2007 Season Preview: San Jose State

Game Two:



vs.




2006 Record: 9-4 (5-3)
Conference: Western Athletic (WAC)
Returning starters: Six offensive, seven defensive

Game Information
Saturday, September 8
Manhattan, Kan., Bill Snyder Family Stadium
6:05 p.m. Central Daylight Time



When San Jose State has the ball...

Week two will bring another team with an experienced quarterback. Senior Adam Tafralis (181-276, 2284 yards, 21 TDs/7 INTs) leads the Spartan attack, with a 19-5 career record for SJSU. Tafralis is a big guy at 6'1", 219 pounds, but isn't much of a running threat (90 carries, 224 yards last year).

K-State fans will find themselves reminiscing about the days of Darren Sproles when SJSU running back Yonus Davis takes the field. The senior is only 5'7" and 180 pounds, but put up some big numbers last year (163 carries, 1007 yards, 6.2 yards per carry, 6 TDs).

The Spartans lost both of their starting wide receivers from last year, and their top returnee had all of three catches last year. This unit should be an area of definite concern for SJSU, as they will be relying entirely on new faces.

Along the offensive line, the Spartans return only two starters from last year (center Justin Paysinger, left guard John Booker), along with tight end Jeff Clark. This group did a good job last year, clearing the way to 175.6 rushing yards per game. The pass protection was a little more suspect, giving up 20 sacks. The Spartans will need to replace that run blocking and find a left tackle to protect Tafralis' blind side.

When K-State has the ball...

The Spartans return three of four defensive line starters from a unit that gave up 148.4 rushing yards per game last year. The returnees include Justin Cole, Jerome Pulu and Jarron Gilbert (combined for 19.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks). This is not a large group, however, as the three average only 267 pounds (Cole checks in at only 240).

At linebacker, SJSU has two returning starters, Demetrius Jones and Matt Castelo (combined 243 tackles, 13 TFL, 0 sacks and 1 INT). Castelo is a particularly efficient tackler, registering 165 tackles by himself last year. The Spartans linebackers don't appear to do much with regard to rushing the passer or defending the pass, registering zero sacks, one interception and three pass breakups last season.

Both cornerbacks return for the Spartans, but both safeties were lost. The cornerbacks are Dwight Lowery and Christopher Owens, who combined for 98 tackles, 13 INTs (nine for Lowery alone), and 12 PBUs.

Matchups

K-State Offense vs. San Jose State Defense

The Spartans were not particularly solid against the run last year with their undersized defensive line. The Wildcats need to use their bigger linemen to establish a running game with Leon Patton and James Johnson, because SJSU's front four hounds passers. If we can get the run going, a few nicely timed play-action passes should keep the defense on its heels. Freeman will want to avoid throwing toward Lowery's side of the field, but if we can get some receivers downfield against the Spartans inexperienced safeties, big things might happen.

K-State Defense vs. San Jose State Offense

Tafralis probably won't be intimidated by playing in Manhattan, as the Spartans will travel to Tempe and play Arizona State the first week of the season. He's a pretty well-poised QB who doesn't make very many mistakes (3-to-1 TD-to-INT ratio last year). However his lack of mobility may be a liability against the K-State pass rush. The Cats will need a good game from their front seven to prevent SJSU from establishing its rushing attack. If the Spartans can run the ball, the Cats may be in trouble.

Special Teams

San Jose State has a good punter back in Waylon Prather (44.0 yards per punt last season). Veteran placekicker Jared Strubeck returns for SJSU, with career stats of 64-70 PATs made, 20-30 FGs made (a long of 48) and five out of 10 onside kicks recovered. Cornerback Dwight Lowery has the most experience returning punts, but only averaged 8.4 yards in five attempts last year. Backup running back Jacob French averaged 16.7 yards per kickoff return last year in 10 attempts. Look for Yonus Davis to join him returning kicks.

Three reasons K-State could win...

1. Beat up the SJSU defense: The Spartans are not large nor particularly effective at stopping the run, and K-State's offensive line will be one of the bigger ones they've faced. If the Cats can't pick up 150 yards on the ground in this game, we will have good reason to question the offensive line progress, even this early in the season.

2. Stifling pass defense: K-State's secondary is one of the better units in the Big 12. On top of that, SJSU returns very little at wide receiver. If the corners and safeties can shut down the passing game, the front seven can go to work on Yonus Davis.

3. Put the heat on Tafralis: It's going to be a common refrain this season, but Ian Campbell and Rob Jackson need to live in the opposing QB's grill. With inexperienced wide receivers against the Cats veteran secondary, Tafralis may try to take time he doesn't have to get passes off with an offensive line that gave up 20 sacks last year.

Three reasons San Jose State could win...

1. Rock the rushing game: K-State's primary question is stopping the run, and the Spartans do run pretty well. If Yonus Davis has a 100-yard game, the Spartans have a chance.

2. Don't force things: Tafralis proved to be a good decision maker last season by only throwing seven INTs. He'll need to make good decisions and not force the ball down field, or K-State will likely make him pay.

3. Make it come down to a kick: Strubeck is an experienced kicker, something K-State doesn't have this year. He is also incredible at booting recoverable onside kicks. If it comes down to field goals or an onsider, SJSU has an advantage.

Prediction: The Spartans beat few quality opponents last year despite winning nine games (combined record of teams defeated was 33-76, including 7-4 I-AA Cal Poly). They were 2-3 on the road, including a loss at 5-7 Washington and a blowout at the hands of Hawaii. This could be a trap game for K-State if Ron Prince can't get the team to take SJSU seriously after the bright lights of Auburn. However, the Cats should be able to establish the run against SJSU's undersized defense, in turn giving Freeman a chance to pick on the somewhat inexperienced secondary. At this point, I'll call it a 27-13 victory for the Purple and White.