This week, all eyes are on Manhattan, Kansas for the Sunflower Showdown. This game will help clarify the muddled Big 12 North race. Chase McCarthy will analyse key positions and matchups and predictions of the game.


Quarterback: Todd Reesing vs. Grant Gregory

Grant Gregory is an amazing story. Gets a sixth year of eligibility after backing up Matt Grothe at South Florida for three years. Comes in and plays very well against Iowa State. He has 203 rushing yards and 665 yards passings for the year. Todd Reesing has become a Jayhawk legend. He will leave KU with the career passing yards record and go down as one of the best quarterbacks at Kansas even though he did get benched last week. I have to go with experience
here.

Edge: Kansas

Running Back: Jake Sharp vs. Daniel Thomas

One of these players is closing in on 1,000 yards rushing. If you are thinking Jake Sharp, you are wrong. Daniel Thomas has been another junior college sucess for Bill Snyder. He is the Wildcats' best offensive weapon because its easier to get him the ball than Banks since he is also the quarterback in the Wildcat formation. He gives the Wildcats the best chance to win every saturday. Jake Sharp has been battling injury and has been non-existant since the UTEP game. Coach Mangino has said that Sharp is battling injury for the rest of the season, but I doubt a healthy Jake Sharp is better than Daniel Thomas.

Edge: Kansas State.

Wide Receiver: Desmon Briscoe vs. Brandon Banks

To me, this is like saying to you prefer KFC or Taco Bell as your best fast food? To me its hard to say which one I like better. Both are amazing athletes. Brandon Banks has 5 kickoff returns for a touchdown and has 524 yards receiving. Dezmon Briscoe has 841 yards receiving that has him tied with Missouri's Danario Alexander for top receiving yards in the Big 12. Both are huge parts in each team's offense that I really can't choose who is better, so I will call this one a push

Edge: Push

Offensive Line:

Kansas State is ranked 72nd in Sacks allowed, Kansas is ranked 88th. Both teams do a mediocre to poor job protecting the quarterback. But Kansas's defense is ranked 11th in sacks while K-State is ranked 58th. I think the pass rush of Kansas will prove to be too much for the Wildcats' offensive line in the end.

Edge: Kansas

Defense:

Both teams are pretty even on the defensive side. Kansas State plays better against the pass but
gave up 60 more yards passing than their average against the Sooners. Expect Reesing to throw for at least 300 yards. Kansas also averages only 99 yards on the ground, expect that to be more
with Valentine and Thomas running the ball. Neither team has an advantage here.

Edge: Push

Special Teams:

Kansas State's special teams are led by Brandon Banks. He is 9th in the Nation in kickoff return average and first in kickoff return touchdowns. Kansas State is fourth in the nation in Kickoff return yards. Kansas does not have a single threat to return the ball for a touchdown ranking 10th in the conference and 99th nationally in Kickoff return yards. The Kansas kicker, Jacob Branstetter, has kicked the ball for a touchback 16% of the time. For KU to be successful in this game, they must kick the ball out of the end zone 100% of the time.

Edge: Kansas State

X-factor: Bill Snyder and home field advantage

Bill Snyder hasn't lost a game in his stadium since 2005. Granted he retired in 2005 but still the statistic is true. Kansas hasn't beaten Bill Snyder in Manhatten since 1989, Snyder's first season. The last time Kansas even came close to winning in Manhatten with Snyder at the helm was 1993 in a 10-9 loss. Bill obviously doesn't have the talent that he used to have, but his coaching has gotten his Wildcats to this point. It might play a big factor in Saturday's game.

Prediction:

Kansas is coming into this game struggling to get something positive going for their team. Its very possible for this team to finish 5-7 after starting the year 5-0. Kansas State is playing very well now and have seem to found something that works for them that wasn't present when they played close to UMass and lost to Louisiana-Lafayette. This is a huge rivalry game for the two teams because not only is it bragging rights until next season, but will have a huge effect on the team that loses and may keep that team out of a bowl game. In the end, Daniel Thomas runs for 165 yards and two touchdowns, Banks runs a punt return for a touchdown and hold off a late rally by the Jayhawks and KSU wins.

Official Prediction: KSU 35-27

At least basketball season has started.......

Big 12 North Talk Radio's Preseason Basketball Ranking

Kansas maybe considered the top team in the Big 12 and the country, but how do the other programs in the Big 12 North stack up against each other. Will Kansas State be a champion? Can Missouri replicate last season's run? big 12 North Talk Radio will be ranking the Big 12 North from 6 down to 1 to see who can make an impact and possibly overthrow Kansas as the top program in the North.

6. Colorado Buffaloes

Returning starters: 4

Projected Big 12 record: 4-12

Postseason: None

The Colorado Buffaloes have not made the tourney since 1998, don't expect that to change this year. The Buffaloes do return four starters but the problem is thats from a team that finished 1-15 in conference play last year. After Richard Roby's departed in 2008, someone needed to step up in his place. That role is now occupied by Cory Higgins. Averaging 17.4 PPG, he is a bright spot on a very bad team. The rest of his teammates need to step up if they want to get out of the basement of the Big 12. Until they do, the buffaloes stay at the bottom of the list.

5. Nebraska Cornhuskers

Returning Starters: 2

Projected big 12 record: 6-10

Projected Tournament: NIT

Doc Sadler is back for his fourth season in Lincoln but his Cornhuskers are in rebuilding mode. Cookie Miller transferred to Miami of Ohio (Really, he did) and have 9 scholarship players that came in this past offseason. The youth factor on this Cornhusker team that may prove to be their doom in Big 12 play. But the reason I have them ahead of the Buffaloes is one thing: Defense. Sadler always has a well coached team who plays great defense. He may not have a height advantage on many teams but what his team lacks in height, they make up in discipline and heart. I see the Cornhuskers going 6-10 with an upset win or two mix in.

4. Missouri Tigers

Returning starters: 2

Projected big 12 record: 8-8

Post-season tourney: Bubble NCAA/ Top seed in NIT

The Missouri Tigers were the surprise team of the nation last year and rode that success to the Elite Eight. But with the departure of Carroll and Lyons, the Tigers have to find someone to replace their presence and scoring on the floor. The favorites right now are Keith Ramsey and Laurence Bowers. Even if those guys are half as good as Carroll or Lyons were, it most likely won't be enough for teams built with great frontcourts to have their way with the Tigers. Tiller and Taylor are going to be the leaders of a great backcourt, but the inexperience in the frontcourt will cost the Tigers. Expect an 8-8 season from the Tigers and a possible NCAA Tourney Bid.

3. Iowa State Cyclones

Returning Starters: 4

Predicted Big 12 record: 9-7

Postseason: Ncaa tourney 11 seed.

Craig Brackins is the obvious storyline of the 2009-2010 Iowa State squad. He shocked many people in his decision to come back for another year in college. The starting line-up is mostly intact and many pick the Cyclones as a darkhorse to win the Big 12 North. I believe that while the conference at the top is too strong for the Cyclones to win the regular season title but they can make a run in the Tournament. I see the Cyclones going 9-7 in the Big 12, making it into the NCAA Tournament with a first round loss.

2. Kansas State Wildcats

Returning Starters: 4

Predicted Big 12 Record: 11-5

Postseason: Ncaa Tournament 5th seed

The Kansas State Wildcats return Denis Clemente and Jacob Pullen. This 1, 2 punch in the backcourt is one of the best in the Big 12. The Wildcats also return a frontcourt with size in Colon. Also a highly ranked recruiting class highlighted by 6'9" Forward Wally Judge. This Wildcat team looks very strong and maybe just as good or better than the 2007-2008 squad with Walker and Beasley. Look for the Wildcats to make a sweet sixteen run and make noise in the Big 12.

1. Kansas Jayhawks

Returning starters: 5

Predicted Big 12 record: 15-1

Postseason: NCAA tournament top overall seed

The Kansas Jayhawks have been voted preseason #1 for the second time in the AP poll and third time in the Coaches Poll. With the return of all 5 starters who averaged 4 stars coming out of high school, its no surprise the Jayhawks are picked by many to be National Champions. Being picked to win the National Championship and winning the national championship are two different things. It all depends on who is in their bracket, who they play and how well they play. Look for the Jayhawks to lose maybe 5 games total this year and I expect them to be cutting down the net in April 2010.