GAME DAY
9
Texas (10-0)
OFFENSE
Senior quarterback Colt McCoy started the
season rather slowly but has picked it up in recent weeks even though the Longhorns haven't needed him. Speedy senior receiver Jordan Shipley is McCoy's most threatening target. Sophomore bruiser Cody Johnson heads Texas' rushing attack, but lots of running backs will carry the ball.
McCoy
DEFENSE
Texas' defense is intimidating, to say the least. Opponents are averaging just 1.6 yards per rush and have thrown 19 interceptions and just 10 touchdowns. They really zone in on third down, holding opponents to a 24 percent conversion rate. Sophomore safety Earl Thomas has six interceptions and 48 tackles on the season and is a legitimate threat to score a defensive touchdown.
Thomas
SPECIAL TEAMS
Senior placekicker Hunter Lawrence is about
as steady as they come in the college game. He has made 17 of 20 field goal attempts this year and has only missed once from inside 40 yards. Junior John Gold has replaced sophomore Justin Tucker at punter but both are fairly capable. Usual return
man D.J. Monroe was suspended for a DWI Monday, so Shipley might return kicks.
Lawrence
COACHING
Mack Brown is one of a few college coaches
to lead two different programs to top-five national finishes.His teams have registered 13 consecutive nine-plus victory seasons and 17 consecutive bowl berths.Simply put, Brown is a winner.
Defensive coordinator Will
Brown
Muschamp is at the top of many programs lists when looking for a new head coach.
MOMENTUM
If Texas wins out, they will play for the national championship. They won't have to leave the state of Texas to defend their undefeated record either. With their regular season finale coming next Thursday against Texas A&M, you can bet the Longhorns will be focused on reaching their goal. They won't overlook Kansas.
— Clark Goble
y will cheer if...
defense continues playing well, even against
ly potent offense. The Jayhawks have
throughout the season, and they will face
challenge tomorrow. Kansas will need to
fly flawless game on defense to keep Texas
day will weep if...
Prediction:
Texas 52, Kansas 10
away with this one in the first quarter. Texas many of games out of reach in the first half While the Jayhawks are in for an uphill through the game, keeping this one close only provide confidence for a struggling
Offense
LONGHORNS STARTING LINEUP
Pos. Name Number Year
QB Colt McCoy 12 Sr.
RB Foswhitt Whittaker 28 So.
WR Jordan Shipley 8 Sr.
WR Malcolm Williams 9 So.
WR Dan Buckner 4 So.
TE Greg Smith 83 Jr.
LT Adam Ulatosk 74 Sr.
LG Charlie Tanner 52 Sr.
C Chris Hall 71 Sr.
RG Michael Huey 63 Jr.
RT Kyle Hix 64 Jr.
P John Gold 47 Jr.
Defense
Pos. Name Number Year
DE Sergio Kindle 2 Sr.
DT Ben Alexander 92 Sr.
DT Lamarr Houston 33 Sr.
DE Sam Acho 81 Jr.
OLB Emmanuel Acho 18 So.
ILB Roddrick Muckelroy 38 Sr.
OLB Keenan Robinson 1 So.
CB Curtis Brown 3 Jr.
SS Blake Gideon 21 So.
FS Earl Thomas 12 So.
CB Chykie Brown 8 Jr.
K Hunter Lawrence 15 Sr.
AT A GLANCE
Texas is about as steady a football team as you'll find in the nation. The Longhorns have started slow in some games but have turned it on when they've needed to. Celt McCoy is as dangerous as ever, but it is the constant pressure of the defense that makes this team one of the best in the nation. Kansas has its hands full.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Senior defensive end Sergio Kindle
While he has the speed to get around the tackle, he doesn't over-pursue and take himself out of a play. He has hit the quarterback an astounding 26 times this season and also has 14 tackles for loss.
Athletes like Kindle don't come around often. He's 6-foot-4 and 255 pounds but
QUESTION MARKS
Will the Longhorns try to bury the Jayhawks early?
Against UCF, Texas found itself in a 3-0 hole in the second quarter before lighting it up for 25 unanswered points. Against Colorado, Texas was losing at halftime 14-10. Mack Brown has to know that his team can't mess around with a Kansas team that is in a alump but is still offensively talented.
If Shipley gets locked down, who will McCoy throw to?
Shipley has double the amount of catches than any other receiver on the team and is McCoy's safety blanket. The other receivers are capable, but if forced into extensive duty, they may struggle. If Kansas decides to double Shipley or give the comeback a lot of safety help, McCoy might have to put his trust in the supporting cast.
BY THE NUMBERS
2 National ranking in scoring offense
Number of years that senior Colt McCoy has led his team to 10 or more wins in a season, making him the only quarterback in NCAA history to do so
7
The number of times Texas has started 10-0 in its history
7 National ranking in scoring defense
70. 7
Career completion percentage for McCoy,
which is tops in NCAA history
NSAN
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THE WAVE NOVEMBER 20, 2009