A look at news and notes about Jayhawks and upcoming opponents...

• KU athletics game recap
• Game Notes
• Press Conference Quotes
• Kansas Senior Linebacker Corps wraps up a home career
• KUSports recap
• KC Star recap
• Whitlock Column talks about keeping things in perspective.
• KC Star Game Report
• Great Article on some of the Seniors

My Thoughts...The unthinkable happened yesterday, Kansas lost a football game because its offense was inept.  Todd Reesing appeared flustered and incapable of making the plays that we all know him for.  The pass protection was more than acceptable in many cases and there has been a clear improvement over the year with Jeremiah Hatch and Jeff Spikes, yet Reesing couldn’t seem to pull the trigger and couldn’t seem to keep the ball out of the dirt.  I say it again, the Kansas offense lost this game and it’s been awhile since I’ve had to say that.

A Senior day inspired defense came out and did everything they could in the first half forcing several punts by the potent offense of the Texas longhorns.  The unit forced a turnover, the defensive backs seemed to continue to get more comfortable in their new positions, and even the defensive line put some token pressure on Colt McCoy.  The problem this week was we couldn’t capitalize from an offensive standpoint.  The longer the game went without us turning the stops into our momentum the more hopeless the cause and eventually it all broke down. 

This was a frustrating game yet again for Kansas fans and it’s clear we still have work to do in the talent department before we take the next step and beat these big time opponents at home.  I talked about it a little yesterday but it’s worth mentioning again, Kansas needs some more time to improve recruiting and development based on the recent success.  This senior class committed to Mangino on the heels of a 4-7 year so while one of the greatest senior classes in terms of on field success ever at the University they probably weren’t the most talented to ever walk through the door.  Hopefully that class is yet to come and when they do on a more consistent basis we’ll begin to turn the next corner.  Nonetheless, we will see a 2^nd straight bowl, we are bowl eligible for the fourth straight year and I believe we’ve got a good shot at Missouri in Arrowhead.

A couple of guys on this team do deserve special mention after yesterday.  Kerry Meier, this guy is a warrior and all hear, we need a few more healthy versions of him on the field.  Dez Briscoe, amazing catch, another great game, and he continues to develop into a star.   Jeremiah Hatch and Jeff Spikes, no they aren’t there yet and no they didn’t have the greatest game, but they have shown marked improvement and if we could play South Florida with this current version of these two I think we win the game.  The defensive line, the unit that has been frustrating all year got some pressure and didn’t get pushed around against a usually dominate Texas O-line.  Thornton and Patterson both seem to be developing and getting more comfortable at their new spots and while I hope we get Patterson back on offense, he looks like a serviceable corner. 

Those are a few of my thoughts for positives looking ahead now it’s an extended Missouri week and maybe this team can put together their first full complete game in this one and make us all feel a little better.

Rock Chalk Jayhawk

After residing elsewhere for several weeks Rock Chalk Roundtable returns to Rock Chalk Talk. This week our contributors are Denverjhawk from Rock Chalk Talk, DJ from Hawk Digest, and HipHopopotomus from Kansas Football It's Business Time.

Here are this weeks questions...Jump to the post for the Answers...

1. First off and then we'll move on, what disappointed you the most
about last week's game?
 
2. How funny was it to watch head Powercat, Tim Fitzgerald, bumble the 
Gary Patterson story (if there ever was one)?
 
3. At 6-4, with two very tough games remaining, what are you looking 
for out of this team?
 
4. Though clearly still the favorite, Texas has not looked dominant 
since the Methzou shellacking. Is there a chance they peaked too early?
 
5. In order for Kansas to win this game, they must...

6. Big XII picks: MU@ISU, NU@KSU, A&M@Baylor, OSU@CU

Again...answers after the jump...

Continue reading this post »

			VS.
Conf	National	Actual	Category	Actual	National	Conf
Rank	Rank				Rank	Rank
7	68	143.70	Rushing Offense	174.10	37	4
5	11	299.5	Passing Offense	301.90	10	4
7	18	443.2	Total Offense	476	9	5
7	21	34.5	Scoring Offense	44.3	5	4
4	31	116.4	Rushing Defense	86	6	1
4	67	127.06	Pass Effic. Defense	127.55	68	5
8	92	392.70	Total Defense	352.90	60	3
7	84	28.20	Scoring Defense	20.70	37	1
10	101	32.41	Net Punting	42	2	1
3	21	12.95	Punt Returns	12.22	26	4
12	119	15.62	Kickoff Return	23.88	24	6
6	44	.3	Turnover Margin	.10	58	8
12	116	276.3	Pass Defense	266.90	109	9
7	18	151.61	Passing Efficiency	182.38	2	1
5	41	2.2	Sacks	3.40	T-3	1
4	36	6.3	Tackles for a Loss	6.60	27	3
9	79	2.2	Sacks Allowed	1.80	59	8

The Kansas defense and special temas continue their slides into the lower portion of the NCAA ranks.  Nebraska's 500+ yards of offense didn't do any favors and neither did the 45 points hung on the Hawks.

Looking at this weeks opponent Texas has the most balanced offensive attack that Kansas has and will likely face this year.  They run it as effectively as the pass and they are very difficult to make one dimensional.  Another scary factor is the Longhorns special teams which ranks inside the top 25 in nearly every category.

The lone sign of hope on paper for the Jayhawks is the 109th ranked pass defense that's put on the field by the Longhorns.  The only downside to that stat is they have already played Mizzou, Oklahoma and Texas Tech so it can't really be as bad as it seems.

This week the Mark Mangino led Jayhawks welcome their 2nd top 10 team of the season to Lawrence.  The Texas Longhorns are very much in the mix for a national title bid this year and at this point the Jayhawks are looking to play the spoiler role.

Why Kansas?	Edge	Scenario	Edge	Why Texas?
Once again the running game has dissapeared for the most part and if the Jayhawks are going to take this mathcup Jake Sharp will need room to run early and often affording Todd Reesing the luxery of not having ends tee off on every play.  If Kansas can balance the offense and get a quick start the offense could be effective this week.		KU Offense vs. Texas Defense		This will be the toughest defense Kansas has faced all season.  Yes OU is a good team but Texas managed to shut down Chase Daniel and the Tigers and despite the loss gave the Texas Tech machine it's most trouble all year.  Yes they have some youth in the secondary but don't look for this defense to show any signs of weakness against the Jayhawks
The Jayhawk defense has given up 37 points per game in conference play and the 500 yards of offense let up against Nebraska doesn't instill a lot of confidence.  If Kansas can get inspired play from the entire D, a couple of turnovers and avoid major breakdowns they might be able to gain an advantage against Colt McCoy and the Longhorns.		KU Defense vs. Texas Offense		Colt McCoy is as dynamic a duel threat quarterback as Kansas has faced and they haven't faired well against them period.  I expect McCoy, Shipley and Co. to effectively negotiate this Kansas defense that clearly still needs a different type of player at some key positions to compete against the current spread happy Big 12.
I'm not really in the mood to dignify why Kansas might gain an edge here.  This has been a very frustrating unit all year and I don't look for that to change this week because we've been asking for it all year and nothing happens.  No way Kansas gains and advantage here.		Special Teams		I started to do some research here then I thought what's the point.  #2 in net punting, #26 in punt return, #23 in Kick return, need I say more.
Mangino is the reigning coach of the year but has lost a little luster of late due to what seemed a poor game plan against a beatable Husker team.  Not to mention this week the opponent is coached by an coach that owns a NC.		Coaching		If there is one thing we can respect at Kansas it's success and in the case of Mack Brown he is to Texas what Bill Self is to Kansas a National Championship head coach and that gains you an edge any day of the week.

Unfortunatly there aren't a lot of areas if any where Kansas looks to have an advantage in this one.  I'm a glass half full type of person when it comes to the Jayhawks but I find it very difficult after last weeks loss to the Huskers.

Kansas might come out and shock the world but I look for what I hope to be a competitive game with Texas ultimately winning due to superior talent and coaching.  That said Rock Chalk Jayhawk I'll be ready and waiting in front of the TV fully prepared to cheer to victory.  Give em hell.

Highlights from today's press conference w/Coach Mangino and KU Players...

Head Coach Mark Mangino

Opening remarks:

“Looking back on last week, Nebraska made more plays than we did to win the game. We had opportunities and didn’t always capitalize. We didn’t make stops when we needed to make stops. We have got to improve our tackling. We have got to play a lot more sound in our inside run game. There were a few bright spots. Dezmon Briscoe had a big day and looked really good. Todd Reesing had a good day, although his numbers didn’t show that he did. James Holt is really playing good defense for us right now.”

“This week we have Texas, who is a very good, ranked, top-five program. They have a lot of weapons on both sides of the ball and on special teams. Defensively they are very stout. They are only allowing 86 yards per game rushing. They have a very athletic defensive line with very quick, athletic guys who can move around. Their linebackers seem to be the heart of their defense. They are an outstanding group of linebackers. Their secondary is very athletic as always.”

“On the offensive side of the ball they run the ball with a number of different tailbacks. Their big playmaker is obviously Colt McCoy at quarterback, both running and throwing the football. He has a bunch of excellent receivers to throw to, led by Jordan Shipley and Quan Cosby. Shipley is also a very dangerous player on special teams.”

“It is a very good Texas team that is coming here and we are planning on having a good week of preparation and getting ready to play them. It is an opportunity for us to play a top-five team here at home and we want to play well.”

More Coach and Player Quotes after the Jump...

Continue reading this post »

This year's Kansas team is good. One could argue, and I did prior to the season, that this year's team is actually more talented than last year's 12-1, Orange Bowl Champion team. Whether it is or isn't is of little consequence, the facts clearly show that this team is better than nearly all of the teams in Kansas football history, and is nothing to be ashamed of. If last season would have been more of a gradual step up to, say, 8-4 or so, we would all be quite enthused by this 3-1 start, despite the heartbreaking loss in Tampa. And, realistically, we are likely expecting what would be another 4-loss season as the very best possible finish to this season, with a 6-6 step back not being entirely out of the question.

Entering the year expectations were at an all-time high for Kansas football. While there was no National Championship talk, and even winning the Big 12 was largely considered out of the question, we all expected, based off of last season's tremendous ride, for the Jayhawks to make some noise in the national picture, have a chance to win the Big 12 North and, hell, maybe even sneak into a BCS Bowl if everything were to fall just right. My preseason predictions pegged us at roughly 9-3, with 8-4 being the relative worst to expect and 10-2 being the ceiling.This, while considered a down year, even a potential fireable one, at plenty of schools nationwide is a newfangled idea in Lawrence.

However, the four games that we have seen since those expectations were showered on this team have not, well, let's just say they haven't exactly been achieved. A loss in Tampa was a setback, sure, but the actual loss in itself isn't too big of a concern. In all seriousness, while expecting a win against the Bulls, it wasn't a terrible shock to lose in such a hostile environment against such a good, talented team. How it happened, however, and the problems it gave rise to weren't so expected and weren't part of the equation that spat out a 9-3 regular season record in July and August.

And now here we are, sitting out a crossroads, unsure just where we will end up when all is said and done. However, while we just could improve enough to keep our preseason expectations a realistic goal, 9-3 seems to be a near impossibility at this point. Of course, that has as much to do with our Big 12 slate as it does with the offensive line and defensive line problems.

Just for fun, take a look at the most recent AP Top 25. And then, in case you have yet to engrain it into your brain, take a gander at Kansas' schedule. We still have a trip to the current #1 team in the entire country in Oklahoma. Then, the very next week, we will take on the current #7 Red Raiders of Texas Tech. A month-or-so later the 5th ranked Texas Longhorns pay a visit to Lawrence and then, in late November, we will take on the 4th ranked Missouri Tigers in Arrowhead.

But you knew all of that. But when put in such a way where half of our remaining 8 games are going to take place against teams currently among the Top 7 in the country, you kind of freak out. Not in a terribly, well, frightening way, sure, but in a sorta way that makes you seriously question, given our obvious holes, whether we can win even one of that set of four games.

While this likely goes without saying, I think we should be willing to accept a 7-5 year this year. Well, maybe not accept it, but at least be prepared for such a season. Sure, we could still, conceivably, find a way to win 9 games this year. Just to make things clear, I am, by no means, giving up on the season. I am looking forward to one of the most exciting conference seasons in Kansas football history and for our program to continue to rise up and reach the top of the college football ladder. We are, without a doubt, a program on the rise and a near-surefire contender for a Big 12 North title each and every year.

And now, just to close out this unnecessarily long post (I got carried away; sorry if it became unbearable), here is my revised prediction for how all of the conference games will fare:

@ Iowa State - WIN

vs. Colorado - WIN

@ Oklahoma - LOSS

vs. Texas Tech - WIN

vs. Kansas State - WIN

@ Nebraska - WIN

vs. Texas - LOSS

vs. Missouri - LOSS

Sorry, that is just how I see things shaking down. Discussion and disagreement is certainly allowed, and considering that I will actually get to attend the Kansas vs. Texas game (YAY!), it is depressing to currently mark it down as a L. However, they have looked substantially better thus far. But I digress. More on the UT Longhorns a little later on.

For now, just remember one thing: even if we go 8-4 (or hell, even 7-5), it doesn't mean we are on the downturn. In fact, it may be a positive, given the relative youth of our impact players and the treacherous schedule.