Big 12 Bowl Previews: Orange Bowl
11 comments so far
December 21, 2007 by
Kansas might get the award for the most undeserving BCS team this season. It would seem pretty clear that Oklahoma and Missouri deserve a spot ahead of the Jayhawks. But at 11-1, it’s hardly criminal. KU fans also did their part by selling out their share of tickets for the game. So rather than further denounce a paper tiger, what’s more interesting is how Kansas, Virginia Tech, and to a lesser extent Nebraska are all doing their part to put an end to the thought that a university is either a “football school� or “basketball school�.
Sure Florida and Ohio State have done their share in recent years to end the thinking that a school can only truly excel in one sport or the other. So perhaps the Jayhawks are adding fuel to the fire. No, they probably won’t be a favorite to return to a BCS game any time soon (any more than Wake Forest was this season). But they do look like the kind of team that could start being a regular bowl visitor. Though off to a slow start this season the Hokies also have become a respectable team in basketball, even winning an opening round game in the NCAA tournament a year ago. With their upset of Oregon, the Huskers also now look like a team that may no longer be an automatic win for opponents on the Big 12 schedule.
Does it help to have Florida or Ohio State money? Of course. Don’t look for Duke to go winning the Orange Bowl any time soon. But parity in both sports mean there soon may not be many “football schools� or “basketball schools�.
As for the actual game on January 3? Expect KU to look like a basketball school. They haven’t seen a defense like Virginia Tech’s. And even if KU’s defense is good and Virginia Tech’s offense is sluggish, the best unit on the field will be the Hokie defense and that defense will dictate the outcome of the game.
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Mike Dec 21 07
Kansas might get the award for the most undeserving BCS team this season.
Cough, Cough, Illinois, Cough, Cough.
Husker in UGA Country Dec 21 07
Kansas might get the award for the most undeserving BCS team this season.
Cough, Cough, Hawaii, Cough Cough.
Greg Morrow Dec 21 07
Missouri fans came off a touch arrogant (though nobody has market share of that, plenty to go around). So, for pure amusement sake, I'm glad "Rock Chalk" got the bid over the more deserving team. I like Kansas better anyway, because of Man"genius"gino holding it down on the sidelines (literally).
Until Jayhawk fans get proportionally self entitled like the rest of us, this is my most entertaining, opposing team.
I'm just going to enjoy the big "Brotha" while I can. With that team, it's all about him.
The Count Dec 22 07
Cough, Cough, Hawaii, Cough Cough.
I've got the same cough you do. :)
JD Roth Dec 23 07
Who the hell is Steve Hanway?? Obviously hasn't watched KU or studied them!! KU undeserving my ASS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jason Dec 23 07
You make a very compelling argument JD. Thanks for stopping by and setting the record straight. :)
Steve Dec 25 07
JD,
No more than 2 teams from a conference can play in BCS bowls. OU is the conference champ and automatic invitee, how can there be any argument that they belong. Missouri's only losses are to that OU team (one that KU never faced). Missouri beat Kansas on a neutral field and another BCS team in Illinois. While Illinois may look weak, at least they didn't keep another deserving Big 10 school out of the BCS the way KU did.
Sue Jan 04 08
KU had a fantastic season, the game last night was a "real" game. KU deserved to win, they simply out played VT. KU is a basketball powerhouse and now a football powerhouse.
Rock Chalk Jayhawk! KU!!
Sue Jan 04 08
KU had a fantastic season, the game last night was a "real" game. KU deserved to win, they simply out played VT. KU is a basketball powerhouse and now a football powerhouse.
Rock Chalk Jayhawk! KU!!
Sue Jan 04 08
KU had a fantastic season, the game last night was a "real" game. KU deserved to win, they simply out played VT. KU is a basketball powerhouse and now a football powerhouse.
Rock Chalk Jayhawk! KU!!
Sue Jan 04 08
KU had a fantastic season, the game last night was a "real" game. KU deserved to win, they simply out played VT. KU is a basketball powerhouse and now a football powerhouse. Oklahoma looked like a high school team at their game.
Rock Chalk Jayhawk! KU!!