Big 12 State of the Union: Kansas
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January 23, 2008 by
Kansas had a terrific season in 2008. Maybe that’s an understatement. What fan wouldn’t take 12-1 even if it meant no division, conference, or national title? It still included a BCS bowl win.
The Jayhawks have a lot coming back, but among the departures are all-world junior cornerback Aqib Talib and junior offensive tackle (and Outland finalist) Anthony Collins. Assistant coach (and big-time Texas recruiter) Tim Beck also made seemingly lateral move (or even a step down in terms of responsibilities) to be a running backs coach at Nebraska versus remaining as wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator at Kansas. Could they be canaries in the mine? That is, are these leading indicators that Kansas will decline in 2008?
That would be fair to say, given a much tougher schedule next season. The nonconference schedule includes a trip to play South Florida in Tampa. That’s the same South Florida team that beat Auburn and West Virginia in 2007. The Jayhawks also play at Oklahoma and at Nebraska. The Sooners have been dominating the Big 12 under Bob Stoops and would seem to be likely favorites in the game. Kansas hasn’t won in Lincoln in forty years. They also host Texas and Texas Tech in Lawrence. While the Jayhawks have been tough to beat at home in recent years, the Longhorns and Red Raiders are never automatic wins. Then Kansas finishes with Missouri in Kansas City. There doesn’t seem much reason to think the Tigers couldn’t handle the Jayhawks again next year.
So where does that leave Kansas? The worst case might be 6-6. Or it’s even conceivable that they lose to Colorado or Kansas State to fall to 5-7 or even 4-8. You’d expect something better than that given last season. But given that Mark Mangino’s best season as head coach at Kansas prior to last season was 8 wins and the Jayhawks were a .500 team as recently as 2006, it certainly seems within the realm of possibility that the team falls back to earth and falls hard.
Over the long term things look better. Recruiting has improved and they seemingly have a credibility they haven’t enjoyed in over a decade. But a year from now that could wash away the way it has so often after Kansas has had good seasons in the past. The 2008 season may truly answer whether Kansas has built a great program or whether they simply had one great year.
Related: Read the 2007 State of the Union report on Kansas
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Tyler Jan 23 08
I watched their bowl game with intrigue. They seemed to get forgotten somewhat in the bowl mix (though MU was the true snub). I think they lost some steam after the Big 12 Conf Champ Game.
In their bowl game, I was impressed with their defensive ends. Though we've had some monsters at NU, their DEs seemed to compete just fine weighing only 265. This just heightened my concern for the underperformance we've gotten there. The talent gap has narrowed in the Big 12 from top to bottom. I think they'll still be a force to be reckoned with next year.
Mizzou Tiger Jan 23 08
The Jayhawks are one and done.....They played the bottom 3 or 4 in the south 12 and did not play TX or OU....they get both next year....and their non-conference schedule was a joke....I say 5-7 for next year.....they're losers and MIZZOU will expose them again in K.C.....they brown nosed to get our BCS Bowl and they will pay dearly for that.....
bnahusker Jan 23 08
Mizzou Tiger................"they brown nosed to get our BCS Bowl and they will pay dearly for that"
Was that the BCS Bowl that the Columbia Kitties left on the floor of the Alamo Dome? Enjoy kicking us while we are down. Just understand one thing. Mizzou has as many weeks of being #1 as Nebraska has losing SEASONS in my 46 years. (That would be the number 2 that you are looking for.) I amconfident that someone in Columbia will find a way to derail the system that Pinkle has assembled. That is the Mizzou tradition.
Bob
Greg Morrow Jan 23 08
Fair points, Steve. Another possibility is confidence gains this season. The team KNOWS it's good, now. Which can help with late in game battles.
Like alot of teams, Kansas needed the right Quarterback, which they now have. Amazing guy, him.
Entering year 7 of program building, Mangino has been the dominant name associated with Kansas, for some time now. Mangino THE MAN! Bow before his presence.....
It's now easier for the team and those interested, to unify and rally.
Even in Lincoln, Nebraska is going to have to straight up out play 'em. Kansas may still leave thinking they're better. Breaking their confidence takes wins in their house, which could still be away's off.
doombob Jan 24 08
Maybe I'll write an article next year about Kansas. If they go 6-6, they'd probably be the best 6-6 team in the country.