Football!!
by I need more Esteban on Jun 2, 2009 11:23 AM CDT
40 comments
I'd like to take a second to thank JQ for the great KU baseball coverage he had this spring. I didn't follow the team emphatically but I will say that I followed some and knew more about the team and season because of his coverage. So great job and thanks for giving RCT readers a reason to come during the "dead period" of major college athletics.
Unfortunately, the Diamond Hawks are done now. They had a great season and have something to build on (something I'm sure JQ will get into and I look forward to reading). Now, though, it's time to start thinking football and start discussing, debating, and argueing about what might be one of the most highly anticipated football seasons in the history of Kansas football.
I really don't have much right now to go on but after hearing Tim Griffin go on ESPN First Take and once again hype Nebraska, I was really pissed. I know I'm biased, but I don't see how this guy who only covers the Big 12, can really say that Nebraska is "the team to watch" over us. In the end, I could be wrong, but when you have the experience that our position players have, I don't see how we can't get any love.
I figured to get a post out there and maybe generate some discussion, I'd do one of the simpleist posts but sometimes one of the most fun. Let's take a look at the schedule for the season, and super early predictions for those games. Summer bleeds optimism!
Schedule Courtest KUsports.com
| Sept. 5 | Northern Colorado | Lawrence | TBA |
| Sept. 12 | Texas-El Paso | El Paso, Texas | 6:30 pm |
| Sept. 19 | Duke | Lawrence | 11:00 am |
| Sept. 26 | Southern Mississippi | Lawrence | TBA |
| Oct. 10 | Iowa State | Lawrence | |
| Oct. 17 | Colorado | Boulder, Colo. | TBA |
| Oct. 24 | Oklahoma | Lawrence | TBA |
| Oct. 31 | Texas Tech | Lubbock, Texas | TBA |
| Nov. 7 | Kansas State | Manhattan, Kan. | TBA |
| Nov. 14 | Nebraska | Lawrence | TBA |
| Nov. 21 | Texas | Austin, Texas | TBA |
| Nov. 28 | Missouri | TBA | TBA |
| <!--<a href="http://mutigers.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/miss-m-footbl-body.html" mce_href="http://mutigers.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/miss-m-footbl-body.html">--> |
The goal this season is no doubt to be playing December 5th in Texas vs. the South's best. There can be no other goal for this team and I truely believe they can reach it.
September: Non-Conference
The month of September is packed full of Saturday games against some familiar yet non-power schools.
Northern Colorado: 1-10 last season, this is our classic non-con game to get the ball rolling, get the kinks out and also get some young guys playing time. Hawks win in a huge blowout.
@ Texas El Paso: UTEP was 5-7 overall last year and 4-4 in Conference USA. This is a quality school and a road game. Hawks win this one but there is no guarantees that it's an easy win.
Duke: Duke went 4-8 last season and 1-7 in the tough ACC. Duke has improved some as a football school in the past couple of years but they are not to the level of KU. Easy win.
Southern MIss: This will undoubtedly be our toughest non-con game even if it's at home. Southern Miss finished 7-6 last season, 4-4 in Conference USA. This is a program that has been a solid non-BCS team for years now. They return a QB in Austin Davis, who threw for over 3000 yards and 23 TD's as a freshman. Also, Southern Miss plays Virginia the week before us. I don't know much about Virginia next season but Southern Miss will be ready after playing another BCS school. Jayhawks win @ home but again, could be a battle if we don't take them seriously.
Non-Conference - 4-0
Oct. 10th, Iowa State: After a week off before Big 12 starts, KU opens at home with Iowa State. Iowa State is starting a new regime and it won't get off to a good start, KU doesn't look past the Cyclones after last years game and wins easily. 5-0
Oct. 17th, @ Colorado: Wow this is going to be a big game in only the 2nd Big 12 game of the season. I don't really know much about Colorado except for what I've seen the past few seasons. This game scares me, though, in Boulder and the thing is, it is a must win! Some have CU being a sleeper but I'll need to see it to believe it. KU wins in similar fashion to 2007 in Boulder. 6-0
Oct. 24th, Oklahoma: If KU is undefeated at this point with the defending National runner up coming to the other Memorial Stadium, it could get wild. At this point, I can't tell you if we can even sniff the same air as OU. I do know one thing, the Jayhawk faithful will come in full force and be very hyped. This is our only home game this year against one of the South powerhouses and it leaves me optimistic that we could pull a major upset. I expect a nationally televised game with two ranked teams. I'm going to give OU the edge, but remember, we played OU to one of their lowest point outputs of the season last year in Norman. 6-1
Oct. 31st, @ Texas Tech: Texas Tech is attempting to re-load this season but you know Mike Leech will have another QB ready to run his system and run up the points. KU owes Tech one after the beat down they put on a reeling KU team last season. I'm going to go with KU in the most likely upset in this one. At this point in the season, though, Tech could be undefeated or have already lost 3 games. 7-1
Nov. 7th, @ K-State: The 2nd Bill Snyder era starts now! I don't really know what to expect from K-State this season but I think it could be rough this season. KU wins handily, I hope: 8-1
Nov. 14th, Nebraska: Man am I glad this game is @ home this season. KU still hasn't beaten Nebraska in Lincoln during this resurrection of the program but they have now beaten Nebraska 2 times in a row @ home, 1 more and that is called a winning streak, it has happened before (what movie?). Anyways, doesn't need to be said, but this is going to be a HUUUUGE game (again, I hope). Many are picking Nebraska at this point to win the North, some are picking Kansas. This game could be the decider in who gets their ass waxed in the Big 12 Championship, I would really like for us to be the one getting our asses waxed.....wait what? KU wins this one in what could be an amazing contest. Why do I say we win? Because we are at home and I hate Nebraska! 9-1
9-1 at this point? Really? Well damnit I'm probably overly optmistic but whose going to stop our offense really? Maybe a team that has a great pass-rush? Definitely possible but this is a June prediction!
Nov. 21st, @ Texas: Here is a loss. Texas has too much coming back and just too much general talent. My hope is that we can be in the game in the 4th Quarter but it could be ugly. 9-2
Nov. 28th, Missouri @ Arrowhead: And once again the game against Missouri at Arrowhead could be an enormous one. There is many mixed feelings about moving this game off campus but one thing we can probably agree on is how much hype it can create for the schools. This could be a game that puts us into the Big 12 title game and it could be a game for Missouri to spoil our season, much like we half-ass did for them last season. There is no way that in June I can pick Missouri to beat us so it's an easy call, KU by a close margin (because this game is always good these days).
Final Regular season record: 10-2
Ku goes 10-2 and plays for the Big 12 Championship. No way I'm making any predictions for that game at this point but it is probably a rematch of a loss to OU or Texas, don't sleep on OK. St., though, Bill Young could do wonders for that defense.
I'm definitely over-optimistic at this point, just like I was last season. But I really think this could be another special season. Just have to keep Todd and Kerry healthy and hope that our defense improves significantly.
What are your thoughts guys?
Record predictions? Places we could get "upset"? Hey, let's just talk some football here.
2 recs |
40 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
Thanks for throwing this up it was definitely time....
I’ve got us winning 9 this year with a possibility of 10…my biggest concern is that while many have us the favorite, we have by far the most difficult road. Nebraska at home is about the only favor we have on the schedule as both OU and Texas will start the season in the top 5 and Tech on the road won’t be easy.
Here’s my game by game…
Non-Con…not going to go into each game but I think with 3 of the 4 at home this shouldn’t be a problem starting 4-0 and honestly it’s got to happen in my opinion if we want to be able to consider this team at the caliber that could win the North.
Conference goes like this…
ISU at home after a bye week…don’t think we have nearly the trouble we saw last year. Kansas wins
CU…earlier I would have said this one concerns me but with the recent announcement of Josh Smiths departure to go along with some other major changes in the offseason I’m still not sure that Dan Hawkins is going to hit his 10 win guarantee anytime soon. Very confusing what’s going on in Boulder. Kansas Wins.
OU…tough one, they could be the clearcut #1 at this point I’ll say we lose but put up a good fight. OU Wins.
Texas Tech…this is one I think we have to steal if we are to get to 10 wins. They obviously lost a lot but that’s happened to them before and Leach always seems to have guys waiting to take up the charge. Plus it’s in Lubbock. Right now, I think we drop this one but a lot could depend on how both teams confidence is faring at this point in the year. Tech Wins.
Kansas State…it’s a process to rebuild this thing but it is a rivalry game in Manhattan so I suppose I shouldn’t overlook them. Still though I find it hard to believe Mangino doesn’t win this one. Kansas wins.
Nebraska…a lot of ?‘s on offense but should be solid on defense and they’ve definitely got talent on the roster. I like Kansas at home in this one as hopefully our inexperience on O-Line won’t be as big a factor by this point. Kansas Wins.
Texas…in Austin, Texas preseason #3…Kansas loss. Again hopefully we put up a fight.
Missouri….loses a lot but much like us I think they’ve got the talent in the system now and at this point they will have experience under their belt so it will be a battle. I’ll say Kansas wins and they’ll have to in order to win the North.
wrap up the year 9-3 with a 5-3 conference record. I’m at the point where I do believe due to scheduling that we will have to sweep the North slate to win the North so it’s going to be a very interesting year and should be fun. Keep everyone healthy, get the o-line prepared and someone step up on defense and I like us as much as anyone.
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
Hawkins predicted 10 wins?
I missed that, haha that will be tough…
Pretty much agree with your assessment, 9-3 is probably a little more realistic but I’m an optimist to the fullest. Well I guess not because then I would’ve said 12-0!!!!!!
by I need more Esteban on Jun 2, 2009 12:29 PM CDT up reply actions
yep...
right after the season last year, maybe February, he made a statement that they were going for 10 wins this year and “no excuses”…it’s going to be real tough in my mind and folks out here haven’t forgotten that statement and the seat might be getting hot for Hawkins real quick.
As far as 10-2, 9-3 either is a very solid season considering our schedule although I would love to get to that 10 win level this year.
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
10 wins any year is tough
And I don’t think it was out of the realm of possibility before Josh Smith left. Now it’s flat-out not happening. You don’t let 2,000 all-purpose yards walk out the door without something being seriously wrong. I believe CU is down to one player who has a catch in his NCAA career. 10 wins doesn’t happen with that kind of lineup. I’d be happy with 7 at this point.
If you don't eat your meat, you can't have any pudding! HOW can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat?!
by SlamDunkTheFunk on Jun 3, 2009 1:22 AM CDT up reply actions
no doubt...
anytime a team hits 10 wins in a year in the Big 12 you are talking about a very solid team. I’ve always liked Hawkins and I’m still holding out hope but there is a lot of head scratching going on with things up there lately.
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
You ain't kidding.
It’s all just so bizarre.
If you don't eat your meat, you can't have any pudding! HOW can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat?!
by SlamDunkTheFunk on Jun 3, 2009 2:02 PM CDT up reply actions
could get upset games....
I guess I’d say…
any road game in the Big 12 is tough so Colorado and Kansas State could both pose challenges.
Also while neither would necessarily be an upset, both MU and Nebraska could be huge in terms of winning the North and will not be easy wins by my estimation at this point.
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
Colorado and K-State on the road are the only games I could see us losing that would even fall in the upset category. Mizzou and Nebraska are our equals at this point based on recent success and recruiting. If we beat Tech that would be us upseting them in my opinion and I don’t even want to think about losing a non-con game.
That's what we do at Kansas, we WIN.
by Ghost of Mark Randall on Jun 2, 2009 1:46 PM CDT up reply actions
Instead of having beef with Griffin
You guys may have a little more beef with Phil Steele.
Other than Nebraska #1 and Iowa State #6, I’m guessing he just pulled names out of a hat – and apparently was dumb enough to pick two at once…
Introducing the new 2008 Big 12 Football Champions: OU, UT*, TT*, and MU*!
Now Introducing the new 2009 Big 12 Baseball Tournament Champions: UT, KSU*, BU*, and MU*!
Honestly at this point I’m not shocked that Griffin, Steele or anyone else would doubt Kansas based primarily on a tough draw. We kind of have the opposite forces working against us than we had working for us in 2007. In 07’ we had talent, a lot of ?‘s but a fairly favorable schedule. This year we’ve again some very talented areas, some very big ?’s but this time a very nonfavorable schedule.
I suppose Steele’s predictions do raise a few eyebrows though for a variety of reasons including KSU tied for 2nd. Nothing against the Wildcats but I think most would have to admit that might be a stretch for this season.
That's what we do at Kansas, we WIN.
by Ghost of Mark Randall on Jun 2, 2009 1:44 PM CDT up reply actions
Oh I agree
I don’t think anyone (right now) can justify ranking K-State anything higher than 4th in the north – and the same thing goes with CU.
The way I see it would be:
1. Nebraska
2. Kansas
3. Missouri
4/5. K-State and Colorado (CU keeps dropping in my book)
6. Iowa State.
Introducing the new 2008 Big 12 Football Champions: OU, UT*, TT*, and MU*!
Now Introducing the new 2009 Big 12 Baseball Tournament Champions: UT, KSU*, BU*, and MU*!
I’d say that’s fair and as much as I’d like to see KU get the preseason recognition I would have no problem with anyone giving the nod to Nebraska and having that order you give above. Who knows though, K-State, MU and CU all have pieces that if the right things happen they could make a play.
That's what we do at Kansas, we WIN.
by Ghost of Mark Randall on Jun 2, 2009 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions
Not to be pessimistic but I do think I'm the resident old man so here's my thought.
Kansas finishes 8-4 this year and due to a brutal south slate doesn’t win the Big 12 North. I think we compete but still lose all 3 against the South and then we drop one to either Nebraska or Mizzou and that ultimately does us in. I’m in agreement with Denver that I think we’ll have to sweep the North to win the North this year, unfortunately I don’t think it happens.
We’ve got a lot of history to overcome still with bringing this program up to the potential we’ve seen in recent years and I just don’t think we’re quite at the point we need to be in terms of talent and experience combined at a top level. Not saying we don’t have talent, but there is a good chunk of it still developing and we need upperclassman talent w/experience to compete year in and year out and that’s something we’re still building.
That's what we do at Kansas, we WIN.
by Ghost of Mark Randall on Jun 2, 2009 1:40 PM CDT reply actions
good points
9-3 would be a damn good season and 8-4 probably a little disappointing for a lot of hardcore KU fans, but if you beat the right rivals then it becomes good again.
by I need more Esteban on Jun 3, 2009 12:17 AM CDT up reply actions
Nice post to transition into football season.
A timely and well put-together article, and your shameless but entirely appropriate praise of the baseball coverage, will get your story pushed to the front page every time.
I am a bit more worried about the non-conference games than you and Denver. I could see either UTEP or Southern Miss pulling an upset. I give KU an even chance at going 4-0 or 3-1. My poll vote was for 9-3 record, but my internal calculations actually came up with closer to eight wins.
It will be nice to see the hits soon. I think the offensive line and the linebackers are the two key areas for KU. If they both come together, this team could win 11. If they both flounder, the Hawks could be stoped at seven wins.
www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage
I was hoping this would get the front page bump myself....
as far as the non-con….I suppose my optimism is probably half coming from the fact that I truly don’t believe we even need to be considering ourselves a contender for the Big 12 North if we can’t win those 4 at the start of the year.
…it’s not a matter of if it’s a possibility in my mind, it’s more a question of can this team afford that sort of setback and the answer is no. Jayhawks lose one of those first 4 and we I think we finish 7-5 just like last year and as much as I hate to say it that would be to me a bit of a setback.
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
Exactly and that’s what I was getting at a little bit above in my upset picks. Basically if Kansas football wants to make a play this year, take the next step and give people a reason to notice, losing isn’t an option in the first four games.
That's what we do at Kansas, we WIN.
by Ghost of Mark Randall on Jun 2, 2009 1:53 PM CDT up reply actions
JQ...
with your 8 win calculation who are your four losses…
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
I do it a bit differently then most.
I figure a % chance of winning each game. Here was my very rough breakdown:
Northern Colorado – 95%
@ Texas El Paso – 75%
Duke – 90%
Southern MIss – 85%
(So, going by my half assed figues, there is 55% chance KU will lose one non-conference game.)
Iowa State – 90%
@ Colorado – 65%:
Oklahoma – 40%
@ Texas Tech – 45%
@ K-State – 75%
Nebraska – 70%
@ Texas – 20%
Missouri @ Arrowhead – 60%
(That comes out to 4.7 conference wins, which I pushed up to 5-3.)
Anyway, I’m a fan, not a calculator, so I went with a 9-3 prediction, which I recognize is a bit optimistic. And I’d give the team about a 25% chance of going 10-2, which would be sickly sweet.
www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage
pretty interesting stuff....
I’ll take that, either way we both got to 9-3 and I’m really hoping the Jayhawks can make that happen this year.
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
Actually, I only got to 8.2 wins, not 9.
I just pushed it to nine because, you know, I like the Jayhawks.
www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage
Phil Steele
What I find hilarious is that even though Phil Steele picked KU to be 4th in the North… His poll on his homepage for today is clearly showing that everyone else thinks otherwise.
Right now, the consensus is around 9 wins… Crazy, huh?
scout...
Welcome to RCT…looks like you are fairly new at least. Another thing I found interesting about Steele was his preseason top 50 and the complete absence of Kansas anywhere on the list. I’d find it hard to believe that even if we were to only win 8 that Kansas wouldn’t fit in that top 50 range.
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
I’m somewhat new. I’ve been reading the blog for the past two years and have been a member at the Dolphins SBN blog for a bit.
I would agree with you. When nearly every preseason poll has Kansas in the top 25, I find it an absolute knock on Steele’s credibility when he doesn’t include the team in his top 50.
Bogus.
I've got to think that....
he’s knocking us due to the difficult schedule and thinks we’ll end up 6-6 or something of that nature. Obviously if he’s picking us 4th in the North he’s probably looking at losses to all three South teams along with NU, CU and KSU based on his standings. Seems crazy though?
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
this Phil Steele guy
has a name like a pornstar…I won’t trust his football knowledge
by I need more Esteban on Jun 3, 2009 12:22 AM CDT up reply actions
He's Ridiculous
Guy also has Notre Dame preseason #7 and Cal in the Top Ten. NOT BUYING IT.
by KennyGregoryRockThaCradle on Jun 6, 2009 4:12 PM CDT up reply actions
Speaking of Phil Steele...
his preseason All Big 12 and All America teams include some Jayhawks…
All America…
Briscoe – 3rd Team
Stuckey – 4th Team
Big 12…
First Team
Dezmon Briscoe, wide receiver
Darrell Stuckey, strong safety
Second Team
Kerry Meier, wide receiver
Daymond Patterson, punt returner
Third Team
Jake Sharp, running back
Jeff Spikes, offensive tackle
Jake Laptad, defensive end
Fourth Team
Caleb Blakesley, defensive tackle
Alonso Rojas, punter
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
You are the man, Esteban.
Next Monday, I will get into a regular posting schedule. Like, 5-10 posts a week, type of stuff. I was going to start this week, but I am spending the last couple of days (plus Saturday and Sunday!) up at Xavier for pre-registration or something. So, sorry.
But yeah. Thanks a billion for just posting this. I was going to post discussion topics like this for the rest of the week before I get back into it full-fledged for next Monday, and you did some work for me. So, yay.
no problem
glad to get the discussion rolling and just talk some football.
I think the saddest part about it is that it was so easy because the Royals are playing so horribly right now. I can’t bring myself to go to Royals Review but like once a day so I just wanted to feel good again. What else to feel good but over-optimistic pre-season talk?
by I need more Esteban on Jun 3, 2009 12:21 AM CDT up reply actions
So what's the over/under for Todd Reesing TD passes this year...
I think I’ll go w/40
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
probably a good number to put
I’m tempted to go over b/c I think he’ll have a monster season, but I’ll go Under on that
by I need more Esteban on Jun 4, 2009 3:05 PM CDT up reply actions
I could see under because...
if we get a lead, I really hope Mangino gives Pick some snaps so he can have some experience going into 2010
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
Yeah
The future QB situation is one that is very intriguing, who will emerge as the guy or will it be in question; I’d guess that in 2010 we’ll have a pre-season “QB controversy” of sorts.
by I need more Esteban on Jun 4, 2009 9:12 PM CDT up reply actions
Today the future QB situation just got....
a whole lot more interesting….
2010 QB Depth Chart
Kale Pick RS Soph
Jordan Webb RS FR(assuming RS and he was a Dec Grad so practically a RS Soph)
Christian Matthews RS FR (again assuming he takes a shirt this year)
Jacoby Walker (True FR…planning on coming in as a Dec Grad though and if you all remember that was huge in Todd Reesing seeing action as a true freshman)
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
OVER!
SPARKY FOR HEISMAN! WHOOOOOOO!!!!
by KennyGregoryRockThaCradle on Jun 6, 2009 4:15 PM CDT up reply actions
With nearly 100 votes
the consensus on the poll is 9 wins with 10 a close 2nd. We better do well this year or we will have a bunch of let down fans.
by I need more Esteban on Jun 15, 2009 12:25 AM CDT reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
