Previewing Kansas - Ask a Blogger

5 comments so far July 28, 2008 by Darren K. Carlson

Big Red Network is committed to bringing thorough coverage of NU's 2008 opponents. This includes finding local sources to interview. So, we are talking to people who really know their stuff - bloggers. Yep, we're asking a few simple questions of our blog brethren to get you in the know on Husker foes.

Today, we are talking about Kansas. To get the inside scoop on the Jayhawks we turn to the folks at Rock Chalk Talk. They took five (or six...) questions and provided some very high-quality information. Here's what they had to say about the 2008 Jayhawks.

I have to imagine that going 12-1 has at several KU fans basking in a glow of some sort. How would you characterize expectations for the upcoming year? What do people expect so see?

Rock Chalk Talk - While the whole schedule thing was overblown last season (so many supposedly elite teams lost to lesser teams, a 12-1 record looks better last season the more and more you look back), there is no doubt that this season's schedule is way harder. The three lesser Big 12 South teams have been replaced by three Top 15 teams in Texas, Oklahoma and Texas Tech. With that said, no one in Jayhawk Nation is expecting another BCS Bowl berth and another 12 win season. People aren't outright ruling out another BCS berth, but certainly no one will be disappointed if we don't win double-digit games again this year.

However, on the other side of things, nearly everyone is expecting another bowl berth and a 2nd place finish in the Big 12 North. So, while most Kansas fans are being reasonable with their expectations, there are more expectations this year than there have been since 1996.

KU had a very salty ball club last year. They return some key parts, especially the quarterback. But, they lost quite a few names that people got familiar with. So, who should the casual KU fan (read: Nebraska fans) be keeping an eye on this season?

Rock Chalk Talk - The name almost all non-Kansas fans will think of first is Todd Reesing, the only 'name' player returning with the departure of Aqib Talib and Brandon McAnderson just to name a few. However, beyond the QB, here are some names on both sides of the ball that should be well-known by the end of the season, at least among Big 12 circles.

- Jocques Crawford (RB) -- The 2007 JUCO offensive POY out of Cisco, Texas figures to replace Brandon McAnderson in the RB combination along with returning RB Jake Sharp. And while Sharp figures to get the majority of carries immediately out of the gate, Crawford's immense talent figures to make him the primary ball-carrier by conference play and a well-known name throughout Big 12 circles. He is a bigger back, like B-Mac, but the difference is Crawford is a much better athlete (and I say that as one of B-Mac's biggest fans) and .3 seconds quicker in the 40 yard dash.

- Dezmon Briscoe (WR) -- The other offensive player to watch out for is the WR Dez Briscoe. Talent-wise, he was the best WR on the team last year, and with Marcus Henry departing to the NFL Briscoe will be the #1 target for Reesing. Another name to watch out for Kerry Meier, a familiar name but now in a new role as a slot receiver. He is the most athletic WR, and has the potential to one of the best WRs in all of the conference. In the same ilk, also watch out for QB-turned-TE A.J. Steward.

- Justin Thornton (FS) -- While Aqib Talib dominated the Kansas defensive talk last season (and with a reason), Justin Thornton figures to be the big-name guy in the defensive secondary this year. While Chris Harris takes over the reigns of the cornerbacks from Talib and figures to be a star, Thornton should have more INTs and more big plays, and thus the more name-recognition.

- Robert Johnson Jr. and Jamal Greene (DTs) -- Last season, James McClinton became one of the best DTs in the Big 12 and was nationally recognized. This season, the young duo of pass-rusher Johnson Jr. (RS-Fresh) and run-stuffer Greene (Soph) figures to make headlines across the Big 12.

I have to assume there is more right than wrong with KU, after going 12-1 a season ago. So, tell me, where are the potential soft spots in the roster and/or scheme? What could be considered "bad" about the squad?

Rock Chalk Talk - While the strides we have made in the past six years have been incredible, there are still some holes that are "bad" on this Kansas team.

On the offensive side, the weakness lies mostly with the inexperience at the offensive tackle position. So much of our success was based off of Todd Reesing having time to pick apart the defense, and with both of the OTs departing (including Outland Trophy Finalist Anthony Collins) that should be a hole to watch out for. Especially with KU facing South Florida and the best DE in all the land, George Selvie, in the third week of the season, Jeff Spikes (LT) and Matt Darton/Ian Wolfe (RT) both figure to be tested early on. If the offense is worse this season than last season, I guarantee that the tackles will be the problem.

On the defensive side, it is a similar weakness in that we can't really rush the passer. We are doing better at recruiting the speed-rushers (with D.J. Marshall, Jake Laptad and Max Onyegbule all currently on the roster and Nebraska-kid Tyrone Sellers and Nebraksa-recruit Kevin Young both in the fold for next season), but they are all so inexperienced no one really knows how they will perform. The speed-rushers have a chance to be successful this season, but starting DEs Russell Brorsen and John Larson are never going to be confused with a pass-rushing specialist, and they figure to see a large majority of snaps. So, if our defense is to struggle, blame the lack of pressure we are getting on the QB.

But the biggest weakness is special teams, as the kicker and punter are both terribly unproven and our returning punt returner, Anthony Webb, was the worst in the country in YPC. So, if there was a weakness that would cause us to lose a game, heavy money goes on the Special Teams.

The Jayhawks face all three of the Southern toughies, get NU on the road, MU on a neutral site, and have South Florida to the non-con schedule. Brutal. Is that keeping people awake at night? How many of those 6 important games do you think KU will win?

Rock Chalk Talk - I already touched on this, but this year's schedule is obviously much more difficult this season than it was last season. Out of the six you mentioned, here is how I see all of them going down:

@ South Florida - It will depend on the OTs that I just mentioned in Question #3, but I think we pull this one out. W
@ Oklahoma - This will be the toughest game of the season, IMO, as we are travelling to Norman and the Sooners just might be the nation's most talented team. I think that we will almost certainly lose this game, although it is conceivable we win. L
vs. Texas Tech - This will be the best and closest game of the season, IMO, because of all of the hype surrounding Texas Tech. This gmae could go either way, and I honestly have no idea on how it will turn out. I'll be political and say W/L.
vs. Texas - I guarantee we win this game. We should have won the last time that Texas came to KU, were it not for a bogus Pass Interference call, and we are (obviously) a much-improved team from the 2004 team. Honestly, with everyone claiming how lucky we were to miss Texas on the schedule last season, I say it is the other way around, as we were a better team last season than the Longhorns and are going to be better again this season. I promise, we win this game. W
vs. Missouri - We will lose this game, most likely. However, with the rivalry game and all that jazz, we could win it without it being too much of an upset, but the Tigers are clearly a better team than us and should emerge victorious.

As for the game that you are really interested in, KU-NU, I'll say that it is 75/25 that we win. Sure, we haven't won for 40 years in Lincoln, but this is a completely different team from the 20-or-so teams that have made the trip up to Lincoln, and we only barely lost in 2006 with Adam Frickin' Barmann as our starting QB. Nebraska figures to be improved this season, sure, but their D shouldn't make a big enough 180 to beat Kansas.

I think college athletics dwells more in the coaches than any pro sport. People give Mark Mangino lots of credit for what he has done at KU. And, he got his contract extended for good reason. Are the Jayhawks taking on the personality or mentality of their head coach? If so, in what ways?

Rock Chalk Talk - As far as Coach Mangino goes, he is one of the better coaches in College Football and more-than-deserved that raise. As far as an attitude taken on by the team, I guess you could say that. Last season, and this season as well (although not as many) the team was full of over-achivers who never made mistakes and just simply did their role. A lot of that can be attributed to Mangino, and his disciplined-and-do-your-job mentality.

BONUS question - what's up with your fans? I mean, the white owl guy is one thing. That's just good TV. But outdoor leather recliner seating? People are really going for that... Is this a honeymoon or are people genuinely that excited?

Rock Chalk Talk - I don't know what to say. I think a lot of it can be attributed to the honeymoon; just about anything KU Football did over the offseason would be met with some optimism after last season and this probably falls under that category. But who knows, maybe folks really are that excited. I have no idea, but I certainly hope it is more honeymoon than I-am-excited-to-sit-in-a-Lazy-Boy-while-watching-football-at-the-stadium kinda stuff.

That's where we ran out of time and Rock Chalk ran out of patience for my inane questions. For more about Kansas, be sure to check out their very fine blog. Support local blogs, people. Our mortgage lenders are counting on it.

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