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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012
FOOTBALL GAMEDAY PREVIEW KANSAS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
BLAKE SCHUSTER
bschuster@kansan.com
1-7 (0-5)
STARTING LINEUP
OFFENSE
Of course Kansas will run the ball on Saturday against West Virginia, but there's more it too that. Dayne Crist will again be playing and likely in the same situations he was in against Iowa State. The Mountaineers will try to key in on James Sims and Tony Pierson, but look for that to open up the passing game.
Pos. NAME No. Year
QB Michael Cummings 14 Fr.
HB James Sims 29 Jr.
FB Brandon Bourbon 25 So.
WR Kale Pick 7 Sr.
WR Daymond Patterson 15 Sr.
TE Mike Ragone 84 Sr.
RT Aslam Sterling 77 Jr.
RG Randall Dent 64 Jr.
C Trevor Marrongelli 69 Sr.
LG Damon Martin 73 Sr.
LT Tanner Hawkinson 72 Sr.
K Nick Prologo 16 So.
Senior linebacker Tunde Bakare makes the tackle during the match against Iowa State on Nov. 17 at Memorial Stadium, Kansas fell to Iowa State 23-51.
TRAVIS YOUNG/KANSAN
DEFENSE
According to Charlie Weis, WVU quarterback Geno Smith is not the biggest concern for the Jayhawks. That accolade goes to Tavon Austin, the Mountaineers wide receiver/ tailback/kick and punt returner. The kid can do it all and is faster than anyone else on the field. The Jayhawks will need to limit the amount of time Austin has the ball in his hands.
Pos. NAME No. Year
DE Josh Williams 95 Sr.
DT Jordan Tavai 9 Jr.
DT Kevin Young 90 Jr.
RE Toben Opurum 35 Sr.
OLB Jake Love 57 Fr.
MLB Ben Heeney 31 So.
WLB Huldon Tharpe 34 Jr.
CB Tyler Patmon 33 Jr.
CB Greg Brown 5 Sr.
SS Lubbock Smith 1 Sr.
FS Bradley McDougald 24 Sr.
P Ron Doherty 13 Jr.
Momentum will have to be created in practice this week for the Jayhawks, Kansas got tossed around by the Cyclones two weeks ago, losing 51-23. Weis can only hope that the Thanksgiving break provided a much needed rejuvenation.
AT A GLANCE
This final matchup is a tale of unfulfilled expectations. West Virginia was supposed to dominate in its first season playing in the Big 12, especially with all the hype around quarterback Geno Smith. The Mountaineers have won just three games in the conference. The Jayhawks were supposed to be a scrappy team of fifth-year seniors that led the way to the win column. They still have one more chance.
Keep an eye on the play calling this week. Weis has nothing to lose, and as we've seen, he's not shy to throw in a few trick plays. Expect him to try some unconventional schemes.
COACHING
Weis
James Sims is on the cusp of breaking 1,000 yards rushing for the first time in his career. His previous best was 742 yards during his freshman season in 2010. There is no doubt that he's a premier running back in the Big 12.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Sims
SPECIAL TEAMS
Kansas has come a long way from missing chip-shot field goals and failing to get touchbacks. Ever since Weis called all hands on deck for the special teams after they were torn apart by Oklahoma, the unit has shaped up. Staying consistent is all anyone can ask with one game left.
QUESTION MARKS
With four quarters left in the season, will Kansas have a wide receiver score a touchdown?
Or will they lay a goose egg for the season?
What kind of tricks does Weis have up his sleeve?
After all, it's the last game of the year and he can't hold anything back now.
BABY JAY WILL CHEER IF
The team doesn't implode. This season hasn't been a wash. In maybe the truest sense, it's been a building year. That may have a different meaning in the Kansas basketball offices, but the football Jayhawks have put in the time and effort. It's time to get a win.
BY THE NUMBERS
44 Yards James Sims needs to eclipse 1000 yards rushing on the season.
115 Kansas' national ranking for points scored (19 points per game).
2. 57 Rushing touchdowns scored by Kansas for every passing touchdown this season.
TRAVIS YOUNG/KANSAN
Senior wide receiver Kale Pick jumps
for the pass attempt during the match
against Iowa State.
PREDICTION 28
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