lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
We rank 65th in the nation in returning production.
Kansas? 78th.
Full list:
Pregame: Illinois vs Kansas, Saturday, September 7th, 6:00pm CT, FS1
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Kansas? 78th.
Full list:
Joel Goodson
- dawgville
just one game, but this is a huge one. definitely winnable, IMO, but we have to play well (duh!). not worried about our O. think our D has a lot to prove. should be a great litmus test. if we win, I think we beat Nebraska too
Sounds about right, looking at their highlights, we just look a step slower. I could be wrong, either way, I'm placing a bet on us.
madillini4
Ozamataz Buckshank
- Millywaukee
Hammering money line.
Returning production? I'm assuming that's measurable stats like passing yards.
If I had a choice between on O-line with an average of 3 years experience teamed with a freshman running back or a freshman laden O-line teamed with Chase Brown I'm taking the experienced line.
I couldn't agree more!
Ironically, with the typo it’s actually a valid complaint, IMO. We have a problem with lots of fans wearing basketball jerseys to our football games (but the KU fanbase is even worse than us).
That’s what I’ve been saying — a win here puts our realistic ceiling at 9-3, with the losses being something like Oregon, PSU, and 75% chance Michigan/15% Rutgers/10% random poor play or poor game management disappointment. A very successful season.
I think if we lose by a score that isn’t embarrassing we’ll still end up 6-6 and end up being happy with the season. Win-win regardless.
Any star Kansas basketball players gonna be in town? Got some connections who would like to show them a good time. wink wink. Suppose Billy is demanding no one goes to CU
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
Yep that’s exactly right. What I shared above was Bill Connelly’s returning production rankings.
His formula is returning production by position group and certain position groups are weighted less heavily than others. RB is weighted the least:
Offense:
Percent of returning WR/TE receiving yards: 23.5% of the overall number
Percent of returning QB passing yards: 24%
Percent of returning OL snaps: 47.5%
Percent of returning RB rushing yards: 5%
Defense:
Percent of returning tackles: 69.5%
Percent of returning passes defensed (intercepted or broken up): 12%
Percent of returning tackles for loss: 10.5%
Percent of returning sacks: 8%
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
On the topic of returning production, Bill Connelly’s formula put Nebraska 3rd. That’s the type of team that takes a big step forward.
Meanwhile, Michigan is 128th. That’s the type of team that takes a big step back.
Meanwhile, Michigan is 128th. That’s the type of team that takes a big step back.
Surprised. Pretty decent formula on offense.
I think defense is really hard to judge this way. It's amazing how one player on the line can really change things. More so than on offense imo.
Who cares about that?
IMO Feagan will get enough carries this game that he will sleep well Sat. night. Just don't get him hurt. The team has a stable of good RBs lets use em and try to keep the ball away from the KU offense.
Speaking words of wisdom.
We can't fall behind early. We need to be able to pound the ball with the RB's to control TOP. If we can't run the ball early and they are able to go up 14 by the 2nd quarter, the crowd will be quiet, some will leave at 1/2 and it's the same as it ever was. Saying that, I believe we can run, have enough play action and make this a very fun game to watch.
Does it worry anyone that Feagin is making highlights on special teams? I really believe he is the 2nd most important piece of this offense and don't want a knee or shoulder injury on some special teams play.
Does it worry anyone that Feagin is making highlights on special teams? I really believe he is the 2nd most important piece of this offense and don't want a knee or shoulder injury on some special teams play.
Any idea on KU's defense? Like...everything I've heard about them is offense, offense, offense.
Is it good? Average? Below Average? Bad possibly?
Is it good? Average? Below Average? Bad possibly?
Our fan base just doesn't remember how to cheer at fb game's anymore.... Bring Back da "Chief"
Couldn't agree more. Sure hope this young guy can stay healthy. Actually, when he gets to the second level, he's got more speed than I thought.
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
Regarding the KU returning experience......The Kansas radio play-by-play guy is Brian Hanni. He mentioned to Loren/Steve that KU has ~30 returning seniors, plus a ton of incoming transfers. He did not translate that experience into returning "on-the-field production."
This is a really tough game to prognosticate. Speed/quickness was the #1 difference maker last year in Lawrence. We got manhandled. I agree with an earlier poster --- I'd like to see a Virginia type of turnaround year 2 vs year 1.
They lost their best pass rusher - so that is a question mark this year = Luke should have time to throw
They lost their two best linebackers so that could be a weak point, but they have really good Defensive backs, particularly their starting CB’s
Key to the game like others have said will be to get a lead early and pound the running game - not many teams are prepared for a 250 pound guy like Feagin, then a 240 pound guy like McCray and then a change of pace quick back- if we can establish the run and open up some throws to keep them off balance I like our chances
Like every game limiting turnovers will be especially important- don’t want to give Jalon Daniel’s too many possessions and if he’s one dimensional and has to throw it- that is our best chance
I can try to answer this, but the honest answer is that we don't really know yet. We had the starters out at halftime against Lindenwood. The two-deep on defense looks like:
LDE: Robinson, Jereme SR, || Wudke, Dylan RS SR
LDT: Withers, DJ RS JR, || Caldwell, Kenean RS JR
RDT: Dunn Jr., Tommy RS JR, || Taylor, Caleb RS JR
RDE: Miller, Dean RS JR, || Warner, DJ FR
WLB: Brown, JB RS JR, || Fletcher, Tristian RS JR
MLB: Wheeler, Cornell RS SR, || Berryhill Jr. Taiwan SR
HAWK: Gilliom, Jayson RS JR, || Raich, Alex RS SR
LCB: Bryant, Jacobee SR, || McGhee, Damarius RS JR
SS: Grant, Marvin RS SR, || Dye, Devin RS JR
FS: Burroughs, O.J. SR, || Dye, Jalen RS JR
RCB: Dotson, Ra'Mello SR, || Todd, Jalen FR
Biggest area of concern is our defensive line vs your offensive line. Your offensive line is big and experienced, and I'm worried about our defensive line being a little undersized against a legit B10 offensive line. Withers (290), Dunn Jr. (310), Caldwell (330), and Taylor (315) will have to play big. I'm interested to see how our DEs and LBs defend the run. We have two freshman on the two-deep, Deshawn Warner and Jalen Todd. And while both of those guys earned their spots, they don't have a ton of experience. Warner is I think the highest-rated recruit we've ever had.
We're strong at corner. Jacobee (Cobee) Bryant is one of three Jayhawks appearing regularly on CFB top 100 player lists (the other two being Jalon Daniels QB and Devin Neal RB). Ra'Mello (Mello) Dotson was a preseason B12 conference player. I feel good about Burroughs and Grant at safety.
If last year's game was a B12 style game, Illinois needs this year's game to be a B10 style game. Run the ball, control tempo, don't turn it over. The more points that are scored, the better chance KU has of winning imo. I have no predictions as to who wins the game. It will be interesting to see which team has success establishing their style of play. I'm guessing it will be a close game with a final score in the high 20s, low 30s.
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