Recycler: Talk, Talk and More Talk

Big 12 Media Days 2008 / Credit: ETSU_1956 Flicker CC

What did we learn yesterday?

• The worst kept secret over summer is officially out. A.J. Steward is a tight end now. I had high hopes for A.J. at the QB spot, but this moves makes sense with the QB depth and open competition at tight end. Looks like we'll see him on the field this year.
• The KC Star still loves the Cats. That's nice.
• According to the Star, Mark Mangino is 0-6 versus Tech, OU and Texas. Please print more things that Mangino and KU haven't done. Big, bold headlines if possible.
• Will August 30th ever get here?

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Everyone likes to focus on the KU players lost from the 2007 squad. Back in the day, there used to be a simple predictor for success on the field. A returning QB and a defense with experience. KU has nine starters back on defense and the interior offensive line intact. Maybe Todd Reesing didn't do enough last year to convince the country that he is here to win?

So, last summer was spent discussing how Mangino would be on the hot seat and the KU football program was going to collapse. Then media days came and a few sportswriters took note that Mangino was oddly confident. Then people started looking at the early schedule. Get past CMU and hey, 6-0 is achievable. All of the sudden KU becomes the trendy dark horse pick despite starting a relatively inexperienced QB, the loss of Cornish and three offensive linemen. Sure why not -- go against the grain.

Okay, back to the present. We've spent all offseason hearing about how 2007 was a fluke and now that mighty Texas is on the schedule KU should be grateful if they find a way into the International Bowl. Can I go ahead and make a prediction?

Since there are roughly nine million college football sportswriters out there and since they get a little bored, we'll start to see a few describe KU as the non-dark horse dark horse around mid-August. I can see it. If you get past USF, you get an extra week to prepare for ISU and could maybe get one there. Colorado is at home. You could go to Norman 6-0. That would be a big-time game and these two guys know each other (Mangino is going to get one against Stoops at some point) Plus, OU will play the Red River Rivalry the week prior. Will OU really be up for "just a fluke" KU? Yes, Lloyd Christmas -- I'm saying there's a chance.