Staring Down the Musket At...The Kansas Jayhawks: A Q&A Session With Rock Chalk Talk

Steve Fetch from Rock Chalk Talk was kind enough to answer some questions about this weekend's Homecoming matchup between the Jayhawks and the Mountaineers. Let's get started, shall we?

Matt: Obviously, the big (/fart noise) topic is Charlie Weis. I'm pretty sure that I know your opinion on his firing, so I really won't ask how you feel about it. I'm more interested in the names of guys who KU fans have targeted as realistic ideas for a replacement that can really rebuild the Jayhawk program. It's still very early, but has anyone really emerged as a fan favorite so far?

Steve: I don't know that there is any one guy that people want. Jim Harbaugh is the dream hire because of his interest in the gig after Mark Mangino was fired, but that obviously isn't going to happen. Speaking of Mangino, that also is a fan favorite, but I think people who know the program know that is never going to happen.

As far as realistic guys, I think the favorites are probably Ed Warinner at Ohio State and David Beaty at A&M due to their history at Kansas and, in Beaty's case, his ability to recruit.

More from our team sites

Kansas Jayhawks

Follow

Matt: I'm gonna be honest, I don't know much about Kansas. I'll start out with the offense. What sort of scheme are you running out there and who are the most important guys for the Jayhawks to give the WVU defense problems?

Steve:We run what is called the hot garbage offense. It involves having a couple super talented players and giving them the ball twice per game, and having a quarterback who can't throw 30+ times.

In all seriousness, it's a spread offense that has a lot of short/intermediate passes built in. They're kind of still in an adjustment phase from the mostly pro style offense they ran the last couple years, so there has been some elements of that as well. There's a lot of talk that Weis was influencing the play calling, so I don't really know what to expect this week. I do think we will see some more option looks and more of a run based attack, since that's where most of our talent is.

Matt: Clint Trickett has been lighting up defenses with the help of Kevin White and Mario Alford. How has the KU secondary looked and what kind of wrinkles might be put in to help slow down the WVU offense?

Steve:The defense hasn't been horrible. They gave up a lot of points to Duke but a lot of that was cause the offense couldn't move the ball and they were just on the field for forever. There's no doubt in my mind that Trickett is going to have a big day because we do lack speed back there, but if they have the same type of success on first down that they've had so far this year, maybe they can force you guys into some third and longs. One thing to watch is the blitzing on third down. They did it quite a bit in the Texas game with so success.

Matt: Stopping the run has been a problem for WVU and mobile QBs have been a particular thorn in our side. How does KU use Montell Cozart to compliment their running game?

Steve: They haven't really at all to be honest. The zone read has been there but if I had to estimate he has handed it off 95% of the time. Most KU fans wish he would run more because he is definitely fast enough to be a thorn in the side of defenses. He's had a couple 25+ yard scampers on drop backs when the middle has just opened wide up for him.

One thing I do wish, as I alluded to above, is that Kansas would run the option a bit more. He's not a great thrower but can definitely run well. It does seem like he's afraid to keep it and get hit though.

Matt: What must the Jayhawks do to pull of an upset of WVU for the second straight year?

Steve: I really don't think it's going to happen, though with the Weis stink off I'm finally excited for a game. I think they'll need probably 2 or 3 turnovers and maybe one or two lengthy sustained drives on offense to keep the defense rested. So yeah. Good luck.

Matt: Who would win in a fight between Voltron and the original Power Rangers Mega Zord?

Steve: Dude. Megazord. It's 5 power rangers in one. I also have a really sweet green power rangers costume that I wore for Halloween in third grade. It was awesome.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: The Mega Zord takes a 2-1 lead over Voltron.

Thanks again to Steve from Rock Chalk Talk for taking the time to help us preview this weekend's game. You can follow RCT on Twitter @RockChalkTalk and be sure to check out RCT for more JayHawk coverage.