Just like last season, Matt from over at Crimson and Cream Machine has organized a Big 12 Roundtable, where all SB Nation Big 12 blogs share some information about their respective teams. Make sure and check out Matt's blog for a Wrap-Up post coming in the next few days.

1.  Who are some of the new faces that emerged in the spring who could be serious playmakers for your team this fall?

This is a tricky one to answer. We brought back so many starters, that chances to become serious playmakers by previous unknowns are going to be few-and-far-between. Still, to answer the question, I will give you an offensive answer and a defensive answer.

Offense :: Offensively, it has to be WR Jonathan Wilson. He hasn't exactly 'blown up' this spring, but he has more than enough potential to explode sometime this season. He figures to be the #4 receiver on the team, after incumbent starters Dexton Fields and Dezmon Briscoe as well as QB-turned-WR Kerry Meier, and has been compared numerous times to Briscoe. In fact, the staff loved him so much that they burned his redshirt halfway through last season, so he would be able to contribute. And while he didn't play too big of a role last season, his fine spring combined with a bunch of talent figures to make him a player to watch this upcoming season.

Defense :: On the defensive side of the ball, I'm going to split it up between two defensive tackles. Richard Johnson Jr. and Jamal Greene. Both figure to play prominent roles this season in the defensive line rotation, and while neither are listed as current starters (that would be senior Todd Haselhorst and junior Caleb Blakesley), they will both likely see more PT than the starters. Johnson Jr. is a quicker, get-in-the-backfield type of defensive tackle who figures to pressure the QB. This will be particularly crucial, as the weakness of our defense figures to be rushing the QB. Greene is a humongous man, a run-stuffing space-eater who has a boatload of potential.

2.  What is your biggest concern following the spring?

I hinted at this with my last answer, but it would have to be the pass rush. Last season, we failed to put too much pressure on the opposing QB, and that was with one of the better pass-rushing DTs in the Big 12, James McClinton. With J-Mac graddyated, we will have to be able to, somehow someway, force some pressure. Richard Johnson Jr. will be a big factor in that, if he can have cause some havoc up the middle it will help the ends out considerably.

3.  Any major changes (philosophy, coaching or personnel) that you are concerned or worried about?

The biggest change over the offseason was the loss of defensive coordinator Bill Young to Miami. However, his replacement, Clint Bowen, was the co-defensive coordinator last season, and rumor has it he actually called the majority of plays throughout the season. So, while there is a new face, the schemes figure to be very similar and there shouldn't be any major change in defensive philosophy.

That would make the change I am most worried about is how we will adjust to the loss of LT Anthony Collins. While we seem to have the athletes and players to compensate for the loss of Aqib Talib, almost every player figured to possibly replace Collins could have really used another year of development. The leader, right now, is freshman Jeff Spikes, with sophomore Ian Wolfe, senior Matt Darton and JUCO transfer Nathan D'Cunha all possible replacements.

4.  Looking over the 2008 which home and away game will be the most difficult?

I am going to cheat and give three different answers; one neutral game, one road game and one home game.

Home :: The only really "tough" home game we have all season is against the Longhorns of Texas. Sure, Texas Tech and Colorado both have teams that are fully capable of beating us in Memorial Stadium, but I just don't see it happening. Texas, on the other hand, could easily pull off the win, especially with it being the game preceding the sure-to-be-hyped Border War Showdown with Missouri. Also, this game will be especially important as the last time Texas came to KU to play in Memorial Stadium, there was a controversial call that played a role in deciding the game. Something to do with "dollar signs".

Neutral :: This one is pretty obvious. November 29th. Arrowhead Stadium. Big 12 North on the line. The only loss we had last season. Need I say more?

Away :: Our toughest game, easily, will be the one in Norman, Oklahoma. We always struggle when making road trips, and while we seemed to capture some mojo last season, going undefeated in true 'road' games, that isn't enough to erase years of horrendous away play (heh, it rhymes).

5.  Time for your way too early predictions (Yes, you can change them in August). Rank how you see your division finishing up next season.

1. Kansas :: Kind of a homer pick, but there is no way now, in the hopefulness of April, that I'm not picking us to win the division.
   
2. Missouri :: They are probably the most talented team in the North, and the game in Arrowhead will almost certainly decide this division.
   
3. Colorado :: I think the Buffs will be really good next year, actually. Not really sure why, just a gut-feeling I guess. And the really good recruiting classes.
   
4. Nebraska :: Bo Pelini won't ever be able to recapture the old glory days of Dr. Tom Osborne, but he should improve upon the historic lows of the Bill Callahan era.
   
5. Iowa State :: This has more to do with the fact that Ron Prince is the coach down in Manhattan than anything about the Clones.
   
6. Kansas State :: Their spring game ended with a score of 3-0. No joke. Seriously, how is this team not going to be in last place come November? Unless all of their JUCOS (I think there are about 398) mesh together quickly, they figure to struggle early. And late, I guess.

ROCK CHALK!

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The fourth Jayhawk to come off the board was Marcus Henry, the kid who only received a scholarship offer to come to Kansas a couple weeks before fall practice began prior to his freshman season. He is certainly a tremendous success story; from being destined to Northeast Oklahoma University to being drafted in the 6th round of the NFL Draft.

For Jets information, check out NY Landing Strip, the SB Nation Jets blog.

Congratulations to Marcus Henry, it is awesome both for him and the University of Kansas football program that we are getting all of these players drafted. It sounds pretty good to have four players be drafted in one draft, and we might not be done yet. Both James McClinton and Brandon McAnderson have outside shots at being picked up in the next 75-or-so picks of the NFL Draft.

Awesome, awesome news.

ROCK CHALK!

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Wow!

After the Anthony Collins slide, it is pretty cool that not only did another Jayhawk get drafted, but that they went in frickin' fourth round. WOW!

I figured Fine to be a 6th round pick at the earliest, most likely a 7th rounder, but instead he got scooped up by the Bills in the 4th round, a surprise I did not see coming.

Make sure and check out Buffalo Rumblings for any news regarding Fine and the Bills. It is one of the better NFL blogs around, hands down.

Like Aqib and AC, we here at RCT wish Derek all the luck in the world for his NFL career, hopefully he can become a successful H-Back/TE.

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While AC certainly lasted much longer on the board than expected, I figured that the early 3rd round would be as far as he would fall, he has finally found a home.

He obviously should have come back to Kansas for his senior season, where he would have gotten another year at LT to improve his stock (while making Kansas a better football team).

Make sure and visit the local SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog, Cincy Jungle, for any news regarding Anthony Collins. I don't think he will start his rookie season, but who knows what can happen if he has a great training camp.

Congratulations to Anthony Collins, and hopefully at least one other Jayhawk gets drafted.

ROCK CHALK!

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More later, but everyone's favorite corner, Aqib Talib, just got drafted at #20 by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

For more information on the Bucs, check out SB Nation site Buc 'Em.

We here at RCT just want to say congratulations to Talib, you are going to be a star in the League and we wish you all the best. While it would be awesome if he had returned, it can only be easier to recruit top prospects when kids leave school early and go in the first round.

Anthony Collins is still on the fence on whether he will be taken today or not, more on that later...

ROCK CHALK!

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Tomorrow, as I'm sure all of you know, is the 2008 NFL Draft. And tomorrow, the Kansas Jayhawks' three year stretch of going 0fer in the Draft will end, as up to six Jayhawks could, quite possibly, hear their name called on either Saturday or Sunday. This makes it one of the most exciting NFL Drafts of all time from a KU perspective, with a potential first rounder (Aqib Talib), a potential first-dayer (Anthony Collins) and four other potential picks in the later rounds (Marcus Henry, Derek Fine, Brandon McAnderson and James McClinton in order of likelihood to be drafted). Here is just a brief rundown of where you should expect all six of them to be drafted or signed as an undrafted free agent.

CB Aqib Talib :: 1st-to-Early 2nd
Talib is the cream of this Kansas crop of draftees, having once been thought of by NFL "expert" Mel Kiper Jr. as a Top 10 pick. However, Talib's 'good' showing at the Combine in Indianapolis was overshadowed by 'great' performances from small-schoolers Leodis McKelvin (Troy) and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Tennessee State). Those two will almost assuredly go ahead of him, but after that the next corner taken is largely based off the teams' preference. Talib could be the third corner taken, but he could also slide as far as the sixth corner taken, behind other similar prospects in Mike Jenkins (South Florida), Antoine Cason (Arizona), Brandon Flowers (Virginia Tech) and maybe, possibly behind Justin King (Penn State). A large portion of this drop has to do with his admission of thrice testing positive for marijuana while at KU, now thought to be the cause of his multiple suspensions while in Lawrence. This has led him to supposedly be "taken off the boards" of certain teams, leaving his list of potential employers less than the 32 teams in the NFL. That being said, he could still potentially find himself being drafted in the top half of the first round, and most likely will still be one of the 31 names called by Roger Goodell.

Best Case Scenario :: #10 -- New Orleans Saints
Worst Case Scenario :: #35 -- Kansas City Chiefs (Second Round)
In-Between Possibilities :: #11 (Buffalo), #16 (Arizona), #17 (Kansas City), #19 (Philadelphia), #20 (Tampa Bay), #21 (Washington), #22 (Dallas), #23 (Pittsburgh), #28 (Dallas), #31 (New York Giants)

Honestly, he could go just about anywhere between #10 and #35, but those are his biggest chances at getting taken. My money is at #22 with Dallas, but he will almost assuredly be gone if he is still there for Dallas' second pick at #28. And if you want to read a Q&A with him, courtesy of Pro Football Weekly, click here.

OT Anthony Collins :: Early 2nd-to-Early 3rd
Collins was recruited to Kansas having played organized football for a little over two years, and had spent most of those two years on the defensive side of the football. After devoting much of his childhood to the game he loves, basketball, he was finally convinced as a sophomore in high school that football was the way he was going to make the big-bucks, not basketball. So, he played some high school ball, got recruited to come to Kansas, and after red-shirting a year (as did Aqib Talib) he took over the right tackle position his sophomore year. After a successful year there, he switched sides in 2007, moving to left tackle and dominating the opposition there enough to be an Outland Trophy finalist (losing to Glenn Dorsey) and a second team All-American. So, despite his short football life, he is now in the NFL Draft, and could go anywhere from early in the second round to the second day. This is an outstanding Draft for offensive tackles, which is a positive thing for the Chiefs and a negative thing for Anthony Collins, who in most years would be a legit first round candidate. However, this year Jake Long (already made the #1 overall selection), Chris Williams, Jeff Otah and Ryan Clady are all firmly above him, with Brandon Albert (technically a guard but can supposedly, possibly move to tackle), Sam Baker and Gosder Cherilus all likely above him as well. This forces him into the second at the earliest, despite the incredible need for offensive line help throughout the NFL. As always.

Best Case Scenario :: #37 -- Atlanta
Worst Case Scenario :: #66 -- Kansas City
In-Between Possibilities :: #42 (Denver), #44 (Chicago), #48 (Atlanta), #53 (Pittsburgh), #56 (Green Bay), #57 (Miami), #60 (Green Bay), #64 (Miami), #65 (St. Louis)

He will likely fall somewhere in the 40ish range, most likely to Atlanta at #48. Still, he could sneak his way into the first couple picks of the second, as well as facing the possibility of a drop into the third round, meaning he wouldn't hear his name called until Sunday. Either way, it likely would have made more sense for him to stay in school for another season, but nevertheless, we here at RCT wish AC all the best in the NFL.

WR Marcus Henry :: Late 5th-to-UDFA
The "late 5th" high point is awfully optimistic, as almost every single mock has him either a) being taken late in the 7th and last round or b) one of the first UDFAs to sign. He is a tall, lanky wideout who didn't even receive a scholarship offer to come to KU until a week-or-so before fall camp began, when he was discovered at an All-Star game. He wasn't invited to the Senior Bowl, but instead played in the East-West Shrine game, where he had mixed reviews. He practiced well during the week, not dropping balls and running routes well and blocking well. However, in my quick flip to ESPN, who was broadcasting the game, I saw him drop two-or-three balls, one of which was extremely catchable; right to his hands. So, not really sure if that helped his nebulous stock or hurt it. Either way he will likely be one of the "prized" UDFAs that are almost more sought after than 7th rounders, with multiple teams after his services after the Draft concludes on Sunday. Still, at least someone sees him going in the late 5th round.

Best Case Scenario :: #165 -- New York Giants
Worst Case Scenario :: UDFA
In-Between Possibilities :: Chicago, Carolina, Cincinnati, Baltimore, St. Louis, Houston, Green Bay and Kansas City

I see him, as said previously, going undrafted, then signing with one of the above-listed teams. I'll go with the Bears, if only because they seem to be the most desperate team searching for WRs, and even if they draft a couple this weekend could still use some help.

Derek Fine :: Early 7th-to-UDFA
Fine was Reesing's safety valve all last season; the go-to guy when no one else was open. This led his catch total to skyrocket, although he still struggled with drops at crucial times during the game. Still, he is a very good blocker, and will likely fit in as an H-Back type of player wherever he ends up in the NFL. He can pass block, he can run block, he can catch the ball. He can stay at TE if needed, although I do think his future in the NFL, if he has a substantial one, is as an H-Back.

Best Case Scenario :: #197 -- New England
Worst Case Scenario :: UDFA
In-Between Possibilities :: #222 (Chicago), #236 (Indianapolis), #238 (New England), Jacksonville (UDFA)

Fine is a tricky guy to project. In all actuality, that 'Best Case' of #197 may be too low, as according to this article, Jacksonville is in love with him (their last pick as of right now is 158 and 159). That article lists the three teams that are truly interested in him as New England, Chicago and Jacksonville, with me including Indy because they have a decent TE need as well. Still, I see him either being taken late in the 7th round or being signed as an UDFA. I'll predict Chicago at 222, just because I wouldn't want Fine to go up to New England.

Brandon McAnderson :: UDFA
BMac came to Kansas as a special-teams-player-to-be, or so it seemed. He moved to FB from his high school position of LB his sophomore season, and had a goal-line duty his junior year, essentially serving as the backup and short-range compliment to the all-everything Jon Cornish. Then, last season, after splitting time with Jake Sharp, he emerged as the lead runner for the Jayhawks, and while still splitting time with the quicker Sharp, received the vast majority of carries from there on out. He has zero chance of being a RB in the NFL, but has a long-shot possibility of becoming a bruising, blocking FB in the NFL, a dying bread.

Best Case Scenario :: FB-friendly scheme
Worst Case Scenario :: Nobody signs him

He has almost zero chance of having his name called this weekend, but an excellent chance of at least getting a trip to someone's training camp. My money is on him signing with the hometown Chiefs, just because I don't want to sift through the other teams that need a FB, and often the hometown team is more willing to offer more marginal players trips to training camp.

DT James McClinton :: UDFA
I absolutely love McClinton, but his undersized frame has little chance of lasting in the NFL. Sure, he should get picked up and get a ticket to a training camp somewhere in America.

Best Case Scenario :: Signed as an UDFA
Worst Case Scenario :: Not signed as an UDFA

I've got nothing as far as where he is to go.

That's all I got as far as the 2008 NFL Draft goes. I will update whenever any Jayhawks get drafted/signed, and do a recap-type-post on Monday reviewing all of the Jayhawks' fortunes.

ROCK CHALK!

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Taken from today's LJ World.

I'm sure Rock Chalk will add his thoughts to these newly announced football series. I know Southern Miss from my old days rooting for Louisville in C-USA. A very solid program. The Golden Eagles always put together a good defense.

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The first Wednesday of February, year after year, is one of heartbreak and joy for college football fans country wide. It is National Signing Day for all high school football players, a chance to finally commit to a school with some weight behind it, months of verbals done with.

College coaches work year-round in order to get teenagers to choose their school over others, and often months of work are washed away with the simple swat of a hat, a hat with your school's logo on it. All of a sudden, the recruit you "had to have" has chosen another school over yours, inducing heartbreak to both the coaching staff and the fan base.

Kansas, having had just one incredibly successful season in the last 13, has not yet thrust its name into the circle of nationally-known moody teenagers, still picking up commits from some of the lesser-known prospects.

And after months and months and months of recruiting kids, some harder than others, the Kansas Jayhawks received 21 verbal commitments. 22 high school kids from across the country, although they were almost exclusively concentrated in Kansas or Texas (13 of the 22 are from one of those two states). And despite all of the usual change-of-hearts and reneging verbal commits, 20 of the 22 signed their Letters-of-Intent to the University of Kansas sometime today. And of the two who didn't, Jamaal Johnson, had his scholarship revoked after his academics didn't pan out. Zach Stadther, the other Kansas commit lost, initially verballed to Kansas before academic reasons again forced Kansas to pull the offer, allowing Stadther to stay in-state and attend the University of Arkansas.

So, with that said, here is a look at our finally finalized recruiting Class of 2008:

JUCO RB Jocques Crawford
JUCO OT Nathan D'Cunha

TE Tim Biere
TE Tanner Hawkinson
WR Daymond Patterson
OL John Williams
DB Greg Brown
JUCO WR Rod Harris (3 years)
DE D.J. Marshall
QB Kale Pick
DB Lubbock Smith
DE Duane Zlatnik
OL Ben Leuken
OL Trevor Marongelli
DT Darius Parish
DE/TE Nicholas Plato
DB Corrigan Powell
ATH Sean Ransburg
LB Josh Richardon
P Alonso Rojas

Once basketball season ends, and I complete recapping that (BTW, I haven't forgotten about me beginning the football season recap. I know that I started it like two weeks ago and have done nothing sense, but basketball has picked up; ideally I will start back up within the next week and finish it sometime in April. I know this is WAY longer than everyone else, but I wanted time to allow the awesomeness to sink in, plus if you are already done recapping last season in January, what do you talk about the rest of the year until next football season, huh?) season, we start looking forward to next year in both basketball and football.

ROCK CHALK!

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As we continue to traverse through the basketball season, Rock Chalk Talk will begin to officially wrap-up the 2007 Kansas Jayhawk football season, quite possibly the greatest season in Kansas football history. Starting today, we take a look at the five biggest disappointments of the season. Even in a 12-1, Orange Bowl champion season, not everyone performs up to expectations...

Coming into the season, our punt return game was a facet yet to be discovered, an unknown that had the potential for big plays, but also big mistakes. The front-runners to seize the job before the season began were Raimond Pendleton and Dezmon Briscoe, with Pendleton emerging from fall camp the victor. At least, that was what everyone thought happened. Raimond began the season on a wonderful start, as he took the 6th punt of the season by the opposition and took it the distance. 77 yards, to the house. We had apparently found a punt returner.

Then, everything changed. The last two yards of his 77 yard TD run were leaped past, a mostly-innocent sign of celebration, an act of jubilation spurred by the rush-of-the-moment. Mangino wasn't exactly the biggest proponent of his celebration, instead harshly (and graphically) expressing his, uh, displeasure with the extracurricular activity.

After that punt, and more importantly the sideline tirade that ensued, Raimond was never the same. I'm not blaming Mangino, necessarily, just providing a climax of Raimond Pendleton's season, a high-point before everything went tumbling downward. He collected five points in the season-opening win against the Central Michigan Chippewas, including said 77-yard TD. He also caught three of his four passes on the season in the opener, with only a catch for 5 yards, in garbage time, against Baylor standing between him and a virtual one-game-season. He returned 4 punts against Southeastern Louisiana in the next game for a combined 76 yards, a pretty good day. But he only returned three in the next game, and even worse, he returned them for only a combined three yards. He got two more chances against Florida International, in what would turn out to be his final action of the season. However, he did end the season off with a bang, recovering the onside-kick to seal the victory against the Virginia Tech Hokies in the 2008 FedEx Orange Bowl. (I was corporately forced to use FedEx in front of it this time, I haven't for awhile. It's in the contract.)

And with that long picture, we separate Raimond Pendleton's disappointment from our next contestant, who shares #5 with Raimond. Anthony Webb. Once Pendleton fell off of the face of Earth, basically once conference play hit, Anthony Webb took over as primary punt returner. And, despite lacking the fumble problems that plagued Pendleton (and led to his benching in the conference opener against K-State), he was less-than-stellar. Less-than-average, even. Or, how about the worst YPR average in the entire country? .84 yards a return is embarrassing. Despicable. Horrendous. But he didn't fumble, only coughing the ball once and even then quickly recovering it, and that was good enough for the coaching staff after the up-and-down roller-coaster that was Raimond Pendleton handling punts.

But because of his miniscule expectations placed on the cornerback-turned-bust coming into the season, simply holding onto the ball was accepted. Grumbling existed from the crowd, sure, but we only lost once. And punt returning wasn't the reason.

Just to wrap up the 2007 punt return experience for the Kansas Jayhawks, Aqib Talib took over in the FedEx (contract) Orange Bowl. And he performed a lot better than either of his predecessors, as nearly everyone expected. Of course, both he and Dezmon Briscoe were largely disqualified from the competition because of their success elsewhere on the football field, at corner and wideout respectively.

Luckily, we have a dynamite punt returner in this 2008 class, a class that is Mangino's best since his arrival in Lawrence. The recruit of note is Daymond Patterson, a short, little 5'8" package with tremendous lateral quickness, essential for the punt return game. While he will likely need a year or two to become accustomed to the system, and bulk up on his 165 pound frame, before he becomes a serious impact at slot receiver, he is almost guaranteed of securing the punt return job from the moment he steps on campus. Of course, Mangino will never promise playing time, and he will always claim that "the best players will play", but it seems like Patterson has the job all-but-wrapped-up if he plays like he can in camp.

#4, along with a Nebraska preview, coming up later tonight/tomorrow...

ROCK CHALK!

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The news that has been expected for days, ever since Bill Young left for the sunnier winters of Miami, has finally happened. At least, according to Tom Dienhart's sources, whoever they are.

But those sources posted by a national website, along with the widely-accepted fact that Bowen would become the next defensive coordinator barring a severe change-of-heart by Mangino, is enough for me to believe in it.

I love the move, as it keeps continuity and all that jazz, and those with sources inside the football program (not me, just some people on Phog.net) all say that people love him inside the program. Plus, he is a Kansas lifer, and I am glad that he got the job.

More on the hire later, along with official confirmation if it ever occurs, along with my promised-comparison of Kansas and Memphis.

ROCK CHALK!

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Sunday morning, this morning even, the Kansas Jayhawk football program received two of their final commitments of the class. Because of NCAA violations and such, we are only allowed 21 scholarships this season as opposed to the 25 usually allowed. The two signings this morning bring us to 20 overall, with two 4-stars (also two of the three JUCOs coming in) and 18 3-stars, which are all HS players except for the one, Rod Harris.

Today, we received a commitment from Jocques Crawford, a huge get as a 4-star JUCO. After missing out on Cyrus Gray, who chose the closer-to-home Texas A&M over 5 other schools including Kansas, Crawford was next up on Mangino's wish list, and might have even been ahead of Cyrus Gray. Crawford figures to be immediately inserted into the runningback mix, along with three returning Jayhawks in Jake Sharp, Angus Quigley and Carmon Boyd-Anderson. We will get a lot more in-depth about this once we start previewing the football season, and the runningbacks in particular, but this commitment is awesome news. More than awesome, even.

The other commit of the day was much less anticipated, as the commit wasn't even on the radar of most Jayhawk fans. Josh Richardson is a LBer, though, and we did need to add another one in this class. With all three of our current starters slated to be seniors next season, we need to start filling our rosters with their future replacements. We already have two on our roster, Drew Dudley and Justin Springer, but the other outside slot has been open to just about anyone for the 2009 season and beyond. Maybe Richardson is that guy, maybe not, but at the very least he is another really good body to throw in there. His other offers were from Bowling Green and Central Michigan, so he wasn't necessarily a highly-sought-after commodity. He is much more representative of the Mangino classes of old, where he would be one of the better incoming recruits, whereas he now represents a bottom-tier prospect in this class.

More on these guys once we turn our attention back to football, but it is full on basketball right now.

ROCK CHALK!

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The best sign of an up-and-coming program is for assistants to receive opportunities to move up in the world, and no despite the lack of recent success at Miami, it is certainly there. With all of the resources at the Hurricanes' disposal, namely the brimming talent in Miami and in the entire state of Florida. Plus, his yearly salary is certainly on the incline, and was no doubt a big factor in his decision.

However, given all of that, I think there is something else at play here, something that, ironically, Kansas can't provide that Miami can. Bill Young likes reclamation projects. His favorite part of the job, and I guess this is just interpretation of this article and namely this quote:

I have played NCAA College Football 2006 for hours at a time, but I don't just automatically select Kansas and move on with my life. No, I will instead find the absolute worst team from top-to-bottom (San Jose State in 2006, Florida International in 2008 in case you were interested) and try and lead them to a National Championship. Something, apparently just like Bill Young, makes me enjoy taking a team struggling to the top more than taking a team near the top to on the top.

And that, right there, is another example that this program really is moving on up. When defensive coordinators, really good ones at that, are leaving Kansas for the University of Miami, a school good enough to be simply known as 'The U', because he wants to take a lower-tier team back to the top. He already accomplished this with Kansas, as we are nearing the summit of the mountain, and is now ready to move on to yet another reclamation project.

Going back to his replacement, it will almost certainly be last year's co-defensive coordinator, Clint Bowen. Bowen is a Kansas-lifer and is more than qualified to have the position, although I wouldn't necessarily be surprised to see us bring in someone who has been a DC before to co-defensively coordinate just like the past couple of years with Billy Young and Bowen.

I know I have promised this for awhile, but I am going to really try and actually breakdown the Top 4 basketball teams in the country tomorrow, as well as breaking down the Missouri Tigers.

ROCK CHALK!

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