Tweet
Free Service Play For Saturday October 11, 2003
(151) Kansas Jayhawks at (152) Colorado Buffaloes 3:30 pm EST
Kansas +6.5 (3 Units)
What has happened to Colorado? After starting the season with very impressive wins over Colorado St. and UCLA, the Buffs have dropped their last 3 games and dropped them rather ugly. Colorado quarterback Joel Klatt is expected to play Saturday after missing most of two games with a bruised throwing shoulder. Klatt was driven to the turf on a sack during Colorado's 47-26 loss to Washington State on Sept. 13. He did not play again until the fourth quarter of the Buffaloes' loss to Baylor last weekend. Klatt was not 100 percent healthy Wednesday but coach Gary Barnett said he would probably play. But the loss of Klatt has not been the complete problem as the defense has allowed 45.3 ppg over those 3 losses. The rushing defense is ranked 76th while the passing defense is ranked 105th. Not good when the Jayhawks are next up. Kansas comes in ranked 20 in rushing offense and 11th in passing offense. They are averaging 463 ypg and 36.8 ppg. Bill Whittemore has moved the ball with frightening efficiency, and now is rested with a week off to prepare for CU. The Buffs are still licking their wounds. Offensively, Colorado can't run the ball averaging a ridiculous 85 yards per game, which is a very big surprise. Last season, former Colorado running back Chris Brown rushed for a career-high 309 yards and two touchdowns, as the Jayhawks had breakdowns all over the field in a 52-29 loss. This year, with Bobby Purify out, it'll be up to Brian Calhoun to try and roll on the bad KU run defense. He had a few nice moments this year, but hasn't progressed much since his solid freshman campaign. Kansas' defense ranked last in the Big 12 last year, giving up an average of 472.4 yards and 42.2 points per game. Kansas opponents scored 61 touchdowns on its defense. Now, the points-per-game numbers have been shaved in half (21.4) and the Jayhawks average yards allowed have been reduced by more than 100 per contest (365.0). The Jayhawks rank in the top five nationally in kick and punt returns, 14th nationally in net punting and they lead the Big 12 Conference in kickoff coverage, surrendering fewer than 17 yards per return. Another obscure statistic that punctuates the Kansas fast start is penalties. Missouri leads the league with the fewest penalty yards per game at 41.0, but KU is just behind at 41.2. Colorado ranks 109th in turnover margin. The Buffs have been guilty of 14 giveaways, 10 lost fumbles and four interceptions, while notching only six takeaways. These are two teams heading in opposite directions and we are still getting a touchdown to start off. An outright Kansas win will not be surprising at all.
Insider Edge Sports
(151) Kansas Jayhawks at (152) Colorado Buffaloes 3:30 pm EST
Kansas +6.5 (3 Units)
What has happened to Colorado? After starting the season with very impressive wins over Colorado St. and UCLA, the Buffs have dropped their last 3 games and dropped them rather ugly. Colorado quarterback Joel Klatt is expected to play Saturday after missing most of two games with a bruised throwing shoulder. Klatt was driven to the turf on a sack during Colorado's 47-26 loss to Washington State on Sept. 13. He did not play again until the fourth quarter of the Buffaloes' loss to Baylor last weekend. Klatt was not 100 percent healthy Wednesday but coach Gary Barnett said he would probably play. But the loss of Klatt has not been the complete problem as the defense has allowed 45.3 ppg over those 3 losses. The rushing defense is ranked 76th while the passing defense is ranked 105th. Not good when the Jayhawks are next up. Kansas comes in ranked 20 in rushing offense and 11th in passing offense. They are averaging 463 ypg and 36.8 ppg. Bill Whittemore has moved the ball with frightening efficiency, and now is rested with a week off to prepare for CU. The Buffs are still licking their wounds. Offensively, Colorado can't run the ball averaging a ridiculous 85 yards per game, which is a very big surprise. Last season, former Colorado running back Chris Brown rushed for a career-high 309 yards and two touchdowns, as the Jayhawks had breakdowns all over the field in a 52-29 loss. This year, with Bobby Purify out, it'll be up to Brian Calhoun to try and roll on the bad KU run defense. He had a few nice moments this year, but hasn't progressed much since his solid freshman campaign. Kansas' defense ranked last in the Big 12 last year, giving up an average of 472.4 yards and 42.2 points per game. Kansas opponents scored 61 touchdowns on its defense. Now, the points-per-game numbers have been shaved in half (21.4) and the Jayhawks average yards allowed have been reduced by more than 100 per contest (365.0). The Jayhawks rank in the top five nationally in kick and punt returns, 14th nationally in net punting and they lead the Big 12 Conference in kickoff coverage, surrendering fewer than 17 yards per return. Another obscure statistic that punctuates the Kansas fast start is penalties. Missouri leads the league with the fewest penalty yards per game at 41.0, but KU is just behind at 41.2. Colorado ranks 109th in turnover margin. The Buffs have been guilty of 14 giveaways, 10 lost fumbles and four interceptions, while notching only six takeaways. These are two teams heading in opposite directions and we are still getting a touchdown to start off. An outright Kansas win will not be surprising at all.
Insider Edge Sports