Was looking at the numbers a bit closer this morning--our teams are actually pretty close in a lot of straight statistical categories.
Defense:
Yards allowed: KU 358 (209 passing, 149 rushing); KSU 333 (250 passing, 83 rushing)--Advantage to KSU on rushing, KU on passing, basically a wash in terms of totals
Points allowed: KU 24 per game, KSU 21 per game--a field goal difference, not that significant
Sacks: KU 17, KSU 20--a difference of about a half sack per game in KSU's favor
INT: KU 10, KSU 7--a comparable advantage for KU here
Fumbles: KU 3, KSU 6--the turnover battle is even
Offense:
KU 409 (195 passing, 214 rushing); KSU 428 (205 passing, 223 rushing)--slight advantage to KSU overall, pretty comparable numbers on all fronts
Points scored: KU 30.4, KSU 33.3--again, about a field goal difference, not that significant--when added to the field goal difference on defense, about a six point total difference
Sacks allowed: KU 7, KSU 8--no difference
INT: KU 8, KSU 5--minor difference, not significant
Could not find fumble info
So the numbers based on performance so far this year are marginally favorable to KSU, but not overwhelmingly so. We both suck at returning kickoffs, they are better than us at returning punts because they have broken two long ones (we only have three punt returns this year, for those calling for us to just fair catch everything on Saturday--seems likely). They have punted more times than us, but they have a better net than ours (Greaves is fourth in average punt, fourth from last in net).
I don't know why people are so utterly convinced that this is a loss other than that it is KSU, and they have some voodoo magic hex on us. We actually match up pretty decently statistically, and while we have some things to be concerned about on defense (linebackers tracking the QB, wrapping up our tackles, defending the middle of the field) they have some things to be concerned about too (pass defense in general, passing to our backs specifically, stopping Neal).
Buck up, buttercups. We are going to be in this thing if we don't throw away our chances.
Defense:
Yards allowed: KU 358 (209 passing, 149 rushing); KSU 333 (250 passing, 83 rushing)--Advantage to KSU on rushing, KU on passing, basically a wash in terms of totals
Points allowed: KU 24 per game, KSU 21 per game--a field goal difference, not that significant
Sacks: KU 17, KSU 20--a difference of about a half sack per game in KSU's favor
INT: KU 10, KSU 7--a comparable advantage for KU here
Fumbles: KU 3, KSU 6--the turnover battle is even
Offense:
KU 409 (195 passing, 214 rushing); KSU 428 (205 passing, 223 rushing)--slight advantage to KSU overall, pretty comparable numbers on all fronts
Points scored: KU 30.4, KSU 33.3--again, about a field goal difference, not that significant--when added to the field goal difference on defense, about a six point total difference
Sacks allowed: KU 7, KSU 8--no difference
INT: KU 8, KSU 5--minor difference, not significant
Could not find fumble info
So the numbers based on performance so far this year are marginally favorable to KSU, but not overwhelmingly so. We both suck at returning kickoffs, they are better than us at returning punts because they have broken two long ones (we only have three punt returns this year, for those calling for us to just fair catch everything on Saturday--seems likely). They have punted more times than us, but they have a better net than ours (Greaves is fourth in average punt, fourth from last in net).
I don't know why people are so utterly convinced that this is a loss other than that it is KSU, and they have some voodoo magic hex on us. We actually match up pretty decently statistically, and while we have some things to be concerned about on defense (linebackers tracking the QB, wrapping up our tackles, defending the middle of the field) they have some things to be concerned about too (pass defense in general, passing to our backs specifically, stopping Neal).
Buck up, buttercups. We are going to be in this thing if we don't throw away our chances.
