KU Provides Excellent Opportunity To Test K-State Defense

Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

It’s hard to abstain from getting overconfident about this Saturday’s game against Kansas. Few anticipate anything less than a blowout. However, even if the match up results in little more than a tremendous scrimmage, K-State’s defense will still have to work to keep KU’s scoring limited. Charlie Weis may not be among the top echelon of college football coaches, but he brings a strong offensive mind to the team. Additionally, he brought along a very strong-armed quarterback in his move from Notre Dame in Dwayne Crist. Crist lacks the accuracy to make KU consistently competitive, but athletic ability gives him enough upside to pull off the occasional spectacle. With no wins yet against Division I talent this year, he may be due for a robust outing.

KU also brings a trio of talented running backs capable of keeping of keeping the run defense off-balance. Our counterparts over at Through the Phog point out that all three are capable of causing problems. The Phog also highlights the Jayhawks’ use of the Wildcat formation in creating problems for opponents. While the talent isn’t there to do anything exceptionally well, KU has enough to do a lot of different things from the conventional to unorthodox. And with the offenses K-State will be running up against later in the season, this defense will only benefit from the experience of being challenged by a variety of fronts ranging from pro formations and beyond when West Virginia, Oklahoma State, and Baylor come calling. For a secondary that’s failed to provide the exemplary play on par with K-State’s linebackers and linemen, this may be just what the doctor ordered.