THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013
PAGE 5B
FOOTBALL GAMEDAY PREVIEW
CHRIS HYBL
chybl@kansan.com
STARTING LINEUP
OFFENSE
Charlie Weis said there were no potential pitfalls to the new offense management system instituted before last week's game. Kansas had one of the worst passing outings in the history of football last week, passing for only 16 yards. The passing game has been horrific for Kansas and without it, they can't win. The sad thing is that the problem is not easily remedied. Bad route running, catching, quarterback play and a shaky offensive line are all factors that contribute to this problem. All of those problems were identified by Weis—not exactly a quick fix there.
KANSAS
DEFENSE
POSITION NAME NO. YEAR
X Justin McCay 19 Jr.
LT Pat Lewandowski 61 Jr.
LG Ngalu Fusimalohi 63 Jr.
C Gavin Howard 70 Sr.
RG Mike Smithburg 65 Jr.
RT Aslam Sterling 77 Sr.
TE Jimmay Mundine 41 Jr.
RB James Sims 29 Sr.
QB Jake Heaps 9 Jr.
F Brandon Bourbon 25 Jr.
Z Josh Ford 8 Sr.
The defense played well last week, especially considering the absence of Ben Heeney. But Oklahoma has a good offense while Baylor has a great offense. Averaging 64.7 points per game this season, Baylor is a force that can't be stopped, and one defenses can only hope to contain. And if the offense gets three-and-out crazy like it has on numerous occasions this season, the contest could get ugly.
POSITION NAME NO. YEAR
LC JaCorey Shepherd 24 Jr.
Nickel Victor Simmons 27 Jr.
LE/T Kevin Young 90 Sr.
N Keon Stowers 98 Jr.
RE/T Keba Agostinho 96 Sr.
BUCK Ben Goodman 93 So.
CB Dexter McDonald 12 Jr.
SS Isaiah Johnson 5 So.
MLB Jake Love 57 So.
WLB Courtney Arnick 58 Fr.
FS Cassius Sendish 33 Jr.
PREDICTION FOR KANSAS 56-17 BAYLOR KANSAS
QUESTION MARKS
Can the defense be blind to the momentum of the game? In past games, it's been evident that when the offense falls off, the defense is next to follow. But it's not exactly the defense's fault. Weis and crew can't expect any unit to be on the field that much (especially against Baylor, the fastest paced offense in the league). The offense is a question mark for each week, and until any of the numerous passing game problems are resolved, it will continue to cripple Kansas.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The special teams unit had one of its worst outings of the year last week, and an Oklahoma punt block-turned safety was the first domino to fall in a game that entirely flipped the switch on the momentum. Trevor Pardula didn't punt well last week, and when that happens, Kansas is without its best weapon.
AT A GLANCE
The Jayhawks have shown they can compete. They've held two of three Big 12 opponents to a scoreless first quarter. That has to mean something regarding the development of the program, and if Kansas can keep the game manageable headed into the locker room after the first half, that's a huge victory. The test for Kansas in that situation—which isn't exactly unlikely—is to see if it can actually make halftime adjustments and not let the game go in the third quarter like Kansas has shown it likes to do.
PLAYER TO WATCH
BABY JAY CHEERS IF
Edited by Sarah Kramer
Kansas can accrue more than 150 passing yards. If Kansas doesn't win this game, the next test victory is to see an improvement in the passing game, because without it, a big 12 win this season is unlikely. Kansas dominated Oklahoma with the run in the first half of last week's game, but it can only go for so long until the opponent figures it out. If Kansas can just prove that it can complement the run game, Baby Jay can still keep her hope.
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Montell Cozart. The freshman quarterback took his first snaps as a Jayhawk last week and Weis made it clear that Cozart will be a part of many gameplans going forward. Cozart is likely to be played at least once or twice in the first half if Kansas can keep the game manageable. But if Baylor begins to make the Jayhawks play to its fast pace, Cozart may be the only answer if Heaps can't get the passing game in order.
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