Sound and the Fury: Barack Obama vs the NCAA
Thursday, November 20, 2008 at 06:37AM 
Barack Obama in Berlin / credit Matthias Winkelmann (click photo for location)
HOLD ON THERE BIG FELLA
Okay Barack, I'm know you've got a little power surge after taking the formidable John McCain down in the presidential beauty pageant. Cheers. And hey, we're all on board with a system that makes sense for determining a college football champion -- the mysteriously named "playoff system." However, why not warm up with some solveable problems like social security, immigration, terrorism or the current economy? Maybe try your luck going up against organized crime or Iran first. You know even Texas plays a weak non-con to get ready for the real season.
After such a bold claim, it's clear our hoopster president just isn't familiar with the N.C.A.A. Friend, they don't play around and they certainly aren't going to let you break their closed good-old-boy bowl network. Keep your eyes to the sky and watch for black helicopters because I'm pretty sure they're building a file on you.
It was a good call later claiming that is was a joke, that'll at least stall any type of call for a "re-vote" as pro-BCS parties are claiming a non-disclosure of a key platform. Of course, a re-vote might result in a true landslide based on this issue alone. Still, these guys aren't easily fooled. They're watching and their friend ABC/ESPN is probably putting on the foil right now. We're behind you, just tread lightly -- didn't you see Colors? You can't run down the hill after the bull.
Reference: Josh Levin / The Slate | Newsday
Talib in 2006 / credit annependleton (click photo for her site)
TALIB, WE MISSED YOU ON SENIOR DAY
“The biggest issue for us is that we were able to have a corner last year that we could put on an island and therefore help the other corner, which solidified our pass defense. And we’re not able to do that this year. And that’s the No. 1 problem.”
The new KUsports.com posted this info from Mark Mangino that we pretty much already knew. Still, the big man frames it well. I vote we get a new corner like Aqib, heck maybe even two. Who's with me? Otter? D-Day, Bluto?
Run & Gun: Struggling Mizzou Asks For Bailout -- KU Responds
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 at 06:00AM In the wake of the financial crisis, the University of Missouri is struggling to keep their heads above water. The University just recently announced plans for a hiring freeze at all campuses, and there was even speculation that the institution had asked the Federal government for a small piece of the $700 Billion bailout plan to jumpstart the University’s economy. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernake declined comment specific to MU, but did acknowledge the state of Missouri’s economy is at a critical stage and the gravity of the situation is very clear as we approach the holidays.
It appears as if Missouri residents all across the state are extremely concerned about the impact the economy will have on the holidays. One Columbia small business owner and huge Chase Daniel fan, Ollie Tabooger said, “Residents just aren’t buying like they normally do. I haven’t sold any race car tires yet this month, and Methamphetamine sales are way down. I guess they’ve all just decided to make the goods in their bald tired Trans Ams rather than buy from me.”
Additionally, there are even concerns that spirits are so low that people may not even decorate their trailer yards with the usual red and green flamingos as we head into the holiday season.
Realizing the magnitude of Missouri’s economic situation, it looks as if the Kansas University Football team may have responded (either intentionally or unintentionally) to MU’s cry for help. An unnamed Lawrence resident and Economics major has speculated that perhaps KU may have intentionally thrown both the Nebraska and Texas football games, locking up the North Division title for MU, simply because they were “taking pity on their rivals to the East.”
Although the theory may sound far fetched, experts have agreed that handing MU a division title, even though they haven’t really beaten anyone this year, just may be exactly what the State needs to re-build its economy and lift the spirits of its residents. Because there is a strong possibility that KU still may beat MU at Arrowhead Stadium on November 29, which could potentially push Missourians into a greater state of both economic and personal despair; this North Division title that was gift wrapped will be more important than ever, and must be used as a means to try to generate some revenue and stimulate the struggling economy.
KU officials have not commented on the theory, but have said they hope everything turns out “okay” for MU. They did however go on and say that they have no intention of conceding the game between the rivals to be played at Arrowhead in Kansas City, but at least one official said he hopes this is the last game ever between these teams in “concrete hell.”
In related news, officials from Texas Tech University, the University of Texas, Oklahoma University, and Oklahoma State University have all made similar comments about MU’s economic situation and recent entry into the Big 12 championship game, stating that they “don’t give a damn about the MU economy, and are going to stomp ‘em to hell!”
Around the Big 12: Week #12
Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at 06:35AM 1 (A+ 98%) - Texas Tech (10-0)
So the bye week creates kind of a championship type week buildup for the Tech/OU game. Good stuff. When you're not playing these guys, they're a lot of fun to watch. Didn't appreciate that Tech fan coming onto phog.net and talking trash to KU after the UT game though. How does that make sense?
(HD rank 5-5-4-4-4-4-4-4-2-1-1-1)
2 (A 97%) - Texas (10-1)
Because I've never witnessed it, they still represent the team I'd like to beat most in the Big 12. Mainly though, I'm pretty jealous of the scores of talented athletes they stock up on.
(HD rank 4-4-3-3-3-3-1-1-1-2-2-2)
3 (A 96%) - Oklahoma (9-1)
It's been a long wait for the Sooners since losing to UT. Can they deliver and create chaos in the division?
(HD rank 1-1-1-1-1-1-3-3-3-3-3-3)
4 (A- 92%) - Oklahoma State (9-2)
Not exactly a dominating win at Colorado (30-17), but I'll give the Cowboys the benefit of the doubt until I see them against OU. By the way, it looks like they'll catch the Sooners at a good time no matter what.
(HD rank 6-6-6-7-6-6-2-2-4-4-4-4)
5 (A- 91%) - Missouri (9-2)
Not quite exactly the chase for the national title that they expected, but definitely a season that cements them as a solid Big 12 program. Claiming the north means they get one last crack at an elite team from the south and the benefit of playing it at Arrowhead.
(HD rank 2-2-2-2-2-2-5-5-5-5-5-5)
6 (B 87%) - Nebraska (7-4)
Bo Pelini good, Bill Callahan, not so good. Nebraska fans can breathe again.
(HD rank 8-7-7-8-8-8-9-7-6-7-6-6)
7 (C 74%) - Kansas (6-5)
The fact that KU is not happy about a trip to a low-level bowl is good thing. The facilities are in place and check the recruiting classes and you'll see continued improvement there. Is 7-5 or 6-6 where you want to be in year seven? No, but the Big 12 is in a totally different stratosphere right now and I think we know now that losing six talented players was a bit more than we could handle.
(HD rank 3-3-5-6-5-5-6-6-7-6-7-7)
8 (C- 70%) Baylor (4-7)
The Bears handled A&M 41-21 in Waco and as usual it looks like they'll be a dangerous team by the time they get back on our rotation.
(HD rank 11-11-10-9-9-10-8-10-10-8-8-8)
9 (D- 62%) - Kansas State (4-7)
At this point, I think they should shutdown the university and move the vet and engineering schools to Lawrence. We can expand Memorial to 80,000 and finally have that one solid team that a small population state like Kansas should have. Hopefully, we can get Arkansas or Iowa to join the north to fill up that slot.
(HD rank 9-9-9-10-10-11-7-9-9-9-9-9)
10 (D- 61%) Texas A&M (4-7)
That one had to be hard to take. Two weeks to prepare for Austin, then wait until next year.
(HD rank 12-12-12-12-12-12-12-11-11-10-10)
11 (D- 60%) - Colorado (5-6)
They didn't get embarrassed, but once again, they didn't get the win. Still, a shot a bowl though.
(HD rank 7-8-8-5-7-7-10-8-8-11-11-11)
12 (F- 53%) Iowa State (2-9)
Can't even help out a friend with a simple home win that could have possibly* made the Border War a playoff for a Big 12 title game spot. You're dead to me ISU.
(HD rank 10-10-11-11-11-9-11-12-12-12-12-12)
*If CU could have won at Lincoln, which they can't.
Inside the Tent: Texas 35, Kansas 7
Sunday, November 16, 2008 at 05:35PM
Defeat and Hope
FROM ROW 46/STUDENT SECTION
It was a game I never could have imagined. The defense went to war against an explosive Texas offense and gave the Jayhawk offense multiple opportunities to get into the game. It was not to be as the Longhorn defense was up for the challenge of shutting down Todd Reesing and company. Admittedly, I saw Reesing as frustrated as he has been, but I think some of the mention of his inaccuracy is not so warranted -- I mean, wind was a factor and on the other side it really seems like Colt McCoy did most of his damage on the ground (well that and some timely pass interference calls). The fact that Colt had to scramble because receivers were covered is a sort of reason to celebrate.
Overall though, having a more talented team come in and slowly grind down the Jayhawks on Senior Day was a bitter pill to swallow. The only way I can spin it is I felt like the seniors gave it their all and I'm good with what these guys accomplished. Rival fans and the media will try to categorize their greatest achievement as a fluke, but for those that have watched the program for virtually every down of the Mangino era and Terry Allen era, we know this was a good group of hard-nosed football players that took advantage of every opportunity they had and advanced the program (despite losing two of the biggest stars to the NFL). Yes, we could use a little more Texas-style football talent, but that's on the way -- the 2008 and 2009 classes are the highest rated classes we've seen. Sure the up and down nature of KU football is tough to take, but another up is just around the corner and if a down is heading to the Insight Bowl for a matchup with a Big 10 team, I'll take that.
THE GOOD
You start with the defense. Other than consistent difficulty with linebackers covering in the flat this was the kind of defensive performance that would have netted wins against Nebraska and USF and obviously provides legitimate optimism for the next two games. I haven't watched the tape yet, but I don't remember Daymond Patterson getting beat too often. If this guy is a legitimate corner, that's a nice foundation as I like Justin Thornton as a big corner on the other side (despite his trouble defending the inside slant in this game).
On the offensive front, I'll get criticized for this, but I think Angus Quigley doing damage to the second level of the Texas defense is huge (I'll get into the fumbles later). To me that is the Brandon McAnderson formula that we've lacked all year. It's like a boxing match -- you've got to be hitting those linebackers and defensive backs to soften them up. Also, from the backfield, Jocques Crawford showed me quite a bit of fire in his action after Quigley was yanked for the fumbles. It was mostly fourth quarter play, but it was encouraging to see him play hard at that time of the game.
THE BAD
I mentioned this prior to the season -- Ed Warriner was going to have to modify the scheme because an offseason of study by teams with talent meant that defenses would know the weaknesses of our offense inside and out. Developing two new tackles was a factor, plus the physical factor that B-Mac brought (mentioned above) and sure the defense was the usual culprit for the close losses, but the status quo on the offensive scheme resulted in the offense not getting the job done when they absolutely had to against teams like OU, Tech, Nebraska and UT. That is by no means a vote of no confidence for Warriner, it just means he needs to accelerate the evolution. Innovate or die. Know it, learn it, live it.
THE UGLY
1) I'm probably misreading the situation, but the excessive extended celebration by #32 on the hit that put Kerry Meier on the turf at the end of the first half seemed pretty unsportsmanlike. Please correct me if I have that wrong. Nothing wrong with celebrating a big hit, but generally when a player is hurt you show a little respect. Maybe posting the video of the Quigley hit on Blake Gideon is a little of the same, but I really just wanted to show how effective AQ can be in the defensive secondary. We don't ever want to see a player injured for any team and I certainly hope Gideon is okay.
2) More on AQ. As I said, I love the physical play Quigley brings, but you've got to get fumbles under control. This is so painful. I really want him out there doing damage, but it cannot be if he keeps dropping the ball. Perhaps so more reps in the non-con would have helped.
3) The students are what make the games fun and they are packing themselves in so tight that it is difficult for them to fill in the corner. Plus, the students bring the noise. Still, the rate of attrition after halftime is worth noting. Yeah, a lot of people head out early, but that section empties out at an incredible pace compared to the alumns in the next section over. The good news is I went over and watched the fourth quarter from some awesome seats in that abandoned area.
WHAT'S NEXT
One last shot at Chase Daniel. They're going to get the North trophy after the Arrowhead game but we can take the celebration. It'll be interesting to see what our defense thinks of Mizzou after taking on the trio of Tech, OU and UT.
Big 12 Predict-O-Scores: Week #12
Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 07:18AM Currently the Hawk Digest VIC-20 supercomputer is 37-13 straight up. As a spread beater -- 18-30. The VIC-20 almost projected all five road teams, but gave up on Baylor. Personally, I like Baylor in that game. Surely, somebody will win at home this week.
Mizzou 38, at Iowa State 26
Vegas likes the Tigers (-28)
Nebraska 42, at Kansas State 37
Vegas has NU (-7)
Texas 34, at Kansas 33
Say it ain't so, supercomputer
Vegas votes for Bevo (-13)
OSU 33, at Colorado 26
Vegas is a 40-year-old man (-17)
At Texas A&M 33, Baylor 25
Vegas backs Robert Griffin (-8)
DJ
4-1 SU
1-4 ATS
Sound and the Fury: Fuel in the Tank
Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at 06:40AM CAN THE JAYHAWKS FIND THE SPARK?
In his Big 12 power rankings yesterday, Blair Kerkoff asked whether or not KU had "anything left in the tank." I think that really points to one of the significant issues with not being able to break through with a big win for the 2008 season so far. Both emotionally and physically, I think it's tough for ascending mid-level teams reaching for the elite status to withstand the beating taken over a full season.
I think we watched that scenario play out with the ISU program under Dan McCarney. Even when they were good, they always seemed to struggle late in the season. For teams that don't have a lot of talented depth that becomes a problem -- you can only play on emotion so long and the physical toll is going to start to show in November. ISU always has that tough non-con with Iowa. This year KU took on USF and you hope that game prepares you to play with high level Big 12 competition. The reality is we took a hit on confidence and now the physical toll is evident as even Mangino is describing us as a poor tackling team. When a team is not tackling, I look to physical fatigue and the mental edge.
Playing a weak non-con will draw media skepticism (though not for Texas Tech or UT), but the reality is that's a non-factor as the Big 12 provides all the competition you need. Until we've added another 20,000 seats to Memorial and consistently sell out 70k, we'll need to use the four non-cons to develop our transition players.
SPARK II
There's been some discussion on the boards about the fact that under Mark Mangino the Jayhawks rarely quit. Some fans felt that there was some quit in the Texas Tech game. That's up for debate, but I did see the Jayhawks finally quit in 2006. I really couldn't blame them after what they had been through. It was the first half of the Colorado game and that is the worst performance the team ever put together under Mangino.
Of course, you know that Mangino pulled Todd Reesing's redshirt at halftime and the kid came in and lit a fire under the Jayhawks that literally burned through the 2007 season. Some of the veterans really took advantage of that spark and Reesing's passion for the game ... and winning. Guys like Anthony Collins, Aqib Talib and James McClinton showed a lot of emotion on the field and backed it up. It was almost like they had been waiting for a big time QB to show up. For years the Hawks had to try to slug it out with a constant rotation at the QB position. It was like, "now we have a winner at QB, forget about it, let's do some damage."
And they did.
All of the sudden though, Reesing is a veteran (it happens fast in the college game) and a marked man in the Big 12. It's time for some young players to step up and show some spark. It's time to show us that you're here to win and not just taking up space. There are veterans out there that have been battling for four or five years. Take a look at what James Holt is doing. Get inspired -- get in the game -- get in the battle -- play football and win. It's fun, I guarantee it.
Todd Reesing Bounce Back TD Throw To Kerry Meier Video
Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at 05:14PM This was requested in the forum. Pretty incredible.
Around the Big 12: Week #11
Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at 09:00AM 1 (A+ 98%) - Texas Tech (10-0)
I don't have any questions ... do you have any questions? Two weeks until the biggest game in the history of organized sport this week.
(HD rank 5-5-4-4-4-4-4-4-2-1-1)
2 (A 97%) - Texas (9-1)
Beating up on Baylor (45-21) can't be that much fun anymore. The Horns have to take care of business and hope. Looks like it could be nasty weather in Lawrence.
(HD rank 4-4-3-3-3-3-1-1-1-2-2)
3 (A 96%) - Oklahoma (9-1)
No mercy for the Aggies -- 66-28. I guess the Sooners are about as ready as they'll ever be to host Texas Tech. Too bad we have to wait two weeks.
(HD rank 1-1-1-1-1-1-3-3-3-3-3)
4 (A- 92%) - Oklahoma State (9-1)
Join the club Cowboys. Well, Oklahoma is still at the end of the schedule, so there is still damage to be done. Maybe a trip to Boulder will clear your heads.
(HD rank 6-6-6-7-6-6-2-2-4-4)
5 (A- 91%) - Missouri (8-2)
Why was everybody so sad on senior day? I was kind of happy. The Tigers are bored. Should be a lovely evening up in Ames next Saturday night.
(HD rank 2-2-2-2-2-2-5-5-5-5-5)
6 (B 85%) - Nebraska (6-4)
The Huskers are beating the teams they can and staying on target for 8-4. Looks like an easy finish at KSU then hosting CU. Empty seats in Lincoln looked weird.
(HD rank 8-7-7-8-8-8-9-7-6-7-6)
7 (C 75%) - Kansas (6-4)
A game to remember for all of the wrong reasons. Are the Hawks going to knock off a good team this year? Time is getting short.
(HD rank 3-3-5-6-5-5-6-6-7-6-7)
8 (D+ 68%) Baylor (3-7)
First off, Robert Griffin III is fun to watch. Second, I bet he'll be an absolute nightmare by the time they get back on our rotation. Third, I really liked what the Bears did defensively against Colt McCoy to start the game. Mixing it up between dropping nine into coverage and disguised blitzes. A&M visits next week in what should be a good matchup.
(HD rank 11-11-10-9-9-10-8-10-10-8-8)
9 (D 65%) - Kansas State (4-6)
That blowout rolled out kind of slow. Are the Cats improving? For once, I may root for the Cats to beat NU.
(HD rank 9-9-9-10-10-11-7-9-9-9-9)
10 (D- 62%) Texas A&M (4-6)
Kind of a rough senior day (66-28 to OU). It's almost over -- at Baylor, at Texas.
(HD rank 12-12-12-12-12-12-12-11-11-10-10)
11(D- 61%) - Colorado (5-5)
Decisive. The 28-24 win over ISU keeps bowl hopes alive. OSU visits this week, then there is the Thanksgiving trip to the land of corn.
(HD rank 7-8-8-5-7-7-10-8-8-11-11)
12 (F- 53%) Iowa State (2-8)
One foot. The death of hope. Mizzou visits next week, then a trip to Manhattan (not the fun Manhattan).(HD rank 10-10-11-11-11-9-11-12-12-12-12)
Freeman Johns, Mark Mangino and the BCS
Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at 05:50AM That's right -- dollar signs. The Cap-Journal offered up a nice little history lesson on Charles-Gordon-Gate from the 2004 Texas visit. Here's an excerpt:
“Ten thousand bucks? Ten thousand bucks,” he said, predicting his fine. “I've got a team to fight for and I'm not going to be pushed around, or let this university be pushed around, because we're not the big spenders, not the big BCS team in the league.”
In that moment, he became Kansas football. Or was it the other way around?
For the record, there were two other factors that sent KU fans over the edge. The first was that Freeman Johns made the call while standing in front of the Texas sideline. The second was that Freeman Johns is from Texas. Put it all together and even though you see all kinds of bad calls watching college football ... well, let's just say it gave me a very sick feeling.
Kevin Keitzman -- Thank You!
Monday, November 10, 2008 at 04:40PM I admit it. I had the situation all wrong. I really believed that beating Texas and Mizzou wouldn't be enough to get the Jayhawks a Big 12 North title and more importantly a berth in the championship game at Arrowhead. You figure with KU sitting in the mid-forties of the CBS poll that there is no way they could ever finish ahead of MU in the polls even if we could conjure up that magical three-way tie. So I figured we had to count on Nebraska to lose and that just ain't gonna happen now.
Then, I found hope in the least likely sector of the entire galaxy -- Kevin Keitzman's afternoon show on 810. The man is right. KU is likely to get enough bounce out of a win over Texas plus Missouri to possibly move ahead of the Tigers in the polls. In fact, since it would all play out over a three-week period, he's 100% right. Hey, man. That's all I need. We control our own destiny. I don't care if we're playing the '72 Dolphins this Saturday -- all I know is we are still alive and all we got to do is win the next one. Bring on the Longhorns, the game is on.
