New Football Depth Chart, Another Preview

The new depth chart was posted yesterday by KUSports.com

Here's an interesting blog preview of KU by Barking Carnival.

Florida International Golden Panthers 2007 Preview Capsule

Coach: Mario Cristobal (0-0) First Year
Last Year: 0-12, 0-7 Sun Belt Conference, Eighth of eight 
Returning Starters : Offense 7, Line 5 | Defense 6, Line 3

Three Things You Should Know
1) You'd like to let it just stay in the past, but yes, it's that Florida International (see photo on the right). Eighteen FIU players were suspended after the Miami brawl (including nine starters). Coach Don Strock resigned with three games left in the 2006 campaign.
2) FIU's best player is probably cornerback Lionell Singleton (5-10, 174, #22). He's projected to be one of the best corners in the Sun Belt and he also handles both kick and punt returns. He averaged 28.7 yards per kick return in 2006 and scored one TD. He also had five interceptions in the first four games last year.
3) It appears as though three players are battling it out for the QB spot -- sophomore Paul McCall (6-0, 198, #12), redshirt freshman Wayne Younger (6-3, 178, #14) and true freshman Colt Anderson (6-4, 195, #15).

Trends
FIU is 1-4 against conference rival Florida Atlantic ... KU is 4-1 before bye weeks.

How KU Wins
Focus. This game should come after a satisfying revenge match versus Toledo. However, the Jayhawks can't take the Golden Panthers for granted. Any school with "Florida" in its name tends to have a few talented players around. Prior to the Miami fiasco last year, FIU battled some decent teams well. They lost at South Florida by one point in week two. That was followed by a five-point home loss to Bowling Green, then a 10-14 loss Maryland (9-4 with a bowl win). This year they'll come into Lawrence after playing Penn State, Maryland and Miami, so they may feel a little more comfortable with the 'Hawks. Still, the Golden Panthers project to be weak at all of the skill units on offense, so KU should bury the visitors from Florida.

2007 Florida International Schedule
Sat, Sep 1 at (17) Penn State
Sat, Sep 8 Maryland
Sat, Sep 15 at Miami (FL)
Sat, Sep 22 at Kansas
Sat, Sep 29 at Middle Tennessee
Sat, Oct 6 Troy 7:00 pm
Sat, Oct 20 at Louisiana-Monroe
Sat, Oct 27 at (21) Arkansas
Sat, Nov 3 at Arkansas State
Sat, Nov 17 Louisiana-Lafayette
Sat, Nov 24 Florida Atlantic
Sat, Dec 1 North Texas

KU 2007 Preview Break -- International Culture Study

http://www.extremesportclips.com/video/1843/Milk-Staring-Competition.html

Toledo Rockets 2007 Preview Capsule

Coach: Tom Amstutz (50-25) Seventh Year
Last Year: 5-7, MAC Conference, 5th West Division
Returning Starters : Offense 8, Line 3 | Defense 8, Line 4 

Three Things You Should Know
1) KU fans are pretty familiar with the name Jalen Parmalee (6-0, 222, #33), but we'll need to keep an eye on him. He's probably the best RB in the MAC after finishing second in the conference last year with 1131 yards rushing with a 5.5 average.
2) Tom Amstutz is 5-9 vs BCS teams, but 3-2 vs top 25 teams. In 2003, he led the Rockets to a 35-31 home win over #9 Pittsburg.
3) All-MAC Tackle John Greco (Sr, 6-5, 318, #79) is the top player on an offensive line that is expected to improve. The unit has three returning starters from last year and is also getting back senior Jerry Aguwa (6-4, 295, #65). Aguwa was a starter in '05 before injury. The Rockets O-Line is pretty big weighing in at 302, 295, 308, 295 and 318.

Interesting
The Rockets are 2-9 on the road vs non-cons. Overall, Toledo is 21-20 on the road since 2000.

How KU Wins
Pure vengeance. The debacle at the Glass Bowl has been under KU's skin for 12 months. That game put a taint on the season and in the end it cost the 'Hawks back-to-back bowls. They'll carry that one to the grave. Is that dramatic enough for you. Fundamentally, the Jayhawks win simply by not turning the ball over. KU clearly looked like the better team on the road last year, but the Hawks gave Toledo the game by turning the ball over. I suspect that will not be an issue as the Jayhawks are more experienced at QB. Also, it's in Lawrence where KU has been quietly strong since 2003 -- 10 straight wins vs non-cons. Toledo will be improved as well, but KU will be breathing fire this one folks.

2007 Toledo Schedule
Sat, Sep 1 Purdue
Sat, Sep 8 at Central Michigan
Sat, Sep 15 at Kansas
Sat, Sep 22 Iowa State
Sat, Sep 29 Western Michigan
Sat, Oct 6 Liberty
Sat, Oct 13 at Buffalo
Sat, Oct 20 Ohio
Sat, Oct 27 Northern Illinois
Sat, Nov 3 Eastern Michigan
Tue, Nov 13 at Ball State
Fri, Nov 23 at Bowling Green

SE Louisiana Lions 2007 Preview Capsule

Payday for the Lions

Coach: Mike Lucas (0-0) First year
Last Year: 2-9, 1-5, Southland Conference


Three Things You Should Know

1) The Lions beat Northwestern St. last year 31-24 last year. KU opened against Northwestern St. with a 49-18 win last year in Lawrence. The Lions also lost at Texas Tech last year 62-0.
2) Senior QB Seth Rabin threw for 325 yards in last year's final game against Sam Houston St. (23-28 loss). He was 34 for 63 and threw two TD passes. The longest completion of the day -- 19 yards!
3) The Lions play at Strawberry Stadium in Hammond, Louisiana built in 1936. Capacity is 7,400.

Interesting
The SE Louisiana football program started in 1930, but it was shutdown after the 1985 season. The program came back for the 2003 season. In 2004, the Lions posted a 7-4 record.

How KU Wins
By showing up.

2007 Schedule
Thu, Aug 30 at New Mexico State
Sat, Sep 8 at Kansas
Sat, Sep 15 Kentucky Wesleyan
Sat, Sep 22 at Tulane
Sat, Oct 6 Stephen F. Austin
Sat, Oct 13 at Northwestern State
Sat, Oct 20 Central Arkansas
Sat, Oct 27 at McNeese State
Sat, Nov 3 at Texas State
Sat, Nov 10 Sam Houston State
Sat, Nov 17 Nicholls State

Second of a 12-part series

Central Michigan Chippewas 2007 Preview Capsule

Bring On The Chippewas!

Coach: Butch Jones (0-0) First Year
Last Year: 10-4, Mac Champions, Bowl win vs Middle Tennessee St. 31-14
Returning Starters: Offense 7, Line 3 | Defense 7, Line 3

Three Things You Should Know
1) Dan LeFevour (6-3, 226 threw for  3031 yards and 26 touchdowns last year as true freshman)
2) Sophomore wideout Bryan Anderson set a school record with 73 receptions last year
3) Contrary to KU, the Chippewas play 7 of 12 games away home this year

Interesting
CMU has lost four straight openers -- all against BCS conference teams.

How KU Wins
It's a scary game for week one as CMU has an explosive offense. Kansas needs to win by getting physical with the Chippewas and wearing them down. A key component of that will be getting pressure on LeFevour. The defensive ends took a year off in 2006 -- they better have their motor running for this one.

2007 Schedule
Sat, Sep 1 at Kansas
Sat, Sep 8 Toledo
Sat, Sep 15 at Purdue
Sat, Sep 22 North Dakota State
Sat, Sep 29 Northern Illinois
Sat, Oct 6 at Ball State
Sat, Oct 13 Army
Sat, Oct 20 at Clemson
Sat, Oct 27 at Kent State
Tue, Nov 6 at Western Michigan
Fri, Nov 16 Eastern Michigan
Fri, Nov 23 at Akron

First of a 12 part series

John Riggins Get His Due

Riggins Added To Ring Honor On October 13

The announcement that John Riggins will receive the ultimate KU football honor when the 'Hawks take on Baylor this October sort of ties in nicely to our current locally bred running back. Riggins at KU was before my time*, but most of the accounts I've heard indicate that he was a pretty unique individual. At least according to Brandon McAnderson, Jake Sharp has a little streak of strangeness to him. I'll take that as a sign and predict multiple 2,000 yard seasons for Sharp.

Brandon's famous take from earlier this season on Sharp (link):
http://kuathletics.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/082107aaa.html

Brandon McAnderson fired the opening salvo.

Told that backfieldmate Jake Sharp described himself as a loner, McAnderson didn’t bat an eye.

“He says he’s a loner,” McAnderson said. “I say he’s a weirdo.”

When word of that verbal scud made its way back to Sharp, he looked like he’d been smacked with a rolled-up newspaper.

“Who said that?” Sharp said, his eyes darting around the room. “B-Mac? B-Mac?”

Given a chance to riposte, Sharp thought for a minute before blurting out, “I can’t really make fun of him. But I’ll say this: He may look big with all his pads on, but if we were on the street walking by each other, he’d be afraid.”

*My most vivid memory of Riggins is of him running over the Miami Dolphins in the Superbowl. At the time, I was a die-hard fish fan and the image of him going about 40 yards off left tackle for the game-clinching TD haunted me for years..

National Championships Are Fun ...

But You May Not Want Your Kid to Choose Florida

You'd think the University of Florida would be the place to be right now, but according to this outgoing professor that really only applies to the athletes:

The athletic association has already raised $20-million toward the projected $28-million bill for cosmetic changes and renovations of the Griffin stadium complex, including the building of a Gator Hall of Fame, office renovations for coaches, improved weight lifting facilities, etc.

At the same time, it may as well be 1929 for the academic programs. Because of budget shortfalls, president Bernie Machen has instituted hiring and salary freezes at the university. As a result of the crunch, classes are packed and fewer courses are offered.

This post was located via College Football Resource -- a daily stop for any hardcore college football fan.

KU Football Weekend News

Should Have Sealed It Up Last Year

Mark Mangino made the official quarterback announcement this weekend, but thinking back, Kerry Meier probably opened up the competition last September when he threw the pick six in the second half versus Toledo. If that didn't do it, the fumble in OT certainly raised some questions. Certainly, it's not the time to pile on and Meier definitely showed flashes of greatness when he was healthy, but it sure seems like if he could have come out of the Glass Bowl with a win last year, he would of locked up the job for good. Perhaps protecting himself in Waco and finishing off a sure win there would have helped as well.

From the Injury Perspective

Of course, this was common knowledge on the interweb, but It was admitted this weekend that Kerry Meier has been "dinged up." Hopefully, Meier can get healthy and continue to challenge Todd Reesing, but I for one would like to hear how A.J. Steward and Tyler Lawrence are doing in practice. History shows we need a healthy and capable #2 QB. Any readers that have attended practices, please feel free to give us the rundown.

The Prairie Village Rally

I took the family out for the Prairie Village football rally. It was a great atmosphere and I don't know how to estimate festival crowds, but the 3500 figure sounds good to me. It was packed. Mark Mangino's speech was full of a lot of the quotes we've already heard this year, but still pretty effective. He always seems to do well in front of a crowd.

I can't believe he had the black jacket on. I like the new image, but it was not a cool evening.

The Wisdom of Gary Pinkel

This one speaks for itself. Submitted by loyal reader RockOutWithUrHawkOut.

Source: Kansas City Star

"Hey Tigers Fans ..."

"Where Will You Be On Saturday's This Fall?"

I heard this Mizzou commercial on 610 sports last week. Does it sound familiar?

Andrew Norman to KU

Another Weapon

The Kansas City Star has the scoop on this one:

Former Arkansas receiver Andrew Norman has transferred to KU and has enrolled in fall classes. Norman, who redshirted last season with the Razorbacks, will have three years of eligibility remaining once he sits out a year at Kansas due to NCAA transfer rules.

With all of the talk about Dezmon Briscoe and Johnathan Wilson, the future of this unit is looking good.

Update on Thursday, August 16, 2007 at 06:02AM by DJ Goodwin

Hmmm ... did the KC Star jump the gun. Ryan Wood indicated this morning that the transfer is not official:

Norman’s father, Robert, wouldn’t confirm his son was choosing KU when reached by cell phone Wednesday, saying “nothing’s official.” He declined to comment further because “coach Mangino asked us not to.”

http://www2.kusports.com/news/2007/aug/16/ryan_woods_ku_football_notebook/?football

Update on Thursday, August 16, 2007 at 07:50PM by DJ Goodwin

Wow! Yep, it appears the KC Star was wrong on this one.

http://www2.kusports.com/news/2007/aug/16/norman_wont_be_joining_jayhawks/