2007 Opponent Preview…Kansas

1 comment so far July 30, 2007 by Steve Hanway

After Kansas took Nebraska to overtime in Lincoln, many Husker fans were touting Mark Mangino for coach of the year honors. Over the last couple of seasons, few coaches have done more with less. But winning a Big 12 poker tournament with only a high king is no recipe for success. Despite some of the achievements under Mangino, the Jayhawks recruiting has yet to improve to a level that is competitive with the better teams in the Big 12.

Only Missouri had what could be called an easy time with the Jayhawks last year, yet Kansas finished 6-6 (3-5 in conference) and failed to garner a bowl invitation. The Jayhawks finished seventh in scoring offense and ninth in scoring defense in the Big 12. The offense could regress as they lose All-Big 12 rusher Jon Cornish and the defense will be young with only one senior slated to start.

Fortunately for the Jayhawks, the schedule is kind. Their four non-conference opponents all travel to Lawrence and only Central Michigan finished with a winning record. They open the season at Kansas State, a team they thrashed in 2006, before hosting Baylor and heading to Colorado. If they manage a win over the Buffs, they could be 7-0 as they head to Texas A&M. After that they get Nebraska at home before going back on the road to take on Oklahoma State. They then have a get-well game at home against Iowa State before facing Missouri in Kansas City. An 8-4 record seems possible, but so does 6-6 and sweating out a bowl bid. In any case, it’s hard to see them contending for a division championship.

A bowl invitation would be a step forward for this team and they might be poised for better things down the road as they’ve already locked in early commitments from two four-star recruits for 2008 (one an in-state player who chose Kansas over Kansas State and Oklahoma State). But they’ll need to make progress just to stay in place. Next year they trade Baylor, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M, for Texas, Oklahoma, and Texas Tech. Missouri, Colorado, and Kansas State have also outrecruited the Jayhawks in recent years which means they’ll continue to be trying to get more out of less.

But first things first, Kansas needs to win six or seven games and get back to a bowl game. Otherwise, they may be doomed to remain at the bottom of the Big 12 standings.

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