Through its first two games, Kansas University's football team ranks fifth in the Big 12 and 11th nationally in pass efficiency defense.
But the Jayhawks' lofty status should be tested this week, when they travel to Colorado, which ranks first in the Big 12 and second nationally in passing offense.
Big test?
"After what we saw Colorado do against San Jose State, absolutely," KU coach Terry Allen said Monday on the Big 12 coaches' teleconference. "They've done a great job throwing the football, and they've got great receivers."
In the Buffaloes' 63-35 rout of SJSU on Saturday, CU quarterback Mike Moschetti set the school record with 465 passing yards -- after completing 25 of 32 passes -- and he compiled another school record for total offense with 499. CU finished with a school-record 767 total yards.
"(Moschetti) was completely on top of his game," first-year Colorado coach Gary Barnett said. "We didn't have a lot of pressure from San Jose State, but when we did we handled it well. " We were much more ready to play this week as a team."
That was a thinly veiled reference to the Buffs' 41-14 opening loss to Colorado State.
"Because of all the changes being made, they didn't have a chance to get into a routine," Barnett said. "They had to concentrate on everything they were doing. " A week later, we had a week of routine, and that allowed us to play some football."
Can Kansas -- and its pass defense in particular -- play at that level? Allen hopes so.
In its first two games, KU has allowed opponents Notre Dame and Cal State Northridge to complete 26 of 58 passes for 269 yards. Along the way, the Jayhawks have allowed just one passing TD and has collected a whopping six interceptions -- more than twice the pickoff total of any other Big 12 school.
"I think we can be very competitive back there," Allen said. "One of the things with rankings that make it very difficult when you get into the national rankings is, who you play in the nonconference is hard to figure."
In other words, it's not necessarily accurate to rave about KU's passing defense after having faced only run-first Notre Dame and NCAA Div. I-AA Northridge.
"How do we stand up back there?" Allen asked. "I think we'll be OK. I think we'll be pretty good."
So does Barnett.
"We're getting better, because we're certainly going to need it," Barnett said. "I wish we were playing another nonconference football team. That's a very well coached football team that comes right after you. I don't know that we're ready for that, but we're going to have to be. I know this team was completely embarrassed last year on national TV."
Last season, the Jayhawks stunned Colorado 33-17 in Lawrence. Allen doesn't expect CU to overlook KU again.
"I'm sure we're not going to sneak up on CU," he said. "We were able to get a victory last year. I'd guess this is a red-letter game for Colorado since it is their Big 12 opener and because we managed to get the upset last year. I'm sure everything's focused toward the Jayhawks."
Kickoff for KU-CU will be 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Folsom Field.
NOTES
- Joey Pelfanio, a first-year junior college transfer, leads the Big 12 in punting with an average of 48.63. Pelfanio had a 75-yarder against Notre Dame. "
- Backup Kansas QB Dylen Smith ranks third in the Big 12 in quarterback ratings. He has completed 17 of 24 passes for three TDs and no interceptions, good for 181 rating points. Nebraska's Bobby Newcombe leads the lead with 191.1 points, and Oklahoma's Josh Heupel is second with 185.4. Kansas starter Zac Wegner checks in at 10th in the league with 125.8 points.
- KU's David Winbush ranks fourth in the league and 32nd nationally in rushing with 105.5 yards per game. Iowa State's Darren Davis leads the league with 173.5 yards per game.
- Other KU team rankings: rushing offense, fourth in league, 17th nationally, 237.5 yard per game; passing offense, fifth in league, 48th nationally, 216.5 yards per game; total offense, fifth in league, 23rd nationally with 454 yards per game; net punting, first in league, fifth nationally, 44.1-yard net average; punt returns, second in league, fourth nationally with 23.3-yard average; scoring offense, fourth in league, 11th nationally, 42 points per game; rushing defense, 11th in league, 103rd nationally, 240.5 yards per game; total defense, 10th in league, 73rd nationally, 375 yards per game; scoring defense, 11th in league, 84th nationally, 31 points per game; and turnover margin, tied for first in league (with Texas) and tied for ninth nationally, plus-two per game.
-- Andrew Hartsock's phone number is 832-7216. His e-mail address is ahartsock@ljworld.com.
No comments
Commenting is turned off for this story.