Offense
The K-State offense saw a resurgence in last week’s game against Oklahoma. The offensive unit has battled inconsistency all season, and last weekend, the Wildcats turned a corner. Against a stiff Sooner defense, the Wildcats scored 30 points and turned what could have been a blowout into a competitive game. If the Wildcat offense had been able to move the ball at all against the Sooners during the first quarter, the game could have ended much differently. Specifically, K-State will need a big day from running back Daniel Thomas. The junior has been fighting through the pain of a sore shoulder and has been sharing time with backup Keithen Valentine. The two running backs fared well against the Sooners and should have similar success against the Jayhawks. Aside from that, it will be important to continue the ambitious play-calling that led to some throws downfield from quarterback Grant Gregory and even a 41-yard wobbler from Thomas.
The Jayhawk offense, which had been one of the team’s strengths coming into the season, has faltered in Kansas’ recent three-game skid. In their three recent losses, the team has had trouble finding rhythm in both the running and passing game, and Kansas quarterback Todd Reesing has struggled. In the recent loss to Texas Tech, Reesing was benched in the fourth quarter in favor of true freshman Kale Pick, who was unable to spark the offense in his brief chance. Whether Kansas coach Mark Mangino will turn to Pick this week remains to be seen. But part of Reesing’s ineffectiveness as of late is because of a groin injury that he sustained in KU’s loss to Colorado in October. The Jayhawk running game has struggled lately as well, with running back Jake Sharp, a Salina native, not finding much success. In the three-game losing streak, Sharp has rushed for an average of 33.7 yards a game and zero touchdowns.
Defense
Defensively, the Wildcats have been consistent for most of the season, keeping games close and giving the team a chance to win. This was apparent last week against Oklahoma, when the Wildcats gave up 21 points in the first quarter but then slowed down the Sooner offense and allowed K-State to claw its way back into it. While the Sooners ended up winning, the defense should be confident in its ability to slow down the Jayhawks, especially with the recent poor play of Reesing. If the defensive front four can put Reesing on the ground, they will be much more likely to contain the Jayhawk passing game and keep the score low. It will also be important to stop the Jayhawks on third down so that the defense can stay fresh. Against Oklahoma, the Wildcat defense was tired in the fourth quarter and could not come up with a big stop on third down. Getting in a shootout with the Jayhawks is not the game plan.
During conference play, the Jayhawk defense has not fared well. The unit is giving up an average of 36.75 points per game in conference matches, while allowing an average of 138.25 yards rushing and 237.25 yards through the air. The Kansas defense is led by defensive end Jake Laptad, who has 6.5 sacks and 35 tackles on the season. The Jayhawk secondary has only seven interceptions on the season, and the only player on the roster with more than one is cornerback Ryan Murphy with two. If the Wildcats hope to win, they will need to take advantage of this less-than-stellar defense. If last week is any indication, head coach Bill Snyder is ready to use some creative plays to spark the offense when needed, with Thomas’ 41-yard wobbly pass to Brandon Banks last week on first down as proof. If the same offense that made the trip to Norman, Okla., last weekend shows up in Manhattan against the Jayhawks, the Wildcats should come out on top.
Special Teams
The K-State special teams have come up big for the Wildcats lately, with Banks headlining the group. The wide receiver ran back his fourth kickoff for a touchdown on the season last week against the Sooners, earning Big 12 special teams player of the week honors again for the third time this season. In addition to Banks, kicker Josh Cherry has not missed a field goal since the start of Big 12 play, despite having some issues with blocked extra points last week against Oklahoma. With Banks’ big-play ability and a mistake-free game kicking the ball, the Wildcats have the edge on special teams.
The Jayhawk special teams, while not doing much to hurt the team, have been mostly average this season. Jayhawk kick returners have not run back any kicks for a touchdown this season on kickoffs or punts. The longest return of the season was a 50-yard kickoff return by safety Darrel Stuckey in the Jayhawks’ game against Southern Mississippi. Kicker Jacob Branstetter has played well this season, connecting 8-for-11 on field goal attempts with a season-high 57-yard kick against Oklahoma. Since the Wildcats haven’t allowed a touchdown on kick returns, the Jayhawks’ special teams should not give them an advantage over K-State.
Prediction
K-State 31, Kansas 21
Despite Kansas being favored in the game, this one is K-State’s to lose. As it has been said for a few weeks now, the Wildcats control their own destiny in the Big 12 North race. This game is pivotal, and they know it. If K-State can take care of Kansas and Mizzou at home, they will most likely win the North outright, giving them a chance to play for a Big 12 title in Snyder’s first season back on the job. K-State should win this game, if for no other reason than because good defense usually wins out over good offense. If Gregory and the receiving corps can come up with some big plays, Thomas and Valentine should be able to take care of the rest. Ultimately, it comes down to the inability of the Kansas offense, which has struggled in its last three games, to beat the stiff Wildcat defense. If Reesing stays inconsistent and the Jayhawk running game continues to struggle as it has the entire conference season, the Wildcats should win. Playing at home seems to give K-State an edge that they do not have on the road, so I like their chances this weekend.
- Compiled by Grant Guggisberg
