Kansas +13.5
-The line opened at GT -12 and moved to GT -13.5. I was not impressed with GT's 41-10 victory in week one. GT's QBs really struggled with the passing game as Nesbitt was 1/6 for only 8 yards (one interception) and Washington was 1/2 for only 4 yards. Both completions were to Hill. GT lost their top receiver, Damerius Thomas (46 receptions for 1154 yards, 8 td) and top running back, Jonathan Dwyer (235 carries for 1395 yards, 14 td and a 5.9 average per carry). GT lost a lot on offense from a year ago. Nesbitt is a good running Qb but terrible with the passing game. Nesbitt had some bad games last year that GT won because of their running game. GT played against Clemson in 2009 and Nesbitt had a such a poor game passing (3/14 for 83 yards, 2 interceptions). GT won the game 30-27. This was a home game for GT. GT did rush for 301 yards in that game. GT defense is not really that good (gave up 27 or more points in 8 of the games). ANd they lost 2 starters (1st round pick Derrick Morgan, 12.5 sacks and hard hitting safety Morgan Burnett) to the NFL.
Kansas was solid against the run in 2009 especially at home and early in the season. Kansas allowed only one running back to gain over 100 yards when playing at home. Kansas defense allowed only 3.3 yards per carry avg in 2009. Kansas weakness was defending the passing game. Kansas allowed Nebraska to rush for 214 YARDS on 41 carries (Helu had 28 carries for 156 yards for Nebraska). Kansas was on a 4 game losing streak and was not playing well at this point in 2009. Kansas played horrible in week 1 because they got caught looking ahead towards #16 GT. Kansas is goin to play much better than they did in week 1. Defensively, Kansas played well in week 1 but the turnovers hurt them.
This is goin to be a close game. GT is overrated. I do not beleive that GT can blow out anyone on the road and especially playing in the midwest in a different time zone. Kansas is goin to score a couple of tds in this game. I think Kansas is capable of shutting down the option running game. If that happens, watch for Nesbitt to throw interceptions. IF forced to pass, GT is goin to struggle in this game and not cover the spread.
ANy thoughts on this game.
-The line opened at GT -12 and moved to GT -13.5. I was not impressed with GT's 41-10 victory in week one. GT's QBs really struggled with the passing game as Nesbitt was 1/6 for only 8 yards (one interception) and Washington was 1/2 for only 4 yards. Both completions were to Hill. GT lost their top receiver, Damerius Thomas (46 receptions for 1154 yards, 8 td) and top running back, Jonathan Dwyer (235 carries for 1395 yards, 14 td and a 5.9 average per carry). GT lost a lot on offense from a year ago. Nesbitt is a good running Qb but terrible with the passing game. Nesbitt had some bad games last year that GT won because of their running game. GT played against Clemson in 2009 and Nesbitt had a such a poor game passing (3/14 for 83 yards, 2 interceptions). GT won the game 30-27. This was a home game for GT. GT did rush for 301 yards in that game. GT defense is not really that good (gave up 27 or more points in 8 of the games). ANd they lost 2 starters (1st round pick Derrick Morgan, 12.5 sacks and hard hitting safety Morgan Burnett) to the NFL.
Kansas was solid against the run in 2009 especially at home and early in the season. Kansas allowed only one running back to gain over 100 yards when playing at home. Kansas defense allowed only 3.3 yards per carry avg in 2009. Kansas weakness was defending the passing game. Kansas allowed Nebraska to rush for 214 YARDS on 41 carries (Helu had 28 carries for 156 yards for Nebraska). Kansas was on a 4 game losing streak and was not playing well at this point in 2009. Kansas played horrible in week 1 because they got caught looking ahead towards #16 GT. Kansas is goin to play much better than they did in week 1. Defensively, Kansas played well in week 1 but the turnovers hurt them.
This is goin to be a close game. GT is overrated. I do not beleive that GT can blow out anyone on the road and especially playing in the midwest in a different time zone. Kansas is goin to score a couple of tds in this game. I think Kansas is capable of shutting down the option running game. If that happens, watch for Nesbitt to throw interceptions. IF forced to pass, GT is goin to struggle in this game and not cover the spread.
ANy thoughts on this game.