Kansas was, and is predicted to be again, the worst team in the Big 12. KU should be improved this season and that should keep them from finishing last in the conference, but they will still be quite bad. Last year KU was a team full of inexperience. They had no identity as they had lost their star quarterback, halfback, and two leading wide receivers. But now they bring in a strong recruiting class, with returning starters at all three of those key positions. Yet though they do have returning experience, it is not very talented as KU was hands down the worst team in the Big 12 last year, winning only one game in the leage, as well as losing at home to North Dakota State.
Kansas Jayhawks Offense
Quarterbacks
Last season KU had to replace one of the most prolific quarterbacks in school history in Todd Reesing. They didn’t have many options, but the main option and expected starter was Kale Pick who did in fact earn the starting nod for the start of the season. After a humiliating loss to North Dakota State, KU turned to freshman Jordan Webb. Webb impressed for a while, but was wildly inconsistent so KU turned to Quinn Mecham. Mecham put up similar numbers to Webb and the two battled throughout the season and a true starter was never really named.
KU brings in a highly touted recruit in Brock Burglund who has been expected by many to be a true freshman starter. Burgland, however, has shown to be a truly arrogant player. He compared himself to Michael Vick, Tim Tebow, and Peyton Manning … combined. He also skipped voluntary workouts, and missed Spring practices despite being enrolled early at KU. The last problem on the list for Burglund has been being charged with third degree assault in Colorado. He has pled not guilty, but still faces a minimum 50 dollar fine and up to a maximum six months in prison. So with all of this it looks like sophomore Webb will most likely keep the starting reigns for at least another year.
Running Backs
This was one of the lone bright spots for KU last season with freshman James Sims. Sims was expected to redshirt, and didn’t even start the first game but still managed to gain 742 yards and score 9 touchdowns. KU also has a prize recruit in redshirt freshman halfback Brandon Bourbon, but sadly the freshman back was injured during Spring practice and will miss the entire season.
KU’s prize recruit in 2011 was halfback Darrian Miller. He was the Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year, and ranked as the 22nd running back in the nation. Expect him to get plenty of carries as well.
Wide Receivers
Last year it was expected that Desmond Patterson would be the superstar on KU’s football team. He was the leading receiver (487 yards) but only averaged 8.1 yards per catch, and had just two touchdowns. Patterson returns for his senior year hoping to explode. KU’s other leading receiver Jonathan Wilson graduates, but the Jayhawks do return star tight end Tim Biere who led the team with four touchdown receptions last season.
KU brings in two recruits from Texas in the 2011 class including first team all-state receiver Marquis Jackson. Jackson had 1181 yards and 14 touchdowns last year. Expect him to have at least a minor role in KU’s offense.
Offensive Line
KU’s offensive line is the most inconsistent part of the offense. They lose two starters on the left side of the line. Junior Jeff Spikes returns from an injury that kept him out all of last season. Senior center Jeremiah Hatch returns, with juniors Duane Zlanik and Tanner Hawkinson. Hatch was in the news lately for a quote during media day where he explained that Missouri had the toughest stadium to play at in the entire Big 12. The problem that the senior must have forgotten; he has never played in Columbia, as the Border War has been played in Arrowhead Stadium since 2008, and in his freshman season in 2007 the game was played in Lawrence.
KU does have an expiernced line, but was not very productive in 2010. Still, experience is just as important as talent in football and KU’s line should be improved in 2011.
Kansas Jayhawks Defense
Defensive Line
KU loses star defensive end Jake Laptad who was a key player for 4 seasons during his time at KU. But they do return tackles Patrick Dorsey and Richard Johnson. The Jayhawks also return former star halfback Tobem Opurum who will be competing in his second season as a defensive end. Sophomore Keba Agostinho looks to fill in for Laptad.
Linebackers
KU loses another key part of their 2010 defense in their second leading tackler Justin Springer. But they do return star redshirt sophomore linebacker Huldon Tharp, who missed all of 2010 due to a severe injury. Tharp, a Mulvane product, had a very solid true freshman season and was expected to do big things last year before the injury and should be a very solid player for KU.
The Jayhawks also return leading tackler Steven Johnson to the strong side linebacker position. The middle linebacker spot could be a major hole for KU’s defense, but sophomore Darius Willis will look to fill that spot. Expect the linebacker to be their shining spot on defense.
Secondary
KU returns another one of their few brightspots in the secondary with sophomore Tyler Patmon. Patmon started 9 games as a redshirt freshman last year and should have a better season this year. KU does return two other starters (Isiah Barfield and Lubbock Smith) but they are now expected to make the starting lineup this year. Keeston Terry looks to take over at free safety for Smith. Terry was highly recruited by K-State, but chose KU. The 4-star recruit should make a big impact on KU’s defense.
Special Teams
KU loses both their starting punter and kicker from last season. The punter looks to be Victor McBride (freshman from Scottsdale, Arizona). The kicking race is between Ron Doherty and Nathan Kalish.
Kansas Jayhawks 2011 Season Prediction
McNeese State – KU has never played McNeese State before. McNeese State has been a very solid FCS school over the past decade (including nearly winning the national title in 2002). KU shouldn’t have problems with McNeese State, but as previously mentioned they did lose to North Dakota State last year. Expect a win though. Win.
Northern Illinois – KU has only played the Huskies once (NIU won 37-34 in 1983). NIU is coming off of a solid 11-3 season, and should be a very competitive team this year. KU should win this game because it is in Lawrence. Do not be shocked, however, if NIU is able to pull off the upset. Win.
@ Georgia Tech – KU somehow beat Georgia Tech last year. It wasn’t necessarily shocking that KU beat GT, but shocking that KU beat the Yellow Jackets just one week after losing to North Dakota State. Don’t expect it to happen again, especially with this game being at Georgia Tech. Loss.
Texas Tech – This will be the Jayhawks homecoming game. Tech loses its star back, and last year’s third string will become the starter. Tech without a doubt has more talent, and should win this game. But KU will turn some heads and beat the Red Raiders. Tech hasn’t lost to KU since 2001, and dominated KU 42-21 last season, but this is the year. Win.
@ Oklahoma State – KU’s defense won’t be able to match up with OSU. Expect Braden Weeden and the Cowboys to just absolutely destroy KU much like last season (48-14 loss). KU hasn’t defeated OSU since 2007 (43-28 victory) which was KU’s Orange Bowl season (the year they played only 1 ranked opponent, before the bowl game, which they lost). Loss.
Oklahoma – OU might be the best team in the nation. They may return their star linebacker Travis Lewis by this game, and that spells bad news for KU. Any improvements the Jayhawks make in 2011 won’t matter against the mighty Sooners. Expect another blowout loss for KU, leading into the Sunflower Showdown against Kansas State. Loss.
Kansas State – Bill Snyder enters his third season at the helm of Kansas State. Snyder has had a lot of success against KU, including two blowout wins in Lawrence (64-0 in 2002, and 59-7 last season). Last season when KU had a blowout loss to Baylor, they got to play K-State who beat them even worse than Baylor. However, KU will be ready for this game, and it should be a lot closer than 59-7. But KSU does have the edge in experience, and talent which should give them the W. Loss.
@ Texas – KU’s schedule will continue to be brutal on October 29th when they get to visit the Texas Longhorns. UT is coming off one of its worst seasons in over a decade, and they bring in another super-star recruiting class. KU’s losing streak will extend to four games in Austin. Loss.
@ Iowa State – This game is really a toss up. With it being in Ames and argument could be made for the Cyclones. KU and ISU are nearly equal in terms of talent, but in terms of experience KU returns more. ISU will be the worst team in the Big 12 this year, and KU will sneak by with a difficult win against the Cyclones. Win.
Baylor – Baylor beat KU 55-7 last season. The run defense for KU could not dream of stopping Robert Griffin. Expect more of the same this year with Griffin returning. However, KU will keep this game closer than 55-7 as KU’s offense should be improved. Loss.
@ Texas A&M – Texas A&M starts out the year highly ranked, and for good reason. They return a lot of starters from their 9-4 team from last season. Last year KU lost to A&M 45-10 in Lawrence. It should be a similar game being in College Station. Loss.
Missouri – The Border War this year will be very interesting. Missouri loses a lot of talent from last year’s squad. This very well could be an upset win for KU, but Missouri seems to have KU’s number having won 4 of the last 5 games. Loss.
Predicted Finish: 4-8
KU brings back a lot of experience, and brings in a solid recruiting class to build on that. The truth of the matter is that Turner Gill truly is turning around this program (though it may not appear that way). If Gill continues to recruit as well as he did this year then KU could be a forced to reckon with in the next 2 or 3 years. Still this season should be a struggle. Expect an improved season where KU can manage to get 4 wins, but that may be very generous. Worst case scenario is that KU wins 1 game, which is still very much a possibility. KU probably won’t win more than 4 games, but if everything goes their way a possibility of 6 victories (KSU and Missouri being the two teams that KU could upset) and a bowl trip is possible.
