THE HIATUS

Alert Phog-bloggians might have noticed that nothing has been posted on this site for more than four months.

There is a reason for this. Anything that could have been said after the initial blush of the wonderfulness that was April 7, 2008 would only serve to hasten the passing of the moment.

But the time for moving on can wait no longer.

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL!!!!!!

Of course you are.

Normally, I treat the coming of a new football season as a religious experience, as the dawn of a bright new day following four months of sports darkness. As a general rule, announcing the coming of a new season of the greatest sport in the history of mankind makes me feel like Elmer Gantry: “What is love? Love is a touchdown and a two point conversion.”

This year, I am a bit more subdued. The reason? Because it is time to move on from the second best sports year that any university has ever enjoyed.

Forty-nine and four. Let me say that again: The combined record of the Jayhawk football and basketball teams was forty-nine and freakin’ four.

That’s 12-1 in football, with an Orange Bowl victory over the No. 3 ranked team in the nation.

That’s 37-3 in basketball, with a National Championship.

When you are old and grey-haired (for those who currently have hair), you will look back on the 2007-08 sports year as the halcyon of Kansas athletics. It will not be topped—or even equaled—in a hundred years, let alone your miserably short lifetime, Mortal.

So why bother? Why not turn your thoughts to other endeavors, like solving global warming or learning a foreign language? Everything on the gridiron and basketball court is now anti-climactic. Why not just rage, rage against the dying of last year’s light? Why not just hold on to the gloriousness of the past sports year, keeping it fresh in your heart, as long as possible? Why allow lesser moments in to slowly, but surely move last year’s moments of exhilaration aside, to a compartment where they will reside merely as pleasant thoughts to bring a smile to your face, as opposed to the feelings of sheer ecstasy you have enjoyed for months?

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

First of all, that’s life. Just enjoy the fact that only one school has ever exceeded KU’s most recent sports year.

Second, even that remarkable year left a few loose ends to be tied.
Fortunately, in a sense, the Jayhawks did not go undefeated in both sports last year. They did leave something for this year. While losing only four games total, two of them were to arch-rivals k-state and Mizzou.

Although the loss to k-state was in basketball, the Jayhawks must win this year’s football encounter to avoid a losing record in the two sports combined to k-state for the 2008 calendar year.

As for Mizzou, a victory is a must to prevent them from catching up in the all-time series, as well as even up the last six years. Not to mention evening the score in Arrowhead at 1-1. Not to mention the vengeance thing.

Further, this is KU’s best chance to win in Lincoln since 1968, after absolutely frittering away the game two years ago. I know a 58 year old gentleman, who can now order off the senior menu at some restaurants, who was a freshman at KU the last time the Jayhawks downed Nebraska on the Road.

There is also the matter of grabbing the Hawks’ first recognized win over Texas in Big 12 play, what with dishonest officiating depriving the Fighting Manginos of their victory on the field of play four years ago.

And don’t forget that KU was slighted last year in the respect department because of the Jayhawks’ schedule–even though it was every bit as difficult as Ohio State’s, and their overall resume was better than the Buckeyes’ (who lost a Home game for chrissake). Yet Ohio St was ranked No. 2 and played for the pretend national championship, while KU was ranked No. 8 and assigned to the Orange Bowl. Not that the Orange Bowl is a bad consolation prize. It was a fantastic moment for long-suffering KU football fans. And not to say that we would have beaten LSU in the pretend national championship game. We wouldn’t have. But we also would not have been embarrassed any more than—if as much as—than Ohio St.

The point is not that we were the best team in the country. The point is that we were better than Ohio St on paper (and, probably, on the field), yet were still ranked six spots lower than the Buckeyes heading into the bowl games. Heck, we were still ranked behind them after beating the No. 3 team in the country, while Ohio St got run out of the Superdome like they were a Division 2 team.

So, to the extent that you value the uncritical respect of the media types who place more weight on team names than performance, this season is important in establishing that KU has moved on from the days of Terry Allen—and every other coach it has ever had—and is a player in Memorial Stadium as well as Allen Fieldhouse.

2008 SEASON PREVIEW

There are those who have discounted KU before the 2008 season has even started because of the Jayhawks’ “tougher schedule” this year. It was, in fact, characterized in today’s USA Today as “much more demanding.”

Wrong.

This myth is the based on the false premise that playing Texas, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma (the top 3 South teams) is “much more demanding than playing A&M, Okie St, and Baylor.

If all games were played on neutral fields, this might be a reasonable conclusion (except for the fact that A&M and Okie St were tied for third place in the South with the same 4-4 record in conference play as Tech—and they were only one game behind Texas, despite A&M playing both of the North Division co-champions and Okie St playing one, while Texas played neither. Instead, Texas got slaughtered at Home by North also-ran k-state, and needed a miracle fourth quarter at Home to avoid losing to a mediocre Nebraska team. And who can forget—other than the talking heads–the miracle finish the Longhorns needed to squeeze by Okie St on a field goal as the final gun sounded?)

But, let’s pretend that Texas and Tech were better than Okie St and A&M last year. Takes a healthy imagination, but give it a shot. Even if that were the case, playing Texas and Tech in Lawrence this year is no more demanding than playing Okie St in Stillwater (where Tech lost) and A&M in College Station (where UT lost) last year.

Of course, KU’s schedule is more difficult this year, but not because the hawks replace A&M and Okie St with Texas and Tech. It is more difficult because Oklahoma in Norman is a “much more demanding” challenge than Baylor in Lawrence. That’s it in conference play.

As for the non-conference front, the game at South Florida—a team that took out Auburn on the Road last year—is also more demanding than any out of conference game, all of which were in Lawrence, in 2007. Expect South Florida to be ranked and hungry to knock off the Orange Bowl champions. The other non-con opponents—all in Lawrence—are no more dangersou than last year’s.

So what is in store for this year’s version of the Jayhawks? Will they go 12-1 and to a BCS Bowl again? Or even 14-0 and hold the pretend national championship in football at the same time that their roundball brothers are defending National Champions of the hardcourt?

Or will they fall to the oft-predicted 8-4, or (horror of horrors) even 7-5 and a lowly Independence bowl berth, courtesy of their “much more demanding” schedule?

Here is my projection of the Vegas lines for 2008:

August 30: Florida International: 30+ point favorite
Sept. 6: Louisiana Tech: 20 point favorite
Sept. 12: at South Florida: 2.5 point favorite
Sept. 20: Sam Houston State: 30+ point favorite
October 4: at Iowa St: 12.5 point favorite
October 11: Colorado: 9 point favorite
October 18: at Oklahoma: 8 point underdog
October 25: Texas Tech: 4 point favorite
Nov. 1: k-state: 9.5 point favorite
Nov. 8: at Nebraska: 5 point favorite
Nov. 15: Texas: 3 point favorite
Nov. 29: vs. Mizzou: 4 point underdog

My pre-season predictions as to the likelihood of a Jayhawk victory in each game:

August 30: Florida International: 1.0 (i.e., 100%)
Sept. 6: Louisiana Tech: .95
Sept. 12: at South Florida: .6
Sept. 20: Sam Houston State: 1.0
October 4: at Iowa St: .8
October 11: Colorado: .8
October 18: at Oklahoma: .3
October 25: Texas Tech: .7
Nov. 1: k-state: .8
Nov. 8: at Nebraska: .85
Nov. 15: Texas: .7
Nov. 29: vs. Mizzou: .6

This projects to a 9.1-2.9 record, meaning 9-3 is likely, but leaving the Hawks one or two breaks (good or bad) away from 10-2 or 8-4. 5.75-2.25 (6-2) in conference play.

South Florida will be formidable because this will be their chance to shine on national TV on a Friday night in a game that will have the country all to itself. They will also be out to make a name for themselves over a highly ranked Big 12 team. And they will be at Home. In fact, I would rate this game as a tossup, except that the Jayhawks are now comfortable on the big stage, comfortable on the Road, and learned last year how to finish—a skill set that would have turned 2006 from a 6-6 regular season into 10-2.

KU is loaded with incentives for the Nebraska and UT games, as mentioned above. Payback time. At least to the extent that one game can repay the pain KU has suffered at the hands of the the Huskers and Horns over the years.

And Tech? Another tough opponent, but probable W for the Hawks at Home. Don’t think for a minute that The Big M will let his team forget the big lead the 2004 Jayhawks squandered against the Red Raiders, turning a certain W into an L. Unlike the Texas game, it was a legitimate L–the Hawks had no one other than themselves and their inability to close to blame. Rather than payback, let’s call this game one of redemption.

Which takes us back to Elmer Gantry: “What is love? Love is a win on November 29 in Arrowhead.” All those who believe, acknowledge or renew your devotion to the cause and head for Kansas City in late November to bear witness to your faith at the Jayhawk Revival.

Yes, in August, it must be conceded that Mizzou will likely be the Vegas favorite three months hence. But betting favorites don’t always win.

Last year, both teams came out so intimidated by the big stage that it was clear that the first team to experience success, to loosen up first, would have an advantage. That team was Mizzou. KU dropped passes, Touchdown Todd’s gloved hand was out of synch with his receivers, and the Hawks missed out on an early six points with ill-fated field goal attempts. When the Hawks finally overcame their stagefright, they scored TD’s on four straight possessions. Looked like déjà vu of the Nebraska game. And they were down by but the six points they had failed to convert in field goals.
But, of course, they ran out of time.

This year, both teams should be comfortable on the big stage from the word “go.” But it is the Jayhawks who will have the psychological edge in this game between evenly matched teams. As well as two weeks to prepare. Yes, Mizzou has the same two weeks to prepare. But only the Jayhawks have Mangino. If both teams are healthy, the coaching edge goes to the Jayhawks. The incentive/coaching combo advantage makes this game a probable W for KU.

As for the Jayhawk Bowl game?

Well, let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

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The BCS doesn’t do this, so I figured I would. KU ended up 7th according to the voters, but the computers, who don’t know the difference between a Buckeye and a Jayhawk, nor the difference between having a The in front of your University name and not having one, tell a different story.

I took the 6 final computer rankings and composited them to get a Final Unadulterated Computer Composite Ranking (FUCCR) for the BCS, you know, since they don’t do it.

You can fake it if all the computers are issued. i’ve done a quick and dirty compositing below. It’s not exactly how the BCS does it, but it’s more comprehensible in this scenario.

Here’s links to all of the computers in the BCS.

Anderson & Hester Official Website> Kansas finishes 2nd (LSU is third)
Richard Billingsley Official Website Kansas finishes 2nd
Colley Matrix Official Website Kansas finishes 5th
Kenneth Massey Official Website Kansas finishes 3rd
Sagarin Official Website (part of USAToday.com) Kansas finishes 2nd
Dr. Peter Wolfe Official Website KU finishes 2nd

Toss out the outliers (one of the 2’s and the five) and that means KU’s final composite is

(2+2+2+3) / 4 = 2.25 in the computers

Final Unadulterated Computer Composite Rankings (FUCCR):

1 LSU is 3,1,1,1,1,1 (composite: 1)
2 KU is 2,2,5,3,2,2 (composite 2.25)
3 Georgia is 5,6,7,2,2,3 (composite: 4)
4 Mizzou is 1,7,3,4,6,5 (composite: 4.5)
5 USC is 4,3,6,5,4,6 (composite: 4.75)

I didn’t do any further than that, but any of you are welcome to do it.

The bottom line is that our computer ranking is a lot better than anyone besides LSU’s.

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From Rivals:

1. USC (11-2)
Putting USC at the top is a safe pick because the Trojans annually win their conference, earn a BCS bid and play their best at the end of the season.

2. GEORGIA (11-2)
Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno will give the Bulldogs one of the nation’s top quarterback/tailback duos.

3. OHIO STATE (11-2)
The Buckeyes’ title hopes could depend on whether potential first-round picks Vernon Gholston, James Laurinaitis and Malcolm Jenkins stay in school.

4. OKLAHOMA (11-3)
Quarterback Sam Bradford will try to build on his outstanding freshman campaign while leading a team that could return as many as 17 starters.

5. MISSOURI (12-2)
The Tigers should return three 2007 Rivals.com All-America selections in quarterback Chase Daniel, wide receiver Jeremy Maclin and free safety William Moore.

6. FLORIDA (9-4)
You know that offense will rack up some points, but the Gators’ defense must get a whole lot better.

7. WEST VIRGINIA (11-2)
The Mountaineers hope the expected returns of Pat White, Steve Slaton and Noel Devine on offense will compensate for heavy graduation losses on defense.

8. LSU (12-2)
The Tigers lose tons of talent on both sides of the ball, but they have plenty of former four- and five-star prospects ready to replace them.

9. AUBURN (9-4)
Auburn’s biggest losses are on the sideline, as they must adjust to a new offense and find a replacement for departed defensive coordinator Will Muschamp.

10. CLEMSON (9-4)
With so much talent back on offense and defense, the Tigers can’t come up short in a big situation again. Can they?

11. KANSAS (12-1)
The Jayhawks could be even stronger than they were this season. They’ll need to be better now that they no longer avoid Oklahoma, Texas and Texas Tech.

12. BYU (11-2)
If the Cougars beat Washington and UCLA in September, they might not lose all season.

13. VIRGINIA TECH (11-3)
The Hokies’ hopes of contending for anything beyond an ACC title rest on whether cornerbacks Brandon Flowers and Victor Harris return to school.

14. TEXAS (10-3)
The Longhorns are banking on Will Muschamp’s arrival to boost a defense that struggled up until its bowl game this season.

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Earlier today, KUsports reported the following…

KU football coach Mark Mangino is in serious negotiations to take the head-coaching job at West Virginia, and his agent, Neil Cornrich, released a statement to the Journal-World on Wednesday evening.
“Mr. Mangino has ended preliminary talks with the University of West Virginia athletic department,” Cornrich said, “and is now in contract negotiations with them.”

Now that’s down and they’re reporting the following:

A back-and-forth conversation between the Journal-World and a man claiming to be Neil Cornrich, the agent for KU football coach Mark Mangino, was a hoax.
The Journal-World had several conversations with a man claiming to be Cornrich, the final of which was a statement the agent said he wanted to release to the Kansas media. The Journal-World posted it on its Web site while continuing the pursue the story.
KU coach Mark Mangino, through a spokesperson, said the statement was a hoax. The Journal-World apologizes for misleading any readers.

Link

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Sadly, another college football season comes to an end. But as the Governator would say, “I’ll be bock” in January with the 2008 REAL Big 12 Basketball Standings.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Phoenix or Bust!

The games of Week 14:

1. Central Michigan -3.5 @ Miami (Ohio) MAC Championship)

KU’s Murderer’s Row of non-conference opponents strikes another blow for the Jayhawks.

CMU

2. Tulsa +7 at Central Florida (Conf. USA Championship)

Two 9-3 teams go at it in the land of Disney. UCF won 44-23 when these same two teams played in the same venue six weeks ago.

UCF

3. Army +14 vs. Navy (Baltimore)

Navy has scored 207 points in its last four games, including that 74-62 victory over North Texas. They have also given up 191. Army, meanwhile is 65-154 over the same span. Conclusion: Army at 3-8 is more bad than Navy (7-4) is good. The rivalry aspect might keep this game close for awhile, but in the end, Navy should cover handily.

NAVY

4. Va Tech -4.5 at Boston College (Jacksonville) (ACC Championship)

Remember the 14-10 game at Va. Tech on that Thursday night in October, when whatsis name was being touted for the Heisman, and BC was being slotted into the BCS title game? Rest assured the Hokies remember it. They will come to play 60 minutes this time.

VA TECH

5. Florida Atlantic +15.5 at Troy (Sun Belt Championship)

Another rematch. The Men of Troy won 34-16 at FAU on October 6. Familiarity is on FAU’s favor. The Home Field cuts the other way. On balance, I’ll go with a similar result.

TROY

6. La Tech +7.5 at Nevada

Two 5-6 teams looking to become bowl eligible. Had the Techsters scored two more points or Nevada three more against Hawaii, the Rainbows would be on the Road to Palookaville instead of New Orleans or Miami. The two teams are comparable statistically, with the team from the desert having a bit of an edge offensively. And the Home Field.

NEVADA

7. Tennessee +7.5 vs. LSU (Atlanta)

A three overtime game certainly CAN be decided by more than 7 pints, but a more likely number is 2 or 6. And that’s not even taking into account the possibility of Tennessee winning.

TENNESSEE

8. Oregon St +4.5 at Oregon

I remember well what it was like after Nolan Cromwell went down in ’76. KU went from being able to compete with any team in the nation to being a patsy.

OREGON ST

9. UCLA +20 at USC

The Men of Troy are back to flexing their muscles both on the field and in eyes of the betting public. They win easily in the Coliseum, but 20 is a lot of points to give their arch rival.

UCLA

10. BYU -15 at San Diego St

Brigham Young should cover this spread before halftime.

BYU

11. California -13 at Stanford

Band or no band, Stanford is no match for Cal this year.

CAL

12. Pitt +28 at West Virginia

The Mountaineers will pull no punches in their quest to play Ohio St for the pretend National Championship.

13. Arizona +6.5 at Arizona St

Some interesting trends in this series: The underdog has covered 8 of the last 10 meetings, and the visitors have covered 9 of the last 12. AU is both. They also need this game to become bowl eligible. ASU, on the other hand, needs a win to keep alive its chances of staying home for the holidays. Or at least in town. The Sun Devils have been flashy at times, but have not persuaded me that they have the internal toughness necessary to run away against a single-minded opponent.

AU

14. Oklahoma -3 vs. Mizzou (San Antonio)

If I had not seen the first game between these two teams with my own eyes on my own TV, I would be convinced by now that Mizzou won the game. Tiger backers keep pointing to that game with pride, that they proved they were better than OU, because they had the lead until they turned the ball over twice.

What that game showed is that Mizzou could not handle being out of its comfort zone. They will be in the same situation again this week in San Antonio. OU is used to playing games of this ilk. Mizzou isn’t. They were fortunate last week that KU, like Mizzou, started the game tight and spotted Mizzou a 21 point lead when the Tigers loosened up first. OU won’t wait around for them.

The Sooners won by 10 in Norman. The Alamodome will resemble Norman this weekend more than it will a neutral field, as Sooner fans snatched up as many tickets as they could after beating UT in Dallas in early October. Still, even if you call it a neutral site, OU should prevail by a TD.

OU

15. Washington +14 at Hawaii

Hawaii is fighting for its BCS life. Expect them to lei into Washington like the Huskies are poi at a luau. Aloha, Prime Time.

HAWAII

Let the final games begin.

–Mark

*For entertainment purposes only. No refunds. No exchanges.

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LAWRENCE, Kan. - Kansas football coach Mark Mangino, defensive tackle James McClinton and return man Marcus Herford earned Big 12 Conference individual awards and 14 Jayhawks were named to the All-Big 12 Conference teams which were released Tuesday.

Of the 14 Jayhawks selected to the teams, which were voted on by the league coaches, four earned first-team honors, four earned second-team accolades and six were tabbed to the honorable mention team.

Mangino was named Big 12 Coach of the Year and became the first KU coach to earn league honors since Glen Mason was named the Big Eight Coach of the Year in 1995. The sixth-year head coach has guided the Jayhawks to an 11-1 record and a ranking of fifth in the BCS poll. KU reached its highest ranking in school history when it was second in the BCS poll on Nov. 18.

Kansas has posted one of the nation’s biggest turnarounds in 2007 as after a 6-6 season last year, KU improved five games this season. Only Illinois, which improved seven games, made a bigger turnaround this year.

Under Mangino’s direction, KU will play in a bowl game for the third time in five years. Mangino is the first coach in school history to reach a bowl game three times.

The conference coach of the year honors marks the seventh time a KU coach has won the honor. Mangino joins Pepper Rodgers (1967), Bud Moore (1975), Don Fambrough (1981), Mike Gottfried (1984) and Mason (1991 and 1995).

McClinton, a senior defensive tackle from Garland, Texas, was named the league’s Defensive Lineman of the Year by the coaches. McClinton has recorded 38 tackles, including 11 tackles for loss this year. He has 2.5 sacks and registered an interception against Colorado.

Herford was tabbed as the league’s Special Teams Player of the Year. The junior from DeSoto, Texas, leads the Big 12 and ranks eighth in the NCAA with a 30.04 kickoff return average. He is one of 10 players in the country with at least two kickoff returns for touchdowns after scoring against Southeastern Louisiana and Baylor.

KU had four players named All-Big 12 First Team in offensive tackle Anthony Collins, McClinton, linebacker Joe Mortensen and cornerback Aqib Talib, who was one of two repeat first-team honorees from last season along with Kansas State defensive tackle Ian Campbell.

KU’s four first-team picks rank third in the conference behind Oklahoma (six) and Missouri (five). KU’s eight first or second team honorees also rank third behind Oklahoma (12) and Missouri (11). Three schools had five players named first or second team.

The four first-team selections are the most since KU had four named all-Big Eight in 1993.

Collins, a junior from Beaumont, Texas, who is also a finalist for the Outland Trophy given to the nation’s top lineman, has been KU’s top lineman this season. He has averaged nearly nine knockdowns per game, while helping pave the way for KU’s offense which has averaged 197 yards rushing and 295 yards passing this season.

Mortensen ranks eighth in the conference with 8.2 tackles per game after taking over the middle linebacker position this season. The junior from Concord, Calif., leads the conference and is tied for 45th in the NCAA with 1.17 tackles for loss per game.

Talib, who is a Bronko Nagurski Award finalist, has recorded 61 tackles, 13 passes broken up and four interceptions. The junior from Richardson, Texas, leads the Big 12 and is tied for 11th nationally with 1.42 passes defended per game.

Kansas’ second-team selections include quarterback Todd Reesing, running back Brandon McAnderson, wide receiver Marcus Henry and return man Herford.

Reesing, a sophomore from Austin, Texas, who is in his first year as a starter, has had a record-breaking season. He has thrown for a school record 3,259 yards and a school record 32 touchdowns, while ranking 12th in the nation in passing efficiency.

McAnderson, a senior from Lawrence, Kan., became the 12th player in KU history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season and he has 1,050 yards through the regular season. McAnderson has rushed for 100 yards in five different games and has averaged 6.0 yards per carry.

Henry is just six yards shy of becoming the third player in KU history to record 1,000 receiving yards in a season as he has 52 catches for 994 yards and nine touchdowns through 12 games. The senior from Lawton, Okla. has five 100-yard receiving games this season and has produced a team-best 16 plays of 20 or more yards, including eight of at least 40 yards.

KU honorable mention selections include center Ryan Cantrell, linebacker James Holt, linebacker Mike Rivera, offensive tackle Cesar Rodriguez, safety Darrell Stuckey and place kicker Scott Webb.

Cantrell, a junior, has been KU’s most consistent offensive lineman, starting all 12 games at the center position.

Holt is second on the team with 91 tackles, while also ranking second with 12 tackles for loss. The junior is the only player on the team to record at least five tackles in every game this year and has three double-digit tackle games.

Rivera ranks third on the team with 84 tackles and had a career-high 14 against Missouri in the final regular season game. The junior has been involved in five turnovers this season with one interception, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Rodriguez, a senior, has started a team-best 41 games on the offensive line in his career, including 27 consecutive starts. He mans the right tackle position.

Stuckey, a sophomore, is the fourth-leading tackler on the team with 66 stops. He has two interceptions and two fumble recoveries this year. Against Missouri in the last regular season game, he recorded a career-best 12 tackles.

Webb, a senior, has made 17 of 24 field goal attempts as well as 63 of 64 PATs en route to a record setting year and career. His 114 points this season are the most in school history.

2007 All-Big 12 Football Awards

OFFENSIVE NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
Deon Murphy, Kansas State, Jr., WR, Houston, Texas

DEFENSIVE NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
Gary Chandler, Kansas State, Jr., DB, Wichita, Kan.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN OF THE YEAR
Adam Spieker, Missouri, Sr., Webb City, Mo.
Cody Wallace, Texas A&M, Sr., Cuero, Texas

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE YEAR
James McClinton, Kansas, Sr., Garland, Texas

COACH OF THE YEAR
Mark Mangino, Kansas, 6th season

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Chase Daniel, Missouri, Jr., QB, Southlake, Texas

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Jordon Dizon, Colorado, Sr., LB, Kauai, Hawaii

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Marcus Herford, Kansas, Jr., WR, DeSoto, Texas

OFFENSIVE FRESHMEN OF THE YEAR
Jeremy Maclin, Missouri, Fr., WR, Kirkwood, Mo.
Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech, Fr., WR, Dallas, Texas

DEFENSIVE FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma, Fr., DT, Oklahoma City, Okla.

2007 All-Big 12 Football First Team

OFFENSE
Pos. Player, School
QB Chase Daniel, Missouri
RB Dantrell Savage, Oklahoma State
RB Jamaal Charles, Texas
FB Brody Eldridge, Oklahoma
WR Jordy Nelson, Kansas State
WR Jeremy Maclin, Missouri
WR Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
TE Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma State
OL Anthony Collins, Kansas
OL Adam Speiker, Missouri
OL Duke Robinson, Oklahoma
OL Tony Hills, Texas
OL Cody Wallace, Texas A&M
PK Alex Trlica, Texas Tech
KR/PR Jeremy Maclin, Missouri

DEFENSE
DL George Hypolite, Colorado
DL James McClinton, Kansas
DL Ian Campbell [r1], Kansas State
DL Lorenzo Williams, Missouri
DL Auston English, Oklahoma
LB Jordon Dizon, Colorado
LB Joe Mortensen, Kansas
LB Curtis Lofton, Oklahoma
DB Terrence Wheatley, Colorado
DB Aqib Talib [r1], Kansas
DB Nic Harris, Oklahoma
DB Reggie Smith, Oklahoma
DB Marcus Griffin, Texas
P Tim Reyer**, Kansas State
[r1] - Repeat first team selection from last season
**Unanimous Selection

2007 All-Big 12 Football Second Team

OFFENSE
Pos. Player, School
QB Todd Reesing, Kansas
QB Graham Harrell, Texas Tech
RB Brandon McAnderson, Kansas
RB Marlon Lucky, Nebraska
FB Chris Alexander, [r2] Texas A&M
WR Marcus Henry, Kansas
WR Malcolm Kelly, [r2] Oklahoma
WR Adarius Bowman, Oklahoma State
TE Martin Rucker, Missouri
OL Tyler Polumbus, Colorado
OL Carl Nicks, Nebraska
OL Phil Loadholt, Oklahoma
OL Brandon Walker, Oklahoma
OL David Koenig, Oklahoma State
PK Jeff Wolfert, Missouri
PK Garrett Hartley, [r2] Oklahoma
KR/PR Marcus Herford, Kansas

DEFENSE
DL Stryker Sulak, Missouri
DL Demarcus Granger, Oklahoma
DL Nathan Peterson, Oklahoma State
DL Derek Lokey, Texas
DL Frank Okam, Texas
DL Chris Harrington, Texas A&M
LB Alvin Bowen [r2], Iowa State
LB Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri
LB Misi Tupe, Texas A&M
DB Jordan Lake, Baylor
DB Justin McKinney, Kansas State
DB Cornelius Brown, Missouri
DB William Moore, Missouri
DB D.J. Wolfe, Oklahoma
P Justin Brantly, Texas A&M
Ties in the voting created additional positions on the second team for quarterback, placekicker and defensive line.
[r2] - Repeat second team selection from last season

2007 All-Big 12 Honorable Mention
Baylor: Dan Gay, OL; Jake La Mar, DB; Jason Lamb, DL; Joe Pawelek, LB; Brandon Whitaker, RB;
Colorado: Hugh Charles, RB; Kevin Eberhart, PK; Edwin Harrison, OL; Brandon Nicolas, DL; Terrence Wheatley, PR/KR;
Iowa State: Todd Blythe, WR; Bryce Braaksma, DL; Athyba Rubin, DL;
Kansas: Ryan Cantrell, OL; James Holt, LB; Mike Rivera, LB; Cesar Rodriguez, OL; Darrell Stuckey, DB; Scott Webb, PK;
Kansas State: Alesana Alesana, OL; Chris Carney, DB; Josh Freeman, QB; Rob Jackson, DL; James Johnson, RB; Deon Murphy, WR;
Deon Murphy, PR/KR; Jordy Nelson, PR/KR; Michael Pooschke, FB; Logan Robinson, OL; Brooks Rossman, PK; Reggie
Walker, LB;
Missouri: Colin Brown, OL; Tommy Chavis, DL; Brock Christopher, LB; Chase Coffman, TE; William Franklin, WR; Carl Gettis, DB;
Ziggy Hood, DL; Tony Temple, RB;
Nebraska: Larry Asante, DB; Brett Byford, OL; Cortney Grixby, PR/KR; Jacob Hickman, OL; Lydon Murtha, OL; Steve Octavien, LB;
Zach Potter, DL; Maurice Purify, WR; Bo Ruud, LB; Dan Titchener, P;
Oklahoma: Lewis Baker, LB; Sam Bradford, QB; Joe Jon Finley, TE; Jermaine Gresham, TE; Juaquin Iglesias, WR; Gerald McCoy,
DL; DeMarco Murray, RB;
Oklahoma State: Perrish Cox, PR/KR: Jacob Lacey, DB; Russell Okung, OL; Donovan Woods, LB;
Texas: Ryan Bailey, PK; Quan Cosby, PR/KR; Scott Derry, LB; Jermichael Finley, TE; Brandon Foster, DB; Dallas Griffin, OL; Roy
Miller, DL; Adam Ulatoski, OL;
Texas A&M: Michael Bennett, DL; Martellus Bennett, TE; Red Bryant, DL; Marquis Carpenter, DB; Corey Clark, OL; Mark Dodge, LB;
Kirk Elder, OL; Jorvorskie Lane, RB; Stephen McGee, QB;
Texas Tech: Danny Amendola, WR; Brandon Carter, OL; Joe Garcia, DB; Rajon Henley, DL; Darcel McBath, DB; Chris Parker, DB;
Jonathan LaCour, P; Rylan Reed, OL; Louis Vasquez, OL; Jamar Wall, DB; Colby Whitlock, DL; Brandon Williams, DL;
Marlon Williams, LB;

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LAWRENCE, Kan. - Kansas football coach Mark Mangino, defensive tackle James McClinton and return man Marcus Herford earned Big 12 Conference individual awards and 14 Jayhawks were named to the All-Big 12 Conference teams which were released Tuesday.

Of the 14 Jayhawks selected to the teams, which were voted on by the league coaches, four earned first-team honors, four earned second-team accolades and six were tabbed to the honorable mention team.

Mangino was named Big 12 Coach of the Year and became the first KU coach to earn league honors since Glen Mason was named the Big Eight Coach of the Year in 1995. The sixth-year head coach has guided the Jayhawks to an 11-1 record and a ranking of fifth in the BCS poll. KU reached its highest ranking in school history when it was second in the BCS poll on Nov. 18.

Kansas has posted one of the nation’s biggest turnarounds in 2007 as after a 6-6 season last year, KU improved five games this season. Only Illinois, which improved seven games, made a bigger turnaround this year.

Under Mangino’s direction, KU will play in a bowl game for the third time in five years. Mangino is the first coach in school history to reach a bowl game three times.

The conference coach of the year honors marks the seventh time a KU coach has won the honor. Mangino joins Pepper Rodgers (1967), Bud Moore (1975), Don Fambrough (1981), Mike Gottfried (1984) and Mason (1991 and 1995).

McClinton, a senior defensive tackle from Garland, Texas, was named the league’s Defensive Lineman of the Year by the coaches. McClinton has recorded 38 tackles, including 11 tackles for loss this year. He has 2.5 sacks and registered an interception against Colorado.

Herford was tabbed as the league’s Special Teams Player of the Year. The junior from DeSoto, Texas, leads the Big 12 and ranks eighth in the NCAA with a 30.04 kickoff return average. He is one of 10 players in the country with at least two kickoff returns for touchdowns after scoring against Southeastern Louisiana and Baylor.

KU had four players named All-Big 12 First Team in offensive tackle Anthony Collins, McClinton, linebacker Joe Mortensen and cornerback Aqib Talib, who was one of two repeat first-team honorees from last season along with Kansas State defensive tackle Ian Campbell.

KU’s four first-team picks rank third in the conference behind Oklahoma (six) and Missouri (five). KU’s eight first or second team honorees also rank third behind Oklahoma (12) and Missouri (11). Three schools had five players named first or second team.

The four first-team selections are the most since KU had four named all-Big Eight in 1993.

Collins, a junior from Beaumont, Texas, who is also a finalist for the Outland Trophy given to the nation’s top lineman, has been KU’s top lineman this season. He has averaged nearly nine knockdowns per game, while helping pave the way for KU’s offense which has averaged 197 yards rushing and 295 yards passing this season.

Mortensen ranks eighth in the conference with 8.2 tackles per game after taking over the middle linebacker position this season. The junior from Concord, Calif., leads the conference and is tied for 45th in the NCAA with 1.17 tackles for loss per game.

Talib, who is a Bronko Nagurski Award finalist, has recorded 61 tackles, 13 passes broken up and four interceptions. The junior from Richardson, Texas, leads the Big 12 and is tied for 11th nationally with 1.42 passes defended per game.

Kansas’ second-team selections include quarterback Todd Reesing, running back Brandon McAnderson, wide receiver Marcus Henry and return man Herford.

Reesing, a sophomore from Austin, Texas, who is in his first year as a starter, has had a record-breaking season. He has thrown for a school record 3,259 yards and a school record 32 touchdowns, while ranking 12th in the nation in passing efficiency.

McAnderson, a senior from Lawrence, Kan., became the 12th player in KU history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season and he has 1,050 yards through the regular season. McAnderson has rushed for 100 yards in five different games and has averaged 6.0 yards per carry.

Henry is just six yards shy of becoming the third player in KU history to record 1,000 receiving yards in a season as he has 52 catches for 994 yards and nine touchdowns through 12 games. The senior from Lawton, Okla. has five 100-yard receiving games this season and has produced a team-best 16 plays of 20 or more yards, including eight of at least 40 yards.

KU honorable mention selections include center Ryan Cantrell, linebacker James Holt, linebacker Mike Rivera, offensive tackle Cesar Rodriguez, safety Darrell Stuckey and place kicker Scott Webb.

Cantrell, a junior, has been KU’s most consistent offensive lineman, starting all 12 games at the center position.

Holt is second on the team with 91 tackles, while also ranking second with 12 tackles for loss. The junior is the only player on the team to record at least five tackles in every game this year and has three double-digit tackle games.

Rivera ranks third on the team with 84 tackles and had a career-high 14 against Missouri in the final regular season game. The junior has been involved in five turnovers this season with one interception, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Rodriguez, a senior, has started a team-best 41 games on the offensive line in his career, including 27 consecutive starts. He mans the right tackle position.

Stuckey, a sophomore, is the fourth-leading tackler on the team with 66 stops. He has two interceptions and two fumble recoveries this year. Against Missouri in the last regular season game, he recorded a career-best 12 tackles.

Webb, a senior, has made 17 of 24 field goal attempts as well as 63 of 64 PATs en route to a record setting year and career. His 114 points this season are the most in school history.

2007 All-Big 12 Football Awards

OFFENSIVE NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
Deon Murphy, Kansas State, Jr., WR, Houston, Texas

DEFENSIVE NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
Gary Chandler, Kansas State, Jr., DB, Wichita, Kan.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN OF THE YEAR
Adam Spieker, Missouri, Sr., Webb City, Mo.
Cody Wallace, Texas A&M, Sr., Cuero, Texas

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE YEAR
James McClinton, Kansas, Sr., Garland, Texas

COACH OF THE YEAR
Mark Mangino, Kansas, 6th season

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Chase Daniel, Missouri, Jr., QB, Southlake, Texas

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Jordon Dizon, Colorado, Sr., LB, Kauai, Hawaii

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Marcus Herford, Kansas, Jr., WR, DeSoto, Texas

OFFENSIVE FRESHMEN OF THE YEAR
Jeremy Maclin, Missouri, Fr., WR, Kirkwood, Mo.
Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech, Fr., WR, Dallas, Texas

DEFENSIVE FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma, Fr., DT, Oklahoma City, Okla.

2007 All-Big 12 Football First Team

OFFENSE
Pos. Player, School
QB Chase Daniel, Missouri
RB Dantrell Savage, Oklahoma State
RB Jamaal Charles, Texas
FB Brody Eldridge, Oklahoma
WR Jordy Nelson, Kansas State
WR Jeremy Maclin, Missouri
WR Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
TE Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma State
OL Anthony Collins, Kansas
OL Adam Speiker, Missouri
OL Duke Robinson, Oklahoma
OL Tony Hills, Texas
OL Cody Wallace, Texas A&M
PK Alex Trlica, Texas Tech
KR/PR Jeremy Maclin, Missouri

DEFENSE
DL George Hypolite, Colorado
DL James McClinton, Kansas
DL Ian Campbell [r1], Kansas State
DL Lorenzo Williams, Missouri
DL Auston English, Oklahoma
LB Jordon Dizon, Colorado
LB Joe Mortensen, Kansas
LB Curtis Lofton, Oklahoma
DB Terrence Wheatley, Colorado
DB Aqib Talib [r1], Kansas
DB Nic Harris, Oklahoma
DB Reggie Smith, Oklahoma
DB Marcus Griffin, Texas
P Tim Reyer**, Kansas State
[r1] - Repeat first team selection from last season
**Unanimous Selection

2007 All-Big 12 Football Second Team

OFFENSE
Pos. Player, School
QB Todd Reesing, Kansas
QB Graham Harrell, Texas Tech
RB Brandon McAnderson, Kansas
RB Marlon Lucky, Nebraska
FB Chris Alexander, [r2] Texas A&M
WR Marcus Henry, Kansas
WR Malcolm Kelly, [r2] Oklahoma
WR Adarius Bowman, Oklahoma State
TE Martin Rucker, Missouri
OL Tyler Polumbus, Colorado
OL Carl Nicks, Nebraska
OL Phil Loadholt, Oklahoma
OL Brandon Walker, Oklahoma
OL David Koenig, Oklahoma State
PK Jeff Wolfert, Missouri
PK Garrett Hartley, [r2] Oklahoma
KR/PR Marcus Herford, Kansas

DEFENSE
DL Stryker Sulak, Missouri
DL Demarcus Granger, Oklahoma
DL Nathan Peterson, Oklahoma State
DL Derek Lokey, Texas
DL Frank Okam, Texas
DL Chris Harrington, Texas A&M
LB Alvin Bowen [r2], Iowa State
LB Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri
LB Misi Tupe, Texas A&M
DB Jordan Lake, Baylor
DB Justin McKinney, Kansas State
DB Cornelius Brown, Missouri
DB William Moore, Missouri
DB D.J. Wolfe, Oklahoma
P Justin Brantly, Texas A&M
Ties in the voting created additional positions on the second team for quarterback, placekicker and defensive line.
[r2] - Repeat second team selection from last season

2007 All-Big 12 Honorable Mention
Baylor: Dan Gay, OL; Jake La Mar, DB; Jason Lamb, DL; Joe Pawelek, LB; Brandon Whitaker, RB;
Colorado: Hugh Charles, RB; Kevin Eberhart, PK; Edwin Harrison, OL; Brandon Nicolas, DL; Terrence Wheatley, PR/KR;
Iowa State: Todd Blythe, WR; Bryce Braaksma, DL; Athyba Rubin, DL;
Kansas: Ryan Cantrell, OL; James Holt, LB; Mike Rivera, LB; Cesar Rodriguez, OL; Darrell Stuckey, DB; Scott Webb, PK;
Kansas State: Alesana Alesana, OL; Chris Carney, DB; Josh Freeman, QB; Rob Jackson, DL; James Johnson, RB; Deon Murphy, WR;
Deon Murphy, PR/KR; Jordy Nelson, PR/KR; Michael Pooschke, FB; Logan Robinson, OL; Brooks Rossman, PK; Reggie
Walker, LB;
Missouri: Colin Brown, OL; Tommy Chavis, DL; Brock Christopher, LB; Chase Coffman, TE; William Franklin, WR; Carl Gettis, DB;
Ziggy Hood, DL; Tony Temple, RB;
Nebraska: Larry Asante, DB; Brett Byford, OL; Cortney Grixby, PR/KR; Jacob Hickman, OL; Lydon Murtha, OL; Steve Octavien, LB;
Zach Potter, DL; Maurice Purify, WR; Bo Ruud, LB; Dan Titchener, P;
Oklahoma: Lewis Baker, LB; Sam Bradford, QB; Joe Jon Finley, TE; Jermaine Gresham, TE; Juaquin Iglesias, WR; Gerald McCoy,
DL; DeMarco Murray, RB;
Oklahoma State: Perrish Cox, PR/KR: Jacob Lacey, DB; Russell Okung, OL; Donovan Woods, LB;
Texas: Ryan Bailey, PK; Quan Cosby, PR/KR; Scott Derry, LB; Jermichael Finley, TE; Brandon Foster, DB; Dallas Griffin, OL; Roy
Miller, DL; Adam Ulatoski, OL;
Texas A&M: Michael Bennett, DL; Martellus Bennett, TE; Red Bryant, DL; Marquis Carpenter, DB; Corey Clark, OL; Mark Dodge, LB;
Kirk Elder, OL; Jorvorskie Lane, RB; Stephen McGee, QB;
Texas Tech: Danny Amendola, WR; Brandon Carter, OL; Joe Garcia, DB; Rajon Henley, DL; Darcel McBath, DB; Chris Parker, DB;
Jonathan LaCour, P; Rylan Reed, OL; Louis Vasquez, OL; Jamar Wall, DB; Colby Whitlock, DL; Brandon Williams, DL;
Marlon Williams, LB;

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YouTube will help capture this “high point” in Mizzou’s history, so someone send me the link when it’s up.

Here’s what happened:

Chris Fowler recounted the history of this rivalry:

“Kansas - Missouri hatred dates back to the 1850’s…pre Civil war, hideous tales of rape, and murder, and pillage…Missourians once burned Lawrence to the ground…”

At that moment, the entire Missouri cheering section erupted in cheers. Pathetic. A sign behind fowler reads “Billy Quantrill, a true American hero.”

Here’s a history of said “American Hero” from PBS:

The climax of Quantrill’s guerilla career came on August 21, 1863, when he led a force of 450 raiders into Lawrence, Kansas, a stronghold of pro-Union support and the home of Senator James H. Lane, whose leading role in the struggle for free-soil in Kansas had made him a public enemy to pro-slavery forces in Missouri. Lane managed to escape, racing through a cornfield in his nightshirt, but Quantrill and his men killed 183 men and boys, dragging some from their homes to murder them in front of their families, and set the torch to much of the city.

Whatever happens tonight, Missouri ought to be ashamed of its behavior.

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I’ve never read much Chris Fowler in the past, but I’ll definitely be reading more. Despite the fact that he ends up favoring Mizzou in this matchup, his article does quite a bit more than simply recounting the history of the rivalry, which is pretty much what every other national writer besides Dennis Dodd has done this week.

In any case, I can’t wait for kickoff in what I hope will be a wild display with just enough service breaks to make it dramatic. By the end of the night, I want to be able to hum both fight songs in my sleep!

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With a Thursday night game looming here is the earlier than usual slate for Week 13.*

TURKEY DAY:

1. USC -3.5 at Arizona St

No turkey of a game here. Could be the second wildest game of the weekend. I will take the Home Dog to at least stay within a field goal against one of the country’s premiere underachieving teams this year.

ASU

SHOPPING DAY:

2. Nebraska +5.5 at Colorado

Which NU team shows up: the one that allowed 76 points to KU, or the one that scored 73 against k-state? Wouldn’t the Huskers like to push a reset button and start the conference season over?

NU

3. UT -5.5 at A&M

This one’s easy: the Aggies played KU to within 8 points in College Station. And they don’t even hate the Jayhawks.

A&M

4. Arkansas +12.5 at LSU

LSU is a fine team, and if they make it to the BCS title game on a virtual Home field, they will be tough. But they get a little more respect than they have earned.

ARKANSAS

5. Boise St +3.5 at Hawaii

By the time this one is over, there will be but one FCS team remaining with a zero in the loss column. Say it loud. Say it proud., “Rock Chalk, Jay-Hawk. . .”

BSU

JUDGMENT DAY:

6. Duke +14 at UNC

The greatest rivalry in all of sports. Game Day. Fifty-two cable and satellite channels. 720 degree coverage. Hey–it makes as much sense now as it does in February or March.

Regardless, the Tar Heel pigskinners avenge Tyler Hansbrough’s broken nose.

UNC

7. Alabama +6 at Auburn

Historically, the most bitter rivalry in college football. For REAL. But a distant second this week.

Ya know something? It is hard to take a team that loses to La. Monroe seriously.

AUBURN

8. Tennessee +3 at Kentucky

The second best basketball school on the football field in the land states its case for the Cotton Bowl

KENTUCKY

9. Georgia -3.5 at Georgia Tech

Matthew Stafford is good. So good, he would be a nice back up QB at a number of Big 12 schools: KU, Mizzou, NU, Oklahoma, Texas, A&M, Tech. . .

Should be good enough in this game.

GEORGIA

10. Okie St +12 at Oklahoma

Speaking of backups, Joey Halzle will get the job done after a week of taking first team reps. Barry Switzer, the Big M’s old boss, will have the Sooners ready to play. They will put the finishing touches on a 6-2 record and stamp their ticket for San Antone a week hence.

But by 12 points? Are you kidding me? Against a team that could stay within 15 of KU at Home?

Okie St

11. Notre Dame +3.5 at Stanford

Notre Dame has one last chance to avoid double digits in the L column. If this game were only in South Bend, where the Fighting Irish are riding their longest home field winning streak of the season. . .

STANFORD

12. Florida St +14 at Florida

You can throw the record book out the window in this rivalry game. Unfortunately, for FSU, Tim Tebow will be throwing the football into the end zone—and carrying it. . .

FU

13. k-state +1 at Fresno St

What could Vegas be thinking?

FRESNO

14. Oregon -2 at UCLA

Like the other OU, Oregon’s backup QB—in this case, Ryan Leaf’s little brother—will look a lot better after a week of preparation as The Man. Unlike the other OU, the Ducks’ starter is irreplaceable.

UCLA

15. KU -2 v. Mizzou (Kansas City)

Saving the best for last. Almost always a good practice.

Mizzou would have had the edge in this game in October, before the Jayhawks learned that they could not only compete with, but beat teams on the Road—teams that had counted the KU game as a W before the season started.

On the last Saturday of November, this game is rated as a virtual toss-up by Vegas and by anyone who has a clue.

But someone has to have the edge. Who is it?

Some say Mizzou. Some say KU has been the beneficiary of an easy schedule, that they have not played anyone currently in the Top 25 or anyone with more than six wins. As if that somehow means they are not a legitimate Top 5 team. Never mind winning at a venue where Oklahoma lost while at full strength. Never mind defeating k-state on the Road when they were playing well, one week after they pounded Texas by 20 points in Austin. Never mind taking out A&M on the Road when they were playing well and were desperate to win when it was still conceivable that their coach could keep his job.

Never mind scoring more points than any team in history against Nebraska. Never mind putting up 43 in Stillwater, and handily taking out a team by 15 that had beaten Tech and k-state and lost to Texas on the last plays of those games.

Forget the schedule. KU has taken care of business the way a strong team should take care of lesser teams.

Some still subscribe to the myth that Mizzou has the edge at QB. In REALity, Chase Daniel is very good. He has a strong arm, he is elusive, he makes good decisions. But he is no better in any of these respects than Todd Reesing. In fact, if anything, Touchdown Todd is more accurate than Daniel. But the difference in the two in quarterbacking skills is so slight as to be negligible.

If there is any meaningful edge at QB, it stems from the fact that Daniel has shown that he is susceptible to succumbing to big game pressure. Those championing Mizzou point to the fact that they played OU tough in Norman. They rarely mention that, although Mizzou was in position to win that game, Daniel dropped the ball. Literally, as well as figuratively. Meanwhile, Reesing has not shown that anything adversely affects him. He shrugged off two early INT’s in his first Road start and proceeded to rip k-state apart. And virtually every time the Hawks have fallen behind this season, he has responded immediately with a T.D. drive. No matter the situation, he just keeps playing his game.

Still, I doubt that QB will be the deciding factor in this game. As they say in those PGA commercials: These Guys Are Good.

Jason Whitlock has been singing the praises of Jeremy Maclin, Mizzou’s freshman speed demon, calling him the best player on either team, and suggesting that he will be the X-Factor that separates the teams.

Again, I have to give Mizzou its due. Maclin is a play-maker. And if the game were likely to be a low scoring, 14-10 affair, I might agree that he is the most likely player to break the big play that determines the Big 12 North’s representative next week in Alamo-town.

But KU has playmakers, too. The same day Maclin took a short pass and turned it into an 82 yard TD to help Mizzou down A&M, Marcus Henry took a short pass from Reesing between two Okie St defenders and turned it into an 82 yard TD. Maclin had more separation from the defense as he crossed the goal line, but whether you beat your pursuers to the end zone by two yards or five, you get six points. No extra credit for style points. And don’t forget Dexton Fields, Dez Briscoe, and Brandon McAnderson, all of whom have recorded big plays this season—not to mention Reesing’s 53 yard scramble at Colorado.

In a game in which both teams could score in the 30’s, or even the 40’s, there will be big plays. Whether either team scores on one big play or a number of shorter plays is not going to decide the outcome. The key will be not settling for field goals.

In their last three games, KU has rolled to 164 points (54.7 ppg), while Mizzou has scored 144 (48 ppg). Neither team has a meaningful edge offensively.

So which team is better equipped to make the other settle for field goals? KU has the better defense. That much is certain. But does it REALly make a difference? It doesn’t unless the better D can actually stop or slow down the opponent’s offense.

This game is reminiscent of two games in recent years. The first, in this very stadium, being the Chiefs vs. the Colts in the 2004 playoffs. Zero punts the entire game by either team. But the Colts had the better D, relatively speaking, and held the Chiefs to a field goal on one possession. That was the game.

The other is USC vs. Texas. UT had a marginally better defense, but it was not good enough to stop the Trojans’ offense. There were some punts, however. Two by each team. But the team with the better D made one play, stopping USC on a fourth and 2, to take possession with two minutes remaining, down 38-34.

If it comes down to one defensive play, the Jayhawks are more likely to make it. But not by much.

In fact, it is likely that neither team makes a play that wins the game. Rather, one team will fail to make a play. As USC did when an easy INT was dropped for no apparent reason on what turned into the game winning drive. Missed chances to secure turnovers will be huge. Dropped passes in the end zone will be huge. Bad spots or bogus penalties called by a ref or line judge that coincidentally help Texas whine its way into a BCS bowl will be huge.

But how do you assess the probability of these things. You don’t. You can’t.

What you can do is ask which team has the better Offense overall. Answer: It’s a push.

Receivers? Mizzou.

Running backs? KU

Overall D? KU.

Defensive line? Linebackers.? Defensive backs? KU. KU. KU.

Special teams? Big edge to KU in punting. Maclin and Hereford are a push in kick returns. Place kicking is a push.

Coaching? KU. (See 3 of the last 4 year, with Mizzou favored every game.)

And, in my mind, most importantly (again saving the best for last), offensive line. It is this group, more than any other, which determines who controls a close game. KU has the edge.

Makes you wonder why KU is only a two point favorite.

Beats me. Probably because in none of the areas in which KU has the edge is it a big edge, with the exception of punting.

In sum, if the game is efficiently played, without cheap points off turnovers playing a major factor, KU has enough advantages to justify giving 2 points.

And besides, KU is 10-0 against the spread. Why in the world would you bet against that?

Lose, Tigers, lose to the Big Blue.
You’re in the big time when you play KU.
Throw the ball away and have no fear.
Tonight the Hawks will grab your tail and kick your rear.
So lose, Tigers, lose to the Big Blue.
We’ll score many points and you’ll score few,
We will stomp you ‘til you moan and groan
And you’ll wish you’d stayed at home.

–Mark

*For entertainment purposes only. No guarantees. No refunds.

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With Thanksgiving on the horizon, KU fans everywhere need to take this Saturday to thank our seniors. And juniors, sophomores, and freshmen. And coaching staff. And the players who laid the groundwork for KU’s respectability, like Nick Reid, Bill Whittemore, even Brian Luke, et al. And Al Bohl. That’s right, I said Al Bohl. He might have limped away from Lawrence a crushed dove, but he had the guts to stand up to his ultimate crusher and insist on taking the first steps to make KU more than a one sport school. And he played a key role in the selection of the Man who might well be KU’s best coach ever.

After KU was manhandled by UT in 2001, I recall Bohl saying that the next time KU came to Austin, we would bring a team KU fans could be proud of. This was after ruffling the feathers of UNC’s current basketball coach by removing Terry Allen before the end of the season and before The Big M was hired. And, yes, although the score in Austin in ’05 was not an improvement over ’01, that team had beaten UT on the playing field the year before, and did us proud for the season, ending the preposterous losing streak to NU that was approaching four decades, and culminating in an OT victory to secure a Fort Worth Bowl bid (where we put the hurt on someone else for a change).

And although I have been as proud of every KU team that has clawed and scratched and scraped in losing efforts against better teams—often much better—as I am of this team, I must admit that this is nicer.

The games of Week 12:

1. Iowa St +26 at KU

The Clash of the Vegas Titans.

KU is 9-0 against the spread this season. Iowa St is on a 4 game streak of its own. And Vegas, for the fourth consecutive week, has shocked me with the respect it affords the Jayhawks. 26 is a lot of points, even at Home, against a team that has spent the last month winning some games, hanging tough in others.

The question is: How badly do the Hawks want to win by 26+? Are they distracted by BCS talk? Are they looking ahead to Arrowhead next week?

Through ten games, KU has not been distracted by anything. This is due in part, in my opinion, to my Eric Bana theory. (No, not a reference to The Incredible Hulk—and no Mangino jokes, please. Or the little seen “Lucky You”—that ending sucked.) You will recall, of curse, the film in which Bana portrayed an Angel of Retribution, single-mindedly seeking out and causing the demise of one Munich terrorist after another. Distracted by nothing—well, except for the gratuitous cold-blooded murder of an operative who had exercised bad form by taking out one of his personal friends on his death squad.

The Jayhawks have, likewise, engaged in a single-minded week by week quest to this point. No looking ahead, no pondering the consequences of winning a particular game on polls, on the BCS rankings, or on whether they will silence the East Coast doubters. And thinking about consequences is what gets players and teams out of their comfort zone, leading to failure to accomplish the very thing they want so dearly.

To this point, the Jayhawks have been able to hold thoughts of season-long goals and consequences at bay, because each opponent has presented a short term goal of its own. Each week has brought the opportunity to exorcise ghosts of seasons past.

It started with the mid and no-majors, who have frequently derailed the Jayhawks in the past before they could even start dreaming of accomplishing something noteworthy. Most notably, the inexplicable loss to Toledo last year cost the Hawks a chance to go bowling to even the minorest of minor bowls.

This year: check, check, check, and check.

k-state? KU hadn’t beaten them in Manhattan in 18 years. Check.

Baylor? Biggest giveaway of 2006. Check.

Colorado? Last win in Boulder: 1995. Check.

A&M? Another fourth quarter folly of 2006. No wins ever in College Station. 1-7 all time. Check.

Nebraska? Yet another fourth quarter collapse last year in Lincoln. OT debacle. Not to mention 1-37. Check.

Okie St? 42 second half points in 2006, erasing—no, obliterating—KU’s 17 point lead at the half. 300+ yards receiving by one player. Check.

But Iowa St? What Cyclone demon is there to exorcise? We beat them like a drum last year. Secured our Fort Worth Bowl invitation against them in OT in ’05—in the process, keeping them out of the Big 12 Championship game. The last REAL gripe I have against ISU is their barrage of 40 foot shots falling like layups in 2001, depriving us of a share of yet another basketball championship. Like this year’s football team carries a grudge about that. . .

I’ve got nothin’. It’s Iowa St that should be out to prove something. And often the toughest opponent for a team on the rise, like KU, to beat, is one of your former peers, that will (a) not believe you are that good, and (b) do everything in its power to avoid being left behind to rot in shanty-ville while watching you enjoy a new life, a better life. Of course, we had the same scenario with Baylor and did all right. But ISU is a little better than Baylor. Of course, who isn’t?

I will not be shocked if ISU plays us tough. Too tough, even, for comfort.

But I also will not be surprised if this version of the Hawks just takes care of business, even without any opponent-specific motivation, because that is who they are.

Gotta keep taking the team that has covered every week until they don’t.

KU

2. Okie St -14.5 at Baylor

Who isn’t 15 points better than Baylor?

OKIE ST

3. Oklahoma -8.5 at Texas Tech

Mike Leach doesn’t know if the Big 12 refs are biased FOR UT or AGAINST Tech. Come on, Mike. You’re a smart guy, having a law degree and all. Here’s betting you get a fair shake this week in spite of annoying the powers that be by being crazy enough to speak the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

TECH

4. Mizzou -7 at k-state

How can Mizzou not be looking ahead? Well, for one thing, a loss here likely ends its dream of winning the North. k-state, though, will be on the same mission Nebraska was on last week to rid itself of the bad taste of being hit in the mouth with a 70 spot. Giving up 73 to Joe Ganz in his second start ever, however, makes it tough to think k-state can hang around against Chase Daniel and Co. This spread is enough to give one pause and wonder what Vegas knows that no one else does. . .

MIZZOU

5. Penn St -3 at Michigan St

In these days of global warming, it is important to go green. And Home.

MICHIGAN ST

6. Ohio St -4 at Michigan

Quick: When was the last time these teams both came into this game off losses? Roughly about the same time KU was last 10-0? Michigan is the more suspect team, having been taken to the cleaners three times this year. I mean, can you REALly see a team in the Rose Bowl that lost to Appalachian St?

OHIP ST

7. Wisconsin -14 at Minnesota

Well, okay. Maybe there is a team that isn’t 15 points better than Baylor. But who, other than Baylor, isn’t 15 points better than the Golden Gophers?

8. Northwestern +13.5 at Illinois

The Illini are so young and erratic, I would like this line in Evanston. I almost like it in Champagne. But not quite.

Illinois

9. Duke +6 at Notre Dame

So this is what it has come down to: Notre Dame favored by a mere TD sans PAT at Home against a basketball school. Would be 2-3 points on a neutral field. Would be a pick in Durham. Has the world turned upside down? Are the toilets in the northern hemisphere flushing clockwise? What next? A basketball school vying for a BCS berth?

If the Fighting Irish have ANY pride, they cover this spread. If not, it’s paper bag time for Touchdown Jesus.

Notre Dame

10. Louisville +7 at South Florida

Brian Brohm vs. Matt Grothe. A lot of points, not much separation.

LOUISVILLE

11. Vanderbilt +11.5 at Tennessee

The Vols are still in the running for the SEC’s automatic BCS bowl bid. Vandy? They are in the running for bowl eligibility. Expect the Commodores to hang around for a quarter or two.

TENNESSEE

12. LSU -19.5 at Ole Miss.

LSU tries to hold off Oregon and KU in the human polls. Ole Miss has stayed within two scores of Mizzou, and one score of Florida and Alabama, all at Home. Also lost by 36 to Arkansas. They will play tough on Senior Day.

OLE MISS

13. Kentucky +8 at Georgia

UK has fallen on hard times recently after appearing earlier in the season as if they might be the top basketball school in football. I would like their chances in this game in Lexington. Between the hedges, not so much.

GEORGIA

14. Cal -7 at Washington

In the Emerald City, there is, indeed, no place like Home.

WASHINGTON

15. Oregon St +2 at Washington St

The same seems to be true throughout the Evergreen State.

WASHINGTON ST

When the time comes for the story of the 2007 Jayhawks to be made into a feature film ( I like the title “Glory Road,” because the Road is where this team has earned its glory—and because it is worthy of the title, unlike some fluke basketball team), I know who I want in the role of KU QB.

Let the games begin.

–Mark

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We all know that Dennis Dodd hasn’t been the biggest honker of KU’s horn over the years, and given that he lives so close to KU, that’s maybe stung a little worse. See the thing is that he knows us, but he isn’t one of us. He doesn’t festoon himself with Crimson and Blue, as I do, and wax poetic EVERY YEAR about how THIS is going to be THE YEAR. It’s a guilty pleasure of mine and most other fans of most other teams. We want to be a part of the fairy tale season, and if that means trading in years of disappointment for the one year we get to be on the bandwagon from day one, then so be it.

Point is that Dodd isn’t a KU homer like me. He’s not even a KU Marge (that was terrible).

But he believes in this KU football team thus far and has articulated very clearly why they are deserving of any accolades they get this year.

Football really isn’t that antiquated at Kansas. They’ve been playing there since 1890, a year before that Naismith guy nailed up his first peach basket.

But almost never like this. What does No. 1 mean? It means Kansas didn’t blow a 13-lead lead to what is now a three-loss Kentucky (as LSU did). Kansas didn’t blow a 17-point lead and lose to a currently 5-6 Colorado (as Oklahoma did). Its only loss isn’t to a Cal team that has lost four of the past five and dropped out of the rankings. But Oregon’s is.

The Jayhawks, though, have won them all.

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