New Year’s Eve 2008 marked the end of an exciting Kansas football season as the Jayhawks wrapped up their first ever back to back bowl wins in school history.  Already fans, media and players alike are looking toward 2009, but I thought I would take one last opportunity to look back at the 2008 Insight Bowl and discuss 2009 sometime next week.

Full story after the jump…

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The Big 12 Conference coaches selections for All Conference Honors were announced on Tuesday with Darrel Stuckey among 10 Jayhawks named to the teams. 

Stuckey was the only Jayhawk on a loaded first team but several others received either 2nd team or Honorable Mention honors including:

• Dezmon Briscoe (2nd)
• James Holt (2nd)
• Caleb Blakesly (HM)
• Ryan Cantrell (HM)
• Jake Sharp (HM)
• Adrian Mayes (HM)
• Jake Laptad (HM)
• Mike Rivera (HM)
• Kerry Meier (HM)

Obviously the glaring missing Jayhawk would be Todd Reesing but with a stacked Big 12 it's not totally unexpected.  Things will likely clear out this season paving the way for Reesing to have a banner Senior campaign and a possible mention on the All Conference Squad.

Huge kudos to Stuckey for a well earned and much deserved honor.  Also felt like James Holt was a huge contributor on this team and in any other conference both Briscoe and Meier would certainly garner 1st team attention.

Also worth mentioning the oft rumored to be injured Mike Rivera for a gutsy Senior campaign and Jake Sharp another local boy for resurecting a non existent running game.

Jake Laptad, several key plays in the year and the lone bright spot for a pass rush that is beginning to see improvement

As for the big boys, Cantrell, Mayes, and perhaps most of all Blakesly.  It wasn't always pretty but they got it done and Blakesly certainly earned a lot of my respect throughout the season.

Jump into the post for the full story and entire list of awards...

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

• A look at early reports from the Sharp and Meier injuries.
• Talk of the Insight Bowl begins at Kansas.
• We talked about the biggest losses here earlier in the season and it looks like Mangino would have voted for Talib.
• Kansas regroups and prepares for Missouri.
• OT: Derek Fine feature on his career with the Bills.
• Showdown draws near.
• Border War notes...

My Thoughts...Well I wouldn't be able to consider myself a Kansas fan if I ever picked against us in the Border War so don't expect an unbiased opinion on this one. 

Against Texas the Kansas defense came out inspired and performed admireably against an impressive and balanced attack led by Colt McCoy.  This week in the final Border War for this linebacker corps I expect and equal showing but what will make this week different is the offense will be there to support it. 

Missouri's defense is by no means the Longhorns and Todd Reesing and the Jayhawks will get back on track, back up their defense and give them the support they need to maintain a strong showing throughout the game.  Make no mistake your not going to shutdown Chase Daniel but Kansas needs to find a way stop the big play and create a couple turnovers. 

All said and done Kansas is a better team than their record indicates and they put together their first complete four quarter performance of the year upsetting the Missouri Tigers.

Final Score: Kansas 35 Missouri 31

Full List of Supplemental Notes and Quotes after the jump...

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This week brings the 117th edition of the Border War.  This unique and historically rooted rivalry puts longtime foes in the Kansas Jayhawks and the Missouri Tigers against one another in a battle in Kansas City.  This years version again has two strong teams in this rivalries history and this year pride is a stake for both teams.

Why Kansas?	Edge	Scenario	Edge	Why Missouri?
Kansas and Todd Reesing will have an opportunity to redeem themselves in a matchup against the 111th ranked pass defense in the country.  Look for Reesing and the receiving corps to have a strong game against the Missouri defense and expect a possible Jocques Crawford siting from time to time.		KU Offense vs. Missouri Defense		Missouri can win this matchup in a few instances.  First, if it's poor weather.  Reesing has struggled in cold or rainy weather and hopefully we don't have a repeat of last years forcast.  Second, Kansas was disrupted by Texas and if Missouri keeps Kansas down early doubt could creep into the huddle resulting in another poor performance.
The inspired Senior day performance was impressive, but with little help from the offense it couldn't last.  If the KU defense plays equally inspired and get's some help from the offense, even an early lead, they could force Daniel out of his normal groove and win this matchup.  At least somewhat.		KU Defense vs. Missouri Offense		Different week, same story.  Another top 5 offense on the agenda for Clint Bowen and the Jayhawks.  Chase Daniel and company will be highly motivated in this final Border War appearance and I expect the Missouri offense to ulimately win this matchup.
Kansas needs to put some serious emphasis on this area in the offseason and look to regroup in 2009.		Special Teams		Two names:  Jeremy Maclin and Jeff Wolfert
I still say Mangino is a great coach because he has done more with less than anyone and that certainly includes Pinkel Mangino does have a knack for these rivalry type games.		Coaching		Even with my biased view of coach Mangino I sitll had to call this matchup a draw because Missouri does boast two of the most sought after Coordinators on the market this year

This anlaysis looks very familiar as all year it seems Kansas has been prepared to handle the game from an offensive standpoint but not from a defensive or special teams stance. 

This game will come down to how well Kansas can contain Chase Daniel on offense, Jeremy Maclin on special teams and if the offense can get back on track after struggling to score against a stout Texas Longhorn squad.

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

• How costly a setback was the Nebraska loss.
• Big 12 North hopes begin to fade with the loss.
• KC Star Game Report.
• KU Athletics Recap.
• Final Stats and Box Score.
• KU Athletics game notes.

My Thoughts...Normally in a situation like this I would prefer to be a half full type of person but this morning as it all sinks in I would just assume get the negative out there.

Start with the offense.  Once again we regressed to our earlier habits offensively and an inability to establish a multi-dimensional offense.  The first half saw Todd Reesing as our most effective running option and that leads to injuries.  Clearly we weren't able to get a push in the middle as we did last week and that was apparent to nearly everyone watching very early on.  The blame lies with the lack of adjustment by the coaching staff to what would become an effective outside running game until the second half.  All that said we did get to halftime at 14-14 but with the turnovers we should have had a lead.

Positives on offense continue to be the same story line week after week.  Todd Reesing has a ton of heart and now stands alone as the top passer in Kansas history.  Jake Sharp quietly had a solid game, I think any struggles he may have seemed to have were more a result of poor playcalling than him.  Dezmon Briscoe is establishing himself as the playmaker we need and now sits atop the KU career touchdown reception list with 18 and he's only a sophomore.  I pains me to say but I think Kerry Meier is hurt more that we know, he seems a bit hampered out there and not nearly as effective as early in the year.

Defensively we just aren't there yet.  Kansas doesn't have the athletes or the players to compete against the pass happy Big 12.  The linebackers a group which I have long enjoyed watching were built for a different Big 12 and even more dissapointing yesterday is they didn't seem able to stop the run which has long been their strength.  Anytime a quarterback has 7 seconds to throw the football your not going to cover everybody and that's the frustrating reality of Kansas on defense this year.  Giving up 500+ yards isn't going to win a lot of games and the final two have some juggernaut offenses lining up.

One Positive is clearly James Holt.  A smaller, leaner, quicker linebacker that has shown the ability to rush the passer, play traditional linebacker and cover the pass.  This guy might be the mold for what we need to see in the future. 

Special teams...well I don't even want to talk about this one.

Overall this game stings a bunch.  I've never felt good about this one and always felt it would be a very possible stumbling block but it had become so much more critical for us that I had hoped as well.  Kansas will still be bowling this year as the country is short on even mediocre teams.  Still this is 4 years in a row without a losing record in Kansas football so if I can just keep it in perspective and avoid the sky high expectations that I think were so tempting after the Orange Bowl there is still a lot to look forward to with Mark Mangino and the Jayhawks in the future.  If there is one thing that is clearly different now from in  our past it's that this school and the athletic department are committed to making this a viable program and we can all rest a little easy when you think about the fact that we are angry because we didn't beat Nebraska in Lincoln.  I say that again, when in my lifetime did I expect to be angry about not beating Nebraska in Lincoln...Never!  We have still come a long way from the first 2-10 season under Coach Mangino, but I'm sure he'd be the first to say we have a long way to go.

Rock Chalk Jayhawk

                                                                                     image source: KUSports.com

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

The Good Guys...

• Daymond Patterson continues to adapt to his new responsibilities.
• KU Notebook
• A look back at last years incredible game against NU. 
• KU Prepares for a new look Husker team.
• Jeff Spikes learning from last years All American Kansas tackle.
• Tyler Lawrence and brother Blake will be on opposite sidelines this weekend.
• Jacob Branstetter shows off tackling skills.
• Kansas' offensive line is beginning to gel.
• Game Preview.

The Bad Guys...

• Huskers doing their best to block out last year.
• Some concerns this week over Coach Pelini's temper.
• Husker view of five keys to beating Kansas.

My thoughts...Coach Mangino has this team coming off its strongest performances of the year.  The Kansas State game saw an offensive line dominate from the outset and help to put up some huge numbers on the ground.  Defensively Kansas had by far it's most effective scheme of the year disrupting Josh Freeman and the Kansas State offense and forcing turnovers. 

This weekend the Jayhawks head to Lincoln and play a tougher opponent overall and certainly will be in a far more hostile environment.  There is a lot of history on the line and pressure for both sides.  If Kansas comes out again establishes a ground game and a balanced offensive attack I don't expect the Huskers will be able to stop them consitently.  If they can do this and again exceed expectations defensively look for Kansas to come out of Lincoln with the win.

The most important thing the Jayhawks can do is come out strong like they did last week and keep the Husker faithful out of the game.  While both teams will be playing strength against weakness the whole game I think Kansas' strengths are more of a mismatch for the Huskers weaknesses than vice versa. 

Final Score:  Kansas 37  Nebraska 31

Also here is your friendly reminder to join fellow Hawks in the open thread if you don't already have plans...I will be sporting blue in a sea of red as I per tradition will be watching the game at a Husker bar with a friend.  It's his home game so I have to go to his turf...sucks.

Full list of supplemental notes...and highlights after the jump...

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

The Good Guys...

• How can Kansas avoid another Oklahoma type game.
• One last look back at what happened with the defense against OU.
• Crawford vs. Crawford this weekend.
• Notebook 1,  Notebook 2,  Notebook 3
• Dezmon Briscoe quietly having a big season.
• We've talked about it this week and last,Big 12 North Title.
• Arist Wright has filled in well at the linebacker spot this year.
• Feature on Darrell Stuckey from the Tech perspective.
• KU Sports Head to Head Analysis.
• KU defensive coordinator among those trying to stop the spread.
• This weeks features, Team Analysis, Tale of the Tape, Mid week press conference,  Know thy Enemy:Texas Tech .

The Bad Guys...

• Red Raiders begin a tough stretch.
• Make or Break test for Tech??
• Tech not the only Big 12 team struggling with Pass defense.
• Texas Tech's offense leads the Big 12 in yards per rush.

My Thoughts...It's been a fun week of discussion with our friends over at Double T Nation and while they are a tough group to convince I do think we have as good a shot as any at a win today.

The group has convinced me that we won't be getting pressure on Graham Harrel, and also that the Kansas running game will quite possibly return to our early season form.  That said it looks like we are in for a shootout.  I said it at the beginning of the week and I'll stand by it, this game will be decided by mistakes.  Turnovers, penalties and capatilizing on the other teams mistakes in these categories will be where this one is decided. 

With that in mind Kansas is the best team Tech has faced to date, they will be playing us at home and in an early game two things that have spelled problems for the Red Raiders in the past.  This game means a lot for the Jayhawks and this season and I just think Coach Mangino has the team ready to seize the moment against a top notch Big 12 South opponent on homecoming. 

As part of our discussion we've often talked about the lack of respect these two teams have recieved so I just want to end by saying if Kansas wins this is a huge win for the Jayhawks over a worthy top 10 opponent.  If Texas Tech pulls this off they position themselves for a run at the south and a BCS bowl with a win over a tough top 25 opponent on the road.  This is a great game between to excellent teams and kicks of my full Saturday of football, can't wait.

Final Score: Kansas 45   Texas Tech 42

Rock Chalk Jayhawk

Notes and Tidbits...Spoke with both Earnest Norman and Kevin Young, both will be in town for this game and from the sounds of things there will be several others too speak of as well...also please don't forget to give your feedback on any questions you would like answered from Kevin Young during my interview with him next week.  You can email me or add them in the comments section of the post regarding the interview.

Also don't forget the live game thread...I should be there and I invite any of you looking to chat during the game will join me. 

Full List of Supplemental Notes released by the athletic dept...Highlights after the Jump into the post...

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

The Good Guys...

• The pass defense seems to be turning a corner.
• Surpise...pressure on Sam Bradford will be key this week.
• Several current KU football contributors will be returning to their home state this weekend.
• KU Notes 1,  KU Notes 2,  KU Notes 3
• Here's why the KU offense is the wild card this weekend.
• KU faces an uphill battle in the minds of many this weekend.
• Coach shakes up the special teams.
• The Secondary has a tough task this weekend.
• KC Star game preview.
• Esteban posted this earlier in the week...but I thought it was so good I'm putting it in the pregame...Kerry Meier article.
• Coach Mangino prefers being the underdog.

The Bad Guys...

• The Oklahoma running game has seen it's struggles this year.
• More on the Native Oklahomans on the KU Roster.
• Brent Venebles talks about his relationship with Coach Mangino.
• Article about the bond between Stoops and Mangino.

A full list of supplemental notes released by the athletic dept...and here are some highlights...

A Kansas win would...

Give KU a win against the AP’s fourth-ranked team, marking the highest ranked opponent KU defeated since beating #4 Colorado 40-24 at Boulder in 1995.

Give KU six straight Big 12 road victories.

A Kansas loss would...

Be less good than a win.

Todd Reesing should add to KU Career Record Charts...

Reesing (462) needs just six completions to pass Frank Seurer (467) for the KU career completion record.

Reesing (6,074) needs just 39 yards to pass Frank Seurer (6,112) for the KU career total offense record.

Reesing (4) needs one 300-yard passing game to tie his school season record of five that he set last year.

Things to look for against Oklahoma…

Kansas has recorded at least 400 yards of total offense in five straight games.

Kansas has held its opponent to less than 200 yards rushing in 33 consecutive games.

WR Kerry Meier(53) needs six receptions to pass Bob Johnson (58) for third and 11 to pass Dexton Fields’ 2007 total of 63, for second on the KU season receptions list.

DE Jake Laptad has recorded a sack in three straight games.

Meier the go to Guy…

62 percent (33 of 53) of his receptions have been for first downs.

36 percent (12 of 33) of his first-down producing receptions have come on third or fourth down.

My Thoughts...Well my worst nightmare has come true.  I won't be able to watch as the Kansas Jayhawks defeat the mighty Oklahoma Sooners. 

Hawk Talk the morning after edition will not include my thoughts so I will post the articles and you all tell me what you saw. 

As far as before the game, this is what college football is all about.  Meaningful battles as a top 25 team.  Kansas will need to put together a complete game.  We have to win the field position battle through an improved special teams and continue to limit mistakes on offense.  The defense is playing their best football of the year the last game and a half and needs to carry that over against a truly top tier opponent.  If they do all these things the enormous chip on the shoulder of every Kansas player that should exist from being a three touchdown dog should take care of the rest. 

Make no mistake, Oklahoma is probably the more talented team, but then again when hasn't that been the case.  Mark Mangino does an outstanding job of keeping his team, his coaches and everyone focused on the task at hand and this week that just happens to be Oklahoma.  This is about as optimistic view and fluff of a prediction you've seen from me all week but I'm just really feeling like this is happening.

Final score KU 37...OU 31 (What? do you really want me to pick against them) 

Oh and another KU team kicks off their season tonight.  You may have heard of them...the defending National Champions Kansas Basketball Jayhawks.  We'll take a look at that later, it's still football season.

But again, it wasn't really a 'must win' game. Just a game that we really needed to win to maintain any semblance of hope for a Big 12 North title. And hey, look at what happened; a Kansas victory, a Missouri loss at the hands of a very capable Okie State game (just wait for the MSM to freak out over us missing out on the Cowboys this year) andnd, all of a sudden, we are in first place in the Big 12 North, alone. But we can discuss our Big 12 North aspirations at a later time, most likely some time in November. For now, here are some assorted thoughts on the game.

• Jake Sharp looks to be the long-term answer at RB. 31 carries, 118 yards (the first 100+ yard performance of the season), mostly on runs to the outside and option-type plays. Which, despite Todd Reesing's less-than-deal quciks, works pefrectly with the shiftiness of Sharp. He is a good, maybe even great running back, when afforded open spaces to dodge, dive, dip, duck and doge his way through defensive backfields. He can't create his own holes, he can't power through the 'big uglies' on draws up the middle, can't muscle through Brandon McAnderson-style. He just isn't that kind of running back. What he can do, however, is make plays when given room to wiggle. As long as we try and get him the ball on the perimeter, he can be a major contributor. Of course, when facing off against speed-heavy teams (like, for instance, this weekend against Oklahoma) much of that advantage is likely to be negated. Still, if Jake Sharp can still figure out a way to get over 100 yards this Saturday, are chances of winning go up exponentially.
• Kerry Meier. Little more has to be said. Even on one leg, he is one of the best receivers in the country and, quite possibly, the most valuable player on this offense. Without him, our offense becomes a helluva lot more pedestrian; and it is simply the let's-see-what-Todd-Reesing-can-cook-up show. He needs to be 100% this weekend for us to have a shot.
  
• The most encouraging part of the game, to me, was the semi-emergence of the two pass-rushing ends; Jake Laptad and Max Onyegbule. Now, obviously the primary example of this was the safety, where both got significant pressure and Laptad was able to take Cody Hawkins down in the endzone. But both managed to squirm their way into the backfield a handful of times, forcing Cody Hawkins to roll out and throw on the move. And while you can't exactly equate that with a Dwight Freeney coming off the edge, it is a significant upgrade over simply having all day-and-a-half to throw in a perfect pocket. We all saw, at least most of us did, how poorly Chase Daniel threw the ball while on the move; sometimes, all it takes is to make the QB move. Hopefully, that is what Laptad and Max O can provide.
• Overall, it was a pretty solid performance from our Jayhawks. Not a tremendous start, but a pretty good finish as we slowly played up to our talent. Our secondary needs to improve, sure, but overall, I'm happy.

We will focus more in a fairly substantial post tomorrow, analyzing each of the positions at the seasons' halfway point.