Fourth and Seven: Reesing to Meier YouTube Video

Carry The Flag: Kansas 40, Missouri 37

Sorry about the poor photo quality -- I need to invest in a better camera. Just wanted to get this shot of James Holt with the KU flag up on this fanstastic morning. My official game post will come out later today.

Game Preview: Kansas vs Missouri

Credit: ojbyrne / flickr CC (click photo for link)

High Noon

Series: 54-53-9
Series in Kansas City: KU 12-7-3
Time: Saturday, Nov. 29 - 11:30 a.m. (CT)
Venue: Arrowhead Stadium
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
TV: FSN
Line: MU (-16)

Recent History (Tied 5-5)
1998 MU 41, KU 23
1999 KU 21, MU 0
2000 KU 38, MU 17
2001 MU 38, KU 34
2002 MU 36, KU 12
2003 KU 35, MU 14
2004 KU 31, MU 14
2005 KU 13, MU 3
2006 MU 42, KU 17
2007 MU 36, KU 28

Hawk Digest Preseason Missouri Preview

The Scene
Welcome back to the concrete and asphalt playground known as the Truman Sports Complex. The Tigers have already secured the north division title, so this one is all about the Border War and the overall battle of good vs evil. Of course, like most of the Big 12 games this season it'll look less like a war and more like an Arena Football game. If Jake Sharp is a no go, we'll see more of Jocques Crawford and Angus Quigley. You saw how physical Quigley can be. If he can hold onto the ball, that might make things a little more interesting as KU never really got B-Mac untracked last year against Mizzou. A fresh back with a hard hitting attitude ... could be fun.

The Key
Pass rush. The KC Star noted that KU comes into the game with only 23 sacks this season. Actually, that means we have improvement up front. Last year we came into this one with just 19 sacks, so considering the schedule upgrade this year there is reason to believe that facing the MU offensive line won't be quite the shocker that it was last November. We can be sure that they are under-estimating the KU front line.

The Motivation
We wear red, white and blue, they wear black. It's not hard to tell who the good guys are.

“I think it’s a good location for the game. I think it allows more fans to come and it is more of a neutral site, kind of like the Cotton Bowl with Oklahoma and Texas. It allows us to be seen by more people and gives the game a bigger stage, so it’s fun to play on a stage like this.”
--Darrell Stuckey on KU/MU in KC

Big 12 Predict-O-Scores: Week #14 Post-Thanksgiving

At Nebraska 36, Colorado 34
Vegas has the BugEaters (-18)

At Texas Tech 39, Baylor 19
Vegas likes the Red Raiders (-21.5)

Oklahoma 40, at Oklahoma State 32
Boomer and Sooner for Vegas (-7)

Missouri 36, Kansas 30
The VIC-20 supercomputer will soon be on a barge to a Chinese recycling center
Vegas is riding on black (-16)

Border War in KC Gets Extension

Four More Years of Concrete Hell

It's all over the papers this morning. The Jayhawks and Tigers will battle four more times at Arrowhead stadium (exactly in the middle of nowhere). No word as to whether or not the 2013 game will be played at the Kansas Speedway.

I think the problems with the game at Arrowhead have been pretty much detailed and agreed upon. Still, this was inevitable. We're playing against Texas, OU, Nebraska and A&M in the football world, so this type of event is the only way to make a significant attack in that never-ending war. The number one question I have is why couldn't we sign the deal next week? We've heard all about how they've solved the logistics problems. I'm not so sure. Why not play game two and evaluate before inking another four years?

Here's the thing, it's a money-maker now, but you kind of got a skewed look at the event last year with both teams in the national title hunt and College Game Day on hand. Ultimately, fans will decide this issue. And I think your casual KU fan better be able to feel something positive out of this event pretty soon or attendance in blue could trend quickly to dismal. If a hardcore guy like me has to go through a two-week mental pep talk to get up for this game, then I can't imagine how the bandwagon Jayhawk fans are approaching this.

So I guess ... this may actually come down to the KU football team. They could really bail out Lew on this one, because we'll see  tomorrow morning how the players feel about Arrowhead. If they vote yes for Arrowhead with their play, then KU fans will change their attitude in short time.

I should also add that there is one big positive I think we can all cling to -- hey, we may never have to go to Columbia again.

Bill Mayer Lays It Out

Probably one of the better pieces I've read from Bill today on the Arrowhead Border War. Putting the wonderful experience of engaging with real live Mizzou fans into a legitimate print publication is something you don't see everyday. I also liked his take on this:

Little wonder fans scream when the KU-MU-Arrowhead totalitarians give first preference to Kansas City Chiefs season ticket-holders. Why the hell do they deserve such a handout?

Clay Center Correspondent Weighs In

Upon hearing about the Arrowhead extension, our kindly old Hawk Digest correspondent from Clay Center, Kansas decided to announce plans for a new t-shirt line. The shirt says, "I don't want your loyalty, I just want your money."

Just to clarify, this was said in jest. He's no t-shirt maker.

Big 12 Predict-O-Scores: Week #14 A&M at Texas

Looks like I will be rolling these out one day at a time, so I can enjoy the holidays. Here's tonight's score projected by the VIC-20 super computer (because only a computer could be this far off):

At Texas 39, Texas A&M 29
Vegas is more on track with UT (-35)

Metro Sports Border War Special All Day

 

I liked the art, so i thought I would post this. Caught the first 45 minutes last night -- my favorite part was the KU fan with the big picture of John Brown with a Mangino head and a football. Somebody needs to find that one and post it.

Update on Sunday, November 30, 2008 at 08:03AM by DJ Goodwin

I guess MetroSports doesn't like the free promotion -- the photo link is now broken.

Around the Big 12: Week #13 (Border War Edition)

 

There Is No Other Rivalry

It's here. You only get to play Missouri once a year in football. I hear a lot of whiners talkin' about how they don't want to be anywhere near Mizzou fans. They're talking about the cold and about how they don't want to support the Arrowhead concept. I guess some people are just made that way. When the boys of crimson and blue strap on their helmets and it's within reasonable driving distance -- you better believe I'm gonna be there. When they're taking on the dark force from the east, I consider it an honor to be on hand to support the Jayhawks. Concrete Hell ... here we come!

1 (A+ 98%) - Oklahoma (10-1)
How can I justify ranking OU ahead of Texas? Hmmm. That's a tough one, but I think I'll go with absolute destruction of #2 Texas Tech on Saturday night.
(HD rank 1-1-1-1-1-1-3-3-3-3-3-3-1)

2 (A 97%) - Texas (10-1)
How can I rank UT ahead of Tech? The Horns didn't ever get abused quite like Tech. Texas lost one game on virtually the final play (not too mention a simple fly ball interception on the previous play means that Colt and Co. would be undefeated).
(HD rank 4-4-3-3-3-3-1-1-1-2-2-2-2)

3 (A+ 94%) - Texas Tech (10-1)
It was a nice ride while it lasted.
(HD rank 5-5-4-4-4-4-4-4-2-1-1-1-3)

4 (A- 92%) - Oklahoma State (9-2)
Looking to throw another wrinkle into the south race this Saturday.
(HD rank 6-6-6-7-6-6-2-2-4-4-4-4-4)

5 (A- 91%) - Missouri (9-2)
A game against Kansas that means nothing and means everything. Shortly after, the Tiggers will head into the Big 12 Championship game after spending weeks mentioned as a minor league team with no shot against Tech, OU or Texas. It's hard not to like that scenario in KC if your a fan of the Bumblebees.
(HD rank 2-2-2-2-2-2-5-5-5-5-5-5)

6 (B 87%) - Nebraska (7-4)
A simple home win against Colorado gets that 8-4 record. Track down another win in a bowl and a nine-win season will probably result in a Bo Pelini statue.
(HD rank 8-7-7-8-8-8-9-7-6-7-6-6-6)

7 (C 74%) - Kansas (6-5)
An absolute must win.
(HD rank 3-3-5-6-5-5-6-6-7-6-7-7-7)

8 (C- 70%) Baylor (4-7)
See -- going to Lubbock this Saturday won't be that bad. All you have to do is what OU did. Any questions?
(HD rank 11-11-10-9-9-10-8-10-10-8-8-8-8)

9 (D 65%) - Kansas State (5-7)
Let the re-rebuilding begin. Hey, it already started with a magical senior day win over ISU (38-30). Good luck Bill. (HD rank 9-9-9-10-10-11-7-9-9-9-9-9-9)

10 (D- 61%) Texas A&M (4-7)
Thanksgiving in Austin -- what are the Aggies thankful for?
(HD rank 12-12-12-12-12-12-12-11-11-10-10-10-10)

11 (D- 60%) - Colorado (5-6)
The Buffs can play some defense, but that doesn't seem like it will be enough. Catch the NU/CU showdown on Friday in Lincoln.
(HD rank 7-8-8-5-7-7-10-8-8-11-11-11-11)

12 (F- 49%) Iowa State (2-11)
At least it's over now.
(HD rank 10-10-11-11-11-9-11-12-12-12-12-12-12)

Big 12 Predict-O-Scores: Week #13

Photo Credit: Schlusselbein2007 FlickrCC 

Big Saturday

Well, the Time Warner server was out yesterday a.m., so that delayed the computer predictions until today. Seriously, the computer/internet revolution is over-rated. Long live print. Anyway, a huge Saturday on tap as Tech/OU is the equivalent of KU/Mizzou last year and the Big 12 can claim a major victory ins sports culture because TV sets across the north will be tuned in. Enough jabber -- the VIC-20 supercomputer is now 41-14 straight up and a beautiful 19-34 against the spread. Here are your projections for today (past performance clearly does not guarantee future results):

at Kansas State 33, Iowa State 29
Vegas wants a final tribute for Captain Ron (-9.5)

Texas Tech 35, at Oklahoma 35
Yes, the VIC-20 predicts a tie. Except, not so fast my friend, dig deeper and VIC says Tech 35.15 to OU's 34.90, so that must mean an overtime victory for the Red Raiders and a gift-wrapped Big 12 Championship. Guns up?
Vegas says Boomer Sooner (-7)

Sound and the Fury: Barack Obama vs the NCAA

Barack Obama in Berlin / credit Matthias Winkelmann (click photo for location)

HOLD ON THERE BIG FELLA
Okay Barack, I'm know you've got a little power surge after taking the formidable John McCain down in the presidential beauty pageant. Cheers. And hey, we're all on board with a system that makes sense for determining a college football champion -- the mysteriously named "playoff system." However, why not warm up with some solveable problems like social security, immigration, terrorism or the current economy? Maybe try your luck going up against organized crime or Iran first. You know even Texas plays a weak non-con to get ready for the real season.

After such a bold claim, it's clear our hoopster president just isn't familiar with the N.C.A.A. Friend, they don't play around and they certainly aren't going to let you break their closed good-old-boy bowl network. Keep your eyes to the sky and watch for black helicopters because I'm pretty sure they're building a file on you.

It was a good call later claiming that is was a joke, that'll at least stall any type of call for a "re-vote" as pro-BCS parties are claiming a non-disclosure of a key platform. Of course, a re-vote might result in a true landslide based on this issue alone. Still, these guys aren't easily fooled. They're watching and their friend ABC/ESPN is probably putting on the foil right now. We're behind you, just tread lightly -- didn't you see Colors? You can't run down the hill after the bull.

Reference: Josh Levin / The Slate | Newsday

Talib in 2006 / credit annependleton (click photo for her site)

TALIB, WE MISSED YOU ON SENIOR DAY

“The biggest issue for us is that we were able to have a corner last year that we could put on an island and therefore help the other corner, which solidified our pass defense. And we’re not able to do that this year. And that’s the No. 1 problem.”

The new KUsports.com posted this info from Mark Mangino that we pretty much already knew. Still, the big man frames it well. I vote we get a new corner like Aqib, heck maybe even two. Who's with me? Otter? D-Day, Bluto?

Around the Big 12: Week #12

1 (A+ 98%) - Texas Tech (10-0)
So the bye week creates kind of a championship type week buildup for the Tech/OU game. Good stuff. When you're not playing these guys, they're a lot of fun to watch. Didn't appreciate that Tech fan coming onto phog.net and talking trash to KU after the UT game though. How does that make sense?
(HD rank 5-5-4-4-4-4-4-4-2-1-1-1)

2 (A 97%) - Texas (10-1)
Because I've never witnessed it, they still represent the team I'd like to beat most in the Big 12. Mainly though, I'm pretty jealous of the scores of talented athletes they stock up on.
(HD rank 4-4-3-3-3-3-1-1-1-2-2-2)

3 (A 96%) - Oklahoma (9-1)
It's been a long wait for the Sooners since losing to UT. Can they deliver and create chaos in the division?
(HD rank 1-1-1-1-1-1-3-3-3-3-3-3)

4 (A- 92%) - Oklahoma State (9-2)
Not exactly a dominating win at Colorado (30-17), but I'll give the Cowboys the benefit of the doubt until I see them against OU. By the way, it looks like they'll catch the Sooners at a good time no matter what.
(HD rank 6-6-6-7-6-6-2-2-4-4-4-4)

5 (A- 91%) - Missouri (9-2)
Not quite exactly the chase for the national title that they expected, but definitely a season that cements them as a solid Big 12 program. Claiming the north means they get one last crack at an elite team from the south and the benefit of playing it at Arrowhead.
(HD rank 2-2-2-2-2-2-5-5-5-5-5-5)

6 (B 87%) - Nebraska (7-4)
Bo Pelini good, Bill Callahan, not so good. Nebraska fans can breathe again.
(HD rank 8-7-7-8-8-8-9-7-6-7-6-6)

7 (C 74%) - Kansas (6-5)
The fact that KU is not happy about a trip to a low-level bowl is good thing. The facilities are in place and check the recruiting classes and you'll see continued improvement there. Is 7-5 or 6-6 where you want to be in year seven? No, but the Big 12 is in a totally different stratosphere right now and I think we know now that losing six talented players was a bit more than we could handle.
(HD rank 3-3-5-6-5-5-6-6-7-6-7-7)

8 (C- 70%) Baylor (4-7)
The Bears handled A&M 41-21 in Waco and as usual it looks like they'll be a dangerous team by the time they get back on our rotation.
(HD rank 11-11-10-9-9-10-8-10-10-8-8-8)

9 (D- 62%) - Kansas State (4-7)
At this point, I think they should shutdown the university and move the vet and engineering schools to Lawrence. We can expand Memorial to 80,000 and finally have that one solid team that a small population state like Kansas should have. Hopefully, we can get Arkansas or Iowa to join the north to fill up that slot.
(HD rank 9-9-9-10-10-11-7-9-9-9-9-9)

10 (D- 61%) Texas A&M (4-7)
That one had to be hard to take. Two weeks to prepare for Austin, then wait until next year.
(HD rank 12-12-12-12-12-12-12-11-11-10-10)

11 (D- 60%) - Colorado (5-6)
They didn't get embarrassed, but once again, they didn't get the win. Still, a shot a bowl though.
(HD rank 7-8-8-5-7-7-10-8-8-11-11-11)

12 (F- 53%) Iowa State (2-9)
Can't even help out a friend with a simple home win that could have possibly* made the Border War a playoff for a Big 12 title game spot. You're dead to me ISU.
(HD rank 10-10-11-11-11-9-11-12-12-12-12-12)

*If CU could have won at Lincoln, which they can't.

Inside the Tent: Texas 35, Kansas 7

Defeat and Hope

FROM ROW 46/STUDENT SECTION
It was a game I never could have imagined. The defense went to war against an explosive Texas offense and gave the Jayhawk offense multiple opportunities to get into the game. It was not to be as the Longhorn defense was up for the challenge of shutting down Todd Reesing and company. Admittedly, I saw Reesing as frustrated as he has been, but I think some of the mention of his inaccuracy is not so warranted -- I mean, wind was a factor and on the other side it really seems like Colt McCoy did most of his damage on the ground (well that and some timely pass interference calls). The fact that Colt had to scramble because receivers were covered is a sort of reason to celebrate.

Overall though, having a more talented team come in and slowly grind down the Jayhawks on Senior Day was a bitter pill to swallow. The only way I can spin it is I felt like the seniors gave it their all and I'm good with what these guys accomplished. Rival fans and the media will try to categorize their greatest achievement as a fluke, but for those that have watched the program for virtually every down of the Mangino era and Terry Allen era, we know this was a good group of hard-nosed football players that took advantage of every opportunity they had and advanced the program (despite losing two of the biggest stars to the NFL). Yes, we could use a little more Texas-style football talent, but that's on the way -- the 2008 and 2009 classes are the highest rated classes we've seen. Sure the up and down nature of KU football is tough to take, but another up is just around the corner and if a down is heading to the Insight Bowl for a matchup with a Big 10 team, I'll take that.

THE GOOD
You start with the defense. Other than consistent difficulty with linebackers covering in the flat this was the kind of defensive performance that would have netted wins against Nebraska and USF and obviously provides legitimate optimism for the next two games. I haven't watched the tape yet, but I don't remember Daymond Patterson getting beat too often. If this guy is a legitimate corner, that's a nice foundation as I like Justin Thornton as a big corner on the other side (despite his trouble defending the inside slant in this game).

On the offensive front, I'll get criticized for this, but I think Angus Quigley doing damage to the second level of the Texas defense is huge (I'll get into the fumbles later). To me that is the Brandon McAnderson formula that we've lacked all year. It's like a boxing match -- you've got to be hitting those linebackers and defensive backs to soften them up. Also, from the backfield, Jocques Crawford showed me quite a bit of fire in his action after Quigley was yanked for the fumbles. It was mostly fourth quarter play, but it was encouraging to see him play hard at that time of the game.

THE BAD
I mentioned this prior to the season -- Ed Warriner was going to have to modify the scheme because an offseason of study by teams with talent meant that defenses would know the weaknesses of our offense inside and out. Developing two new tackles was a factor, plus the physical factor that B-Mac brought (mentioned above) and sure the defense was the usual culprit for the close losses, but the status quo on the offensive scheme resulted in the offense not getting the job done when they absolutely had to against teams like OU, Tech, Nebraska and UT. That is by no means a vote of no confidence for Warriner, it just means he needs to accelerate the evolution. Innovate or die. Know it, learn it, live it.

THE UGLY
1) I'm probably misreading the situation, but the excessive extended celebration by #32 on the hit that put Kerry Meier on the turf at the end of the first half seemed pretty unsportsmanlike. Please correct me if I have that wrong. Nothing wrong with celebrating a big hit, but generally when a player is hurt you show a little respect. Maybe posting the video of the Quigley hit on Blake Gideon is a little of the same, but I really just wanted to show how effective AQ can be in the defensive secondary. We don't ever want to see a player injured for any team and I certainly hope Gideon is okay.
2) More on AQ. As I said, I love the physical play Quigley brings, but you've got to get fumbles under control. This is so painful. I really want him out there doing damage, but it cannot be if he keeps dropping the ball. Perhaps so more reps in the non-con would have helped.
3) The students are what make the games fun and they are packing themselves in so tight that it is difficult for them to fill in the corner. Plus, the students bring the noise. Still, the rate of attrition after halftime is worth noting. Yeah, a lot of people head out early, but that section empties out at an incredible pace compared to the alumns in the next section over. The good news is I went over and watched the fourth quarter from some awesome seats in that abandoned area.

WHAT'S NEXT
One last shot at Chase Daniel. They're going to get the North trophy after the Arrowhead game but we can take the celebration. It'll be interesting to see what our defense thinks of Mizzou after taking on the trio of Tech, OU and UT.