A Few Questions with...Rock Chalk Talk, A Kansas Blog

Looking at the remaining Kansas schedule, I am seeing 3 wins and 4 losses. Can this team beat one of the big four (Texas Tech, Texas, Missouri, Oklahoma) remaining on its schedule or will this be a 4 – 4 Big 12 team and a five loss team overall?

It will have to put a complete game together which has yet to happen this year against a worthy opponent. Both the South Florida and Iowa State games saw significant periods of time where the Jayhawks simply didn’t show up. Beating Oklahoma in Norman is unlikely and I’m counting that as a loss…Both Texas Tech and Texas are at home and this is where I think Kansas can likely steal one of the two. I was very impressed with Texas last weekend but Texas Tech still hasn’t proved anything(K-State 102nd ranked defense in the country). In terms of Missouri on paper I find it hard to believe we can pull that off but it’s a rivalry game, every school has got at least one and they are always unpredictable.

I have yet to make a trip out to Lawrence for either a basketball or football game, but I hope to get there soon. On that note, how much of a home-field advantage do the Jayhawks have now that they have seen some success on the football field? Does it sell out and is it very loud? Thanks in advance.

Where do you slot Todd Reesing in the Big 12 hierarchy of quarterbacks? His performance against South Florida was unbelievable and I was an instant fan of Reesing after that game. Is this team bowl team without him?

1. Chase Daniel – I give him the nod over Bradford because simply put he’s a gamer(pains me to say it)
2. Sam Bradford – I think this is obvious and could be argued for #1
3. Todd Reesing – I put him here because he does more with less than anyone else on the list
4. Colt McCoy
5. Graham Harrel
6. Zac Robinson
7. Josh Freeman – on paper should be much higher but he hasn’t performed in a game of significance
8.-11 pick em’ Hawkins, Griffin, Arnaud
12. The A&M Guy…

Is it a Bowl team without him…I honestly don’t know because he is so huge for this team but at the same time if he wasn’t there you have Kerry Meier in his third year as your starter. While he probably isn’t as good as Reesing he is a capable player and would win some games with this system. Put it this way with Reesing KU could pull an upset over someone like Tech, Texas or god willing MU but without him I think you win the ones you should and lose the ones you should…if that makes sense.

the best DL, LB and DB on the defensive side of the ball? What aspect of the defense do you think has the biggest advantage against the Buffs (speed, talent, size, strength, scheme)?

Best DL…nobody blows you away so it’s a tough one but Jake Laptad has really been coming on strong and getting pressure from the DE spot he and fellow RS FR Richard Johnson Jr. had solid games against Iowa State and truthfully that was the first time this year anyone on our D-Line has done so.

Best LB…This is tough for the opposite reason…KU has three linebackers that all recieved all conference recognition in 2007. James Holt has been the best this year but my personal favorite is Mike Rivera. Rivera has NFL measurables and he is an animal…he’s had a slow start this year with injury but exploded in the ISU game so I look for that to continue for him.

Best DB…The biggest problem here is not talent it’s that they are stuck trying to cover for eternity because we haven’t been able to get pressure. Darrell Stuckey is the heart of the secondary, Justin Thornton is another solid safety and Chris Harris a sophomore now started as a true freshman and is probably the most talented.

I think our biggest advantage is going to be talent. Our Linebackers and DB’s are good and with the O-Line injuries that CU has experienced KU’s D-Line might be effective and then the talent will show through. Scheme is honestly a weakness in my opinion we have been far to willing to sit back and let the offense dictate things. Here is a big thing for this game…no team in the last three years has run wild on Kansas and if CU can do that it will open things up. If CU has to rely on the pass, we aren’t as stout but we can be effective.

The Jayhawks will win if….

The Buffs will win if…

I’m going to go with Spaghetti w/Meatsauce, Meatballs and Sausage…a side of Lasagna…1 loaf of italian bread with dipping oil and butter…and last but not least 3 canolli’s…

now I’m really hungry…

this weekend because you say that both offensive and defensive lines are not great. I also am of the opinion that FSU and Texas are much more “explosive” (physical and athletic) at more positions than Kansas. My thought is that if the defensive line isn’t getting alot of pressure then the Buffs will have time to throw the ball away from those linebackers. And the Buffs have been getting more pressure on the quarterback with there front four especially against Texas. Am I crazy or does this game not sound like a 14 point game anymore? Convince me that it is still a 14 point game? Do you agree that the matchup in the trenches is pretty close?

team missed the most from last years team, other than Talib. That probably wouldnt have been your answer anyway but he is the most recognizable player on the list-

Offense— T Anthony Collins, TE Derek Fine, WR Marcus Henry, RB Brandon McAnderson, T Cesar Rodriguez. Defense — T James McClinton, CB Aqib Talib. Special teams — P Kyle Tucker, K Scott Webb.

You look at this Kansas team last year and they forced 35 turnovers and only turned the ball over 14 times for a +21 turnover margin which was obviously a key to their success. This years team is a +1, fumbling the ball 5 times with 3 picks and turning over the opposition 9 times.

The offense is on pace for 19 turnovers and the defense is on pace of 21 turnovers…how big was the turnover differential last year and does it have you slightly worried that the defense isn’t being as opportunistic as it was last year?

As you can tell, I am searching for areas that might give the Buffs a chance ;)

What parts of the country are you guys having succes in recruiting and why? Who would you say is your biggest rival for recruits (Mizzou?)?