Our Bruin brother's preview of the Cats

Good write up from Nestor. I like these inter-sectional games. Good dialogue, hopefully good games, but without the trash talking stupidity of conference games. I could get used to that. I think it will be a solid game but UCLA has been hit hard by injuries. Boy this is going to be a long week.

over 1 year ago Sean T 7 comments 0 recs |

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I might offer up

that the Bruin Blue side might be understating special teams’ possible (read: likely) significance in the final outcome. Both sides seem less than enthralled with their D-Line vs Opp O-Line matchups… and most of it seems a wash which is where I see ST plays coming in.

Historically, advantage KSU. Historically of course meaning with Bill Snyder at the helm – guess who’s in charge this year too!!? :-) Write me down in the column “Confident but far from certain”…

'Fact. Bears eat beets. Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galactica.' --Jim Halpert

by VegasCat07 on Aug 30, 2010 11:29 AM CDT reply actions

I think Nestor did a good job looking at the game

The two sides sure sound even. Between rebuilding front 7, uncertain QBs and still pretty new programs, the two teams sound very even. Except for DT that is. And homefield. I have to think that KSU will pull off the win, but I’m expecting a really good game.

Vegas is right. Nestor didn’t say a thing about the special teams. Will Cherry continue his late season form? I hope so, but I also hope the game doesn’t come down to him.

I’m thinking 28 – 21 KSU.

I don't measure a man's success by how high he climbs but how high he bounces when he hits bottom. - Gen. George S. Patton

by Sean T on Aug 30, 2010 11:38 AM CDT reply actions

Advantage Kstate for sure

I hate to sound conident but with the entire O-line hurt and an entire new D-line, they are definitely not “even” with us. Of course the second string might be very talented, but I expect the opposite of last year. Sean T’s point of special teams is very valid considering Kstate is historically great in special teams. Neither team will be great in this game (much like last year ) but all signs point toward a somewhat low scoring, somewhat close, Kstate victory. Although a blow out on national TV would make us look great!

Get ready to roll...Go Cats!

by mjk7166 on Aug 30, 2010 12:14 PM CDT reply actions

Don't forget (I'm a Bruin fan)

we have some excellent special teams guys as well. Our kicker is none other than Lou Groza award winner and 2009 1st team All American Kai Forbath.

We have kickoff and punt returner in Josh Smith who started at that spot as a freshman at Colorado. He is the best return threat we’ve had in years.

On punt and kick off coverage we have Damien Thigpen who has been timed at 4.28 in the 40. He was fast enough to run under most of Jeff Locke’s punts (43.6 yard per punt as a freshman). Finally, don’t forget our All American long snapper Christian Yount.

I don’t know much about Kstate, but we have special teams guys that can play.

by captainqtp on Aug 30, 2010 1:40 PM CDT up reply actions

That's right - I thought I remembered Josh Smith heading some place where we'd face him again.

I remember him having some potential – he was just in a bad situation with Colorado not having a you know, a quarterback.

All-American long snapper huh? Well it looks like we’ll be able to see two of the best in the game “snapping off” on Saturday. I’d say exciting, but the only thing exciting about long snapping is when something goes wrong. Check out BracketCat’s Positional Breakdown on him.

I think all the “advantage” talk about our special teams is based on history in the return game. Sure we lost Brandon Banks, but he almost came out of nowhere to replace Deion Murphy. And Murphy almost came of nowhere to replace Jordy Nelson..who replaced…and so on. This year there is hype with Tramaine Thompson. Sounds like we won’t see much of a drop-off from last year, so that should be good for around 3 or 4 returns (overall) this season….

One of the main staples of Bill Synder’s teams is that the special teams/defense always finds a way to score. Since 2000, K-State is either tied for first or barely second to Virginia Tech (Beamer Ball anyone?) in non-offensive Touchdowns. If there’s any room for optimism year in and year out – it’s special teams.

I’d definitely say you guys have the advantage in kicking – as that alone cost us a bowl berth last year. Hell it was down-right awful in our game last year too.

Surgeon General's Warning: K-State-Mizzou basketball may increase the risk of high blood pressure. Please consult your doctor prior to watching any of these games.

by mystman995 on Aug 30, 2010 2:31 PM CDT up reply actions