Drew weights in on what the Wildcats need to do in order to slow down the Jayhawk attack.
Starters
Quarterback
#6 – Jalon Daniels – 6’0”, 220 – RS-Jr.
Notes
- Passing: 103/182 (56.6%), 1312 Yds, 10 Tds, 8 INT
- Rushing: 45 Att, 181 Yds, 4 Tds
- 99th overall passing offense in FBS
Running Back
#4 – Devin Neal – 5’11”, 215 – Sr.
Notes
* Rushing: 117 Att, 692 Yds, 7 Tds
* Receiving: 9 Rec, 101 Yds, 0 Tes
- 15th overall rushing offense in FBS
Wide Receiver
WR – Field
#2 – Lawrence Arnold – 6’3”, 205 – Sr.
WR – Boundary
#0 – Quentin Skinner – 6’5”, 195
WR – Slot
#11 – Luke Grim – 6’0”, 190 – Sr.
Notes
- Grim leads team in Rec (34), Yds (363), Td (4)
- Arnold – Rec (20), Yds (294), Tds (1)
- Skinner – Rec (16), Yds (294), Tds (3)
Tight End
#47 – Jared Casey – 6’0”, 245 – Sr.
Notes
- Rec (9), Yds (83), Tds (2)
Offensive Line
Right Tackle
#52 – Logan Brown – 6’6”, 315 – RS-Jr.
Right Guard
#70 – Kobe Baynes – 6’4”, 320 – RS-Jr.
Center
#61 – Bryce Foster – 6’5”, 330 – RS-Jr.
Left Guard
#54 – Michael Ford Jr. – 6’3”, 305 – Sr.
Left Tackle
#77 – Bryce Cabeldue – 6’6”, 315 – Sr.
Notes
- Same 7 starters all season
- 17 overall in sacks allowed in FBS
Overall
The Kansas offense is coming off it’s best performance of the season against an awful Houston team. They’re going to come into this game feeling good about themselves. Jalon Daniels, in particular was good, completing 15/21 for 247 with 3 touchdowns and no interceptions and rushing for 58 yards, and a touchdown, on 7 attempts., in his best start of the season by far. Running back Devin Neal also had a big game with 108 yards and 2 touchdowns on 17 carries.to
That’s the formula for this Kansas team. They need to run the ball successfully to set up their passing game. Daniels is at his best a dual threat quarterback capable of stressing the edges of the defense, drawing up the secondary, and dumping long passes over the top. Quentin Skinner could be an issue for the Wildcat secondary on the outside. He’s a long target on the outside at 6’5”, and K-State’s corners aren’t particularly tall. Look for the Jayhawks to isolate him to the boundary, hold the safety with the threat of the run game, and take a couple deep shots down the sideline.
Then there’s Devin Neal. He can be a problem, especially when Daniels gets going in the read option game. Neal’s the type of back that doesn’t need much space to bust a big run. He’s quick to the perimeter and is tough to tackle when he’s able to plant his foot and get vertical on outside zone runs and stretch plays. Kansas State will need to swarm to the ball, cut off escape routes, and get him on the ground as a unit. You don’t want him on the edge with one guy to beat because more often than not, he’ll beat that guy.
The key for the Wildcat defense is to win the early downs and get Kansas behind the sticks. Daniels isn’t nearly as good of a passer when the defense knows the pass is coming. If he has to try and win the game from inside the pocket on drop backs, he’ll throw the ball to the wrong team. That’s easier said than down with Neal and Daniels in the backfield. Containment will be the name of the game for the cats. They need to set the edge and funnel everything back into the middle. Losing the edge against Kansas can quickly turn into 6 points.
Word of warning. Even if the Kansas run game gets going, the Kansas secondary can’t get too nosy. Lance Leipold won’t hesitate to bust out a trick play if he sees the back end of the defense coming down hill on the run game. Kansas has been disappointing (to say the least) this season, but knocking off the Wildcats and getting to 3-5 could turn their season around. Expect Leipold to coach like this is a single elimination game. He’s not going to leave anything in the playbook he thinks might help them. It’s now or never for his team.
If the Wildcat front 7 can hold up against the run without the help of the safeties, Kansas will struggle to score. They need explosive plays in the pass game because they tend to self-destruct longer drives. Their passing game isn’t efficient enough to win 7-10 yards at a time. They need limited attempts paired with big gains. The more passes the worse the outcome for Jayhawks. If Daniels has to throw it 25+ times, it’s advantage Wildcats.
I would feel much more comfortable about this game if it weren’t for the Houston game. This was a talented team to start the season, and they’re a talented team today. They needed something to go right, and they got it last week against the Cougars. I think Kansas State will see the offense people thought Kansas had in the preseason. The first quarter is going to be crucial. If they get off to a fast start, the momentum from last week might carry over.
I like Kansas State to win, but don’t be surprised if Kansas moves the ball more than makes you comfortable.