PAGE 2B
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2012
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
FOOTBALL GAMEDAY PREVIEW KANSAS
BLAKE SCHUSTER
bschuster@kansam.com
1-8 (0-6)
STARTING LINEUP
OFFENSE
The Jayhawks' passing game has been an issue all year. Even with a solid run game, Kansas' inability to throw has robbed itself of valuable points. We saw last week against Baylor that playing high-scoring teams on the road would be the ultimate challenge for the Jayhawks. It does have to take an Andrew Luck-type performance, but neither Kansas starting quarterback has completed more than 50 percent of its passes since losing to Kansas State.
Pos. NAME No. Year
QB Michael Cummings 14 Fr.
HB James Sims 29 Jr.
FB Nick Sizemore 45 Jr.
WR Kale Pick 7 Sr.
WR Andrew Turzilli 82 So.
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 Prolago 16 So.
TYLER ROSTER/KANSAN
Running back James Sims sprints downfield. Sims ran for 178 yards in Kansas' Oct, 27 defeat against Texas.
DEFENSE
The Jayhawks' defense didn't do their offense any favors last week. Kansas gave up 21 unanswered points in the second half after a close battle in the first 30 minutes. Part of the problem was the Bears' passing game backing up the Kansas defenders and allowing Baylor to run. The good news: While Texas Tech boasts the fourth-best passing game in the country, it has the worst run offense in the Big 12.
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.
it's hard to have any momentum after giving up 21 unanswered points in the second half of a blowout to Baylor, Michael Cummings' passes looked much better, but his receivers had trouble making plays. Putting together a full game will be the next step to boost Kansas' spirit.
AT A GLANCE
Texas Tech presents many of the same offensive problems as Baylor did a week ago. Quarterback Seth Doege has passed for more touchdowns (19) than anyone else in the Big 12, while throwing just seven interceptions. But the Red Raiders offense is somewhat one-dimensional. Texas Tech averages only 3.5 yards per rush, so the key to this game will be slowing down Tech's passing game.
COACHING
This part of the season will get very tough for running backs coach Reggie Mitchell. Kansas' biggest weapon is its stable of runners, but teams are starting to catch on. After rushing for nearly 100 yards in the first half against Baylor last week, James Sims finished with just 126 yards. Keeping the run effective will be crucial for the Jayhawks in their last three games.
Weis
PLAYER TO WATCH
With three games left in the season James Sims is leading the Big 12 in rushing. He is less than 100 yards away from breaking his career high for a season (748), and that's after sitting out the first three games in 2012. All eyes will be on Sims to see if he is in fact the Big 12's best.
Sims
SPECIAL TEAMS
QUESTION MARKS
Ron Doherty returned to form last Saturday with six punts averaging 44.3 yards per kick. Fixing the pestering special teams problems has been a huge concern for Kansas coach Charlie Weis likely. After calling for all hands on deck it seems he's found some more stability with the unit. Still, field goals have got to become a more viable option for the low-scoring Jayhawks.
Can James Sims keep up his streak of 100-yard rushing games? The Jayhawks certainly need his production. Will Texas Tech tempt Weis to opt for more passes? Since becoming the Jayhawks' starter, Michael Cummings has only completed 22 of 49 pass attempts. And will the Jayhawks score more than 20 points? They haven't been able to do so since putting up 23 on Northern Illinois in week four.
BABY JAY WILL CHEER IF ...
Kansas can perform on the road like it does at home. The Jayhawks have been able to limit high-scoring offenses to 21 points or less in Lawrence, but not on the road. Staying competitive until the end is the next challenge for Kansas.
BY THE NUMBERS
45 Career starts by left tackle Tanner Hawkinson (will tie the Kansas record on Saturday)
2001 Last Kansas victory over Texas Tech (34-31 over time win in Lubbock, Texas)
17 Jayhawk record for 100-yard rushing games (James Sims has 10)
KEEPING THE HAWKS ROLLING SINCE 1974
TYLER ROSTE/KANSAN
Don's Auto Center Inc. Auto Repair and Machine Shop 785,841,4833 11th & Haskell
Safety Lubbock Smith knocks a Texas runner into the air. The Jayhawks were defeated in the final seconds of the homecoming game against Texas on Oct. 27.
PREDICTION 17
TITLE CLUB
785-856-2696 | 1520 WAKARUSA LAWRENCE KS 66047
FREE | FREE
Boxing Gloves
Enrollment
www.titleboxingclub.com/lawrence-ks
ASHLEIGH LEE/KANSAN
Sophomore wide receiver Andrew Turzilli attempts to catch the ball for a touchdown during the Oct. 27 game against Texas.
.