequently had to leave because of some issues, but he's talented, he throws the ball well, he runs the ball very well and he's got great speed.  From what we can see on defense, they are scrappy type of kids, they play hard."

--Mark Mangino on Sam Houston State