KU Momentum Reminiscent of KSU
5 comments so far
November 1, 2007 by
Watching Kansas transform itself from a doormat to a contender in the Big 12 North has an eerie familiarity to it. That’s because we may have seen this movie before at Kansas State. In a lot of ways, the rise of the Jayhawk program parallels the rise of Wildcat football under Bill Snyder.
Cupcake scheduling
Nothing says “Bill Snyder� like a non-conference slate of nobodies. But when you’re not going to bowl games, you have every excuse to schedule them. Not only are they confidence builders, but they also help you avoid the kinds of losses that hurt you in the rankings and when the bowl selections are handed out. Truthfully, it seems time for the Huskers to seize on this strategy. At 4-8, NU would have every right to schedule creampuffs.
Building a home field advantage
Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither is a winning culture. But it’s got to start somewhere and that is usually done at home. Before Kansas began to win conference games on the road they started winning them at home. The same was true at Kansas State. Recall that the Wildcats had beaten Nebraska three straight times in Manhattan under Snyder before finally getting it done in Lincoln. Likewise, the Jayhawks have the opportunity to make it two straight over the Huskers in Lawrence.
Seizing the moment while NU is down
It seems little coincidence that some of Kansas State’s (and now Kansas’) best moments have come while the Huskers were struggling. Not only does it provide an extra win in the division, but fires up the fans and alumni. They aren’t used to beating the Huskers and those wins can really get the Jayhawk/Wildcat faithful fired up. Never mind if it’s the worst season for NU in 40 years.
One final way KU reminds you of KSU, is that no matter how tough they become in conference, you don’t see them truly becoming a national power like Ohio State or USC. Eventually, the lack of big-time recruits, top-notch financing and facilities, and a true winning tradition catch up to these kinds of teams. When is the last time a true upstart broke through to win a national championship? Georgia Tech in 1990? BYU in 1984? Clemson in 1981? It doesn’t happen often, and it’s hard to picture ever happening in the state of Kansas, where the hardwood will always be king.
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OU7times Nov 01 07
For the better part of 100 years, KSU and KU were "down" (in comparison)to other teams. Seems like every other school seized the moment to exploit them over that time period. Maybe it's just a "cycle" that goes on every 100 or so years. College football obviously hasn't been around long enough to prove such a theory. I truly believe that the proverbal worm has turned in C-football and other schools are waiting in line to start their own dynasty's. There just is nothing left (common thread) of the old Nebraska to think that she will have a run anywhere near like what was known from the 70's through the 90's, anymore. The only thing in common with then and now is that big beautiful stadium (and TO, for how long?) and that's just not enough anymore. Times were when just being Nebraska was enough intimidation to nearly win a game by itself. When you think of it, it would be NEARLY impossible to get ANY coach and have him go anywhere close to a 60-3 stretch again. Bob Stoops is a geat coach and he can't do that, even with the recuits he gets at OU.
DJ Nov 01 07
One thing to consider -- KU had a different starting point than KSU on facilities at least from the stadium standpoint. KSU started with a 35k stadium and ended with a 50k stadium. It's not a factor yet, but if the success warrants a stadium expansion that has bottom line impact to a school that has a b-ball revenue stream that the rest of conference can't touch.
There are also inherent advantages to being closer to a major metropolitan area, especially, when the pro team in that area is not really impressing anyone. In fact, it's that metro area that allows us to draw 16k for B-ball.
So, we know KSU couldn't make that leap because ultimately they couldn't draw the top level kinds of recruiting classes to Manhattan needed to make an annual run at a national title once they peaked in 1998. At KU, it's a complete unknown what will happen if the Hawks take a five-year run at being a conference heavyweight. And remember, that's the goal here. There was a breaking point forced by being a member of a new conference that caused our AD to be forced out and Mangino hired off an NC team to take KU football to championship level.
Will KU ever be considered a power like OU, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Michigan, USC, Alabama, Georgia, etc? No, but the Colorado era might be a better comparison than KSU as to where KU can top out.
doombob Nov 01 07
The national "title run" ends here.
NU 30
KU 17
WileyKUFan Nov 01 07
Dumbbob I'll take some of that action!
hawkdigest.com Nov 04 07
"The national "title run" ends here.
NU 30
KU 17"
Not quite, but you did expose our secondary. I'm impressed that the NU offense never quit.