2008 KU Football Wish/To Do List -- 1/3 Season Report

So it's time to check progress on the list from this past summer:

--Big 12 Championship
Musicians like to say a bad practice makes for a good performance. September was a little mediocre, so let's assume the Jayhawks show us awesome in October   

--Charles Gordon is avenged on November 15, 2008
It shall be done

--A full house for opening day (borrowed from 2007)
Check (with a bonus sellout vs Sam Houston)

--The team properly channels the nationwide "just a scheduling fluke" media campaign and comes into the season with the exact right amount of focused anger/adrenaline

Nope

--Clint Bowen solves the spread offense

Haven't seen anything new yet

--Maxwell Onyegbule gets to Chase Daniel ... every down.
Hopefully, he's saving it all up for that one game

--Mike Rivera gets to Chase Daniel ... every down.
Our best pass rusher against USF, but he didn't start against Sam Houston. There are rumors about a possible injury

--RJ Jr and Darius Parish erase my fond memories of James McClinton

Actually, if you watch the interior play they're not doing too bad. Jamal Greene has shown some flashes as well. We haven't quite seen the consistent jump and penetration that McClinton had last year, but remember it took him a few years to get there as well.

--Todd Reesing 2008 exceed TR 2007

Check

--Dexton Fields and Dezmon Briscoe both go over 1,000

Would love to see Fields back for Iowa State. Seems to have big games against the Clones. Briscoe is pretty much on target despite a forgettable evening in Tampa and losing his start against Sam Houston. I'm pretty sure the Breeze will get the message. Time to be a leader.

--Ed Warriner blows my mind by staying ahead of the Big 12 with further innovation to last year's scheme

Other than a greater reliance on the shuttle pass, nothing new here and a season's worth of film has our opponents knowing us well. Todd Reesing will have to continue to pull rabbits out of the hat if we don't start showing some new features.

--Find a confident punt returner that can be a threat

Check

--Jeff Spikes lives up to the hype

Still at the front of the curve, but he has his moments.

--Marcus Herford becomes a legitimate Big 12 wide receiver threat (last chance man)

I'm not giving up the dream, but I would like to see the kick returns improve

--Jake Sharp -- 80 yard TD run at any point in the conference season or in the state of Florida

Hmmm. Let's adjust this to an 8 yard TD run 

--40,000 plus Jayhawk fans wearing blue at Arrowhead (adjusted down from 50k for our "home" game last year)

We'll see

--60,000 plus Jayhawk fans wearing blue at Arrowhead one week later

The fans will be there

--14 wins

Looks like we'll come up one short, but I can certainly live with 13-1

Big 12 Predict-O-Scores | Week #5

Last week the VIC-20 went 6-3 straight up, but notched a brutal 2-5 record as a spread-beater. The good news is if that pace continues, the VIC-20 may work as in inverse spread predictor. Sort of the George Costanza of football gambling. Overall, the VIC stands at 8-5 straight up and 4-7 versus the spread. Week #5 on deck:

Lousiana-Lafayette 18, @ KSU 37
Vegas has KSU -21

Virginia Tech 32, @ Nebraska 27
Vegas has NU -7

Colorado 20, Florida State 25 at Jacksonville, FLA
Vegas has FSU -6

TCU 16, @ Oklahoma 41
Vegas has OU -17.5

Troy 27, @ OSU 38
Vegas has OSU -17

Army 20, @ Texas A&M 33
Vegas has A&M -28.5

Arkansas 31, @ Texas 36
Vegas has Texas -27.5

Update on Sunday, September 28, 2008 at 08:22AM by DJ Goodwin

Hey, hey ... the VIC-20 was perfect 7-0 this week straight up. Of course, there were only two close picks, but the VIC is now 15-5 straight up.

Finally had a winning weekend against the spread at 4-3, but at 8-10 for the season, it's certainly not time to quit the day job.

Amazingly, Virginia Tech hit and exceeded the 32 points projected. 

A Decade Later…

Raise your hands. Who remembers what happened 10 years ago? Yeah, me neither. Turns out it was a pretty interesting year. Leo and “Titanic” won 11 Oscars, Pro Wrestler Jesse “The Body” Ventura was elected Governor of Minnesota, Mark McGwire shot enough juice to break Maris’ homerun record, and President Clinton redefined what a “fine” cigar was all about. All were pretty memorable things I guess, but do you remember what happened with Big XII football?

Last weekend I’m watching scores and I see that lowly Miami (FL) destroys Big XII bottom feeder, Texas A&M. Then I remember just a few days earlier K State just got beat up by Louisville’s declining program, and it hits me... what on earth am I watching, and where am I? Miami, Texas A&M, and KSU? These used to be your national powerhouses. I know I’ve touched on this “Shift of Power” topic before with Michigan, but it really does amaze me how KSU and Texas A&M have fallen so far, so fast.

Do you remember that 1998 Double OT Big XII Championship game between these 2 teams? I’m pretty sure both the Aggie and Wildcat fans do.

  

I’m not a big stat guy, but both those programs were awfully good. In 1998, I think KSU finished the season something like #6 in the nation with an 11-2 record, and Texas A&M was like #12 with an 11-3 (or later 10-4 because of a forfeited game). Going into the Big XII championship game, I think KSU was ranked #2 and A&M #10. K-State had a roster full of talent with the likes of Ryan Young, Michael Bishop, Jeff Kelley, David Allen, Jarrod Cooper, and Martin Gramatica; and A&M had Sir Parker, Big XII All American Shane Lechler, and future NFL star Dat Nguyen. Both teams were led by proven successful coaches in RC Slocum and Bill Snyder, and you could find either team on National TV just about as often as you can find a McCain or Obama mudslinging ad.

Now, Captain Ron and Mike Sherman are in control, both teams have fallen from the rankings, the talent pool has depleted considerably, and the KState and A&M faithful not attending games are just hoping their teams get a couple TV appearances on your local Fox Sports channels.

My how things change in just 10 short years.

Game Photos: KU vs Sam Houston State

annependleton.com

Annie at annependleton.com provided Hawk Digest with some great photos from the Sam Houston State game. Rather than hold back and use just one for a game preview, I thought it would be nice to create a gallery. You can check it out here:

http://hawkdigest.squarespace.com/ku-football-photos/

Tuesday Recycle: Sam Houston State Film Review

Really, I'm not doing much recycling of content lately as you can check all of the main KU football stories on our KU football news page and nothing too revolutionary comes through anyway. So let's just consider this me recycling my own content:

After checking a little bit of the film, I thought it should be noted that Chris Harris is a great open field tackler. The other new corners could really take a tip from what Chris did last year -- he made sure he never let anyone get behind him and then he damn sure made the tackle in front of him. That'll get you a long way as a corner.

I kind of liked what Sam Houston State did to us defensively. I guess you can't quite call it a success as we scored 38 points, but only putting two guys in the three point stance, seemed to give them a tactical edge. They dropped eight on occasion and did a few cleverly disguised blitzes that were effective. At least once, they dropped nine back in coverage.

On the failed fourth and inches, Rich Baldinger was calling out Jeff Spikes (I think) for not getting low enough and allowing the d-lineman to submarine in. True, but the guard was just as guilty. I'm pretty sure it was Adrian Mayes. At the stadium, I was blaming Ryan Cantrell, but on the video it looks like he did his job for the play called. Anyway ... blocking fundamentals -- keep working on it.

Actually, the o-line has really developed slow pretty much each year under Mark Mangino -- except 2007. All the more reason to schedule winnable games in September.

Around the Big 12: Week #4

The slide continues as the conference went 5-4 overall and 2-2 against BCS schools. Texas, Nebraska and CU will have high profile BCS games coming up this week.

Big 12 vs BCS: 6-5
Big 12 vs All: 33-8

1 (A 95%) - Oklahoma (3-0) #2, s = 84
The last team to beat OU at home was this week's opponent -- 4-0 TCU (ranked #24 in the AP).
(HD rank 1-1-1-1)

2 (A 93%) - Missouri (4-0) #5, s = 26
I docked Mizzou a percentage point for keeping it close against Buffalo in the first half (42-21 final), but I'm sure they're just getting bored. I suspect they'll be ready to play at Lincoln in two weeks.
(HD rank 2-2-2-2)

3 (A- 90%) - Texas (3-0) #8, s = 83
Holding Rice (52-10) to their lowest score this season could be a good sign for the defense. The Arkansas game is this week and is our first real look.
(HD rank 4-4-3-3)

4 (B+ 87%) - Texas Tech (4-0) #11, s = 118
UMASS went down easy (56-14) and now it looks like KSU might not provide much a challenge either (even in Manhattan). Tech gets a bye before the K-State matchup and the won't face a ranked team until 10/25 (@KU).
(HD rank 5-5-4-4)

5 (B 84%) - Colorado (3-0) #26, s = 55
You gotta move the Buffs up after representing against the Big East with the 17-14 OT win over WVA. It could be a short stay though as they take on FSU (2-1, 3-12 home loss to Wake Forest) at Jacksonville. Of course, a win there gets the bandwagon really rolling. 
(HD rank 7-8-8-5)

6 (B 83%) - Kansas (3-1) #17, s = 51
KU fans have defended the Jayhawk football program all off season. They'd like to see the players do the same. The 38-14 win over Sam Houston didn't necessarily electrify the Jayhawk nation. Maybe the USF game took a little more out of the tank than we thought (it was a hard-hitting epic down there in Tampa). The bye week comes at a good time as the Hawks prepare for a road trip to Ames and KU needs a few guys to return to the line-up.
(HD rank 3-3-5-6)

7 (B- 81%) - Oklahoma State (2-0) #31, s = 120
The Cowboys had a bye week and get ready to host 2-1 Troy. The Trojans might provide a game as they put up a little bit of a fight against Ohio State in a 28-10 loss.
(HD rank 6-6-6-7)

8 (C+ 79%) - Nebraska (3-0) #37, s = 12
The Huskers get into the meat of it now. They'll host Virginia Tech (3-1), then Missouri and then travel to Texas Tech -- the critical stretch of the 2008 campaign for Nebraska.
(HD rank 8-7-7-8)

9 (C- 70%) Baylor (2-2) #80, s = 40
The Bears soar into the #9 spot by virtue of losing to UCONN 31-28. The Huskies are better than Louisville, so that gives Baylor the edge over Captain Ron and the Wildcats. The Bears have a bye week then they'll host OU (ouch).
(HD rank 11-11-10-9)

10 (D+ 68%) - Kansas State (2-1) #64, s = 116
It was more the way they lost, than who or where. KSU falls 38-29 at Louisville and everything appears the same as it was at the end of 2007. Louisiana-Lafayette should provide a little morale boost before conference play.
(HD rank 9-9-9-10)

11 (D+ 67%) Iowa State (2-2) #87, s = 91
I guess losing to UNLV 34-31 OT and Iowa on the road is better than losing to Arkansas State and Miami at home. The Clones get to rest up before the Jayhawks come to town.
(HD rank 10-10-11-11)

12 (D 64%) Texas A&M (1-1) #90, s = 88
Kind of a tough draw to have to beat Miami to escape the cellar. That didn't work out (41-23 loss), but Army comes to town and the Black Knights are 0-3. The early part of the Big 12 schedule isn't impossible or anything so if the Aggies can build some confidence they could start to turn this thing around.
(HD rank 12-12-12-12)

# = CBS Sportsline Rank

s = CBS Strength of Schedule  

Inside the Tent: Kansas 38, Sam Houston State 14

“I don't think there was anything that was remarkable about our play tonight.  I think we got a win, which is a key thing, but we still have areas that we must improve in before Big 12 Conference play.”
--Mark Mangino

From Row 46

I walked into the game about 12 minutes before kickoff. The bowl was probably 95% full of red and blue at that point. Amazing. Probably the highlight of the game. Well, maybe the Todd Reesing magic trick TD pass to Dezmon Briscoe was the true game highlight; however, I'm not even sure I want to talk about the game. How can you complain about a 38-14 win, though? It's probably wrong, but a lot of people are doing it.

The game was never out of control, but yes, Sam Houston State QB Rhett Bomar looked fairly comfortable in passing for 340 yards (not to mention much-improved since I last saw him in '05). Jake Laptad and Richard Johnson Jr. had a few moments on the pass rush, but the Jayhawks didn't really threaten Bomar too much.

On the other side of the ball, the running game opened up strong in the first quarter with Angus Quigley, but the Bearkats adjusted and slowed us down there for most of the game (Quigley 16-61 yds, 3.8 ave, 1 TD). All three running backs looked like they played with fire to me, but the offensive line is not getting it done. There is no excuse for not being able to pick up a couple of inches on a QB sneak. We expected a learning curve at the edges, but the interior should be picking up the slack.

What can you say about the defense? We lost two starters from 2007. We can't replace that? There is no question in my mind that this defense should be better than the 2007 edition. Four games in this should be a non-issue. The season is slipping away boys, when are you going to come to the table with fire? Eight games left seniors -- you better make your mark.

The Randoms

• Kerry Meier. 8 catches, 136 yards, 1 touchdown. 
  
• We finally saw a glimpse of what Jocques Crawford can be. All of the KU fans saw it when he turned on the speed after catching a shuttle pass up the middle that resulted in 29 yard gain
• Speaking of the shuttle pass. Seems like it is coming back in fashion again here at KU. Perhaps a little too in fashion. 
  
• Family Zone versus the Students. Church vs Getting Drunk. Early third quarter estimated retention rate -- Family Zone 95%, Students 80%. Early fourth quarter -- Zone 85%, Students 30% 
• I'm starting to lose a little bit of confidence in a TV appearance for the ISU game. Four slots are available with A&M @ OSU, OU @ Baylor, UT @ CU, MU @ NU, Tech @ KSU plus our game on deck. Bold games are probable in my opinion. Close call on the others. Hopefully, Todd Reesing is the draw for the networks.

Saturday Chatter: Concerns, Big East

Concerns, Issues ...
I would guess the word "concern" is probably the most utilized word in the college football world (print, TV, blogs, fans) during the month of September. "Issues" might rank directly behind. Still, today I would encourage KU football fans (especially the ones that have been around a while) to sit back and enjoy the atmosphere. The game shouldn't be much of a challenge, but tonight we'll be treated to great weather and a full house. Stick around for four quarters and take it all in. You only get seven/eight chances to watch football in Memorial each year.

Big 12/Big East Challenge
Baylor gave it probably their best shot but fell at UCONN 31-28. That makes the Big 12 1-3 this week versus the Big East. Of course all three losses were on the road. Still, not a good start for the Big 12 which is now 4-6 in BCS match-ups.

The Buffs
Nobody wants to play in Boulder, but still the WVA win is pretty impressive and a good way to start off the stretch of playing four straight ranked opponents. CU will travel to Jacksonville to match up against #24 FSU in two weeks then host #7 Texas in Boulder before their trip to Lawrence. We should know a lot about the Buffs by then.

USF Fans
It was interesting that the talk about USF fans getting hardcore with KU fans at the Ray Jay carried on throughout the week. More interesting was the fact that it was partially driven by apologetic Bulls fans. In fact, USF QB Matt Grothe mentioned witnessing some of the behavior as well and was pretty disappointed. Hopefully, they can work that out. I was thinking this was a good series to continue. A solid BCS opponent that gives fans a chance to go to Florida every now and then. Of course, if the game experience is brutal, then there is no reason to keep it going.

Neil Barlow De-Commits
I mentioned this in the forum, but didn't have time to post it in the main news section. WR Neil Barlow has switched to Arkansas according to Rivals. It's not the end of the world, but I have to say it sure would have been interesting to have a receiver with that kind of height and speed on deck.

Hawk Digest Newsletter #3 -- Sam Houston State

Hawk Digest Newsletter #3 -- Sam Houston State

(all archived newsletters -- Newsletter Download Page) 

Game Preview: KU vs Sam Houston State

Photo: www.annependleton.com

Series: First Meeting
Time: September 20, 6:00 p.m. (CT)
Venue: Memorial Stadium (50,071) Location: Lawrence, KS
TV: FCS 
Line: None

Most Recent Meetings:
None

Hawk Digest Preseason Capsule on Sam Houston State

The Rundown
Consider segment one of the 2008 season completed. The earlier schedule all built toward the heavyweight matchup with USF. KU came up a little bit short in that and identified/confirmed strengths and weaknesses. The game against Bearkats kicks off another segment that builds toward the big one in Norman. It's a great time for Jeff Spikes and Jeremiah Hatch to apply what they learned in Tampa. More importantly, we've got to see this defense get more aggressive -- yes, specifically in the pass rush.

The Key
The key to the game probably occured when Jayhawk fans nailed the advance sellout. An angry Jayhawk team is going to want to put on a show for the growing fan base. The team may not quite realize what it means to have an advance sellout at Memorial after a tough road loss, but I think we can be assured the coaching staff will pass that along. On the field, I think we know what it takes for KU to win -- line up and execute. There are a few things we'd like to see -- Dezmon Briscoe and Daymond Patterson back with attitude, a decent kick return, some sacks, Angus Quigley as the starter and a 100 yard back. Oh yeah, and we'd also like to see Kerry Meier at QB in the second half.

The Bullets

• Kansas is riding an 11-game home winning streak and has won 16 straight home non-conference games  
  
• The 2008 NCAA Men's Basketball National Champions will be honored at the end of the first quarter
  
• Three Jayhawks are leading the nation -- QB Todd Reesing in pass completions (34.3 per game), WR Kerry Meier leads with 29 receptions and LB James Holt with fumbles forced 
• Kansas is 26-8-1 all-time against FCS teams with all of the losses coming before 1940
  
• Daymond Patterson still leads the Big 12 in punt returns with 20.6 yards per return 
• Alonso Rojas is fifth in the conference with a 42.5 average. He's placed three balls inside the 20 yard line 
• James Holt now leads KU with 21 tackles and tackles for loss with 4.5 
• KU leads the Big 12 with a 56% success rate on third downs (28 of 50) 
• The Jayhawks also lead the Big 12 in red zone defense and time of possesion 

"We do know that they have a fine quarterback in Rhett Bomar, that started his career at OU and then consequently had to leave because of some issues, but he's talented, he throws the ball well, he runs the ball very well and he's got great speed.  From what we can see on defense, they are scrappy type of kids, they play hard."

--Mark Mangino on Sam Houston State 

Sound and the Fury: Fox Sports + Perpetual Jayhawk Walk

The first question was dropped in the forum by our ROWYHO editor. Actually, it wasn't so much a question as it was a beleaguered plea for justice. Apparently Fox Sports is still living in 2007 and thinks it's still the fashion to bash KU's 2008 football schedule (along with Mizzou and Ohio State among others). KU comes in with the seventh "easiest" schedule. My first thought was that I bet I could come up with at least seven BCS schools that should absolutely be on the list before throwing KU out there. I quickly went to work with the old Playbook.  I used the criteria of any BCS teams that didn't face at least one BCS non-con. Here's your result:

Arizona -- Idaho, Toledo, @New Mexico
Indiana -- W. Kentucky, Murray St, Ball St, Central Michigan
*LSU -- Appalachian St., Troy, North Texas, Tulane
Minnesota -- N. Illinois, @Bowling Green, Montana St., Florida Atlantic
Mississippi State -- @LA Tech, SE Louisiana, Middle Tennessee St
*Texas Tech -- Eastern Washington, @Nevada, SMU, UMASS
*Wisconsin -- Akron, Marshall, @Fresno St, Cal-Poly

Teams with the asterisk were already on the Fox list. With that data, KU should at least rank no higher than #11. In fact, the Jayhawks are in the following select group of BCS teams that took on at least one ranked BCS opponent:

Virginia -- USC
Ohio State -- USC
Washington -- OU
Cincinnati -- OU
ASU -- Georgia
Miami, FLA -- Florida, Florida State
Illinois -- Missouri
Arkansas -- Texas
Clemson -- Alabama
West Virginia -- Auburn
Kansas -- South Florida
NC State -- South Florida
USC -- Ohio State
Oregon State -- Penn State
Syracuse -- Penn State
Purdue -- Oregon
Baylor -- Wake Forest
Ole Miss -- Baylor
South Florida -- Kansas
Colorado -- W. Virginia, Florida State
Illinois -- Mizzou
Alabama -- Clemson

What's up with the constant parade of fans walking up and down the aisles during the game?
You said it. Listen Joe KU football fan, I understand there are basic necessities required to cheer on the Hawks. I know you've got a small bladder filled up by that trash-can sized Coke you just shot-gunned. I know about the possibility of starvation if you don't get to the concession stand for nachos, cotton candy and a hot dog. I know about needing that halftime brewsky. However, if you've got to make an exit, use the aisles between plays. It's just a quick pause, then go, go, go ...

Actually, I'll go a little farther. Can't the ushers get involved and keep the aisles clear during the play? It's not that big of a deal, they do it at pro sporting events. If we're charging $60-$85 a ticket, then I think you can act like a "pro" event staff.

KU Sells Out For Sam Houston St?
I love it when a plan comes together. Selling out for an FBS school after a tough road loss? Sure, Band Day helps, but like the Jayhawk football program, it appears that the fans are also turning the corner. Let's start talking about finishing out that bowl. 

Big 12 Predict-O-Scores | Week #4

Last week the VIC-20 went 2-2 straight up and 2-2 as a spread-beater. We're throwing in a few more games this week and we'll see what happens:

KSU 29, @ Louisville 33
Vegas has KSU -4.5

West Virginia 34, @ Colorado 21
Vegas has WVA -3

Baylor 16, @ UCONN 36
Vegas has UCONN -16

Buffalo 18, @ Missouri 40
Vegas has Mizzou -35

Miami 20, @ Texas A&M 29
Vegas has Miami -4

Sam Houston St 8, @ Kansas 46
NO LINE

Rice 20, @ Texas 45
Vegas has Texas -30

UMASS 16, @ Texas Tech 39
NO LINE

Iowa St 25, @ UNLV 22
Vegas has UNLV -2.5

Update on Sunday, September 21, 2008 at 10:04AM by DJ Goodwin

It was a pretty easy week for the VIC-20 to go 6-3 straight up, but the VIC missed on three of four projected close games.

Against the spread, it was a brutal 2-5.

For the season, 8-5 SU and 4-7 as a spread-beater.