This week’s Sunflower Showdown is interesting on so many levels. First and foremost, Kansas State can almost secure the Big 12 north title with a victory over Kansas. But just as important for the Jayhawks, a win on Saturday could be the catalyst to them winning the title.
Throw in the fact that Mark Mangino created a quarterback controversy by pulling Todd Reesing when KU still had the opportunity to win against Texas Tech and you see why this matchup is so compelling.
Despite the surprise fourth quarter benching, Mangino says he still has confidence in Reesing and Reesing says he isn’t happy with what happened or the way he’s played, but he’s not lacking in confidence heading into Manhattan.
For KU to win on Saturday It has little to do with K-State and everything to do with the Jayhawks. Reesing must play better, but he also needs to be protected. Last week the offensive line gave up six sacks. Kansas can’t win if they can’t protect Reesing or get the running game going.
Jake Sharp still doesn’t seem to have the explosion that he needs to be successful, so it may be time to give Toben Opurum an opportunity to pound out some yardage. Dezmon Briscoe has dropped passes in key situations in each of the last three games. Somehow he needs to come to the field more focused.
As important as anything may be coach Mark Mangino and the decisions he makes on Saturday. His questionable decision to not onside kick when his team was kicking off from the Tech 40 with a 7 point lead was ridiculous. Going for it on fourth and one from their own 31, down by seven with 7:10 to go made no sense and pulling Reesing when down by 14 when he wasn’t hurt was nuts. They were one play from being right back in it.
If Mangino coaches the same way on Saturday, KU will lose their fourth in a row. One thing that is certain is he has a ticked off quarterback heading into the game and there’s no telling how he’ll play on Saturday, but Reesing has always been at his best when cornered. Maybe that’s what we’ll see from the senior and his teammates.
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