Freeman Johns, Mark Mangino and the BCS

That's right -- dollar signs. The Cap-Journal offered up a nice little history lesson on Charles-Gordon-Gate from the 2004 Texas visit. Here's an excerpt:

“Ten thousand bucks? Ten thousand bucks,” he said, predicting his fine. “I've got a team to fight for and I'm not going to be pushed around, or let this university be pushed around, because we're not the big spenders, not the big BCS team in the league.”

In that moment, he became Kansas football. Or was it the other way around?

For the record, there were two other factors that sent KU fans over the edge. The first was that Freeman Johns made the call while standing in front of the Texas sideline. The second was that Freeman Johns is from Texas. Put it all together and even though you see all kinds of bad calls watching college football ... well, let's just say it gave me a very sick feeling.

Kevin Keitzman -- Thank You!

I admit it. I had the situation all wrong. I really believed that beating Texas and Mizzou wouldn't be enough to get the Jayhawks a Big 12 North title and more importantly a berth in the championship game at Arrowhead. You figure with KU sitting in the mid-forties of the CBS poll that there is no way they could ever finish ahead of MU in the polls even if we could conjure up that magical three-way tie. So I figured we had to count on Nebraska to lose and that just ain't gonna happen now.

Then, I found hope in the least likely sector of the entire galaxy -- Kevin Keitzman's afternoon show on 810. The man is right. KU is likely to get enough bounce out of a win over Texas plus Missouri to possibly move ahead of the Tigers in the polls. In fact, since it would all play out over a three-week period, he's 100% right. Hey, man. That's all I need. We control our own destiny. I don't care if we're playing the '72 Dolphins this Saturday -- all I know is we are still alive and all we got to do is win the next one. Bring on the Longhorns, the game is on.

Monday Recycle: Texas Week

IT'S HEREcredit: Shane Pope (flicker CC)
Every morning since November 13, 2004, my day has started with the same thought -- we're going to pound Texas on November 15, 2008. If there is such thing as justice, it must be. As the date approaches, I'm not quite sure that I could have ever envisioned us entering this game on such a brutal low.

Based on the early Mangino years I would have thought that Memorial Stadium would be an impenatrable fortress by now. Texas Tech blew that theory up with some sort of nuclear weapon. Of course, Tech looks like a team with a higher purpose, so you can maybe walk away from that one.

A nice bounceback against a weak KSU team and it looks like we're on schedule. However, you giftwrap a division title for Missouri by getting physically manhandled in Lincoln and all of the sudden there is bleakness all around. No, it's not how I projected this week at all.

However, I think I'm more curious now than ever as to how the Jayhawks will approach this game. The Jayhawks have been through a lot of highs and a lot of lows and as Mike Rivera said yesterday, they just keep fighting. That's why I'll be at Senior Day on Saturday -- I want to see if the Hawks keep fighting.

LB EARNEST NORMAN BAILS
Rock Chalk Talk has the best free details on this one. Another tough blow, but I always view these the same way -- if he didn't want to be here then we definitely don't want to blow the scholarship.

REMEMBER THIS ONE
“We wanted to come out today and regain some of that respect that Kansas may have lost for us as a program. You know, we’re still Nebraska and they’re still Kansas.”
--DE Zach Potter doing his best impression of a KSU player

PAY-PER-VIEW
When I have to put down $29.95 to watch a football game on TV, I expect high-definition and a yellow line for the first down marker. Also, I'm not sure if I am in agreement that a home team should be allowed to decline a TV broadcast.

UNDEFEATED LIVES IN LUBBOCK STILL
How green with envy am I? The Red Raiders are one tough game away from playing in the national title game. That's what it's all about.

Full list of perfect teams and next opponent:
Texas Tech 10-0 with a bye week, then at OU
Alabama 10-0 vs Mississippi St. (Sat)
Utah 10-0 at San Diego State (Sat)
Boise State 9-0 at Idaho (Sat)
Ball State 9-0 at Miami (OH) (Tues)

Off the List:
Penn State drops out of the club with a 23-24 loss at Iowa

Inside the Tent: Nebraska 45, Kansas 35

Opportunity Wasted!

FROM THE HEARTH ROOM
You take the best team in KU football history and return nine of 11 starters on defense and the best quarterback in school history with the greatest arsenal of wideouts I've seen in blue. You go into battle in possibly the weakest BCS division in the nation with a middleweight frontrunner one-trick pony that happens to be your most hated rival. And now, by losing to a year-one Bo Pelini Nebraska program that bottomed out last season, you've created a scenario where beating Texas and the bumblebee freaks from Columbia still nets a division title and another trip to the Big 12 Championship for the black and yellow. It's in Kansas City, so they might as well bring their fire engine, cannon, white rocks and stuffed animal parade. Unless Nebraska actually throws a game against KSU or Colorado, the University of Kansas football program will have allowed Missouri to claim division titles in back-to-back years when they were the one team that could have prevented it.

Let me speak for the Jayhawk Football Nation ... and I'm talking about the real Jayhawk Football Nation -- blue warriors that were at the game in Columbia in 1996 when Glen Mason and the team did a no-show or Senior Day vs North Texas or any of the occasions when KSU hung 60 plus on the Jayhawks in Lawrence. For those fans, let me just say, "we are disgusted."

PLUS
It could be a benefit for recruiting. Playing time available at the d-line, o-line and linebacker positions ... and of course, the help wanted sign is always hanging out for the secondary. Prinz Kande -- we love you.

MINUS
I may have already detailed the one big minus in the hearth room section above, but there's more.

1) Phil Steele was right, right, right, right and I really wanted to the Jayhawks to take his preseason mag and shred it.
2) Can't play in the heat, can't play in the cold. Body language said it all in the first half.
3) 1968 lives on.

WORLD VIEW
KU's football program is still a year-to-year yo-yo as it has been for almost a century. Still, if a down year is a low-level bowl and playing in November for a division title, then we are moving forward. Recruiting continues to improve so we'll see what the future Jayhawks can do as that young talent develops. Keep sawin' wood.

Game Preview: KU @ Nebraska

Jake Sharp Tore It Up Against KSU / credit: annependleton.com

Can Jake Sharp Run Wild Again?

Series: NU 88-23-2
Time: Saturday, Nov. 8 - 1:30 p.m. (CT)
Venue: Memorial Stadium (81,067)
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
TV: Pay-Per-View (Details)
Line: NU (-1.5)

Recent History (NU 8-2)
1998 NU 41, KU 0
1999 NU 24, KU 17
2000 NU 56, KU 17
2001 NU 51, KU 7
2002 NU 45, KU 7
2003 NU 24, KU 3
2004 NU 14, KU 8
2005 KU 40, NU 15
2006 NU 39, KU 31
2007 KU 76, NU 39

Rock Chalk Roundtable 6 -- Nebraska Week

Hawk Digest Preseason Nebraska Preview

The Scene
It's a strange feeling to be more focused on the North title chase rather than 1968. History is interesting, but what's going on right now seems a little more significant. The Jayhawks are in the mix and Nebraska needs some help, but they're still in it as well, so it'll be a playoff atmosphere up in Lincoln.

The Key
There are really two things that KU has to do here:

1) Mount a pass rush

2) Set the running game free

I guess another way of saying that is we really have to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, which is no revelation. You know the drill though, KU has to get pressure on the opponent QB to be effective at pass defense. On the other side, defenses really struggle when the Jayhawks come at them with a balanced attack.

The Motivation
Other than a division title and a potential shot at a re-match with Tech, this one goes a long way toward establishing KU as a solid #2 in the North pecking order. The Jayhawks are 10-3 in the North since 2006 with the only losses coming to Mizzou and Nebraska. Taking two in-a-row against the Huskers says quite a bit. The other thing is I think fans are anxious for Mark Mangino to extend the Northern Fighting Mangino Road Tour Experience to Lincoln, Nebraska. Where it's been:

2004 -- Columbia, MO / 31-14
2006 -- Ames, IA / 41-10
2007 -- Manhattan, KS / 30-24
2007 -- Boulder, CO / 19-14
2008 -- Ames, IA / 35-33

“It’s going to be tough. They’re still Nebraska, and we’re going to be in Lincoln and it’s definitely a tough place to play. We’re going to have to have another great week of preparation and hopefully take care of business on Saturday.”

--Jake Sharp on Nebraska

Big 12 Predict-O-Scores: Week #11 - Captain Ron Edition

Well, the coach formerly known as Captain Ron, aka Scary Smart, aka Bold and Daring is now a lame Prince. It made for an interesting afternoon on 810 Sports with Jack Harry and Kevin Keitzman going kinda psycho. Trouble within the Axis of Evil, dear?

Like the Terry Allen dismissal, some were disappointed that he was let go mid-season. Hey, talk to the folks at Circuit City. Getting the axe as the head man of a college program is a brutal public episode and I think everyone has some compassion from that perspective (except maybe the hardcore KSU fans), but in the end, Ron is going to come out okay financially. In fact, I believe he'll go on to become a fantastic color announcer for some network. He can break down a game with the best. Those who can't do -- get jobs in the media.

Okay, down to business. The VIC 20 supercomputer is now 16-26 versus the spread. Impressive. This is a reverse spread money machine. Straight up the VIC is 33-11. This week's predictions:

At MU 39, KSU 27
Vegas votes no on Prince making MU a 27-point favorite

At Texas 40, Baylor 20
Vegas likes UT (-27)

At Colorado 30, Iowa State 25
Vegas loves the Buffs (-9.5). This one is televised -- wee hoo!

OSU 35, at Texas Tech 34
Vegas has Tech (-3)

Oklahoma 38, at Texas A&M 24
Vegas has OU (-27)

Kansas 45, at Nebraska 36
Vegas opened with KU, but as of today Nebraska is the favorite (-1)

Update on Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 07:11AM by DJ Goodwin

4-2 straight up

2-4 ATS

Wichita Eagle Reporting Ron Prince Is Out

Credit: Catastrophy (Flickr CC)

"... Ron Prince is expected to announce his resignation this afternoon, two sources close to the situation told The Eagle.

Prince will, however, coach the remainder of the season, one source said.

According to the sources, Prince has scheduled a 2:45 p.m. meeting with his team and will later hold a conference call with the media."

 http://www.kansas.com/354/story/586707.html

Top College Football Newswire Stories

Credit: Flickr Creative Commons- bmcveyFred Thompson out at Tennessee

It looks like after 17 years Tennessee Football Coach Fred Thompson will not be returning in 2009. It has been reported that the University of Tennessee is in fact terminating his contract as previously speculated, but will be honoring the remaining $6 million he is owed. Thompson’s twin brother, Republican Senator and former Presidential candidate Philip Fulmer said he is saddened by the news and his brother is taking it quite hard. Fulmer went on and said that he was hopeful that he might be able to get Coach Thompson a gig on NBC’s Law & Order to take up some of his spare time. For more, visit: http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/8747354

Coffman to play despite severe menstrual cramps

University of Missouri star tight end Chase Coffman has confirmed that he intends to play next Saturday when the Tigers take on the Kansas State Wildcats despite debilitating discomfort that he began experiencing last week during his game versus the Baylor Bears. Coffman has confirmed that he does in fact suffer from severe menstrual cramps, but went on to say that “this happens every month, and I just need to learn to play through it”. Read more here: http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/8712458/Coffman-expects-to-play-despite-toe-injury

LSU to honor Saban for 2003 Championship

Louisiana State University has planned a warm homecoming reception for their former coach, Alabama head man Nick Saban. LSU fans have expressed overwhelming support of the plans to celebrate the 5 year anniversary of the 2003 College Football National Champions during halftime at next Saturday’s game between the Tigers and Crimson Tide. Honored guest Nick Saban will address the well-wishers thanking them for all their support over the years. A record LSU crowd is expected to return the favor through cheers and applause. Here’s more: http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/8749342/

Tuesday Recycle: It's All About The Spat

Spat in action / credit: www.annependleton.com

SPAT, SERIOUSLY
Okay, it's going to be hard to prove, but seriously I had commented to Hawk Digest interns a few times this season that I would never buy a pair of Adidas shoes because I have never seen a football team slip as much as the 2008 Jayhawks. How many times this year have you watched Todd Reesing have to put a hand down after nearly falling when making one of his patented moves out of the pocket. Hey, I'm convinced -- spat works. More importantly, the players are convinced. So what would have been the objection?

KU HAMMERS KSU PHOTO GALLERY
See more photos like the one above as the KSU game photo gallery is up and running courtesy of annependleton.com

ARROWHEAD EXTENSION?
Posters on the Grid were discussing comments by Kevin Keitzman about a four-year extension to the Arrowhead Border War experiment. He is claiming an announcement will be coming later this week. If so, that's a mistake. It should be evaluated in January.

JERON MASTRUD
Didn't anyone notice that he seems to be quite a trash-talker? I'm going to recommend that he check the scoreboard every now and then.

UNDEFEATED LIVES IN LUBBOCK
The last true "TYK" team fell when OSU couldn't get it done against Texas. I guess you could throw Tech in the mix, but too many people were calling for them to be legit in the offseason. Still, a great place to be for Red Raiders fans

Full list of perfect teams and next opponent:
Alabama 9-0 at LSU (Sat)
Texas Tech 9-0 vs OSU (Sat)
Penn State 9-0 at Iowa (Sat)
Utah 9-0 vs TCU (Thur)
Boise State 8-0 vs Utah St (Sat)
Ball State 8-0 vs N. Illinois (Wed)

Off the List:
Texas lost to Tech 33-39

Update on Wednesday, November 5, 2008 at 06:09AM by DJ Goodwin

Jim Marchiony had to discount Kevin Keitzman's claim that the Arrowhead Border War would be extended four years. It will be decided near the end of the season according to Marchiony:

http://www2.kusports.com/news/2008/nov/05/dugan_arnetts_ku_football_notebook/

Around the Big 12: Week #10

1 (A+ 98%) - Texas Tech (9-0)
An incredible game polished off by an amazing play -- undefeated lives in Lubbock. OSU on deck, then a trip to Norman before finishing with Baylor. The Red Raiders can taste it. Should be #1 in the nation. (HD rank 5-5-4-4-4-4-4-4-2-1)

2 (A 96%) - Texas (8-1)
Not a lot of shame in that loss. The Longhorns battled like warriors through a tough schedule and came up just short. They need some Tech losses and have a feisty Baylor team on deck. (HD rank 4-4-3-3-3-3-1-1-1-2)

3 (A 95%) - Oklahoma (8-1)
Didn't get to watch much as the game with NU was over in a heartbeat, but this is quite a team. OU, NU and Tech really look like legitimate top five programs. For OU, I think a win over Tech creates a huge messy tie-breaker, so the Sooners have new life. Travelling to A&M this week.
(HD rank 1-1-1-1-1-1-3-3-3-3)

4 (A 95%) - Oklahoma State (8-1)
Um, don't forget about us. The Cowboys can re-insert themselves into the conversation with a simple road win in Lubbock. If they could pull it off, fan mail will poor in from Austin and Norman.
(HD rank 6-6-6-7-6-6-2-2-4-4)

5 (A- 90%) - Missouri (7-2)
Kind of a mediocre giant if you ask me, but they got the job done against a Baylor team that is looking to pull down somebody's pants. Next, we get to watch them score 90 on KSU in Columbia as they continue to rest up for the Arrowhead matchup. Why are they getting a pass from the media on this schedule?
(HD rank 2-2-2-2-2-2-5-5-5-5)

6 (B 83%) - Kansas (6-3)
I believe in spat. In fact, I think I'll spat before I head to work today. The Jayhawks re-claimed their swagger against a KSU team that can be dangerous and they now head to Nebraska for a monster game that is totally off the radar. (HD rank 3-3-5-6-5-5-6-6-7-6)

7 (C+ 78%) - Nebraska (5-4)
It's no fun getting pounded by your old rival, but the Huskers have to feel much better about the upcoming schedule -- KU, @KSU, CU.
(HD rank 8-7-7-8-8-8-9-7-6-7)

8 (D+ 68%) Baylor (3-6)
The record doesn't show it, but of all these bottom level teams, the Bears are the one I would want to avoid. We'll see how that holds up in Austin. (HD rank 11-11-10-9-9-10-8-10-10-8)

9 (D 65%) - Kansas State (4-5)
I'm not sure how these guys beat A&M, but that win keeps them in this spot. I don't think below average is going to cut it for Captain Ron, especially after the upcoming visit to Columbia.
(HD rank 9-9-9-10-10-11-7-9-9-9)

10 (D 64%) Texas A&M (3-5)
A solid 24-17 win against a flailing CU team isn't a bad place to start. Unfortunately, progress will probably be tough to measure this week when the Sooners roll into town on a new mission.
(HD rank 12-12-12-12-12-12-12-11-11-10)

11 (F 59%) - Colorado (4-5)
Um, it's not working. It may be time to ease up on the aggressive non-con schedule. ISU is next and it's televised! Wee-hoo!
(HD rank 7-8-8-5-7-7-10-8-8-11)

12 (F- 55%) Iowa State (2-7)
The Clones aren't the first north team to be humiliated against a south team this year, but put it up against the body of work and it's pretty bleak. The Clones get another "escape the cellar" head-to-head matchup, but this one is in Boulder -- televised for your enjoyment.
(HD rank 10-10-11-11-11-9-11-12-12-12)

Inside the Tent: Kansas 52, Kansas State 21

FROM ROW 46
Boom! Mr. November got off to another big-time start. October has always been a trouble spot for Mark Mangino, but usually by November the Fighting Manginos start to jell. Yesterday, they jelled all over KSU 52-17 at Memorial and the Hawks showed me the passion and fire that we've all been waiting to see all year. Unleashing that storm on the Wildcats, will always score points with me and the rest of the Jayhawk Nation. 

PLUS
Oh my ... there are a lot of positives from this one -- bowl eligibility, Mangino continuing to re-write history (four consecutive six or more win seasons was last accomplished in 1902-1906), the cornerback switch appears to be valid, the o-line can handle a middleweight Big 12 team, the d-line can devastate a middleweight Big 12 team, Jake Sharp is running fast, hard and smart and Jocques Crawford (minus the backfield freeze juke that got him yanked) and Angus Quigley are rolling up yards as well, Todd "I'm over here, no I'm over here" Reesing* didn't have to do it all himself, plus two words I've always like to put together -- "James" and "Holt" .... and finally we're going to Lincoln to play a game that means a lot more than just erasing 1968 -- the college football playoffs are here now!

MINUS
A combination of the point system and the Jayhawk Walk are killing the concept of a hostile atmosphere at Memorial Stadium. I think everyone understands the effect the Jayhawk Walk, but I think this is a far more critical factor than some obscene student (by the way, congrats on finally correcting that by using the obvious method). The game crew needs to figure out a way to keep the fans around until the fourth quarter. Maybe the Blades paper airplane toss? Award the students with a kegstand contest at the end of the game?

The point system re-seats fans every year and with the randomization you have pockets of rabid fans interspersed with senior citizens offended by noise and standing. It's hard to create environment when you can't get your whole section rolling. Two guys standing up in the middle of a bingo section and screaming themselves hoarse just ain't gettin' it. In the old days, sections of fans knew each other. You were able to gravitate to like-minded fans and once you had your section and seats you liked -- you held on to them. Ditch points for seat-selection and only reseat people that want to move. For football, donations and points are for parking.

WORLD VIEW
A big thing in college football is winning the games you can win and take your shots in the big games. We probably dropped one we shouldn't have at USF, but the Jayhawks took their best shot against Oklahoma. Texas Tech was the better team and in the Big 12 world of high-octane offenses the score can lean toward the ridiculous within a quick span. Basically, taking the emotion out of the score tallies, KU is on schedule at this point and going to Lincoln for a survive and advance game in the North division race. That's all that matters, but you certainly also like the fact that a certain north power seems to be losing it's edge.

Game Preview: KU vs Kansas State

Series: KU 64-36-5
Time: Saturday, Nov. 1 - 11:30 a.m. (CT)
Venue: Kivisto Field - Memorial Stadium (50,071)
Location: Lawrence, Kansas
TV: FSKC
Line: KU (-10)

Recent History (KSU 7-3)
1998 KSU 54, KU 6
1999 KSU 50, KU 9
2000 KSU 52, KU 13
2001 KSU 40, KU 6
2002 KSU 64, KU 0
2003 KSU 42, KU 6
2004 KU 31, KSU 28
2005 KSU 12, KU 3
2006 KU 39, KSU 20
2007 KU 30, KSU 24

Rock Chalk Roundtable 5 -- KSU Week

Hawk Digest KSU Preseason Preview

Kansas Football Notes PDF (KSU Week) 

The Scene
It won't be on Tuesday night, but on Saturday morning Kansas will be a battleground state. KU earned respect back in this series by winning three of the last four, but they can really put a stranglehold on the rivalry by winning three straight.

The Key
Everyone is saying turnovers, so I'll go with that as well for starters. KU has to force turnovers. Josh Freeman isn't going to offer them up. The Jayhawks need to get nasty on defense again and start hitting. When this game is over, your individual opponents better have had a miserable day. Make a hit on every play because you only get to play in this series once a year. The other thing I would like to mention is that KU cannot let KSU run. I know it seems like a non-concern, but you've seen the past few weeks how rough it is on our D when the secondary has to think about the run. Guys have got to make the tackle at the line of scrimmage. It sounds scary, but we need to get ahead in this game and force KSU into the pass game. We need them to be one dimensional.

The Motivation
This game is another home opportunity to gain bowl eligibility -- which would mean that KU has been bowl eligible four straight seasons. One of the top goals this season has been back-to-back bowls for the first time in school history. That helps build a program and the experts say six wins will get the Jayhawks to the postseason. Plus, check out this fun fact -- do you remember the last time KU had four seasons in a row with six wins? If you do, congrats on surviving the great depression -- it was a nice little streak from 1902-1906 (also did it 1895-1899). Good times. Glen Mason almost had five years but he put a 5-7 record right in the middle in 1993 when we played FSU at the Meadowlands and at Michigan State (also lost 20-21 to NU that year).

"It is big because it is a North team that we are competing against for the North title. When you play against a team that is in the same side as you in the conference it makes the game a little bit bigger. It's a big game from that perspective, it is a big game because it is K-State, and so this game does have a lot of implications that make it that much more exciting."

--Todd Reesing on the North race