Pinstripe Bowl Match-ups Part 2

After looking at the skills positions yesterday, now we focus on the trenches and special teams. These have got to be some of the hardest positions to breakdown. There isn’t much in terms of stats for offensive lineman which is probably just how they like it. Defensive lineman get a little more to measure their ability but at times they are playing to fill a gap and stop the run which isn’t something that shows up on paper. Special teams has its points and return yards, but how do you quantify a coffin corner kick that changes field position for an entire half of football? Hit the jump and you’ll see how.

Offensive Line

Kansas State

LT Manase Foketi (6-5, 300, Jr.)

LG Zach Kendall (6-2, 317, Sr.)

C Wade Weibert (6-4, 303, Sr.)

RG Kenneth Mayfield (6-4, 349, Sr.)

RT Clyde Aufner 6-5, 300, Jr.)

This unit is the foundation of a team that averages 206 yards rushing per game and has seen 37 rushing TDs. Daniel Thomas obviously is a major factor in that, but it’s been easy to see this group steadily improve game to game which is exactly what Bill Snyder preaches. The holes have been opened well enough to produce a 1500 yard back and support a running quarterback when he has played. The pass protection has been average giving up a total of 30 sacks on the year but I don’t remember any games where I was ranting about how horrible our pass blocking was. I expect our line full of upperclassmen to put this game on their shoulders and plow ahead. They came into a program that had a tradition of bowl games and for some this is their first crack at it.

Syracuse

LT  Justin Pugh (6-5, 287, So.)LG  Zack Chibane (6-5, 298, So.)C  Ryan Bartholomew (6-2, 298, R-Sr.)RG Andrew Tiller (6-5, 338, Sr.)RT Michael Hay (6-4, 290, Jr.)

Not having watched any Syracuse games this season, all I can do to provide some sort of O-Line matchup is compare the stats that come as a result of the hogs. Syracuse averages 130.2 rushing yards per game and has 12 rushing TDs for the year. They have given up 31 sacks on the year but take into consideration that comes with 74 more pass attempts than Kansas State. My best guess is this is an average offensive line that does what it needs to but isn’t pushing the defensive line around whenever they want to.

Advantage: Kansas State

Defensive Line

Kansas State

DE Prizell Brown (6-2, 284, Sr.)

DE Brandon Harold (6-5, 258, So.)

DT Raphael Guidry (6-4, 282, Jr.)

DT Prizell Brown (6-2, 284, Sr.)

DT Ray Kibble (6-4, 296, Jr.)

DE Antonio Felder (6-1, 243, Sr.)

This unit has had plenty of struggles all year long. Offenses are averaging 229 rushing yards per game, have a total of 2749 yards, and get 5.92 yards per carry. That’s scary bad. Bad enough to be ranked 118 out of 120 NCAA FBS teams. The most telling stat though, is that not one of these guys ranks in the top eight in tackles on the season for the entire team. Brandon Harold checks in a number 9 on the tackles list which is way, way to low of a spot to find the first defensive lineman. All that shows us is that the other team is moving right on past the D-line and into the second level forcing our LDs and DBs to make the stops. We’ve seen the issues game after game so this information shouldn’t be a big surprise to anyone. The few bright spots come in Prizell Brown’s 5 sacks and Brown and Brandon Harold’s combined 14 tackles for loss. Besides that, we don’t have a lot to love. This is by far my biggest worry coming into the game. I honestly believe our success or failure rides on this unit. We have seen mediocre Running Backs turn in their career best performances against our defense and if that happens in the Pinstripe Bowl, we are in serious trouble.

Syracuse

Again, not seeing a Syracuse game, let’s compare the stats. Syracuse gives up 137.4 yards rushing per game, a total of 1649 yards rushing on the season, and 3.6 yards per carry. That’s good enough to rank them in the top 50 NCAA rush defenses checking in at number 42. That’s a full 76 spots above where Kansas State sits. The defensive line for Syracuse has been the “shining beacon” according to the official Pinstripe Bowl preview but they wore down towards the end of the year. Let’s hope the weeks in between games haven’t provided a huge lift for them. Three of their four starters started the entire 2009 season so this is going to be a big challenge for our O-Line. The only good news for the Wildcats is that DT Andrew Lewis was suspended last week for violating team rules. Lewis totaled 28 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, and a forced fumble.

Advantage: Syracuse

Special Teams

Kansas State

Kicker Josh Cherry… 7/8 FG, Long 48 yards, 43/43 extra points

Punter Ryan Doerr… Avg 41.9 yds per punt

Return Man Tremaine Thompson, Aubrey Quarles, William Powell?!

I don’t have any concerns here for Kansas State. These guys have been great all year long. What else would you expect from a unit that includes a long snapper who hasn’t made a mistake in his entire career? The big question is whether or not Mr. Powell is going to be back for the game. If so, his 34 yards per return is going to be a huge boost. Imagine the opening kickoff with WeePo settling under the ball to get things started. But even if he isn’t back, the rest of the guys have done a great job in his place. Special teams have always been a mark of Snyder coached teams and this year is no different.

Syracuse

Kicker Ross Krautman… 17/18, Long of 48, 27/28 extra points

Punter Rob Long… Avg 43.8 yds per punt

Return Man Michael Holmes, Prince-Tyson Gulley, Dorian Graham

Kicker Ross Krautman seems to be a top notch kicker. His only miss came on an attempt that was 43 yards and everything under that he nailed. Senior Rob Long will unfortunately be missing the game due to recent surgery to remove a tumor from his brain. The good news is that Long will be at the game to support his team so the surgery went as well as it can in that situation. Who will punt in his spot is still yet to be determined. The return game looks average. Punt returns average about 10 yards and kickoff right around 22. Syracuse hasn’t returned anything for TDs.

Advantage: Kansas State

Well 2/3 of the way through the match-ups and this game is looking like a pretty even match. Come back tomorrow to see how the Linebackers, Defensive Backs, and Coaches look.