Bill Snyder’s best work was stained by a victim’s mentality that permeated the program.
We don’t have to let it happen again. The attitude of fans can impact the mind-set of a team. If the conversation about the teams turns into a discussion of what they might be denied rather than what they can accomplish, the players can get swept up in that, too.
Kansas and Missouri can win the Big 12 and play in a BCS bowl game. The Jayhawks could run the table, win the Fiesta Bowl and win the AP national championship. No one thought that when the season kicked off. When the season opened, Kansas fans hadn’t made up their mind about Mark Mangino, and Missouri fans were convinced Gary Pinkel had taken the Tigers as far as he was capable.
Now the winner of the Nov. 24 showdown at Arrowhead Stadium is the Big 12 coach of the year. More importantly, Mangino and Pinkel are in position to elevate their programs permanently. Saturday afternoon one of the nation’s top recruits, St. Louis quarterback Blaine Gabbert, announced he wants to succeed Chase Daniel. Gabbert, the country’s 23rd-best prospect, according to Rivals.com, had originally committed to Nebraska.
The Jayhawks are significantly upgrading their facilities. Surely Mangino will land his best recruiting class.
My point is that whatever happens in the final BCS standings, it’s not the end. Getting left out of the title game wouldn’t be a death sentence or even a crime. Kansas played a weak nonconference schedule. Missouri’s resume is no better than Oregon’s or LSU’s.
This season should be the beginning of big things for Kansas and Missouri. Not an excuse to complain about a system that never promised perfection.
To reach Jason Whitlock, call 816-234-4869 or send e-mail to
jwhitlock@kcstar.com. For previous columns, go to KansasCity.com