Kansas Looks To Avoid Fate of Fellow Underdogs
Kansas, you're officially on notice.
After two BCS games in which teams with shaky credentials were blown off the field, the Jayhawks and their flimsy resume will be under the microscope against Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl tonight at Dolphins Stadium.
No. 8 KANSAS (11–1) vs. No. 3 VIRGINIA TECH (11–2)
Tonight, 8 p.m., FOX
Yes, Kansas went 11–1 and briefly rose as high as no. 2 in the polls. But the Jayhawks also played a flyweight schedule, facing nothing but patsies on the non-conference portion and managing to miss both Texas and Oklahoma in the Big 12's rotation. Given a chance to win the North Division against Missouri in the final game of the regular season, Kansas fell, 36–28, yet still received the at-large invite to a big-money bowl instead of the Tigers.
On New Year's Day, Missouri emphatically stated its case that it deserved the bid, manhandling Arkansas, 38–7. That same day, at-large invitees Illinois (pasted by USC, 49–17, in the Rose Bowl) and Hawaii (humiliated by Georgia, 41–10, in the Sugar) served as poster children for the poor job done by the BCS matchmakers. It could be argued that Kansas is even less deserving than either the Illini (who at least beat no. 1 Ohio State) or the Warriors (the nation's lone unbeaten team in the regular season).
In Virginia Tech, the Jayhawks will be trying to prove themselves against an opponent that was playing its best football at the end of the season. The Hokies stumbled out of the gate, looking sluggish in a season-opening win over East Carolina. That performance could be excused, given that the game was played amid the memorial ceremonies for the victims of the Virginia Tech shootings last spring.
In a marquee matchup at LSU the following week, Virginia Tech was embarrassed, 48–7, and faded from the national-title discussion. But the Hokies improved steadily, particularly on offense, the rest of the way. Virginia Tech dropped just one more game — at home to Boston College at midseason — and managed to avenge that defeat in the ACC Championship game to earn its BCS bid.
Virginia Tech actually finished atop the BCS's composite computer rankings, thanks mostly to a tough schedule, and would have reached the championship game if not for that loss to Boston College. The key to its season-long improvement was the play of an offense that struggled badly in September under starting quarterback Sean Glennon.
Only when Glennon at first gave way to, and then began to share time with, the more dynamic Tyrod Taylor, did the Virginia Tech offense become dangerous. With Glennon ineffective in the pass game early in the season, opposing defenses were able to pack the line of scrimmage and neutralize tailback Branden Ore. But as the play of Glennon and Taylor improved, more holes began to open for Ore, who finished the year with 876 yards and eight touchdowns rushing. He will sit out the first quarter of tonight's game after arriving late to a pre-bowl practice.
Still, despite scoring at least 30 points in each of its last four games, nobody will confuse Virginia Tech with an offensive juggernaut. The Hokies finished 99th nationally in total offense, as compared to sixth for Kansas. The Jayhawks outgained Virginia Tech by nearly 160 yards per game and were the nation's second-highestscoring team at 44.3 points per contest.
Kansas quarterback Todd Reesing is an undersize passer with only average mobility, but he proved excellent at making the right reads and delivering the ball accurately to his receivers. He will have his hands full against a Virginia Tech defense that is by far the best he has faced this season. The Hokies have a pair of linebackers, Vince Hall and Xavier Adibi, who can disrupt an offense. Hall excels in coverage and can also rush the passer, while Adibi is a force against the run. Virginia Tech's defensive line (43 sacks, third in the nation) has the ability to make life miserable for Reesing in the way Georgia did to Hawaii star Colt Brennan in the Sugar Bowl, while also allowing few holes for bruising Jayhawks tailback Brandon McAnderson.
This game would appear to hinge on the matchup of Kansas's explosive offense against Virginia Tech's stout defense. But, as is often the case when teams go strength-against-strength on the field, things might be decided by the opposing units — Kansas's defense against Virginia Tech's offense.
One player to watch on defense for Kansas is cornerback Aqib Talib, who may be the best in the nation at his position. Talib, who also moonlights on offense at receiver, could be the key to the Jayhawks' plans if they pack the line of scrimmage and try to force Virginia Tech to win the game in the air. A big game in the national spotlight will propel the junior Talib's name up the NFL draft boards.
As has always been the case since Frank Beamer became the coach, Virginia Tech excels on special teams. The Hokies returned three kicks for touchdowns this year and are always a threat to block kicks. In the ACC title game win over Boston College, the special teams helped turn the tide by blocking both a field goal and an extra point — returning the latter for a defensive two-point conversion.
No matter what happens to Kansas in this contest, the Jayhawks have had a remarkable season. A team that began the year with modest aspirations of a bowl berth played its way into the national-title discussion in November, and it should have some staying power in the Big 12 North under coach Mark Mangino, winner of several coach of the year awards this season.
Mr. Levine is a writer for FootballOutsiders.com.
