Kansas State Opens As 3.5 Point Favorites Over the Colorado Buffaloes

by Bob_Bell on Oct 18, 2009 7:04 PM MDT in Buffaloes Football Season

Coming off a 62 - 14 win in Manhattan against Texas A&M this past weekend, the Kansas State Wildcats is the early 3.5 point favorite against the Colorado Buffaloes (translation: Vegas has no idea what to expect from these two teams which explains the very simple 3 points for playing at home in favor of Kansas State). Colorado also had a nice victory of their own this past Saturday, knocking off the 15th ranked Kansas Jayhawks at Folsom Field in Boulder.

A couple of weeks ago, this matchup looked like a one of the few remaining winnable games for each of these teams but now it may mean much more. Kansas State is 2 - 1 in conference and is a top the North part of the conference. The Buffs are 1 - 1 with three other North teams while Missouri is bringing up the rear at 0 - 2.

Basically, no one thought this game would have some implications behind it. The challenge for the Buffs? Winning on the road. In 2007, the Buffs lost to a undermanned Kansas State team on the road and since 2006, they have won only two games away from the friendly confines of Folsom Field. If the Buffs want to convince the rest of the conference that they are a team to be taken seriously, this is a win they need to have.

If Colorado can get this one, the schedule sets up relatively favorable as it has become clear that the Big 12 North plus Oklahoma State and Texas A&M have some serious question marks. Nebraska, Missouri and Texas A&M are all set to visit Boulder later in the season.

After losing 66 - 14 against Texas Tech a week ago in Lubbock, Kansas State shocked everyone by putting up 62 points against Texas A&M. A&M definitely provided the spark that Kansas State needed after getting routed the week before, turning the ball over to the Wildcats five times (Kansas State had none). The Wildcats scored 28 points off of those turnovers and scored on six of their first seven drives. KSU's defense held the Aggies to 70 first-half yards and minus-13 yards rushing overall, similar to the Buffs defensive performance against Kansas, slowing the Jayhawks to minus-8 yards rushing.

Wildcats QB Grant Gregory went 10 - 13 for 147 and a score but Bill Snyder's squad did most of the damage on the ground, running the ball 52 times for 232 yards. 6'2 227 pound RB Daniel Thomas has been a load this season, as he gained 91 yards on 18 carries and four scores. Thomas is on pace to run for over 1,100 yards.

WR Brandon Banks is the Wildcats big play threat. He hauled in 6 catches for 60 yards against A&M but also had a 97 yard kickoff return for a score.

Obviously, the turnover margin will be a key stat in this one, especially playing on the road. Against Kansas, the Buffs turned the ball over three times but the Jayhawks were only able to get six points off of those turnovers. The Buffs were able to capitalize on the Jayhawks' two turnovers with 14 points, the difference in the game.

Great opportunity for the Buffs to keep rolling and get that elusive road win. Who knows what teams will show up Saturday? Will it be the Kansas State team that lost 66 - 14 to Texas Tech or the team that beat A&M by 48? And for the Buffs, should we expect more of the same from Tyler Hansen and a defense that has been improving or will signs of the Toledo and Colorado State game show it's ugly head? Who knows what will happen but you have to like the opportunity!

The game will be televised on Fox College Sports at 10:30 am MT. It will be the seventh straight game to be televised and will mean the Buffs will have at least nine televised games this season.

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K-State

From what I understand aTm had the equivelent of our Toledo game against KSU yesterday and just flat gave up.

Now I’m sure KSU is making improvements, but you don’t go from a TT 66 point spanking to what they did to aTm in one week. Tech looks to be gaining momentum and I’m glad we don’t play them.

Back to the Buffs, they’ve got some momentum and now some confidence that they can get it done against a ranked opponent, so I expect a great week of practice and should walk into KSU expecting to win.

In reality, I bet this comes down to the wire with a CU win. CU is still too young and prone to mistakes to beat anybody on the road with any margin.

by BuffnBigD on Oct 18, 2009 7:42 PM MDT reply actions

Please don't use the words

“Great week of practice” when posting on this site.

by lakebuff on Oct 19, 2009 12:40 PM MDT up reply actions

What was I thinking?

Sorry…

by BuffnBigD on Oct 19, 2009 2:15 PM MDT up reply actions

Hey guys...

just wanted to say congrats on the win, I made the trip to Boulder and as always I left impressed with the place, the fans…everything. Tyler Hansen reminds me a lot of Todd Reesing when he started off at Kansas…he just keeps things alive and if a couple of guys make catches…he makes some big plays.

Big 12 North looks wide open now, I don’t think I’d touch this game or that line because right now I have no idea what the hell to think of the North top to bottom. Three weeks ago Kansas State, CU and ISU looked to be a major step down from Nebraska, MU and KU…now I’m pretty sure any of the 6 has as good a shot as any.

Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.

by Owen on Oct 18, 2009 8:10 PM MDT reply actions

Simmons

What are the chances we could see Andre return some punts or kicks? If he can’t get in as a WR because he doesn’t have the offense/his timing worked out, then how about as a returner? He’s probably the fastest guy on the team. Let him have a go at it. I’m sure Espinoza is a good dude, and he seems to have good hands, but I’m not exactly sure he’s striking fear into the hearts of the opposition that he’ll break one for 6.

by CJBUFF on Oct 18, 2009 8:32 PM MDT reply actions

you mean 6 points? or 6 yards?

either way, agree we need a change back there.

by NYCskibum on Oct 18, 2009 8:34 PM MDT up reply actions

I don't have any confidence that the

coaching staff has any confidence in Andre Simmons.

The Ralphie Report - Go Buffs!...All Colorado Buffaloes on SBNation - http://www.ralphiereport.com/

by Bob_Bell on Oct 18, 2009 8:40 PM MDT up reply actions

I'm confident of that....

by BuffnBigD on Oct 18, 2009 8:41 PM MDT up reply actions

Amazing how 6'3" 210 pound 4.45

receiver can become invisible. I didn’t see him on camera at all during the KU game. The coaching staff went after this guy he did all the extra work required to get here. He caught a 40+ yard pass against CSU but seems to get on the field for fewer plays each game. For a team that is way down on receiving talent, most of us thought he would be playing a big roll with Josh Smith gone. Is he in the dog house with the receivers coach(Hawkins) or are players like Espinoza, Ebner, McKnight, so much more talented than him that keep him off the field? Is it the old he dosen’t know the offense? As one poster put it, “how hard can it be to say run by the defender and look back for the ball”?

Hopefully with the change at QB we have the chance to grow in the passing game.. But who is Tyler going to be throwing to? Simas caught a pass for 36 yards against KU so it looks like he is getting settled in. I still see McKnight as a possession style receiver so I dought he is going to take a pass 60-70 yards for a score. That leaves Espinoza, Ebner, Ham, Maxwell, Wright, Jefferson, and Simmons. We still haven’t had any break away plays down field for a score. With all the spread offenses that we face in the coming games, we may need the ability to strike quickly ourselves. Hell maybe try Scott at receiver, see if he can make some runs after the catch as it appears unless Stewart is hurt, he’s not going to get many carries.

by TraderJesse on Oct 18, 2009 10:16 PM MDT up reply actions

When you see Simmons phyiscally

and compare him to the 6’3" – 200 pound Dezmond Briscoe that torched us Saturday, it’s hard to believe that we can’t find a way to throw a 35 yard jump ball in the endzone for Dre to go get.

I was held in check Saturday until he converted the 3rd and 29 with a 42-yard jump ball between three defenders for a first down. That one made be throw the Coors Light can.

Let’s hope that Simmons could cause that kind of anger with say a Bo Pelini headset before the end of the year, no?

by Eforceone on Oct 19, 2009 1:56 PM MDT up reply actions

Cecil Whiteside

Anybody know how his visit went? Great weather, Boulder, and a great game/victory over a top 20 team….

If nothing else, its always exciting at CU….

by BuffnBigD on Oct 18, 2009 8:44 PM MDT reply actions

Still committed to Cal but I it would be hard not to enjoy that game

this is the kind of kid you get if you rattle off a bunch of wins and go to a bowl game. Mister Jones got a fourth star from rivals as well.

The Ralphie Report - Go Buffs!...All Colorado Buffaloes on SBNation - http://www.ralphiereport.com/

by Bob_Bell on Oct 18, 2009 8:48 PM MDT up reply actions

must win

For as much as I thought the KU game was going to be a victory last week, I see this game as a Must win game for the Buffs. Can you imagine the outcry of Buff Nation if after an emotional big time win against a ranked opponent, they come out this week with a Toledo-like effort and drop a very winnable road contest?? The regression would be very tough to handle. It’s part of every successful program – taking care of business on the road when you should win, something they didn’t do against Toledo. On the other hand, win this week, and the confidence grows incrementally. Go Buffs!

by Eforceone on Oct 19, 2009 5:08 AM MDT via mobile reply actions