Texas Longhorns 2008 Preview

Coach: Mack Brown (103-25) Eleventh Year
Last Year: 10-3, 5-3 Big 12 South, second of six 
Returning Starters : Offense 6*, Line 3 | Defense 4, Line 2

Three Things You Should Know
1) Phil Steele hates Texas. He picked them to finish third in the south and has no UT player listed on his All-Big Twelve first team. Is that possible?
2) The Longhorns will face nine bowl teams on this year's schedule.
3) Texas is trying out another new defensive coordinator. His name is Will Muschamp and unfortunately, they may have it right this time. He just spent two years at Auburn. Before that he hung around with Nick "Money" Saban, so he endured a year with the NFL Dolphins in 2005 after running the D for Saban at LSU. I think that went pretty well (the LSU part).

Trends
Texas has never finished lower than second in the Big 12 south under Mack Brown ... Colt McCoy is 20-6 as a starting QB ... KU's last win versus Texas was in 1938! ... Mark Mangino is 4-2 on Senior Day at KU, but one of those losses was the 2004 "BCS" game against UT ... The Jayhawks are 8-3 in the last 11 Senior Day games.

The Game
Every single intangible in this matchup favors KU. Home game, Senior Day, the ultimate revenge game, possible cold weather, Todd Reesing overlooked by his favorite school, KU trying to match KSU, UT not taking KU seriously and it probably goes on. Still, even with all of that, the Horns will always bring in a team with top-level talent. They certainly aren't going to lay down for the Hawks and with Muschamp running the D, expect a more aggresive front line. Fortunately, their secondary is inexperienced, so Reesing should be able to find targets. On the other side of the ball, UT loses a lot of skill but has most of the O-line intact. It may be tough to get to Colt McCoy, but the reality is after facing Oklahoma and Texas Tech the defense should feel a little more comfortable against the Horns. We've seen it before -- the Jayhawks go to war on Senior Day.

2008 Texas Schedule
Aug. 30, 2008 Florida Atlantic
Sept. 6, 2008 at Texas-El Paso 
Sept. 13, 2008 Arkansas 
Sept. 20, 2008 Rice 
Oct. 4, 2008 at Colorado 
Oct. 11, 2008 at Oklahoma
Oct. 18, 2008 Missouri
Oct. 25, 2008 Oklahoma State 
Nov. 1, 2008 at Texas Tech 
Nov. 8, 2008 Baylor  
Nov. 15, 2008 at Kansas 
Nov. 27, 2008 Texas A&M  

2007 Results
W Arkansas St. 21-13
W TCU 34-13
W at UCF 35-32
W Rice 58-14
L Kansas State 41-21
L Oklahoma 28-21
W at Iowa State 56-3
W at Baylor 31-10
W Nebraska 28-25
W at OK State 38-35
W Texas Tech 59-43
L at Texas A&M 38-30
W Arizona State 52-34

Nebraska Cornhuskers 2008 Preview

Coach: Bo Pelini (0-0) First Year
Last Year: 5-7, 2-6 Big 12 North, fifth of six 
Returning Starters : Offense 6*, Line 3 | Defense 6, Line 4

Three Things You Should Know
1) The Huskers start with five straight at home, but you wonder if Virginia Tech as game #4 will have the same effect as USC last year. The Corn barely recovered to beat Ball State 41-40 after the USC game, so it was clear that the damage was done. NU could start 3-0 this year, but if VA Tech provides another de-moralizing home loss that could cause a spiral as Missouri comes to Lincoln the following week. That is followed by a road trip to Lubbock. Ouch. One positive -- the Huskers do get a bye week before the Virginia Tech game.
2) Joe Ganz is technically not a returning starter, but after up 1,399 passing yards and 15 TDs in the last three games of 2007, I gave him the asterisk above. Also, on offense SR RB Marlon Lucky is the top returning Big 12 rusher (1,019 yards).
3) Obviously, defense was the issue last year, but the Huskers have four returning starters up front. If Bo Pelini is going to turn this around quick at least that is something to build on.

Trends
The home team is 6-0 since 2002 in the Nebraska/Mizzou series ... KU has lost 19 straight in Lincoln ... the 76 points that Kansas put up against NU last year was the most allowed in team history by the Huskers.

The Game
A win in Lincoln. It's been on the checklist for quite a while. The Huskers will try to hold on to that one with all they've got. As far as I know, other than the home sellouts, that's the last big streak from the old days of Nebraska football (maybe MU not winning in Lincoln since '78 counts as well). The Jayhawks have obviously turned the corner against NU. Starting in 2003 when KU fought hard but lost 24-3 (minus Whittemore), this series has tightened up. Since that game, KU has played Nebraska tough on the road and pretty much blown them out in Lawrence (40-15, 76-39). The last two battles in Lincoln have been close losses (8-14, '04 and 32-39 OT, '06), so Nebraska should expect a confident KU squad. Other than the 84,000 fans wearing red, the most disturbing thing about this game is that NU's offense exposed our pass defense in 2007. Ganz and company will probably feel pretty good going into this one. For Todd Reesing and KU, it looks like the magic number is 39 ... at least based on NU's point totals from '06 and '07.

2008 Nebraska Schedule
Aug. 30, 2008 Western Michigan  
Sept. 6, 2008 San Jose St.  
Sept. 13, 2008 New Mexico St.  
Sept. 27, 2008 Virginia Tech  
Oct. 4, 2008 Missouri  
Oct. 11, 2008 at Texas Tech  
Oct. 18, 2008 at Iowa State 
Oct. 25, 2008 Baylor  
Nov. 1, 2008 at Oklahoma 
Nov. 8, 2008 Kansas
Nov. 15, 2008 at Kansas State 
Nov. 28, 2008 Colorado

2007 Results
W Nevada 52-10
W at Wake Forest 20-17
L USC 49-31
W Ball State 41-40
W Iowa State 35-17
L at Missouri 41-6
L OK State 45-14
L Texas A&M 36-14
L at Texas 28-25
L at Kansas 76-39
W Kansas State 73-31
L at Colorado 65-51

KJ-IBT Is Reporting LB Injuries

The KJ-IBT blog is reporting that both Arist Wright and James Holt will miss the FIU game. I have some internal sources as well and I usually sit on these kinds of injury reports with the theory that if KU wanted people to know, they'd let the info out. So, I'm very interested to see how this works out. Obviously, a blog becomes pretty valuable if they are going to provide info ahead of the rest of the media.

On this specific rumor, I have no confirmation.

Kansas State Wildcats 2008 Preview

Coach: Ron Prince (12-13) Third Year
Last Year: 5-7, 3-5 Big 12 North, fourth of six 
Returning Starters : Offense 7*, Line 4 | Defense 5, Line 0

Three Things You Should Know
1) KSU has had seven assistant coaches leave under Ron Prince. This year the Cats get Cornell Jackson (LBs), Warren Ruggiero (QBs) and Jeff Rodgers (special teams) as new assistants.
2) The defense was the big reason for the collapse after the 5-3 start last year. The D allowed 348, 702, 427 and 529 yards in the last four games vs ISU, NU, MU and Fresno State.
3) The offensive line should be a strength in 2008 as Jordan Bedore returns to play center and the Cats have seven linemen returning that got playing time in 2007.

Trends
This will be the 106th meeting between KU and K-State with the Jayhawks leading the series 64-36-5. Mark Mangino is now 3-3 vs the Cats, but KU has won three of the last four. KSU hasn't lost three straight in this series since 1988-1990.

The Game
Despite the general smirking that KU fans are doing regarding the circus that seems to be KSU football under Ron Prince, this game makes me uncomfortable ... at least right now. Yes, on paper KU is clearly the better team, but bringing in so many JUCO players makes this an unknown team in my book. That quick fix plan rarely works, but until we see this unit against Louisville I'm going to go along with the rest of the pundits and assume that the Cats will improve slightly. With that in mind, I expect another tough game against the Cats. Having the game in Lawrence helps as KSU will get a huge dose of the KU student section and the atmosphere probably helped in 2006 when the Cats turned it over six times. Ultimately, I think KSU defense will be greatly overmatched and I like our secondary versus the KSU wideouts, but this is a rivalry game and I feel like State will play desperate in this one.

2008 Kansas State Schedule
Aug. 30, 2008 North Texas 
Sept. 6, 2008 Montana St. 
Sept. 17, 2008 at Louisville 
Sept. 27, 2008 Louisiana-Laf. 
Oct. 4, 2008 Texas Tech  
Oct. 11, 2008 at Texas A&M 
Oct. 18, 2008 at Colorado 
Oct. 25, 2008 Oklahoma  
Nov. 1, 2008 at Kansas  
Nov. 8, 2008 at Missouri 
Nov. 15, 2008 Nebraska 
Nov. 22, 2008 Iowa State

2007 Results
L at Auburn 23-13
W San Jose St. 34-14
W Missouri State 61-10
W at Texas 41-21
L Kansas 30-24
W Colorado 47-20
L at OK State 41-39
W Baylor 51-13
L at Iowa State 31-20
L at Nebraska 73-31
L Missouri 49-32
L at Fresno State 45-29

Mary Jane -- Check the Fox Broadcast Schedule

"I so dig Mark Mangino."

Emily Jones from Fox Sports during an interview with 810 in KC at approximately 8:10 a.m.

Texas Tech Red Raiders 2008 Preview

Coach: Mike Leach (65-37) Ninth Year
Last Year: 9-4, 4-4 Big 12 South, third of six 
Returning Starters : Offense 10*, Line 4 | Defense 8, Line 4

Three Things You Should Know
1) Start with the crazy individual stats -- Graham Harrell (5,705 yds, 48 TDs, 14 INTs) and Michael Crabtree (134 rec, 1962 yds and 22 TDS).
2) Okay, you already knew that one. How about this? Texas Tech hasn't won a conference title since 1955.
3) Phil Steele claims that Tech led the Big 12 in total defense over that last eight games in 2007. With the four DL back, maybe Tech's defense is something to think about.

Trends
Tech is 5-0 in Lawrence all-time ... against the Tech, Texas & OU rotation KU is 3-15 ... KU has played that two-year cycle three times and it's gets worse each time -- '96-'97 (2-4), '00-'01 (1-5), '04-'05 (0-6) ... therefore, you are correct -- Mark Mangino has never won against this rotation while at KU.

The Game
This is a big one. The 47-50 OT loss at CU in '03 or the 17-20 fourth quarter meltdown at Northwestern in 2004* would likely be the two most viable candidates to qualify as the first official crushing loss of the Mangino Era. However, the 31-30 home loss to Tech (one week after NW) took Jayhawk football heartbreak to a new level and we got to see it on the home field. Most fans thought that was as low as it could get. Luckily though, the Texas game later in the year taught us about the depths of college football.**

So, yeah ... the last time Tech was in Lawrence we lead 30-5 in the first half and found a way to lose. It's all hazy now, but I didn't enjoy it. So, let the 2008 Mini-Revenge Tour*** begin. This will be homecoming for KU, but we'll be returning from the battle in Norman, OK. Tech will be at the end of three-of-four on the road and KU will represent the toughest challenge to that point for the Red Raiders. So, who has the edge? KU has shown very little ability to control capable true spread teams. That's priority one for 2008, but if they don't get a pass rush going it won't happen. Let's just say they've got to get it done because this game is not only the pivotal point to the season, it is also the prep game for Mizzou.

"Pivotal" you ask? Sure. For one, only Oklahoma is allowed to lose to Tech without being labeled a fraud. Secondly, either you come in with a sparkling record and you'll need this one to stay in the overall race or we're carrying a few too many losses and a win will be needed to kick off the final four game drive for a quality bowl.

2008 Texas Tech Schedule
Aug. 30, 2008 E. Washington  
Sept. 6, 2008 at Nevada  
Sept. 13, 2008 SMU  
Sept. 20, 2008 Massachusetts  
Oct. 4, 2008 at Kansas State 
Oct. 11, 2008 Nebraska  
Oct. 18, 2008 at Texas A&M
Oct. 25, 2008 at Kansas  
Nov. 1, 2008 Texas 
Nov. 8, 2008 OK State 
Nov. 22, 2008 at Oklahoma  
Nov. 29, 2008 Baylor

2007 Results
W at SMU 49-9
W Texas-El Paso 45-31
W at Rice 59-24
L at OK State 49-45
W Northwestern St. 75-7
W Iowa State 42-17 
W Texas A&M 35-7
L at Missouri 41-10
L Colorado 31-26
W at Baylor 38-7
L at Texas 59-43
W Oklahoma 34-27
W at Virginia 31-28

*I was there for that and didn't enjoy it.

**Until 2006 arrived and we spent a half season in hell -- Toledo, Nebraska, A&M, OSU, Baylor

***Preceded by the 2007 Maximum Revenge Tour -- Toledo, Nebraska, A&M, OSU, Baylor

Oklahoma Sooners 2008 Preview

Coach: Bob Stoops (97-22) Tenth Year
Last Year: 11-3, 7-2 Big 12 South, first of six (Big 12 Champions) 
Returning Starters : Offense 8*, Line 5 | Defense 6, Line 3

Three Things You Should Know
1) The entire offensive line is back for OU, so Sam Bradford should have an out of this world season. Last year was crazy enough as Bradford had a 69.5% completion percentage and threw for 3,121 yards with 36 TDs vs 8 INTs.
2) The Sooners did lose leading rusher Allen Patrick (1009 yards). Does it matter? Demarco Murray looks like he'll challenge for the Big 12 rushing title after putting up 764 yards last year with a 6.0 ypc average and 13 rushing TDs.
3) OU does lose both corners and they are actually a little young and inexperienced at linebacker. That excludes JR MLB Ryan Reynolds who should be an All Big 12 first teamer. Senior safeties Nic Harris and Lendy Holmes should help stabilize the back seven.

Trends
OU is 49-2 this decade at home and the overall win total of 90 since 2000 is the nation's best ... the last OU home loss was an opening day home loss to TCU 17-7 in 2005.

The Game
At some point, Mark Mangino will beat Bob Stoops. Could it be in Norman? Clearly this is the most difficult game of the season for Kansas, but the one thing that works in KU's favor is that OU will be playing Texas the prior week. The Hawks would probably prefer an OU win there to play an overconfident Sooner squad. The experience against Virginia Tech's defense last January should help here along with the USF matchup. Still, the Sooners present pretty big defensive problems for the Hawks though and if you look back, last year's weakness was the passing game for KU. By this time, we'll want to have a rush threat from the DE position. If that has been established, we should give the Sooners a game.

2008 Oklahoma Schedule
Aug. 30, 2008 Chattanooga 
Sept. 6, 2008 Cincinnati  
Sept. 13, 2008 at Washington 
Sept. 27, 2008 TCU  
Oct. 4, 2008 at Baylor  
Oct. 11, 2008 Texas 
Oct. 18, 2008 Kansas
Oct. 25, 2008 at Kansas State
Nov. 1, 2008 Nebraska 
Nov. 8, 2008 at Texas A&M  
Nov. 22, 2008 Texas Tech 
Nov. 29, 2008 at OK State

2007 Results
W North Texas 79-10
W Miami-FL 51-13
W Utah State 54-3
W at Tulsa 62-21
L at Colorado 27-24
W at Texas 28-21
W Missouri 41-31
W at Iowa State 17-7
W Texas A&M 42-14
W Baylor 52-21
L at Texas Tech 34-27
W OK State 49-17
W at Missouri 38-17
L West Virginia 48-28

Jayhawk LB Commit Huldon Tharp Video

The defensive highlights start at 2:40.

Colorado Buffaloes 2008 Preview

Coach: Dan Hawkins (8-17) Third Year
Last Year: 6-7, 4-4 Big 12 North, third of six 
Returning Starters : Offense 7*, Line 2 | Defense 8, Line 3

Three Things You Should Know
1) The word is that Cody Hawkins is having a great training camp and playing with a lot of confidence. Last year the 5-11/190 QB put up 3,015 yards and 22 TD passes vs 17 INTs. Despite the lack of size and maybe not the strongest arm, a lot of the "deep thinkers" are thinking he might have a big year.
2) Two other guys you should know about are incoming RB Darrell Scott and DT George Hypolite. As the #1 rated RB in the 2008 class by Rivals, Scott (6-2/215) is no secret. Phil Steele has him as second team All-Big 12. Reports have him currently listed as third on the depth chart, but the theory is that Hawkins is just trying to scale back the expectations. On the other side of the ball and career spectrum is Hypolite. The 6-1/285 senior DT led CU with 6.5 sacks last year. Pretty impressive from the DT position. The CU d-line will likely start four seniors and should be the Buffs strongest unit in 2008.
3) Colorado's schedule is insane. Seriously, W. Virginia, FSU in Jacksonville, Texas and then KU in Lawrence. How is that for an early four-game stretch (9/18 - 10/11).

Trends
CU is 4-11 the last three years on the road while KU is 18-2 at home since 2005 ... KU will be going for three-in-a-row vs the Buffs. The last and only time that occured was during 1962-1964.

The Game
The toughest home game in Lawrence since Kansas State 2006? Should be a decent crowd on hand and could be insane if the Jayhawks come in with a win over USF under their belt. You could say that KU might overlook Colorado with OU coming up the next week, but the Hawks always play tough at home. If CU comes in with a 3-2 record, we'll know we're in for a dogfight.

2008 Colorado Schedule
Aug. 31, 2008 Colorado State  
Sept. 6, 2008 E. Washington
Sept. 18, 2008 West Virginia 
Sept. 27, 2008 at Florida State 
Oct. 4, 2008 Texas 
Oct. 11, 2008 at Kansas 
Oct. 18, 2008 Kansas State 
Oct. 25, 2008 at Missouri 
Nov. 1, 2008 at Texas A&M 
Nov. 8, 2008 Iowa State  
Nov. 15, 2008 OK State 
Nov. 28, 2008 at Nebraska

2007 Results
W Colorado State 31-28
L at Arizona State 33-14
L Florida State 16-6
W Miami-OH 42-0
W Oklahoma 27-24
W at Baylor 43-23
L at Kansas State 47-20
L Kansas 19-14
W at Texas Tech 31-26
L Missouri 55-10
L at Iowa State 31-28
W Nebraska 65-51 
L Alabama 30-24

Iowa State Cyclones 2008 Preview

Coach: Gene Chizik (3-9) Second Year
Last Year: 3-9, 2-6 Big 12 North, sixth of six
Returning Starters : Offense 7, Line 4 | Defense 7, Line 2

Three Things You Should Know
1) Brett Meyer and Todd Blythe are no longer with ISU. I know. It seems like they were there longer than Dan McCarney.
2) Running back Alexander Robinson appears to be a weapon for ISU running for 147 vs MU and 127 vs CU late in the season.
3) G Reggie Stephens (JR 6-3/331), DE Kurtis Taylor (SR 6-2/252, 6.5 sacks '07) and CB Allen Bell (JR 6-0/181, are all players to make note of for the Clones.

Trends
Despite KU's past struggles in conference road games, KU went 4-0 last year. KU's only road win in 2006 was at ISU (41-10) and the Jayhawks have now won three straight against the Clones. ISU has lost five straight in Big 12 openers.

The Game
KU gets two weeks to prepare for this one and that generally results in a KU win. Traditionally though, it has been pretty tough for the Jayhawks to win in Ames. Unfortunately for the Clones, Todd Reesing probably hasn't gotten the word on that one. The biggest issue really could be overconfidence for the Jayhawks as a win at USF will have KU under the spotlight. ISU despite being shorthanded battled good teams hard last year (OU 7-17) even knocking off Iowa, KSU and Colorado. That's not the kind of team you want to overlook as they will improve in year two under Gene Chizik. On paper, KU looks good in this one, but they better strap the helmets on and be ready to play.

2008 Iowa State Schedule
Aug. 28, 2008 SO DAKOTA ST 
Sept. 6, 2008 Kent State 
Sept. 13, 2008 at Iowa 
Sept. 20, 2008 at UNLV 
Oct. 4, 2008 Kansas  
Oct. 11, 2008 at Baylor 
Oct. 18, 2008 Nebraska 
Oct. 25, 2008 Texas A&M  
Nov. 1, 2008 at OK State 
Nov. 8, 2008 at Colorado  
Nov. 15, 2008 Missouri 
Nov. 22, 2008 at Kansas State

2007 Results
L Kent State 23-14
L Northern Iowa 24-13
W Iowa 15-13
L at Toledo 36-35
L at Nebraska 35-17
L at Texas Tech 42-17
L Texas 56-3
L Oklahoma 17-7
L at Missouri 42-28
W Kansas State 31-20
W Colorado 31-28
L at Kansas 45-7

Sam Houston State Bearkats 2008 Preview

Coach: Todd Whitten (16-16) Fourth Year
Last Year: 7-4, 5-2 Southland, tied second of eight 
Returning Starters: Offense 6*, Line 2 | Defense 6, Line 2

Three Things You Should Know
1) Former Oklahoma QB Rhett Bomar is a senior at Sam Houston and threw for 2,209 yards last year with 10 TDs and 6 INTs. He also rushed for 406 yards and 7 TDs.
2) The Bearkats return all three starting wide receivers including Catron Houston (46 catches for 597 yards), Justin Wells (42 catches for 660 yards) and Trey Payne (12 catches for 136 yards).
3) Defensive end Chris Brown was a first team All-Southland selection and led the team with five sacks. Kicker Taylor Wilkins and linebacker Nolan Bucek were named to the second team. QB Bomar, OL Hunter Schmidt and DL Eric Mikolajchak were honorable mention All-Southland.

Trends
For comparison purposes, Sam Houston lost last year at OSU 39-3.

The Game
While the FCS Bearkats are on an upward trend under coach Todd Whitten, this is an exhibition game. A last chance to see some action or maybe earn a starting spot before going into two weeks of prep for Iowa State. The most interesting aspect of the game is Rhett Bomar at QB. I'm sure KU will have mercy despite the results of the 2005 OU matchup.

Is a Bearkat Tougher than A Normal?

Sam Houston State's athletic teams have been nicknamed "The Bearkats" since 1923 when the university's name was changed by the Texas state legislature from Sam Houston Normal Institute to Sam Houston State Teachers College. Prior to 1923, the varsity sports teams were nicknamed "The Normals."

Early references to "Bearkats" spelled the name either "Bearcats," "Bear Cats," or "Bearkats." A bearcat is said by some to be a kinkajou, a small, golden, carnivorous mammal that resides in the jungles of South America. It is doubtful those who coined the "Bearkat" nickname had either a kinkajou or a binturong in mind. However, more likely, the name came from a popular local saying of the time, "Tough as a Bearkat!" Since the animal in the saying was thought more mythical than real, the spelling settled upon was "Bearkat.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Houston_State_University

2008 Sam Houston State Schedule
Aug. 30, 2008 EAST CENTRAL OK
Sept. 13, 2008 Prairie View A&M 
Sept. 20, 2008 at Kansas  
Sept. 27, 2008 at Gardner-Webb  
Oct. 11, 2008 at Central Ark 
Oct. 18, 2008 McNeese State 
Oct. 25, 2008 at Northwestern St.  
Nov. 1, 2008 Stephen F. Austin
Nov. 8, 2008 at Nicholls St. 
Nov. 15, 2008 SE Lousiana 
Nov. 22, 2008 Texas State

2007 Results
W ANGELO ST 17-13
W ARK MONTICELLO 48-10
L at NO DAKOTA ST 41-38
L at OK State 39-3
L Central Ark 35-14
L at McNeese State 31-21
W Northwestern St. 42-20
W at Stephen F. Austin 45-17
W Nicholls St. 16-13
W at SE Lousiana 20-16
W at Texas State 29-28

South Florida Bulls 2008 Preview

Coach: Jim Leavitt (79-47 including I-AA, 52-30 at I-A) Twelfth Year
Last Year: 9-4, 4-3 Big East, fourth of eight 
Returning Starters : Offense 10*, Line 4 | Defense 6, Line 4

Three Things You Should Know
1) Okay, you already know about George Selvie, but the 6-4/242 lb defensive end is going to present a problem for Jeff Spikes and KU. Selvie set the Big East record last year with 31.5 tackles for loss (139 yards). He also had 14.5 sacks. Expect the Jayhawks to give Spikes some help here.
2) Other than QB Matt Grothe (2670 yards passing at 59.2% with 14 TDs vs 14 INTs), you'll want to make note of running back Mike Ford who had 645 yards, 12 TDs and a 4.7 ypc average. Senior guard Ryan Schmidt (6-5/327) is a standout as well on offense and on the defensive side of the ball linebacker Tyrone McKenzie had 121 tackles last year.
3) The Bulls play at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa which has a capacity of 65,857. USF averaged 53,170 last year with a wide disparity in attendance totals. 37k showed up for a game with North Carolina, but they had 67,000 for the matchup with West Virginia. Something tells me KU should expect a near-capacity crowd.

Trends
Phil Steele says that KU is 2-9 over the last 11 years in their first road game of the season, but one of those wins came last year against Kansas State. Mark Mangino is 2-3 in non-conference road games at KU. USF will be the first time the Jayhawks have played a ranked non-con under Mangino.

The Game
Get ready to rock boys. The winner of this game will be immediately thrust into national title talk ... unless of course if KU is the winner. Then USF gets explained away as over-rated and KU will have to prove themselves against OU. Looking over the Bulls, this game ranks as the second toughest on the schedule (OU 1st). And the Hawks haven't had this challenging of a roadie since 2005 Texas (66-14 L). Ten returning starters for the Bulls on offense means we're going to learn something about the KU defense early on. I'm not sure that the 2005 matchup helps much but that was a defensive battle where KU kept Grothe (true freshman at the time) under check. On the other side, KU's offense is obviously a different animal since the last meeting. Todd Reesing is an unknown for USF, but in this one, the Hawks will likely need a running game and I would expect all three backs (Sharp, Quigley & Crawford) to see action. USF always has a tough d-line and Quigley/Crawford are going to have to step up to provide a B-Mac type performance for KU to be successful.

2008 South Florida Schedule
Sat, Aug 30 Tennessee-Martin
Sat, Sep 6 at UCF
Fri, Sep 12 (14) Kansas
Sat, Sep 20 at Florida International
Sat, Sep 27 at North Carolina State
Thu, Oct 2 (25) Pittsburgh
Sat, Oct 18 Syracuse
Sat, Oct 25 at Louisville
Thu, Oct 30 at Cincinnati
Sat, Nov 15 Rutgers
Sun, Nov 23 Connecticut
Sat, Dec 6 at (8) West Virginia

2007 Results
W Elon 28-13
W at Auburn 26-23
W North Carolina 37-10
W West Virginia 21-13
W at Florida Atlantic 35-23
W UCF 64-12
L at Rutgers 30-27
L 2007 at Connecticut 22-15
L Cincinnati 38-33
W at Syracuse 41-10
W Louisville 55-17
W at Pittsburgh 48-37
L at Oregon 56-21