Texas Fans As Refs: Who Won't Let It Go?

Note that the video was posted June 10, 2008. Read the description as well to see the UT fan explain that it was clearly the right call. At best the handplay was simultaneous, but check the Texas DBs feet. He sets them in advance of the contact and is going for the hit/engagement. For the last time, Charles Gordon was simply escaping what would normally be considered defensive pass interference. For the record, I don't believe one call ever costs you a game as there are plenty of opportunities to close out an opponent. Let me repeat -- a Texas fan posted this two months ago.

Anyway, the above video came about as the KUsports.com message board tipped this video of a ref celebrating a Longhorn touchdown. I guess Texas Tech fans have a pretty good collection of these types of glimpses into the referee/fans of the Big 12:

The Prairie Village KU Football Pep Rally 2008

The Corinth Square Pep Rally last night in Prairie Village provided a taste of what the 2008 football season will bring. This is what I saw:

• A crowd easily double the size of the 2007 event
• A focused, passionate and efficient Mark Mangino
• Annoying Missouri fans with big flags lurking on the perimeter like celebrity stalkers

For die-hard KU football fans, it's great to see the kind of crowd that showed up last night. We always knew that if you built a program fans would jump on board. It's very satisfying to see that come together.

As mentioned above, Mangino kept his speech fairly short, but I felt an intensity behind his words that measures much higher than other times I've heard him speak. I've always felt he's pretty passionate when he talks about KU football, but last night I sensed something else. I'd like to think that he's listened to off-season media campaign to discount the 2007 Jayhawks and taken offense. In years past, when people would trash the Hawks he'd certainly stand up for his team, but maybe the program wasn't quite at a level where he was 100% certain that he could silence the critics on the field. Now he has the players, the coaching staff, the facilities and the fan base to unleash hell on the world of college football.

Wow, that got a little out of hand. No more gladiator movies for me. Anyway, that's what I'd like to think as we approach the season.

On a lighter note, I enjoyed his reference to the marching band utilizing the new practice fields and the potential that the KSU band might have been monitoring their practice.

The "Mizzou Bus" that was driving up and down Mission confirms that the MU obsession with KU has reached an all-time high. It's both amusing and disturbing. I'm not exactly sure what they are after. I know you really, really, really, really, really wanted Kansas to be a slave state, but it may be time to let go of that. We're sorry we didn't want to be in your club, but some things just were not meant to be.

A reserved parking spot at Johnny's -- these guys get all of the perks

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs 2008 Preview

Coach: Derek Dooley (5-7) Second Year
Last Year: 5-7, 4-4 WAC, tied fourth of eight 
Returning Starters : Offense 8, Line 3 | Defense 5, Line 1

Three Things You Should Know
1) The Bulldogs return only five players on defense but have three of four players in the secondary back including standout safety Antonio Baker (2 ints, 3 passes breakups and 68 tackles in 2007). Other players to watch include DT D'Anthony Smith, punt returner Philip Beck and punter Chris Keagle.
2) Derek Dooley is both the head coach and athletic director for Tech.
3) The Bulldogs could have de-railed Hawaii in week two last year, but Hawaii kicked a 49-yard field goal with 1:34 left to get to overtime. Tech missed a two-point conversion in OT that would have won it.

Trends
Tech has dropped 12 straight against BCS teams ... KU has won 14 straight games against non-cons at Memorial. Last loss was in 2003 to Northwestern (20-28) ... KU won the 2005 matchup with Tech 34-14 in Lawrence.

The Game
After facing FIU in week one, this is an appropriate step up in competition as the Jayhawks prepare for the big road showdown with South Florida. KU should be a clear favorite in this one, but Tech is no pushover. They did get knocked out by LSU (58-10, but so did Virginia Tech) and Cal (42-12), but represented well most of the season until the collapse at Nevada in the final game (bowl appearance was on the line). The experienced secondary could test Todd Reesing's patience and obviously we'll once again be watching the tackles to see how they handle WAC-level defensive ends. I would like to think our interior guys can keep D'Anthony Smith in check.  On the other side of the ball, you might see KU show some blitz packages as Tech will be starting a new QB. Senior running back Patrick Johnson had 1,004 yards in 2007 and averaged 4.7 yards per carry. As we know, it'll be quite a test for Johnson as he battles our senior linebackers.

2008 Louisiana Tech Schedule
Sat, Aug 30 Mississippi State
Sat, Sep 6 at (14) Kansas
Sat, Sep 20 Southeastern Louisiana
Wed, Oct 1 at Boise State
Sun, Oct 12 at Hawaii
Sat, Oct 18 Idaho
Sat, Oct 25 at Army
Sat, Nov 1 Fresno State
Sat, Nov 8 at San Jose State
Sat, Nov 15 Utah State
Sat, Nov 22 at New Mexico State
Sat, Nov 29 Nevada

2007 Results
W Central Ark 28-7
L Hawaii 45-44
L at California 42-12
L at Fresno State 17-6
L at Ole Miss 24-0
W New Mexico St. 22-21
L Boise State 45-31
W at Utah State 31-21
W at Idaho 28-16
L at LSU 58-10
W San Jose St. 27-23
L at Nevada 49-10

Florida International Golden Panthers 2008 Preview

Coach: Mario Cristobal (1-11) Second Year
Last Year: 1-11, 1-6 Sun Belt Conference, eighth of eight 
Returning Starters : Offense 9, Line 3 | Defense 5, Line 2

Three Things You Should Know
1) The Panthers are listed with an eighth place finish in the Sun Belt for 2007, but that is due to the two overall wins North Texas picked up. Both teams had 1-6 conference records and FIU won the head-to-head matchup 38-19.
2) FIU's best player is probably junior right tackle Cedric Mack (6-4/320). Phil Steele has Mack on his second team All-Sun Belt team.
3) Before the North Texas win, FIU lost 23 straight games -- seventh longest streak ever.

Trends
FIU is 0-10 against BCS teams ... KU has won four straight home openers and is 15-2 in openers since 1991.

The Game 
There are really two ways this one could play out:

1. KU unleashes a full offseason's worth of rage built on reading preview mags and web articles resulting in an expected blowout.
2. KU comes out unfocused for the first half and maybe struggles a bit in the run game as the new tackles see their first live action. Even if this happens, expect the Jayhawks to steadily improve throughout the game.

This is actually a great first game matchup for the Hawks. No matter what FIU's win record may show, teams from Florida generally have some talent scattered throughout the roster. Some of the inexperienced KU players will get tested in individual matchups.

2008 Florida International Schedule
08/30 at (14) Kansas
09/06 at Iowa
09/20 (19) South Florida
09/27 at Toledo
10/04 at North Texas
10/11 Middle Tennessee
10/18 at Troy
11/01 at Louisiana-Lafayette
11/08 Arkansas State
11/22 Louisiana-Monroe
11/29 at Florida Atlantic
12/06 Western Kentucky

Obsessed Much?

You're pathetic. No, you're pathetic.

http://bullyforoldmizzou.blogspot.com/2008/08/justifying-hatred.html

Tuesday Recycle: KU YouTube + Kicking

KUTube
KU has an official YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/ku. No sports videos up yet, but it is showing the new commercial for 2008. Yes, the Orange Bowl and National Championship trophies both make an appearance.

Are You Feeling Good About the Appeal?
Why is it that every time we submit an appeal to the NCAA that I automatically assume a denial. I hope Jacob Branstetter can join us for 2008, mainly because I feel it's better to have someone to push you in practice. However, I'm thinking that Grady Fowler will be our only kicker this season. Sounds like he's got short range accuracy and that may be all we need. As has been mentioned all over the boards, Alonso Rojas could be an option on kickoffs if needed.

In Grady We Trust
For more on Fowler, Rock Chalk Talk put together an in-depth look.

Randy Hill Likes the Big 12
The Fox Sports writer ranked the Big 12 ahead of the SEC last week. This is the line that I enjoyed though:

" ... although the deep thinkers still need another year of convincing from Kansas."

Man Gets Hit In Groin With Football

What in the world is going on with the kickers? This is just dumb. All of the sudden, we could be down to one kicker. How many kickers are you supposed to keep on the roster? Stephen Hoge is quitting. Here's the Jacob Branstetter situation (technically a transfer from Air Force):

"The family is currently in the process of petitioning the NCAA for a waiver that would allow Branstetter to compete for the Jayhawks this season.

“The letter is in the (KU) compliance office and they’re supposed to send it into the NCAA (Tuesday),” said Gerald Branstetter, who was first informed of the problem Thursday. “I’ve heard it could be as quick as 24 hours, or it could be weeks. For Kansas’ sake, and Jacob’s, I hope it’s 24 hours and he gets to play.”

If not, it leaves Butler County Community College transfer Grady Fowler as the team’s likely kicker entering the season."

http://www2.kusports.com/news/2008/aug/18/kicker_hoge_leave_ku_team/

New and Updated: Jayhawk Football Preview Template for Journalists.

Struggling to write that 2008 football preview for the Kansas "Just a Fluke" Jayhawks? Look no further my reporter friends, for just $9.95 you can download the following outline to help you wiz through this challenging task. Your readers and boss will be amazed -- I guarantee it.
 

Step One -- Hook 'Em In

Start off with the first of many secrets that college football fans just absolutely do not know. Hit them with the best season ever bit that ended with a 12-1 record and the Orange Bowl win over Virginia Tech. That's gold right there, but you've got to add some drama by throwing in the fact that KU has been a mediocre/horrible/non-factor program since Fielding Yost left. They'll know you're an expert when you throw that one out (not the Yost part -- the mediocre part).

 

Step Two -- The Big Reveal

You'll probably receive a Pulitzer when you expose the Jayhawks here. KU played the weakest schedule in college football since Bible times. This is where you make the money, my friend. After a non-con that included Central Missouri from Warrensburg, Jamie Farr's flag football team and the Palm Beach Croquet Club, the Jayhawks simply beat up on Big 12 opponents that were worthless -- meaning they had no value as football teams. In fact, OSU, Texas A&M and Baylor have since joined the Mountain West conference and Kansas State is clearly transitioning to the Jayhawk League. After finding out that the fireworks from the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics were computer-generated, it's not even clear that KU actually played any football games last year. It was likely just an animated fantasy built in the film studios at Pixar and funded by Lew Perkins.

 

Step Three -- Confuse the Reader By Contradicting Yourself

Mention all of the great players that played on the fraudulent 2007 squad that will be leaving and how KU won't be able to be that good again. This kind of sounds like you think the 2007 squad was good even though it clearly wasn't which doesn't make sense, but it does make sense if you write it down, right? Hee Hee. I love journalism.

 

Step Four -- Cover Yourself on the JC issue

You might want to mention Jocques Crawford to show that you do at least read Phil Steele on occasion. While it's clearly impossible for a running back to go out and have a 1,000 yard season in his first year as a starter, this guy is a little bit of a wildcard. No big deal as Step Five should take care of any potential improvement from the hapless Jayhawks. Just throw out the JC thing just in case. I mean you don't want to look dumb, right?

 

Step Five -- KU Forced to Play NFL Opponents for 2008

Now you get to layout the justice schedule. Obviously, an NCAA committee was formed in the offseason to craft a tougher schedule for Kansas. So, the greatness of Oklahoma and Texas cannot be overstated. Have fun with it. It's pretty clear that they are both NFL squads working through a probationary stage before joining the Sunday league. Texas Tech is already of course in the Arena Football League. The cumulative score from KU's last trips to Austin and Norman -- Hawks 24, NFL candidates 107.

 

Sorry Mark Mangino, you're not gaming the system this year. Nebraska is back and dominant again. The Jayhawks cannot win in Florida because they just don't win road games. Colorado has a new running back. KSU has a whole new team. ISU is just getting better. As for Missouri, it just isn't even close anymore. Justice will be swift.

 

Step Six -- The Big Finish

Alright Swami ... lay it out there. Since your credibility is super-high now, hit your readers with this out there prediction: "KU may be a little better, but with that schedule, I don't see them getting more than seven or eight wins."

 

Gold, my man. PFG, plain and simple.

 

Bonus: More Fun KU Football Secrets

Sprinkle these items throughout your story for more flavor:

• KU plays Texas this year. Start the media frenzy early by mentioning the 2004 dollar signs game
• KU is a basketball school, period
• Any reference to Mark Mangino's build will get you big points. If you are catering to 12-year-olds or are a 12-year-old, go for a fourth-grade style taunt for double points

Questions?

If I'm using this template, won't others use it as well?

Yes. Roughly about 100 times per day until September 12th, but that's okay, because you're on the internet my friend and people will click on any link that is new. We've got to read it all.

 

Since Mark Mangino's been an assistant on two programs that were factors on a national level and came to KU with the clearly stated goal of winning a Big 12 Championship, is it possible that the program has just slowly built up to the level of being legitimate program with 2006 being more of a fluke than 2007?

No.

 

What about all of the facilities they have built for football? It seems like they are taking it pretty seriously.

Rubbish. Waste of money. Maybe they are converting Memorial into a baskestball arena.

 

It seems like everyone is predicting eight wins for KU, couldn't I be bold and predict nine?

Don't you want to be a team player?

That Just Happened

I don't believe it, but I saw it.

This one was tipped off by our roving reporter from Barnes and sits at the Shell station at 123rd and Blue Valley Parkway. Just a basketball school? Obviously, we're playing for keeps now.

For reference:

2009 KU Football Schedule

Kansas released the 2009 football schedule yesterday. I think I'm okay with the non-con schedule as we're still in the tough south rotation. I definitely do not like the bye week so early and before a home game with Iowa State.

Sept. 5 NORTHERN COLORADO
Sept. 12 at Texas-El Paso
Sept. 19 DUKE
Sept. 26 SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI
Oct. 10 IOWA STATE
Oct. 17 at Colorado
Oct. 24 OKLAHOMA
Oct. 31 at Texas Tech
Nov. 7  at Kansas State
Nov. 14 NEBRASKA
Nov. 21 at Texas
Nov. 28 MISSOURI
Dec. 5 Big 12 Championship, Arlington, Texas

Jeff Spikes, Jeremiah Hatch and Mark Mangino

As I mentioned earlier this week, I had to miss yesterday's open practice, which appears to be a huge mistake. Lots of stuff going on as Mark Mangino named Jeff Spikes the starter at left tackle and Jeremiah Hatch as the starter at the right tackle position. I've got to check my notes, but I swore they were playing opposite sides last Friday. This makes more sense with Spikes height, so let's just assume I was wrong last week.

Anyway, I don't have a big rundown to give, but I think the only two items you need to get update are:

KUsports.com Mark Mangino Interview

The Jesse Newell Report

Based on that info, I think maybe it's time  to start worrying about the placekickers.

Something else that occured to me is that of all the articles I read, the Newell blog style piece was the most informative. Kind of interesting what someone with access can do in that kind of format.

Why Did KU Go Public?

KU fans are reasonably disturbed that the Mizzou fans were snagging Arrowhead tickets off of the KU website. With Jim Marchiony indicating that KU had already sold 90 to 95% of their allotment, that means the number of tickets up for sale on the website was pretty small. Of course, you have to do some math and even then it's still questionable. Why couldn't Jim just say we had 2,000 tickets that we sold on the website. Anyway, let's try to figure this out:

Jim's 90-95% could not have included the 3,000 he held back for the students or their wouldn't have been tickets to sell. So, let's assume that is from the 27,000, which means somewhere between 1,350 and 2,700 tickets were made availabe. Based on previous percentage estimates from prominent KU AD members let's go with the higher 2,700. Even with the higher number, was it really necessary to get those out to the public before Mizzou put those tickets on sale? I mean it's August. The game is after Thanksgiving. I think we could have handled a few more e-mail campaigns in September to the season ticket holders.

You could also argue that those tickets should go to the students. Three thousand seems a little low for the current allotment. Of course, the students can thank the rumors of certain campus housing systems selling large amounts of Arrowhead One tickets online at a high price. Probably easily thwarted by allowing only two tickets per student ID instead of unlimited. Just an idea.

So, what have we learned? Overall, I'm not excited about a single Mizzou fan in the KU section but I wouldn't sweat it too much as the maximum should be 2,700 at the top of the section (not counting KU season ticket holders that spent the extra cash on Border War tickets with the sole intention of selling for profit*).

*If you do this or have done this in the past, you are an enemy of the University and in general a blight on all of humanity. You are completely dead to me and might as well get a Tiger tattoo on your forehead. Guard that secret with your life and sleep with one eye open.