Kansas Breakdown: One Hit Wonder
7 comments so far
July 27, 2008 by
The Kansas Jayhawks had a magical season last year. Plagued by strength of schedule complaints from the media, they had two solid chances to prove their meddle. Although they lost to Missouri, they are no longer cellar dwellers in the Big 12. With the number two scoring offense in the country and the best turnover margin, the stomped on lesser opponents at home, and won solidly on the road. The 42 points/game were aided by the defensive efforts. Controlling the run game proved critical for them. Allowing less than 100 rush yards/game helped them control the clock. Their defense only allowed an average of 16 points/game.
The possibility of getting the same 12-1 record this year has dramatically decreased, though. They play the toughest Big 12 South opponents. If they can come away with just one win from the Texas, Oklahoma, and Texas Tech match-ups, it should be considered a victory to fans. They also have to play at South Florida, which may prove too much to face a team trying to make a point - the same point Kansas was trying to make in 2007. It's tough trying to prove you should be considered a top 10 contender every year.
With a returning linebacking corps, they should continue to see success on run support. Unfortunately, they will really miss Talib and suffer with fewer interceptions and/or more passing touchdowns against them. Returning 9 defensive starters will ease that burden, and defensive backs will step up to fill the roles, just not enough.
On offense, Todd Reesing is the key. He loses a tackle, running back, wide receiver, and tight end around him. To make up for that is nearly impossible. He's the kind of solid player who can minimize that kind of impact, but he will get knocked down more than the 26 sacks allowed last year. Durability is the key against a schedule full of national powerhouses and a couple of trap games: Colorado before Oklahoma and going to Lincoln the week before Texas comes to town.
Kansas is likely looking at the type of schedule that could hand them up to seven losses this year. I don't see how they will be competitive for the Big 12 North title against Missouri. By the time they get to Nebraska, they could be beat into submission. The Huskers should get away with one maybe edging them out 27-24. KU should still see a bowl game at the end of the year, completing their goal of making it two years in a row for the first time ever and ending the season 8-5 with the bowl game win.
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Dwayne Jul 28 08
I don't see them fairing better than 6-6. If Mangino does better than that, he will prove to me that him and his staff are pretty good coaches. The way the national media has them in the preseason top 25 is ridiculous based on last year's merits. I don't have a problem with preseason polls, but you better be willing to adjust that poll based on performance of this season, not accomplishments of last.
James Moore Jul 28 08
It is much easier to sneak up on people when nobody's expecting you to do any damage. Being taken for granted or rather lightly is one of the most fatal errors an opponent can provide to another. Does this program have sustainable talent and depth to crank out another year like last year? Probably not, BUT. . .
DO NOT take anything away from this bunch. All they did was go out, win games, tackle, play nearly flawless assignment football, and just flat-out came out and beat people the old fashioned way, week after week. Needless to say that they suffered some very large personnel losses but Kansas as a program has taken the biggest step possible. They've broken the tradition of losing. It's like the psychological equivalent of breaking the sound barrier. Will they crank out 10+ wins for the forseeable future? Probably not. I honestly believe that only Nebraska and Missouri can do that over a long-term in the North. . .
Look at these guys as the Big 12's Wake Forest. The stepchild that grew up, got some backbone, and some muscle. No longer a pushover. No longer losers. A year-in-year out bowl contender. A legitimate, winning, football program in a powerhouse conference. . .
I am honestly happy for Kansas football and Jayhawk fans. Hope I don't get roasted for that!!!
GO BIG RED!!!
Renny Jul 28 08
James...no reason to get roasted for that. I respect the large job that Mangino has done (no joke intended). But, it will be difficult to sustain that in a tough north division. If I were a Jayhawk fan, I'd be happy with 8 wins this year. Heck, as a Husker fan, I'd be happy with 8 wins this year. It is simply tough to string together year after year of 10+ wins.
Isn't it funny, though, how just a year or two ago everyone and their brother were talking about how bad the Big XII north was? Not hearing that much anymore thanks in large part to Kansas stepping up to the plate.
Chet Jul 28 08
Has pelini improved the blackshirts enough that they will hold KU to 52 fewer points this year? i know playing in lincoln will also hold KU to fewer points but come on, try & lose the red-colored glasses, guy.
Brandon Jul 28 08
Hmmm, Kansas O/U 24 points in Lincoln on 11/8.
An intriguing proposition.
ze bop Jul 28 08
It's not so much that MU and KU are great teams, it just looks that way cuz Big Red is down. Once we get things going again with BO P the order will be restored and MU and KU will be back in their proper place, though probably not cellar dwellers anymore.
I think Ill is going to take mizzoo right out of the box, and there are any number of teams that will beat KU--they are a target now.
I will be laughing so hard after Big Red whoops both those pretenders on our home field.
Woot!
ze out
tom Jul 28 08
Since I have no data to go by for 2008 other than the 2007 season and an analysis of how important the personnel losses are in reference to offensive production and defensive stops, my numbers are based on a look at what I think Kansas can do, not necessarily what Nebraska can do. I just don't think that Kansas can put forth the same effort in Lincoln, with so many important offensive members missing. Anyway, if you're a Rock Chalker, you should be looking at how good your defense will be this next year, and focus on how Mangino is trying to build a team for the future. 2008 will be interesting, that's for sure.