More Big 12 Football Media

Another KU Resource

A little trolling around this past week unearthed the AOL Fanhouse page tagged for Kansas football. It looks like another good resource that mixes up both Big 12 football and KU stories. The Fanhouse site has always been a mystery to me, so we'll keep an eye on it throughout the 2007 season.

The search for a true Mizzou blog may have reached an end. Through the College Football Resource site, I stumbled upon another sports blog network -- MVN. They have a Missouri page that looks like it will stay up to date. Again, another one to watch throughout the fall.

For your convenience, both of these pages have been linked on the lower left of hawkdigest.com and on the KU Blog Media and the Big 12 Blog pages.

KSU Video Master Does Baylor

This One Does Not Cause Seizures

After viewing the original KSU greatest video of all-time, I did not think it could be topped. However, a stroll to the best college blog in the nation (Bearmeat) revealed a fantastic follow-up honoring the Baylor Bears. It appears our director has matured somewhat as there is just a hint of the flickering images and more of just plane fun. Final analysis -- I'd watch it again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nm_27supTBg

For posterity and easy viewing, I set these both up in the Jayhawk Network Forum.

KU Football News Round-Up

A Little Surge in Football Activity

All of the sudden we've gotten a little burst on the Kansas football news front:

Ryan Wood's Notebook -- KU named it's captains for the year: Aqib Talib, James McClinton, Brandon McAnderson and Derek Fine. No questions here.

Three Hawks Make the Big 12 Preseason team --

"Cornerback Aqib Talib, defensive tackle James McClinton and offensive tackle Anthony Collins all made the first team in a vote by members of the Big 12 media. No other North team had more than two selections."

Me likey.

Vegas Likes KU

So You're Saying There's A Chance

The Big 12 Media predicts KU will finish forth in the north division, but Las Vegas thinks a little more highly of the Jayhawks. Here's a rundown of current odds on a National Championship for the conference:

Texas -- 10/1
Oklahoma -- 20/1
Nebraska -- 40/1
Texas A&M -- 40/1
Kansas -- 100/1
Missouri -- 100/1
Texas Tech -- 100/1
Colorado -- 125/1
Oklahoma State -- 125/1
Kansas State -- 150/1

No odds on Baylor or Iowa State

University of Kansas Trajans

All Trajan, All the Time

The LJ-World weighed in on the uniform topic with an article today, confirming that the helmet will change as well as the jersey:

"Among the changes are the new Trajan KU logo on the helmets, and new numbers to resemble the Trajan font on the jerseys."

Also, this always kills me. I'd have done it for $500:

"The university adopted the Trajan font lettering in the summer of 2005, paying $88,900 to LandreyMorrow, a Portland, Ore., firm, to help come up with the design."

Personally, I think we'll just keep changing uniforms until we get that breakthrough nine-win season. Just got to keep searching for that winning look.

The New KU Football Jersey

Never a Dull Moment

Well, it's been discussed at length on the Grid, but what are your thoughts on the new Kansas football jersey. I've posted a poll in the Jayhawk Network Forum. Head over and submit your vote. Comments on the issue are welcome in this thread or over on that forum as well.

Mark Mangino vs All

The Mark Mangino Delta -- Part III

Today's data charts all of the coaches we've looked at over the past two days and is the last of the three-part series. The chart pretty much speaks for itself, but it's interesting to note how close Glen Mason and Bill Snyder were after year five. Of course, we all know who won the war in that clash, as Mason was eventually escaped to Minnesota.

Mangino vs KU | Mangino vs North | Mangino vs all 

Mark Mangino vs The North

The Mark Mangino Delta -- Part II

Today, we look at Mark Mangino vs a few of our favorite coaches in the North division, including Bill Snyder from ol' KSU. A number of things standout after looking at the data (charts below).

--How did Gary Pinkel survive his slide and three straight losses to KU? It was a little rough for a while there, but last year was pretty significant for Gary. Looks like patience may have paid off for Mizzou.

--I haven't had much respect for Bill Callahan, I suppose that's due to the fact that we've been able to challenge his squad every year. Still, the data shows why Nebraska fans are jacked again. He is quite a recruiter, so let's see how this QB transition goes.

--Interesting that prior to this year, Mangino pretty much mirrored the man from K-State. Avoid the meltdowns against Toledo and Baylor and it would have be a virtual match.

Mangino vs KU | Mangino vs North | Mangino vs all 

Amadi's Reunited for Arena Football 2

Ronnie and Donnie Together Again

Hey, good to see these guys are still at it. Here is your link for the story: http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070713/GPG02/707130523/1225

Mark Mangino vs KU

The Mark Mangino Delta -- Part I

Today is the first of a three-part series analyzing the points delta for KU underneath Mark Mangino (inspired by my desire to be more like FHD on the Gridiron Board). The delta chart below is for six years and represents total points scored vs total points allowed in a season. Today, the comparison is Mangino vs former KU coaches Terry Allen and Glen Mason. The starting point is the year prior to each coach starting with the program.

Of course, the real measurement for a coach is wins, but the chart below does provide an interesting comparison with Mason. Mangino turned the program faster, but has hovered in the same relative atmosphere for the past four seasons. That pretty much backs up what the detractors are saying. Still, it's only been in the past two seasons that Mason eclipsed Mangino. If 2007 is a breakout or even an improvement, all will be forgiven. How about Terry Allen? For the two remaining "Gameball" supporters, maybe this chart will help.

Mangino vs KU | Mangino vs North | Mangino vs all 

KU Takes The High Road

Still 7-5 in '05

As much as I would have liked a 7-4 record for 2005, this is the right thing to do:

"What’s most likely is that Kansas will keep a 7-5 record in 2005 in its official documentation. Next to the Oklahoma game will be an asterisk and explanation that the Sooners later vacated the victory."

LJW Article Link: http://www2.kusports.com/news/2007/jul/12/kansas_unfazed_ou_penalty/?football

Sooners "Vacate"

Um ... Thanks, I Guess

The NCAA came down hard on Oklahoma for the Rhett Bomar/J.D. Quinn dealership extravaganza. The OU football program will lose scholarships and must "vacate" all wins from the 2005 season. OU doesn't seem happy and will appeal. Check out this SI.com story for details.

Thoughts from a KU perspective:

--Undefeated at Arrowhead ... yes!
--7-4 does sound better than 7-5, I'll take it
--I'm glad to be rid of that four-game losing streak in 2005. It was the worst time of my life ... until the 2006 four-game losing streak.
--The penalty seems harsh, considering that OU self-reported