Kansas Preview: Paybawk the Jayhawk

by BirdGT on Sep 16, 2011 8:00 AM EDT in Georgia Tech Football

It is a general concensus amongst all good Georgia Tech fans that the 2010 season was ruined by the Kansas Jayhawks. In the 2010 game, Tech punted 4 times, fumbled three times, and turned the ball over on downs 3 times. Tech had only punted 4 times or more in eight of its previous 27 CPJ-coached games. It was a sloppy Joe of a game.

Kansas, on the other hand, played one of their best games under Turner Gill. It was the only game Jordan Webb passed for three touchdowns in 2010. The Jayhawk defense also racked up 8 tackles for loss (the most for a game in 2010). This is a good lead in to why we should not be worried about the Jayhawk defense.

The Kansas defense accumulated 59 tackles against Tech in one of the most disruptive efforts I have ever seen from an opposing D against CPJ's offense. The good thing for Tech is that Kansas lost a ton of defenders over the offseason. Only 3 guys return from Kansas' 2010 squad that played meaningful minutes against the triple option: Steven Johnson, Keeston Terry, and Lubbock Smith. Lack of familiarity and inexperienced personnel on defense is a huge advantage for Tech. Between the four Kansas defensive line starters, there are only 15 career starts and 8 of those starts were in 2011.

Offensively, we know what happened last season. Jordan Webb threw three TD's to three wide receivers. Webb returns almost all of his O-line, which only gave up four sacks but also paved the way for 141 yards rushing. James Sims is back and he was the other major story of Kansas' victory over Tech. Sims only picked up 3 of the Jayhawk first downs against Tech but racked up over 6 yards per carry. Considering the 'Hawks are a run first team (57% of all playcalls are rushes), look for Sims to attack our 3-4 again in 2011.

My big concern may be paranoia but it's fear. I'm afraid we haven't seen our team play a real game yet. We were wildly inconsistent in 2010 yet dismantled Middle Tennessee and beat up on a I-AA program. We did the exact same thing in 2011. I want to see us play the UNC's, Miami's, and VT's before I dub this squad a bowl eligible team or a Coastal Division contender.

Prediction
I think Tech will win but it will be ugly. Turner Gill knows how to disrupt the triple option. Look for our big plays to be through the air. We haven't faced BCS-calibre talent and it will show on Saturday. Final is Tech 24-KU 20.

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At this stage of the seaon a win, is a win, is a win.

Just ask Virginia Tech, North Carolina and Clemson.

by Atlanta's original team on Sep 16, 2011 8:19 AM EDT reply actions

Better to have died a small boy than to drop this football - John Heisman FromTheRumbleSeat

Twitter, twitter, twitter

by Winfield Featherston on Sep 16, 2011 8:28 AM EDT reply actions

I agree with AOT.

"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." - Seneca

by orientalnc on Sep 16, 2011 8:46 AM EDT reply actions

I understand the concern here...

But I also feel like this year’s team is giving us a lot more to be confident about. Last year, yeah, we dominated MTSU and SC State, but especially in the SCSU game I spent the whole game just wondering why it was as close as it was and noticing how sloppy it seemed like we were playing on offense (fumbles, dropped passes, etc). This year though, we looked sharp in both games. Sure there were still a couple fumbles and drops, but it just generally seemed as though we had tightened down everything, dotted our I’s, and crossed our T’s. I think those two performances, while against weaker competition, gives us plenty of reason to be excited about these Jackets.

Tech 35, Kansas 20

The Church of Paul Johnson - There's not much to it outside of whooping ass and giving haters the finger. To HELL With georgie!

by LilBroey700 on Sep 16, 2011 10:21 AM EDT reply actions

You nailed it on the head

Those first two games of 2010 were a lot closer than the first two games of 2011. This team passes the eye test.

by acedarney on Sep 16, 2011 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I think last year's team believe the ranking

They were a top twenty team, right? And they had played poorly and still won decisively the first two games. In my opinion, they thought all the games were going to be that easy.

This year they seem to be working hard. I hope the success so far hasn’t spoiled that.

by CraigT on Sep 16, 2011 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Personally, I would be shocked if you guys don't score more than 24

(Kansas fan)

by alman84 on Sep 16, 2011 10:26 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah that's why I hate it when people make predictions...

by RamblinWreck7 on Sep 16, 2011 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions

Me too

and I think we’ll allow more than 20 points.

by acedarney on Sep 16, 2011 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions

If that's the case...

Then it’s going to be a looong season. Last year’s game was a lot of issues going against Tech at once. First, last year’s team never played to their ability the whole year. Then they played their worst game of the season that day. Then Kansas played their best game. Later that season, Kansas lost Southern Miss (31-16), Baylor (55-7), Kansas St (59-7), and Iowa State (28-16). Baylor’s maybe the best among those teams, and they went 7-6. If we are not able to play consistently enough to pull out a decisive victory in the our REVENGE game, then I have zero hope in beating UNC, Miami, VT, Clemson, Maryland, UGA, and NCSU. We will have to play hard just to beat Duke and UVa. Not only would we not make a bowl, but I doubt we get five wins.

by jreedgt on Sep 16, 2011 12:42 PM EDT reply actions

We're not in 2010 anymore boyz

“The Jayhawk defense also racked up 8 tackles for loss (the most for a game in 2010). This is a good lead in to why we should not be worried about the Jayhawk defense.
The Kansas defense accumulated 59 tackles against Tech in one of the most disruptive efforts I have ever seen from an opposing D against CPJ’s offense. The good thing for Tech is that Kansas lost a ton of defenders over the offseason. Only 3 guys return from Kansas’ 2010 squad that played meaningful minutes against the triple option: Steven Johnson, Keeston Terry, and Lubbock Smith.”

The bad news is the returning guys have generally been leapfrogged by better players. Watch out for Toben, Tunde, and Darius – the other LB’s (w/ Johnson). I believe all of them are among the leaders in the Big? in TFL.

by dagger108 on Sep 16, 2011 4:32 PM EDT reply actions

"Webb returns almost all of his O-line"

and yet the OL was considered a major disappointment last year, and is vastly improved this year. Vastly improved, and so is the RB play. Sims remains consistently productive – only 5 carries for lost yardage in the last 2 years, but the 3 freshmen are bringing some amazing productivity.

Webb is also vastly improved. He’s completeing 70% of his passes – #4 in the nation in that category. 7 of 10 in the opener isn’t a significant sample, but at least 2 drops makes it even more significant. There is a noticable improvement in how he is handling/leading the team, working thru passing options, …

The WR’s have been hurt by injuries and suspensions, but there is such a large group that just continues to step up. Shepherd filled in the first game, but is injured now. Watch out for Jackson – even higher rated coming in that Shepherd, and finally making his debut.

Also heard you’ve had some trouble covering KR’s, which should be a concern, b/c DJ Beshears is lighting it up this year. Lots of young speed running around making a name on ST’s this year.

KU wins by 3. Totl points in the 60’s.

by dagger108 on Sep 16, 2011 4:44 PM EDT reply actions