6C
Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2015
FOOTBALL PREVIEW
SPORTS KANSAN.COM
STACKING UP THE SCHEDULE
SOUTH
DAKOTA STATE
KIRSTEN PETERSON
@KeepUpWithKP
DATE OF GAME:
Sept. 5
LAST SEASON: 9-5 (5-3 MVC)
AT-A-GLANCE
South Dakota State was rated second in its conference for total offense in 2014, and comes into 2015 as a top 25
FCS team. However, the Jackrabbits' defense is somewhat lacking. Kansas needs to focus on controlling the clock and taking advantage of South Dakota's defense.
UP IN THE AIR
Will sophomore running back Brad Mengarelli become a good fit replacing Zach Zenner at RB? It's safe to consider
Zenner — who has now gone pro — a legend at South Dakota State. Zenner had a total of 2,019 rushing yards along with a staggering 22 touchdowns. Anyone filling Zenner's shoes is going to have some issues at first, until they gain the trust of the offensive coordinator, and quarterback Zach Lujan. Mengarelli didn't start in any games last year, but he played
in all 14, had 14 receptions and rushed 332 yards and a touchdown.
KEY ADDITIONS
RB Mikey Daniel, QB Taryn
Christion
RB Zach Zenner, WR Jason Schneider, CB Jimmie Forsythe, S Melvin Taveras
KEY LOSSES
KEY RETURNERS
LB T.J. Lally, WR Jake Wieneke, QB Zach Lujan
Grade:
D+
MEMPHIS
SHANE JACKSON
@jacksonshane3
DATE OF GAME:
Sept. 12
LAST SEASON: 10-3 (7-1 AAC)
AT-A-GLANCE
seems to be especially daunting as well. Unlike past years, a second win isn't guaranteed before conference play, thanks to a very competitive Memphis program coming to Lawrence. The Tigers are coming off their first 10-win season since 1938, while returning many key offensive players.
Year after year, Kansas' conference schedule poses a significant challenge, but this year, the non-conference schedule
UP IN THE AIR
Did the defense lose too much?
KEY LOSSES
Much like Kansas, Memphis will be rebuilding from the ground up on the defensive side of the ball. The Tigers must replace eight starters on a unit that was one of the league's best. In addition to players no longer with the team, Memphis lost its defensive coordinator Barry Odom, who left for his alma mater, the University of Missouri. The Tigers would like to get back to postseason play, but that may be easier said than done if they can't get a quick turnaround from their defense.
KEY ADDITIONS
RB Brandon Hayes, LB Tank Jakes, LB Martin Ifedi
DE Mike Edwards, S Tyler Charrette, OT Keenen Davis
KEY RETURNERS
KEY RETURNERS
QB Paxton Lynch, WR Mose
Frazier, LB Jackson Dillon
Grade:
DATE OF GAME:
Sept. 26
EVAN RIGGS
@EvanRiggs15
RUTGERS
C+
LAST SEASON: 8-5
(3-5 Big 10)
terback job will have to put up a lot of points to support a defense that ranked near the bottom of the Big 10 in every meaningful statistic. That said, this is a Rutgers team that is leaps and bounds above Kansas.
AT-A-GLANCE
riened defense that struggled last season? The quarterback competition is down to redshirt sophomore Chris Laviano and another redshirt sophomore, Hayden Rettig, a transfer from LSU. Whoever wins the job will have an experienced backfield and Leonte Carroo at receiver to help them along. Rutgers has enough talent to win games,
UP IN THE AIR
The quarterback position is a huge question mark with the loss of four-year starter Gary Nova. Whoever wins the quar-
but their defense will struggle, and they will struggle to make a bowl game out of the Big 10.
Can the offense score enough points to cover for an inexpe-
KEY ADDITIONS
KEY LOSSES
QB Hayden Rettig, CB Blessaun Austin, S Kiy Hester
KEY RETURNERS
QB Gary Nova, WR Andrew Turzilli, OG Keith Johnson
WR Leonte Carroo, DT Darius Hamilton, CB Quentin Gause
Grade:
CHRISTIAN HARDY
@HardyNFL
IOWA STATE
DATE OF GAME:
Oct. 3
LAST SEASON: 2-10
(0-9 Big 12)
AT-A-GLANCE
Kansas' best shot to win a conference game comes in the form of the Cyclones, who the Jayhawks beat in Memorial Stadium last season. But that came with stud quarterback Sam B. Richardson, who
is returning as one of the most experienced offensive weapons in the Big 12. Combine Richardson with a strong receiving corps led by D'vario Montgomery and another year under offensive coordinator Mark Mangino, the offense that finished 89th in college football last year should take a big step forward in 2015. That'll leave it up to the defense, which made some big additions in the offseason, but ultimately was the downfall of
this team in 2014.
UP IN THE AIR
Can the defense hold its own in today's high-powered Big 12? The answer to this question could decide coach Paul Rhoads' future with the team. The defense was 125th in the nation last year — that's not very good. Most of the team is returning, including a solid secondary led by cornerback Kamari Cotton-Moya, but there's little-to-no depth on
the front seven, which was lacking last season. That front will be the key to Iowa State's success; the Cyclones need to pressure the quarterback and take pressure off their defensive backs.
KEY ADDITIONS
NG Desmond Tucker, OT
Julian Good-Jones, DE Jarnor
Jones, TD Bobby Leath.
KEY LOSSES
RB Aaron Wimberly, C Tom
Farniok, DE Cory Morrissey, RB DeVondrick Nealy.
KEY RETURNERS
QB Sam B. Richardson, WR Quenton Bundrage, WR Allen Lazard, DE Dale Pierson, CB Kamari Cotton-Moya.
Grade:
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BAYLOR
KIRSTEN PETERSON
@KeepUpWithKP
DATE OF GAME:
Oct. 10
LAST SEASON: 11-2
(8-1 Big 12)
AT-A-GLANCE
The Bears are looking to take their third straight Big 12 title going into the 2015-16 season. Baylor has been known for its tradition of having stellar quarterbacks coming out of college and going into the NFL, but that leaves a lot of questions with the position when there are only a few that can step in and play. Returning receiver Corey Coleman and running back Shock林Linwood are perfect fits for quarterback Seth Russell — they will give him that extra comfort and help under pressure. If Russell can carry on the legacy of great quarterbacks then the Bears are looking to clinch their third straight title.
UP IN THE AIR
Can Baylor clinch its third straight Big 12 title? The Bears have been known for the past couple years as conference victors, but can they make
their way to another championship without both of the Bryces? All-American linebacker Bryce Hager finished his college career with 202 solo tackles and 322 total tackles. Quarterback Bryce Petty was Baylor's two-year starter that carried Baylord's high-powered offense to two consecutive Big 12 titles. The roster is still stacked, but can the new starters live up to expectations, or will they struggle with their chemistry?
KEY ADDITIONS
KEY RETURNERS
KEY LOSSES
LB Bryce Hager, QB Bryce Petty
REP ADDITIONS
QB Jarrett Stidham, WR
Chris Platt
KEY RETURNERS
QB Seth Russell, LB Taylor Young, WR Corey Coleman, TE Tre'Von Armstead, RB Shock Linwood, OG Blake Muir, OT Spenser Drango
Grade:
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