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Friday
Dec052008

Friday Recycle: Joe Bob + Tom Osborne vs Competition


BACK TO THE LAND OF PURPLE
So despite the arrival of a new bio lab in Manhattan, defensive line coach Joe Bob Clements is heading back to coach the defensive line at KSU. I respect the fact that he is loyal to his school. That's what makes college football fun. The interesting thing to me is debating whether or not it is a good career move. If Bill Snyder coaches for another five years, most will view that as a miracle. Three sounds like a good number to me. So, I guess Clements can expect a promotion or another job search in very short time. That's the coaching game I suppose -- but it seems like an un-necessary gamble.

From the KU perspective, some fans are indicating they didn't see much improvement on the d-line anyway, so no big deal. I'll point to the last two games as examples. Not flawless, but definitely their pressure factored into both games. Also, if you check the sack totals, we're up this year (23 vs 21) despite a big time schedule and the loss of James McClinton plus Todd Haselhorst. No, I think Clements was making progress. However, it does present an opportunity to upgrade and if any assistants are out there looking at this position, with the experienced young talent we have on the front four, you can walk in and look like a genius.

One thing we do have to watch though is the recruits that Clements had on board. We've had enough defections this year. Here's the list:

Gavin Howard (OL)
Julian Jones (LB)
Prinz Kande (DB)
Huldon Tharp (LB)

TOM OSBORNE WAS SCARED
The KC Star's Blair Kerkoff presented some Big 12 history that I was unaware of this morning. Evidently, Tom Osborne rallied the coaches during the formation of the Big 12 to vote 11-0 against (apparently R.C. Slocum was working on his e-newsletter) the concept of football championship game. According to Kerkoff the coaches were comfortable with the divisions and just wanted the division winners to head to the bowl games? Boy, I'd love some clarification on that because that's the dumbest thing I've ever heard.

It always amazes me to hear Texas, OU and Nebraska whine about the Big 12 Championship Game (B12CG). I can remember every Big 12 football champion, but I can't remember the national champion unless it was a Big 12 team. In fact, I have a hard time remembering the basketball conference champion -- generally I just assume it was KU. You've heard me say it a million times -- the Big 12 Title game is the only game that matters. The rest is just some sort of crazy post-season exhibition fantasy pageant built to support tourism.* You may get lucky and do all the right things to get in but often times it's not based on merit, so why worry about it. The B12CG is earned, logical and played on the field. Sure the south division is a mess this year, but the fact the two that tied and got left out held their own fate and didn't deliver. I can think of a better tie-breaker, but OU earns the spot according the rules. Done and done.

*I do like how the bowl system rewards players on something like 64 teams for sacrificing their bodies during a 12-game regular season. They get a nice trip and tons of swag even in the small bowls. I think that's the least the NCAA can do for those guys.

Thursday
Dec042008

Thursday Recycle: The Kevin Young Situation

Great Scott

I thought I'd do a little write up on Kevin Young this morning. You've no doubt heard that the three-star defensive end from Olathe, Kansas has switched his commitment from KU to Nebraska. The timing was interesting as the info rolled out on Monday -- still near the peak of one of the greatest moments I've witnessed in KU football history.

Anyway, after heading over to the Phog gridiron board, what a mess? I guess our DL coach Joe Bob Clements is leaving to join Bill Snyder's staff (wow!) and now you have people (possibly friends or family) upset at posters on the KU Rivals board that criticized the switch.

Great scott. First, I really just wanted to say that it is hard for me to conceive of playing high school football in the Kansas City area and not picking either KU or Mizzou considering the commitment to Arrowhead for another four years and the impact that is having nationally. Second, I really can't imagine a Kansas kid watching that game and then saying, "Hey, I don't want to be a part of that -- Lincoln, Nebraska here I come. I want to be famous in the state of Nebraska. Weee!!!"

Of course, losing the DL coach probably has to factor in, but I kept my opinions pretty guarded on the Blake Lawrence situation a few years ago. He's #2 on the depth chart behind a senior, so maybe he'll get his shot as a junior. My take though is Nebraska takes KC kids sells them on the "tradition" and then puts them on the shelf strictly to keep them out of the hands of KU and MU on the off chance that they could develop. Before NU fans jump me on that, I see nothing wrong with that tactic -- it's called winning.

For local kids though, I honestly don't think you're going to get your best shot to play football up there. Listen, you can and will play football here and we do beat Nebraska and on top of that we will get into that Big 12 Championship game and win it and now is a great time to come to KU because the heart of your football career will occur during our weak south rotation. We'll go to battle those years with our recruits earned from the 12-1 Orange Bowl season. The point? Local guys, this is just the tip of the iceberg -- you're going to miss out on something special and that's just sad because I want every Kansas kid that can to be a part of it. However, for those that have made their decisions, farewell and best of luck in the land of red.

I'll get into the Job Bob situation later ...

Wednesday
Dec032008

MU Fun with Real Movie Quotes

Credit: AdamL212 (Flickr CC - click photo for location)

 

Following KU’s victory over the University of Missouri last Saturday a few celebrities were asked to give their thoughts. Read on to see what they said.

 

1) If you could say anything to ease the pain Mizzou felt after Saturday’s loss, what would it be?

Clark Griswold (Vacation): O God, ease our suffering in this, our moment of great despair. Yea, admit this kind and decent woman into thy arms of thine heavenly area, up there. And Moab, he lay us upon the band of the Canaanites, and yea, though the Hindus speak of karma, I implore you: give her a break.

 

2) What did Pinkel say to Chase Daniel after the loss?

Lloyd Christmas (Dumb and Dumber): Man, you are one pathetic loser. No offense.

 

3) I noticed you were at the game last Saturday, and said a few words to the KU players just before the winning drive, what did you say?

Frank the Tank (Old School): Blue, do you trust that I do not want to see you die here tonight?... Blue, you're my boy!

 

4) I know you know Chase Daniel pretty well, what was he thinking when he threw those interceptions?

Ted Striker (Airplane): concentrate... concentrate... I've got to concentrate... concentrate... concentrate... Hello?... hello... hello... Echo... echo... echo... Pinch hitting for Pedro Borbon... Manny Mota... Mota... Mota...

 

 5) That game was a nailbiter. There was a lot of praying going on in the 4th Qtr. What did you say when KU won, as you were finishing off your hot dog and popcorn?

Gaylord Focker (Meet the Parents): Oh, dear God, thank you, you are such a good God to us. A kind and gentle and accommodating God, and we thank You oh sweet, sweet Lord of hosts for the smörgåsbord You have so aptly laid at our table this day, and each day, by day, day by day, by day oh dear Lord three things we pray to love Thee more dearly, to see Thee more clearly, to follow Thee more nearly, day, by day, by day. Amen.

 

6) Hey, you know Chase Coffman pretty good. What did you say to him after the loss?

David (40 Year Old Virgin): You know how I know you're gay? You have a rainbow bumper sticker on your car that says, "I like it when balls are in my face."

 

7) What did you think about KU’s comeback?

Cotton McKnight (Dodgeball): Ladies and gentlemen, I have been to the Great Wall of China, I have seen the Pyramids of Egypt, I've even witnessed a grown man satisfy a camel. But never in all my years as a sportscaster have I witnessed something as improbable, as impossible, as what we've witnessed here today!

 

8) I heard you talked with Coach Pinkel after the game, did he say anything to you?

Tommy (Tommy Boy): Forget it, I quit, I can't do this anymore, man. My head's about to explode. My whole life sucks! I don't know what I'm doing, I don't know where I'm going. ...I'm out here getting my ass kicked and every time I drive down the road I wanna jerk the wheel into a (expletive) bridge abutment!

 

9) Since KU evened the series at Arrowhead this year, it’s been said that more fans might go to the game next year. Are you OK with more KU fans coming out to show support?

Eddie Haskell (Leave it to Beaver): Wally, if your dumb brother tags along I’m gonna- Oh, good afternoon Mrs. Cleaver. I was just telling Wallace how pleasant it would be if Theodore would accompany us to the game.

 

10) It’s been said that MU folks have been likened to dirty rats. What say you about MU fans and what KU did to them last Saturday?

Carl Spector (CaddyShack): To kill, you must know your enemy, and in this case my enemy is a varmint. And a varmint will never quit - ever. They're like the Viet Cong - Varmint Cong. So you have to fall back on superior intelligence and superior firepower. And that's all she wrote.

Tuesday
Dec022008

Around the Big 12: Week #14

Three-Way Ties For Everyone

Okay, figuring out who is the champion of the south is impossible. In the case of a three-way tie, I believe all three teams should be disqualified and the last place team in the division should be awarded the Big 12 Championship birth. Or maybe we should give it to the winner of some lightweight conference like the Mountain West, Conference USA or the Big 10.

Anyway, I finally resolved it in my mind by giving each type of game a point value:

Road Win = 6
Neutral Win = 5
Home Win = 4
Road Loss = 3
Neutral Loss = 2
Home Loss = 1

Accounting for only the games played between Tech, OU and Texas the points are as follows -- Texas 8, Texas Tech 7 and Oklahoma 6. I'm still going to rank OU ahead of Tech, but I'm going to give Texas my top spot for now.

I'd also like to point out that NU, MU and KU all went 4-1 in their division and the only reason we avoided a three-way in the north is due to the extra loss KU took against south teams. MU and Nebraska each picked up their only south win against Baylor. Could I even make an argument that OU, Texas and Tech don't have it as rough as KU because we actually had to play all three of them -- they only have to play two. Oh well, the rotation comes back in 2010/2011 and that'll be just right for the new QB. 

1 (A+ 98%) - Texas (11-1)
Really, make the interception in Lubbock and we avoid all of this. Of course, if there was a playoff, Texas would probably get over the Conference title loss due to a chance for redemption on the national stage. Hmm, maybe that makes the case for the bowl system and how it creates huge regular season games that really matter. I don't know, I think I'm still with Mike Leach on the 64-team playoff system.
(HD rank 4-4-3-3-3-3-1-1-1-2-2-2-2-1)

2 (A+ 98%) - Oklahoma (11-1)
The Sooners are going to have to win out to get back to the top of my poll.
(HD rank 1-1-1-1-1-1-3-3-3-3-3-3-1-2)

3 (A 92%) - Texas Tech (11-1)
You kind of wonder if it's ever going to happen for Tech. I'd petition to join the North.
(HD rank 5-5-4-4-4-4-4-4-2-1-1-1-3-3-3)

4 (B+ 89%) - Oklahoma State (9-3)
Definitely not ready for primetime yet. Still a 9-3 season is a pretty good jump from a 6-6 regular season result last year.
(HD rank 6-6-6-7-6-6-2-2-4-4-4-4-4-4)

5 (B+ 88%) - Missouri (9-3)
The Chase Daniel era is fading away, but that changes drastically if the Tigers come up with something to take down Oklahoma at Arrowhead. They should note that KU battled the Sooners for a while down in Norman.
(HD rank 2-2-2-2-2-2-5-5-5-5-5-5-5)

6 (B+ 88%) - Nebraska (8-4)
The Huskers snatched one away from CU with an amazing 57-yard surprise field goal. Doesn't seem like the Corn should have struggled that much at home, but it is a rivalry game. Will they move it to Denver?
(HD rank 8-7-7-8-8-8-9-7-6-7-6-6-6-6)

7 (B+ 87%) - Kansas (7-5)
Personally, I feel like we're a better team than both MU and NU, but you've got to go with the results on the field and the Huskers got us pretty good in Lincoln. I guess Phil Steele nailed it with third place and a 7-5 record, but I think we were a lot closer to 9-3 than he would have imagined. Of course, we were also a lot closer to 5-7 than I ever would have imagined.
(HD rank 3-3-5-6-5-5-6-6-7-6-7-7-7-7)

8 (C 75%) Baylor (4-8)
Yes, I raised the Bears five percent after a road loss. This is a dangerous team and it'll be interesting to see what they bring to the table next year.
(HD rank 11-11-10-9-9-10-8-10-10-8-8-8-8-8)

9 (D 65%) - Kansas State (5-7)
You're still going to keep the Power Towel promo right? I'm still bringing it to every game.
(HD rank 9-9-9-10-10-11-7-9-9-9-9-9-9-9)

10 (D- 61%) Texas A&M (4-8)
Did the Aggies really do the right thing?
(HD rank 12-12-12-12-12-12-12-11-11-10-10-10-10-10)

11 (D- 60%) - Colorado (5-7)
Pretty good defense for the Buffs ... too bad they couldn't get a hand up.
(HD rank 7-8-8-5-7-7-10-8-8-11-11-11-11-11)

12 (F- 49%) Iowa State (2-11)
Still securing the bottom spot.
(HD rank 10-10-11-11-11-9-11-12-12-12-12-12-12-12)

Monday
Dec012008

The Arrowhead Experience 2008

Monday
Dec012008

Inside the Tent: Kansas 40, Missouri 37


FROM ROW 15

Braggin' rights forever ended a little early. It disappeared over Kerry Meier's shoulder into the south endzone then glanced off Philip Strozier's extended hand a few plays later. Braggin' rights forever? C'mon, it's the war. It doesn't matter if you're playing for the national title in front of 80,000 or both teams come in 0-11. The only thing that matters is scoreboard and KU has it for this particular 365 day period.

THE GOOD
Jake Laptad gets the safety. That's when I knew. After two years of watching Chase Daniel stand back and pick us apart with no harrassment, I knew when he went down in the same endzone that Missouri snagged Todd Reesing to end the 2007 game. Irony, I love it.

BONUS GOOD
The end-game duel between Chase Daniel and Todd Reesing. It sure was nice to see Reesing win this one, especially with one of his typical avoid the rush plays. You know the one where he locates "Old Reliable" at the last minute. With the timeout prior, you have a lot of time to think about that one as a fan. My thought line was something along the following line. In situations like this you sometimes see the type of play that you remember forever. And we did.

THE BAD
Probably shouldn't even mention it as the defense set this up by playing three-and-a-half quarters with absolute guts. You could see that they had everything in this one because they were out of gas at the end and the tackling suffered ... or maybe the Tigers slicked up their jerseys with Vaseline or something. Again though, no criticism because they set up Todd Reesing for a final duel and their faith in the snake wrangler from Texas paid off.

THE SWEET
Guess who won't be here next year? Yep, #10 in yellow is gone. So is #45. And in my opininion, Jeremy Maclin is absolutely ready for the NFL. Why chance injury next year while a new QB learns the ropes? On the flip side, I'll be looking forward to watching Todd Reesing, Dezmon Briscoe, Kerry Meier, Jake Sharp, Darrell Stuckey, Jake Laptad, Max O and many more return to Arrowhead for the 2009 game.

WHAT'S NEXT
Well, we'll root against Mizzou on Saturday and wait for our official bid to the Insight Bowl next Sunday. Looks like we'll get Minnesota and I certainly like a Big 10 matchup. In the meantime, it's time to start up the campaign for dragging KU fans out to Arrowhead for the 2009 game. Hey, it's a four-year deal now and we know all of the negatives, but we're locked in. Plus, the Kansas players voted with their play on Saturday and delivered a victory to remember. Now, it's time for KU fan to step up and claim your side of the stadium. We're on the cusp now as a program and though we've improved our football fan base quite a bit, it's time to take it to the next level. It's time to toughen up and be a factor in every game. Forget the campus atmosphere and game day revenue for Lawrence merchants -- the number one reason KU fans are skipping the Arrowhead Border War is they don't like interacting with MU fans. No, it's not pleasant, but maybe that's the way it's supposed to be. It's a war on the field and the players have to go earn it. Maybe, KU fan needs to earn it in the stands as well -- cheer your team, set an unwavering example of good sportsmanship and maybe see something special.

Sunday
Nov302008

Fourth and Seven: Reesing to Meier YouTube Video

Sunday
Nov302008

Carry The Flag: Kansas 40, Missouri 37

Sorry about the poor photo quality -- I need to invest in a better camera. Just wanted to get this shot of James Holt with the KU flag up on this fanstastic morning. My official game post will come out later today.

 

Friday
Nov282008

Game Preview: Kansas vs Missouri

Credit: ojbyrne / flickr CC (click photo for link)

High Noon


Series:
54-53-9
Series in Kansas City: KU 12-7-3
Time: Saturday, Nov. 29 - 11:30 a.m. (CT)
Venue: Arrowhead Stadium
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
TV: FSN
Line: MU (-16)

Recent History (Tied 5-5)
1998 MU 41, KU 23
1999 KU 21, MU 0
2000 KU 38, MU 17
2001 MU 38, KU 34
2002 MU 36, KU 12
2003 KU 35, MU 14
2004 KU 31, MU 14
2005 KU 13, MU 3
2006 MU 42, KU 17
2007 MU 36, KU 28

Hawk Digest Preseason Missouri Preview

The Scene
Welcome back to the concrete and asphalt playground known as the Truman Sports Complex. The Tigers have already secured the north division title, so this one is all about the Border War and the overall battle of good vs evil. Of course, like most of the Big 12 games this season it'll look less like a war and more like an Arena Football game. If Jake Sharp is a no go, we'll see more of Jocques Crawford and Angus Quigley. You saw how physical Quigley can be. If he can hold onto the ball, that might make things a little more interesting as KU never really got B-Mac untracked last year against Mizzou. A fresh back with a hard hitting attitude ... could be fun.

The Key
Pass rush. The KC Star noted that KU comes into the game with only 23 sacks this season. Actually, that means we have improvement up front. Last year we came into this one with just 19 sacks, so considering the schedule upgrade this year there is reason to believe that facing the MU offensive line won't be quite the shocker that it was last November. We can be sure that they are under-estimating the KU front line.

The Motivation
We wear red, white and blue, they wear black. It's not hard to tell who the good guys are.

I think it’s a good location for the game. I think it allows more fans to come and it is more of a neutral site, kind of like the Cotton Bowl with Oklahoma and Texas. It allows us to be seen by more people and gives the game a bigger stage, so it’s fun to play on a stage like this.”
--Darrell Stuckey on KU/MU in KC

Friday
Nov282008

Big 12 Predict-O-Scores: Week #14 Post-Thanksgiving

At Nebraska 36, Colorado 34
Vegas has the BugEaters (-18)

At Texas Tech 39, Baylor 19
Vegas likes the Red Raiders (-21.5)

Oklahoma 40, at Oklahoma State 32
Boomer and Sooner for Vegas (-7)

Missouri 36, Kansas 30
The VIC-20 supercomputer will soon be on a barge to a Chinese recycling center
Vegas is riding on black (-16)

Friday
Nov282008

Border War in KC Gets Extension

Four More Years of Concrete Hell

It's all over the papers this morning. The Jayhawks and Tigers will battle four more times at Arrowhead stadium (exactly in the middle of nowhere). No word as to whether or not the 2013 game will be played at the Kansas Speedway.

I think the problems with the game at Arrowhead have been pretty much detailed and agreed upon. Still, this was inevitable. We're playing against Texas, OU, Nebraska and A&M in the football world, so this type of event is the only way to make a significant attack in that never-ending war. The number one question I have is why couldn't we sign the deal next week? We've heard all about how they've solved the logistics problems. I'm not so sure. Why not play game two and evaluate before inking another four years?

Here's the thing, it's a money-maker now, but you kind of got a skewed look at the event last year with both teams in the national title hunt and College Game Day on hand. Ultimately, fans will decide this issue. And I think your casual KU fan better be able to feel something positive out of this event pretty soon or attendance in blue could trend quickly to dismal. If a hardcore guy like me has to go through a two-week mental pep talk to get up for this game, then I can't imagine how the bandwagon Jayhawk fans are approaching this.

So I guess ... this may actually come down to the KU football team. They could really bail out Lew on this one, because we'll see  tomorrow morning how the players feel about Arrowhead. If they vote yes for Arrowhead with their play, then KU fans will change their attitude in short time.

I should also add that there is one big positive I think we can all cling to -- hey, we may never have to go to Columbia again.

Bill Mayer Lays It Out

Probably one of the better pieces I've read from Bill today on the Arrowhead Border War. Putting the wonderful experience of engaging with real live Mizzou fans into a legitimate print publication is something you don't see everyday. I also liked his take on this:

Little wonder fans scream when the KU-MU-Arrowhead totalitarians give first preference to Kansas City Chiefs season ticket-holders. Why the hell do they deserve such a handout?

Clay Center Correspondent Weighs In

Upon hearing about the Arrowhead extension, our kindly old Hawk Digest correspondent from Clay Center, Kansas decided to announce plans for a new t-shirt line. The shirt says, "I don't want your loyalty, I just want your money."

Just to clarify, this was said in jest. He's no t-shirt maker.

Thursday
Nov272008

Big 12 Predict-O-Scores: Week #14 A&M at Texas

Looks like I will be rolling these out one day at a time, so I can enjoy the holidays. Here's tonight's score projected by the VIC-20 super computer (because only a computer could be this far off):

At Texas 39, Texas A&M 29
Vegas is more on track with UT (-35)