Kansas Football Picked To Finish Second in the Big 12 North
by Owen Kemp on Jul 23, 2009 10:38 AM CDT
in Football
13 comments
A little motivation for the guys as they wrap up the summer. I'm thinking they aren't going to be too happy with 2nd place.
LAWRENCE, Kan. - For the second time in Big 12 Conference history and second year in a row, the Kansas football team has been picked to finish second in the league's North division in the annual preseason football media poll.
The Jayhawks received 12 first-place votes and 164 total points to finish behind Nebraska, which earned 172 points and 17 first-place votes. Missouri was the only other team to receive a first-place vote in the North division, as the Tigers were picked by three media members and finished with 124 points.
Colorado (100 points), Kansas State (81) and Iowa State (33) rounded out the North division predictions.
Complete press release from the Athletic Department after the jump...
Also another quick story for the day on running back Jake Sharp
Texas and Oklahoma each recorded 174 points to share the role of favorite in the South division. Texas received 17 first-place votes while the Sooners garnered the other 15. Oklahoma State (130 points), Texas Tech (89), Baylor (75) and Texas A&M (33) completed the South division listings.
Kansas matched its highest listing in the league's preseason poll, as the Jayhawks were also picked second before the 2008 campaign. Prior to 2008 Kansas had never been ranked higher than fourth in the preseason poll. In 2007 KU was picked fourth and then tied Missouri for the division title in the regular season.
Kansas returns 41 letterwinners, including 18 starters from last year's Insight Bowl Championship team. Among the returnees are six players who received All-Big 12 recognition a year ago.
Safety Darrell Stuckey was a first-team selection, while wide receiver Dezmon Briscoe was a second-team pick last year. Four returning Jayhawks earned honorable mention honors in 2008, including defensive tackle Caleb Blakesley, defensive end Jake Laptad, wide receiver Kerry Meier and running back Jake Sharp.
Kansas posted an 8-5 overall record and tied for third in the North division with its 4-4 conference mark last season. Missouri and Nebraska tied for the title with 5-3 conference records.
The Jayhawks ranked eighth in the NCAA in passing behind the exploits of quarterback Todd Reesing. His top targets from last year return in Briscoe and Meier. Nationally, Briscoe is second among returning players in receiving yards per game (108.23), while Meier is second among returning players in receptions per game (7.46).
Defensively, Kansas returns seven starters, including Darrell Stuckey, who was second on the team with 98 tackles and led the team with five interceptions last year.
The preseason All-Big 12 Team will be announced on Friday, July 24.
Kansas season and single-game ticket information for 2009 is available at www.kuathletics.com.
2009 Big 12 Football Media Preseason Poll
North Division
1. Nebraska (17) 172
2. Kansas (12) 164
3. Missouri (3) 124
4. Colorado 100
5. Kansas State 81
6. Iowa State 33
South Division
1. Texas (17) 174
1. Oklahoma (15) 174
3. Oklahoma State 130
4. Texas Tech 89
5. Baylor 75
6. Texas A&M 33
(NOTE: First-place votes in parentheses)
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Not sure why this is such a trend...
No disrespect to Nebraska, but they did lose some talent last year and they still don’t really know who’s going to be their QB.
Helu and Suh are both studs and potential all-americans but I’m guessing the bigger reason is Pelini. The media seem to trust that he will return Nebraska to their glory, and he may. I just don’t see it quite yet.
I've got crazy flipper fingers!
Go Fighting Sioux!
Ya sure ya betcha!
So what are you guys going to call yourselves now?
I've got crazy flipper fingers!
should be
Team with no quarterback > Team that has to play oklahoma, texas, and @Lubbock.
see there, i fixed it for you.
Go Big Red Nebraska!
Our Cobs Are Bigger Than Yours!
Corn Nation!
Twitter!
cornnation@gmail.com
by Jon Johnston on Jul 23, 2009 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions
and I think you’ve hit the nail on the head. My guess is the media think that even if Kansas beats the Huskers and is the better team, there is no way they don’t go at best 5-3 with losses to the south teams. In which case a 6-2 Husker team, which is very possible, wins out in the North.
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
Maybe, but Nebraska's schedule...
…is no picnic either. They’re on the road for Texas Tech, have Oklahoma at home, and are at Colorado, KU, Missouri and Baylor. I’m not saying they are going to lose all those games, but I can see three losses in there. Probably lose the two to Tech and OU, then pick one of the other four.
We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats
by TB on Jul 23, 2009 7:57 PM CDT up reply actions
No respect but I kind of like it
I think this team needs a chip on their shoulder to go with like 2007. Lots of issues arose in ‘08 but the team could’ve had an “we’re the shit” kind of attitude after the Orange Bowl. This year, still not getting respect, well go earn it!
Also, that is a pretty good article on Sharp.
by I need more Esteban on Jul 23, 2009 1:42 PM CDT reply actions
Yeah -
not bad writing for the LJW…
I wonder if Larry Johnson ever tried to purchase the URL – www.LJworld.com
I've got crazy flipper fingers!
Meh
I’ve stopped giving a crap about our preseason football ranking, seems like we do a little better than the critics think every year (save last season of course). The only time any of us should listen to preseason predictions is hoops, because the critics get it right. And what a tough decision to make…
Hmm who is going to win the Big 12 in hoops this year. Oh, I’ll pick KU. Honestly this and being a weatherman in San Diego have to be the easiest jobs out there :)
The only time any of us should listen to preseason predictions is hoops, because the critics get it right. And what a tough decision to make…
Gotta agree with this.
by I need more Esteban on Jul 26, 2009 6:10 PM CDT reply actions
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