Kansas vs Colorado Animated Drive Chart

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It's OU Week

Time to check in on the Monte Cozzen's video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jC0vc5HirU

Around the Big 12: Week #7 (Angry Edition)

Well, the South is off to a fantastic start on re-claiming dominance in the Big 12. After going 3-1 this weekend, the South now leads the head-to-head series 5-1 against the North. Should be an interesting weekend coming up as the projected two best teams in the South take on the projected two best teams in the North -- KU @ OU and MU @ UT.

1 (A+ 98%) - Texas (6-0) #1, s = 26
I think I'm going to have to start giving Mack Brown some credit going forward. As I said, I thought the Longhorns were better on paper, but somehow they always seemed to lose to OU. Not this time ... still the ESPN folk say that UT has to be wary of an "angry" Mizzou squad?
(HD rank 4-4-3-3-3-3-1)

2 (A 94%) - Oklahoma State (6-0) #10, s = 64
The Cowboys knock my Jayhawks down a slot, but we'll take it as they not only ended the "Chase for the Heisman," they also gave us a good luck at how a team other than OU can slow down the Mizzou spread -- hit the QB at every opportunity and play good pass coverage. Geez, that really seems kind of obvious. They get a home date with Robert Griffin and Baylor this week ... stay on target.
(HD rank 6-6-6-7-6-6-2)

3 (A- 92%) - Oklahoma (5-1) #4, s = 3
It was an epic battle and it's not like the Sooners played poorly, but that one had to hurt. Evidently the game against KU is an absolute lock, because the Sooners are "angry."
(HD rank 1-1-1-1-1-1-3)

4 (A- 91%) - Texas Tech (6-0) #5, s = 93
It's a little tough to rank the Red Raiders this high as they literally have played no one and pretty much had a loss in the bag at home to the Huskers. Joe Ganz decided to be a friend at the end though and Tech rolls on. The Red Raiders head to College Station to face an "angry" A&M squad.
(HD rank 5-5-4-4-4-4-4)

5 (B+ 89%) - Missouri (5-1) #12, s = 18
Ouch, it hurts to put a one where that zero should be for the national champion Tigers, but that's the way the scoreboard read. I know OSU can light it up, but it seems like a few people mentioned the possibility that the Mizzou defense wasn't really all that. That's okay, they should be able to build confidence against Colt McCoy and his weakling offense.
(HD rank 2-2-2-2-2-2-5)

6 (B 86%) - Kansas (5-1) #16, s = 60
I don't really believe the Jayhawks are the sixth best team in the conference, but that USF loss makes it difficult to slot them any higher (not like it was a home loss though). Anyway, we can now start talking about the game we've been thinking about since that night in Tampa. Apparently, forfeit paperwork has not been submitted and Mark Mangino and the Jayhawks  are planning to show up and play football against the "angry" Sooners. Another no-win situation for the Hawks, because when they pull it off, the talk will all be about what's wrong with OU. 
(HD rank 3-3-5-6-5-5-6)

7 (C- 72%) - Kansas State (4-2) #60, s = 102
The Cats rocket to the #7 spot based on the 4-2 record. Too bad they now travel to Boulder to face an "angry" Buffs squad.
(HD rank 9-9-9-10-10-11-7)

8 (C- 71%) Baylor (2-3) #85, s = 67
Well, everybody's talking about the Bears and the 38-10 home win over ISU is a pretty nice statement. If they really want to create some buzz, they'll get the chance next Saturday in Stillwater against the 6-0 Cowboys.
(HD rank 11-11-10-9-9-10-8)

9 (C- 70%) - Nebraska (3-3) #45, s = 1
The table was set ... a missed extra point by the Red Raiders in OT. Wow. The Huskers let what would have been a season-changer slip away. Still, clearly they learned something about defending the spread. Winning in Ames against an "angry" ISU team is critical for morale.
(HD rank 8-7-7-8-8-8-9)

10 (D+ 68%) - Colorado (3-3) #48, s = 2
Four weeks of hell finally ends for the Buffs, but is it too late? They'll host KSU next Saturday in a critical North pecking order match-up.
(HD rank 7-8-8-5-7-7-10)

11 (D 65%) Iowa State (2-4) #92, s = 105
Not able to build on the momentum from the near upset against KU, the Clones are now driving hard for the basement after a 38-10 road loss to Baylor. They get an "angry" Nebraska team at home in the "One Last Chance to Re-Claim Your Season Bowl."
(HD rank 10-10-11-11-11-9-11)

12 (F 56%) Texas A&M (2-3) #89, s = 61
I guess the Aggies are always just one win away from escaping the cellar, but so far, holding this spot for six straight weeks is impressive. A 44-30 home loss to Kansas State? What can you say, it's worse than what we thought. Thankfully, the Red Raiders shouldn't be "angry" when they come to College Station this weekend.
(HD rank 12-12-12-12-12-12-12)

# = CBS Sportsline Rank

s = CBS Strength of Schedule  

Inside the Tent: Kansas 30, Colorado 14

“The play was 16 yards out and I wasn’t expecting a safety on that play. I just fired out and I wasn’t expecting to get past the running back who was trying to block me inside. For some reason the quarterback tried to get to the outside and Max (o) was pressuring from the backside, and I got a safety.”
--Jake Laptad, on the safety

From Row 46

Can you feel it? There's opportunity in the air. With a workman-like effort against Colorado to take a 30-14 home win, the Jayhawks find themselves with a full-game lead in the North Division race. Now, the Kansas football team heads to Norman, Oklahoma for another "game they just can't win."

Hey, it feels like October 2007 all over again. Well, maybe the Jayhawks aren't clicking in all three sectors yet, but yesterday's defense sure looked a lot like the 2007 unit. Yeah, they allowed two TDs, but those came on drives of 28 and 41 yards. Otherwise, the defense looked solid all day long and we now appear to have a valid pass rush. With two tackles and a sack and a half, Jake Laptad is another step closer to being considered a threat. Let the dogs loose.

At times Rodney Stewart gave KU some problems but they adjusted and kept him under control. For the most part, the secondary provided good coverage and even on passes allowed rarely were the DBs too far out of position. The targeted Kendrick Harper quite a bit, and he allowed some passes but battled back. Overall, it was a step forward on the defensive side of the ball for KU.

The Cornishization of Jake Sharp
It was good to see Jake Sharp collect 118 yards, but I'm still not sure that trying to turn him into Jon Cornish is the right way to go. The two back system has worked pretty well in most of the seasons that Mark Mangino has been here. It was a good performance, but the 3.8 ypc is not where I think we need to be. Maybe I'm being too critical as the Buffs do have a solid run defense and this was the best rushing performance of the season. Overall, the offense looked better as the game progressed. Considering Todd Reesing's quotes, it's clear the long fields early on are starting to bother the unit.

Special Teams
Yeah, it's time to put in more starters. The quest for someone that can catch a punt continues (it is 2007!). Dexton had a nice return, but I think both he and Daymond struggled to judge the ball in the wind.

Worst performance by an actor in a leading role
Mark Mangino for his plea to the students. Of course, I think it starts with script problems, but he didn't appear comfortable reading from cards far to the right of the camera. I would suggest an alternative ending -- "Students, you don't have to yell rip his (expletive) head off, because I'm going to get more starters in this week and I promise you that we'll rip his (expletive) head off. Some things are just better left unsaid."

The Highway Crew Tears It Up in Columbia
But I thought Oklahoma State wasn't any good. Isn't that one of the "cupcake" teams that KU had to play last year?

Saturday Chatter: No Refunds

Early morning thoughts before I sink into my first Bloody Mary ...

• Dugan talks about Kerry Meier being a deep threat in today's LJW coverage. One thing that helps is having a great pair of hands and K-10 certainly has that.
  
• My projected player to breakout today -- Jake Laptad puts together a multiple sack day
  
• Nominee number two -- Justin Thornton. He's had some opportunities to pad his career INT total already this year, but with a patchwork line and QB under criticism and in a hostile enviroment, I like his chances to make a pick today
  

As promised, the KSU: No Refunds video in the main column:

Hawk Digest Newsletter #5 -- Colorado Gameday

Link To This Week's Newsletter -- Colorado Buffaloes

ESPN Predicts Colorado Upset

Game Preview: KU vs Colorado

Photo: www.annependleton.com

Series: CU 41-23-3
Time: Saturday, Oct. 11 – 11:30 a.m. (CT) 
Venue: Memorial Stadium (50,071)
Location: Lawrence, Kansas
TV: ESPN2
Line: Kansas (-14)

Recent History (CU 6-4)
1998 KU 33, CU 17
1999 CU 51, KU 17
2000 KU 23, CU 15
2001 CU 27, KU 16
2002 CU 53, KU 29
2003 CU 50, KU 47
2004 CU 30, KU 21
2005 CU 44, KU 13
2006 KU 20, CU 15
2007 KU 19, CU 14

Hawk Digest Colorado Preview Capsule

Rock Chalk RoundTable 1.2 -- CU Preview

The History
It was two years ago when the Buffs came town and kicked the Jayhawks around Memorial like a Terry Allen squad for the first half. Mark Mangino ripped off Todd Reesing's redshirt and the rest is history. By now, I'm sure the Buffs have had plenty of TR, especially since he tends go on long gallups right when it feels like the black and gold has everthing under control.

The Rundown
KU has a great opportunity to jump out to 2-0 in the division and 5-1 overall. That kind of momentum would be excellent as the schedule starts to kick into high gear. It's no surprise that CU is bruised up mentally and physically coming into this game after facing West Virgina, Florida State and Texas. Clearly that favors the Hawks, but the upside for the Buffs is that they are definitely playing at top 25 game speed.

The Key
Early offensive execution and putting the pedal to the metal for four quarters. Our youngsters in the d-line rotation should be able to build up some confidence as CU has injuries on the offensive line. The media and fans have been critical of QB Cody Hawkins, so the Hawks should take advantage of the opportunity to rattle him early on. If KU can eliminate the passing threat, I like their chances of keeping Rodney Stewart in check on the ground.

On the other side of the ball, we could use another big game out of Jake Sharp as CU does have a good defense. However, even if the Buffs do stifle the running attack, we all know Todd Reesing can still pick you apart as there are a lot of weapons available. If the running game gets going, it becomes a real challenge for Colorado.

The Bullets

• The last time KU had a home game on ESPN or ESPN2 was the TCU game in 1995 on ESPN
  
• Todd Reesing is 16-2 in his career as a starter with 47 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions
•  KU has only started 2-0 in Big 12 --1997, 2007
• KU has won 12 straight home games and is 21 of the last 23 at Memorial Stadium
  
• The Jayhawks are 11-3 in the last 14 games against Big 12 North opponents
  
• KU has held its opponent to less than 200 yards rushing in 32 consecutive games
  
• WR Kerry Meier has recorded 100 receiving yards in three straight games.
  
• WR Dezmon Briscoe has caught at least two passes in 11 consecutive games
  
• LB Joe Mortensen has recorded a sack in two straight games
  
• The Jayhawks scored eight touchdowns from outside the red zone this season
  
• KU opponents have started 17 drives at their own 20-yard line or inside their own 20-yard line and have completed those drives with just one score - a field goal by South Florida.
  
• CU WR Josh Smith leads the team in all-purpose yards with 221 receiving, 153 on punt returns and 435 on kickoff returns.
  
• The KC Star noted today that the game has bowl pecking order implications,."with a Colorado win, the Buffaloes would pull even with the Jayhawks at 4-2 overall and 1-1 in the Big 12. Colorado doesn’t have to face Texas Tech or Oklahoma from the South and gets Oklahoma State at home, so its schedule is more favorable down the stretch than KU’s."

"Last year they held us to our lowest point total of the season, that is enough said right there, so obviously they did something last year that gave us a lot of problems. I would assume they would want to take a similar approach, because we struggled moving the ball at times and our passing game was rather ineffective last year.  It’s going to be a week where we are going to have to study hard and prepare, because they are one of the few teams that shut us down last year."

--Todd Reesing, on Colorado's Defense 

Big 12 Predict-O-Scores: Week #7

After blowing a chance to go 6-0 last week by picking the Cats at home, the VIC is now 20-6 straight up and 9-15 vs the spread (1-5 ATS last week). There are a few more challenges this week, so let's see who the VIC-20 likes in Week #7: 

Nebraska 25 @ Texas Tech 41
Vegas has Tech -21 / The VIC-20 is dreaming on this one -- Leach won't let up and it's hard to imagine the Red Raiders not covering here.

Texas 30 vs Oklahoma 28
Vegas has OU -6.5 / On paper I agree with the VIC, but history tells me to go with OU.

Iowa State 27 @ Baylor 28
Vegas has Baylor -4.5 / Did you know that Baylor was only favored to win twice last year? They covered both times.

Oklahoma State 30 @ Missouri 37
Vegas has MU -13.5 / I was thinking more like OSU 50, MU 57, but you've got to like Mizzou to cover at home. This could be a wild one.

Kansas State 29 @ Texas A&M 30
Vegas has KSU -3.5 / Here's a game I'd just stay away from.

Colorado 22 @ Kansas 34
Vegas has KU -14 / If KU finds their mojo at home, they can cover 14 points.

Update on Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 06:36AM by DJ Goodwin

4-2 SU, 3-3 ATS

Kansas vs Iowa State Animated Drive Chart

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Tuesday Chatter: The Big East + Alternate Big 12 Plan

The Big East
I don't even think it's worth saying that the Big East is brutal, but I really feel like piling on since I rated the Beast ahead of the PAC-10 in last week's Rock Chalk Roundtable. The UConn loss at UNC is not too big of a surprise, but the USF loss to Pitt at home was exactly what the Big East didn't need ... or KU. In fact, I wonder if that result and the implications on KU's loss in Tampa didn't factor into the mentality of the Jayhawk players as they went to battle with ISU. That's absolutely no excuse for the first half of course, but as the USF loss turned from a hard-fought epic to a "how did we lose to those guys" scenario, I know it affected my game preparation. Unlike the last time we lost a road non-con though, at least we bounced back by handling our first road conference game to make sure we stay on target.

The Developmental Division Plan
Yesterday, I mentioned a developmental division plan. First of all, unlike Bob Stoops I'm completely happy with the Big 12 as is with the one minor flaw -- occasional schedule imbalance due to division rotation. To me, it's not that big of a deal and sure makes for good conversation. Plus, I think the Big 12 Championship game is awesome and happens to be the only game that matters -- other than those occasions when the national championship game is legit.

Anyway, just for fun I like to dream up other formats. My alternate "developmental division" format works like this -- you divide the conference into three four-team divisions. Top four teams in one, middle four in a "B" divisioin and the bottom four in the "C." You play all three teams in your division and depending if you are a top one-two or a three-four in your division then you play the one-two or three-fours from the other two divisions. It makes for a seven-game conference season and an 11-game regular season schedule. However, it adds a conference playoff. The first and second place teams in the "A" division take the top two seeds. The "B" division winner is the three seed and the "C" division winner takes the fourth seed. Higher seeds host on Thanksgiving weekend, then you have the neutral site championship as usual on the weekend after.

In January, the divisions are re-aligned with the "B" and "C" winners moving up a division and the last place teams in "A" and "B" move down a division. Note the weaknesses:

• 11-game schedule
  
• Potential loss of rivalry games
  
• Can't set the schedule years in advance
  
• Possibility that a team could host the same team twice in one year
  

Anyway, as I said, I'm not an advocate for changing the system, but it's always fun to dream up new scenarios.

Undefeated
Kentucky dropped out the race to be "this year's Kansas," but Vanderbilt, OSU and Northwestern are still in the mix. Vandy had the most impressive win as they took out Auburn 14-13. OSU clocked A&M 56-28 and Northwestern had a bye. Up next for the crew, at Miss St, at Mizzou and a home game with Michigan State. Give Vandy the best chance at survival.

As for the rest of the undefeated teams, the Big 12 will lose two for sure on Saturday as MU/OSU go head-to-head along with Texas and OU. I like Texas Tech maintaining perfect status as they will host the Huskers in Lubbock.

Full list of perfect teams:
Northwestern 5-0
Oklahoma State 5-0
Vanderbilt 5-0
Penn State 6-0
Mizzou 5-0
Oklahoma 5-0
Oklahoma State 5-0
Texas 5-0
Texas Tech 5-0
Alabama 6-0
LSU 4-0
Ball State 6-0
Utah 6-0
BYU 5-0
Boise State 4-0

Off the List:
Kentucky exits with a 17-14 loss to Alabama
South Florida exits with a 21-26 home loss to Pitt
UConn goes down 38-12 to UNC

Around the Big 12: Week #6

Other than KU toying with emotions in Ames, the "elite" teams of the Big 12 took no mercy on the bottom half. Next week should be a little more entertaining for the rest of the league as more teams will play in there own flight (remind me to lay out my developmental division format in the offseason). As for KU, I think we could all handle a little less "entertainment" than we enjoyed at ISU.

1 (A+ 97%) - Oklahoma (5-0) #1, s = 27
Okay, seriously -- should Baylor really have to play OU every year. With the Texas game on deck, I guess we'll go ahead and eliminate one south contender next Saturday.
(HD rank 1-1-1-1-1-1)

2 (A 96%) - Missouri (5-0) #3, s = 4
A 52-17 win in Lincoln -- I know times have changed, but still you've got to give the Tiggers credit. To be honest, I'm not sure that I still believe OU is better than Mizzou, but I can't produce any factual evidence to move OU down. OSU comes to Columbia next Saturday to provide a real test for the MU defense.
(HD rank 2-2-2-2-2-2)

3 (A 95%) - Texas (5-0) #5, s = 58
Okay, a 38-14 win in Boulder looks pretty nice on the resume and shows that the Longhorns can play some defense. Now can they eliminate OU from the South race?
(HD rank 4-4-3-3-3-3)

4 (A- 91%) - Texas Tech (5-0) #9, s = 95
The way Texas Tech is easing into the season they should have plenty of momentum by the time they go to Lawrence on October 25--their first legitimate game of the season. They rolled the Cats up pretty good in Manhattan (58-28) and I'm sure they expect to treat Nebraska the same way this Saturday in Lubbock. Holding KSU to 28 indicates a nice defensive effort for the Red Raiders.
(HD rank 5-5-4-4-4-4)

5 (B 84%) - Kansas (4-1) #15, s = 64
The Jayhawks maintain a slight edge on OSU based on last year's win and gain one percentage point for finding a way to win at Iowa State after digging a 20-point hole. The game seemed similar to the KSU road trip last year. The Jayhawks need to build on it and protect their home turf when CU arrives at Memorial Stadium next Saturday.
(HD rank 3-3-5-6-5-5)

6 (B 83%) - Oklahoma State (5-0) #18, s = 106
Alright, the 56-28 home win over the Aggies looked pretty convincing for the 5-0 Cowboys, but they step up to the big time next Saturday when they travel to Columbia. They'll walk the fine line between exposed and dream season.
(HD rank 6-6-6-7-6-6)

7 (C 76%) - Colorado (3-2) #44, s = 2
Still the best of the rest despite the 38-14 home loss to UT. An immediate jump could take place if they could steal one in Lawrence next week. They should note -- no lead appears to be safe against the Jayhawks.
(HD rank 7-8-8-5-7-7)

8 (D+ 69%) - Nebraska (3-2) #45, s = 1
Okay, we know Mizzou is now a "mega-power college football program," but the Huskers still drop a full letter grade just for looking helpless at home. Oddly though, they hold the #8 slot. Next up: Texas Tech in Lubbock. Wheeeee! 
(HD rank 8-7-7-8-8-8)

9 (D+ 68%) Iowa State (2-3) #90, s = 108
The Clones look a lot like a team I watched in the middle part of this decade. Step one is showing that you can compete with any team that comes into your home stadium. ISU has pretty much established that with wins over Iowa, KSU and CU last year and now near misses vs OU and KU. Coming up, the Cyclones travel to Baylor where we can really get some clarification on the order in this sector of the conference.
(HD rank 10-10-11-11-11-9)

10 (D 66%) Baylor (2-3) #86, s = 37
The Bears get the edge over KSU due to playing the #1 team in the nation. The home game against ISU a must-win though if they want some respect for the 2008 campaign.
(HD rank 11-11-10-9-9-10)

11 (D 64%) - Kansas State (3-2) #65, s = 114
Let's face it -- Tech is going to humiliate a lot of teams this year, but the Cats are first so they get to take the punishment in the HD poll. Plus, this makes for a great battle for cellar in College Station next Saturday.
(HD rank 9-9-9-10-10-11)

12 (D- 61%) Texas A&M (2-3) #87, s = 81
A real opportunity to escape the Big 12 dungeon awaits as KSU comes into town. Plus, fans can celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the 1998 Big 12 Championship game with a live re-enactment. Woo-hoo!!!!!
(HD rank 12-12-12-12-12-12)

# = CBS Sportsline Rank

s = CBS Strength of Schedule