8C
Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2015
FOOTBALL PREVIEW
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SPORTS | KANSAN.COM
TCU
SHANE JACKSON
@jacksonshane3
DATE OF GAME:
November 14
LAST SEASON: 12-1
(8-1 Big 12)
The Horned Frogs go from the hunter to the hunted as 2015 begins for the Big 12 favorite. Last year TCU took the conference by storm with a 10-2 finish, just barely missing out on the inaugural College
AT-A-GLANCE
Stacking up the schedule, from Page 7C
Football Playoff. If the Horned Frogs hope to crack the final four this year, they will need to do so behind Heisman candidate Trevone Boykin and a high-octane offense. The defense remains the biggest question with only five starters returning, but the offense might just be good enough to carry them though a weaker schedule.
their defense?
UP IN THE AIR
and if they can get near that level again, it may lead to uncharted territory. However, if they aren't able to perform as consistently on that end, they may be dethroned in the Big 12.
Can they get enough from
It's easy to feel comfortable about the offense led by a Heisman candidate. But the Horned Frogs have no chance of getting into the playoffs if they can't get production out of their defensive unit. From last year to this one, TCU lost its top defensive tackle, two linebackers, a cornerback, and two safeties - Five received Big-12 honors. The Horned Frogs allowed a Big-12 best 19 points per game last season,
KEY ADDITIONS
DE DeShawn Raymond,
DE Breylin Mitchell, and LB
Semaj Thomas
KEY LOSSES
LB Paul Dawson, S Chris Hackett, S Sam Carter, OT Tay Fabuluje
KEY RETURNERS
EVAN RIGGS
@evanriggs15
QB Trevone Boykin, WR Josh Doctson, DE James McFarland
Grade:
WEST VIRGINIA
DATE OF GAME:
November 21
LAST SEASON: 7-6 (5-4 Big 12)
AT-A-GLANCE
West Virginia will have a new starting quarterback, a young offensive line and receiving
corps in 2015, but coach Dana Holgorsen almost always produces a good offense. It will be the defense who determines how high West Virginia can finish in the Big 12, because the potential for an explosive season is all there on one side of the ball.
Will the defense, which struggled last season, improve enough to vault West Virginia to the top half of the Big 12 standings? The defense started to turn the corner when they held Baylor to a season low 27 points, and essentially every contributor is back. The most experienced defense in the Big 12 now has confidence going
UP IN THE AIR
into the 2015 season, but it remains to be seen whether or not they can put it all together on a week to week basis.
KEY ADDITIONS
KEY ADDITIONS
WR Jevonte Durante, WR
KaRaun White, DE Larry Jefferson
KEY LOSSES
KEY RETURNERS
KEY LOSSES WR Kevin White, QB Clint Trickett, WR Mario Alford
KEY RETURNERS
RB Wendell Smallwood, S Karl Joseph, S KJ Dillon
KANSAS STATE CHRISTIAN HARDY @HardyNFL
Grade:
C+
DATE OF GAME:
November 28
in a cown year. They're going to need all of the magic Snyder has this year. The offense has been depleted at almost every skill position, and the defense lost a lot of its front. The Wildcats have a handful of guys who could get a shot to replace Jake Waters, who threw for 3,501 yards before graduating, but Joe Hubener, a junior walk-on who has never started a game under-center, seems to be considered the favorite. Whoever it is, they have massive shoes to fill. But if we
know one thing about Snyder,
it's that his nose for walk-on
and junior college talent is
keen. If Snyder trusts whoever
is under center, you probably
should too.
LAST SEASON: 9-4 (7-2 Big 12)
AT-A-GLANCE
Who will emerge as a weapon on offense? This exact question is why junior college transfer Jonathan Banks could win the quarterback job — he's a multi-treat play-caller who can be that weapon. If he can't win the job, he's expected to be
There are a lot of people down on Kansas State this year, and rightfully so: they lost some big time pieces. But those people have forgot about one integral piece: coach Bill Snyder, whose team always seems to stay in the hunt, even
the back-up and the eventual starter. Burton could be that play-maker, but so could running back Charles Jones, who had 13 rushing touchdowns last year. It's up for grabs, but there's a few names that definitely have some intrigue.
UP IN THE AIR
KEY ADDITIONS
DT Bryce English, RB Alex Barnes, CB Duke Shelley
ett, WR Curry Sexton, C B.J. Finney, DE Ryan Mueller, LB Jonathan Truman, CB Randall Evans
KEY LOSSES
QB Jake Waters, RB DeMarcus Robinson, WR Tyler Lock-
KEY RETURNERS
QB Joe Hubener, OT Cody Whitehair, WR Kody Cook, DE Jordan Willis, DT Travis Britz, S Dante Barnett
Grade:
Bold predictions: Beaty will end football's infamy
CHRISTIAN HARDY
KIRSTEN PETERSON
@KansanSports
Coach Beaty will end the stigma surrounding Kansas football
In recent years, Kansas fans have been able to ignore the football team's unsuccessful record, instead choosing to focus on the continued success of the men's basketball program. Kansas has needed an experienced and energetic person to lead this football program and shape the team into something fans can believe in. Coach David Beaty should be able to step in and make that change.
Beaty has been an assistant coach at the University of Kansas two previous times, including a stint as the wide receiver coach in 2008, when the Jayhawks went to the Insight Bowl. With his energy, he's reinvigorated the program and has a chance to bring it back to where it was those seven years ago.
A freshman quarterback will start over Cozart
Carter Stanley, a 6-foot-2. 188-pound quarterback from
Montell Cozart has been nothing but a disappointment, especially after a huge build up after his first year. Now there's two freshmen out to replace the junior Cozart.
Vero Beach, Fla. led his high school team in rushing yards and threw more than 3,000 yards and 40 touchdowns, and will be one candidate to compete with Cozart. But Cozart's real competition is Ryan Willis, a 6-foot-4, 205-pound quarterback
In the spring, he called himself the fastest player on this
Cozart should be familiar with Willis—the two are both Bishop Miege alumni. Offensive coordinator Rob Likens and Cozart himself have been raving about Willis' quick release and big arm. If Willis can handle the pressure of the Big 12, then he is sure to make Kansas fans proud throughout his career at Kansas.
Between the two, one is poised to take the starting job from Cozart before the end of the year.
KeAun Kinner will be top 5 in all purpose yards in the Big 12
roster, and has a better potential to be a dual-threat out of the backfield than anyone else, which makes him a perfect fit for the Jayhawks' fast-paced offense. Kansas needs Kinner as the featured back following last year's leading rusher Corey Avery's departure via suspension.
One huge surprise has been 5-foot-9 All-American running back, KeAun Kinner. Kinner rushed at Navarro Junior College for 1,696 yards and 22 touchdowns last season and won the NJCAA Offensive Player of the Year award. Kinner won the starting running back spot between spring and summer workouts and has been the rave of fall camp.
Ben Johnson will lead the team in receptions
The Jayhawks' tight end situation is an interesting one. The team lost Jimmy Mundine and his team-leading 45 receptions to the NFL, in the spring, and it'll likely be Ben Johnson's job to replace that production. Johnson, a 6-foot-5, 235-pound tight end who originally played offensive tackle, was one of the players selected to represent Kansas at Big 12 Media Day, and he has been a clear leader of the offense through both spring and fall camp.
If Johnson doesn't lead the team, transfer tight end Kent Taylor will probably be the reason. Taylor was a four-star tight end that followed Charlie Weis to the University of Florida, and then to Kansas. Weis was fired and left Beaty to mold the 6-foot-5, 230-pound phenom. If he's polished enough, he could take the job from Johnson and dominate in the Big 12.
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