No Place Like Home for Jayhawks

Previewing Kansas

“We're not in Kansas anymore�, said a famous Kansan. It was an understatement in The Wizard of Oz and it was an understatement last season. Few teams post the kind of perfect home/road records that Kansas did in 2005. The Jayhawks went 6-0 at home including a 40-15 trouncing of the Cornhuskers and stumbled to a 0-4 record on opposing teams' campuses (and split the difference at 1-1 on neutral sites).

With 2006 being a new season, one might like the Jayhawks chances to turn things around and win some road games. In addition to the three conference teams (Nebraska, Missouri, and Iowa State) that Kansas beat in 2005, they play at Toledo and at Baylor. However, another big reason for Kansas winning 7 games in 2005 was due to some key playmakers they had (particularly on defense), many of which graduated following the 2005 season.

The Jayhawks said goodbye to their top two passers from 2005 in Jason Swanson and Brian Luke, cornerbacks Theo Baines (who lead the team in interceptions last year) and Charles Gordon (an All Big XII player), wideout Mark Simmons (honorable mention All-Big XII and lead the team in receiving), running back Clark Green (honorable mention All-Big XII and their second leading rusher), linebackers Nick Reid (who was named Big XII defensive player of the year), Kevin Kane (honorable mention All-Big XII and who had an interception for a touchdown versus Nebraska) and Banks Floodman (honorable mention All-Big XII), and defensive ends Charlton Keith (All-Big XII) and Jerial Ashley (second team All-Big XII).

So to suggest their team was gutted by graduation would not be an overstatement. “Kansas doesn't rebuild – they reload� is a statement often used to describe Jayhawk basketball, but it's never been used with sincerity to describe the football team. To expect an easy Husker win over Kansas isn't unrealistic. But with much of their offensive line intact and with their top running back returning, the Jayhawks may manage to make things interesting for a while. By playing ball control, they can help their defense and their inexperienced quarterback. If the Huskers stop the run, it will likely be lights out for the Jayhawks.

But before we Husker fans puff out our chest and utter Ralph Brown's now infamous line, that 2005 was “a one-year deal� we should remember that the Huskers will be losing a lot to graduation in 2006 and that next season the game will be in Lawrence.

The Big XII North division is at an interesting crossroads entering 2006. No current head coach of a North team has won the division. While the Huskers may take the crown this season, the team that will own the title for years to come remains to be seen. Every team has reasons for hope and reasons for doubt, including Kansas.

For this season though, the Huskers will likely enjoy some payback in reminding the Jayhawks that they're not in Kansas anymore.

More 2006 Previews: Louisiana Tech, Nicholls State, USC, Troy, Kansas, Iowa State, Kansas State, Texas, Oklahoma State, Missouri, Texas A&M, Colorado