Orange Bowl picks KU - The Capital-Journal - Page 2

**Lzen** · 12-03-2007, 08:45 AM

http://cjonline.com/stories/120307/haw_222349859.shtml
Jayhawks will face Hokies in Miami
By Tully Corcoran
The Capital-Journal
Published Monday, December 03, 2007

LAWRENCE — The juices splashed and ran down James McClinton's chin in this, the ultimate celebratory move for a defensive lineman.

Kansas athletic director Lew Perkins walked into KU's meeting room with a bag of oranges, and everybody knew. The Jayhawks were Orange Bowl-bound, and McClinton could think of only one way to celebrate. He caught the orange, jammed it into his mouth and chomped off a bite bigger than Miami.

Kansas has an allotment of 17,000-18,000 tickets, on sale at orangebowl.org.

"I thank the Lord for this game," he said.

And that was the general sentiment. For a program that has never been to a BCS bowl and hasn't been to the Orange Bowl since 1969, Sunday's announcement, coming at the tail end of the winningest season in Kansas history, was hard to take for granted. Especially for tight end Derek Fine, who committed to what once was a moribund program and was on the team in 2003 when the Jayhawks went to another Florida bowl, the Tangerine Bowl.

"I like oranges better," Fine said. "They taste better, they're bigger."

Win or lose, playing in the Orange Bowl means the 2007 Jayhawks will go down as one of the top three teams in Kansas history, alongside the Orange Bowl teams of 1947 and 1968. For a program that five years ago was a conference laughingstock, 2007 has been one giant leap.

"It was just great to stand in that room and watch those kids when they found out," KU coach Mark Mangino said. "It was like when my kids were knee-high and it was Christmas morning."

The selection pairing the No. 8 Jayhawks (11-1) against No. 3 Virginia Tech (11-2), as always, is not without controversy. And it didn't spare any hearts, especially those in Columbia, Mo. Missouri, which beat Kansas and is ranked a spot higher in both major polls, lost to Oklahoma on Saturday night in the Big 12 championship game. Sunday, fell out of the BCS entirely, accepting a bid to the Cotton Bowl.

"Missouri and Kansas were basically back-to-back next to each other," said Orange Bowl CEO Eric Poms. "With the result of the (Big 12 championship) game, having a two-loss team versus a one-loss team was probably the biggest thing we looked at. We knew whatever way we went, you could make a case for the other side."

There were no tears shed in Lawrence, where Joe Mortensen was asked if he felt sorry for the Tigers.

"No," he said.

There also wasn't much suspense in Lawrence, not within the Kansas athletic department, anyway.

Since Saturday, Perkins had been working the phones, literally all day and all night, talking to bowl representatives, ironing details, scenarios and, to a lesser extent, making KU's case. He felt all along KU would wind up in a BCS bowl. He just didn't know which. Heading into Saturday's games, KU was a candidate for the Rose, Orange, Fiesta and Sugar bowls. Once Illinois qualified for BCS play, KU was eliminated from Rose Bowl contention. Once Hawaii qualified, the Sugar Bowl was out. Then game the Orange Bowl, which got to choose its teams ahead of the Fiesta Bowl.

"The Orange Bowl was very strong, really pursuing us," Perkins said. "We were talking quite often, regularly through the whole process.

"The good thing that I was pleased about was everybody was interested in Kansas. That was the most important thing."

If the Orange Bowl hadn't chosen KU, the probability the Fiesta Bowl would have was "very strong," Perkins said. Instead, the Fiesta took West Virginia and Oklahoma. Since the BCS rules allow just two teams from one conference into its bowls, that left out Missouri, which brings up the song that has played all season at KU, a tune about the Jayhawks' schedule, which includes no wins against teams ranked in the final Top 25 and ranks among the softest in the nation.

Perkins said the schedule was never part of the discussion.

"We don't have any argument," Perkins said. "We're in the BCS. So we have no argument. Our schedule didn't bother us. We don't have to be apologetic about anything. What people don't realize is schedules are made a long way out, so you don't realize how things are gonna happen, and we had no problem with our schedule. We're playing in the Orange Bowl."

As it is designed to do, the Orange Bowl will create an intriguing matchup between the nation's No. 4 defense and Kansas' No. 6 offense. But that is a discussion for another day.

Sunday, the Jayhawks were soaking the moment, and the orange juice.

"It's been a great journey here for my five years," senior running back Brandon McAnderson said. "The opportunity that's in front of us is huge."

Tully Corcoran can be reached at (785) 295-5652 or tully.corcoran@cjonline.com.

Garcia Bronco · 12-03-2007, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ümlaüt

Gracias Bronco underestimates the power of the Fighting Manginos.

Jabba no win.

**Lzen** · 12-03-2007, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petegz28

ok if 1 loss vs 2 loss is a big deal why is MU #7 and KU #8?

In what poll? AP? AP doesn't count in the BCS. FYI, MU is #6 in the BCS.

But in regard to the intent of your post, yes, MU is ranked higher. Perhaps the Orange did not feel that MU was really any better than KU. Yeah, I know they won the head to head. I'm not saying I agree. Just speculating on what they might have been thinking.

|Zach| · 12-03-2007, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silock

You know, all KU really has to do to justify the pick is beat VT.

VT is a top 40 team.

Extra Point · 12-03-2007, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garcia Bronco

Jabba no win.

Jabba eat bigga Hokie.

Frazod · 12-03-2007, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garcia Bronco

"For a program that five years ago was a conference laughingstock, 2007 has been one giant leap"

We're still laughing. Go Hokies!!!

I'd wish you luck against the 109s, but you won't need it.

**Lzen** · 12-03-2007, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by siberian khatru

I just don't see how style points in the title game that one team didn't qualify for supersede the result of a head-to-head meeting. OU is a superior team. KU benefits from not beating an MU team that earned the right to lose to the best team in the Big 12.

That's apparently what happened. But it shouldn't. Hence my railing against the system and the bowl reps.

If that's how it works then, if MU ever has a chance to run up the score on KU, don't complain.

Oh, I don't disagree. I don't think it is fair. That is exactly why we need a playoff.

Garcia Bronco · 12-03-2007, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Extra Point

Jabba eat bigga Hokie.

LOL.

siberian khatru · 12-03-2007, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

I'd wish you luck against the 109s, but you won't need it.

They're up to 74 in the final SOS rankings. MU's up to 3.

Virginia Tech is 4.

Garcia Bronco · 12-03-2007, 09:48 AM

So I just bought this house and I live next door, here in Denver, to a smokin hot KU alum. I am a VT alum...how can I work this to my advantage?

Garcia Bronco · 12-03-2007, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

I'd wish you luck against the 109s, but you won't need it.

Thank's Fraz. It's ashame we aren't playing the Tigers.

Frazod · 12-03-2007, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garcia Bronco

Thank's Fraz. It's ashame we aren't playing the Tigers.

Unfortunately, you're only the 109s' SECOND quality opponent. Were that not the case, it would be us. We all know what happens when they play good teams.

The good news? You can go ahead and order that Orange Bowl championship t-shirt now.

bobbything · 12-03-2007, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

The good news? You can go ahead and order that Orange Bowl championship t-shirt now.

I'm loving every, single second of your sour grapes.

Sure-Oz · 12-03-2007, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garcia Bronco

So I just bought this house and I live next door, here in Denver, to a smokin hot KU alum. I am a VT alum...how can I work this to my advantage?

definetly setup a bet with her

Eleazar · 12-03-2007, 09:59 AM

I wonder how many years it's been since they played a defense like VT has.

**Lzen** · 12-03-2007, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobbything

I'm loving every, single second of your sour grapes.

Yep. There are several MU that have to make themselves feel better about this by dogging KU. I find it amusing. And I even admit that MU got screwed over in this deal.

12-03-2007, 08:45 AM
Lzen Banded Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Oz Casino cash: $-519308	Orange Bowl picks KU - The Capital-Journal http://cjonline.com/stories/120307/haw_222349859.shtml Jayhawks will face Hokies in Miami By Tully Corcoran The Capital-Journal Published Monday, December 03, 2007 LAWRENCE — The juices splashed and ran down James McClinton's chin in this, the ultimate celebratory move for a defensive lineman. Kansas athletic director Lew Perkins walked into KU's meeting room with a bag of oranges, and everybody knew. The Jayhawks were Orange Bowl-bound, and McClinton could think of only one way to celebrate. He caught the orange, jammed it into his mouth and chomped off a bite bigger than Miami. Kansas has an allotment of 17,000-18,000 tickets, on sale at orangebowl.org. "I thank the Lord for this game," he said. And that was the general sentiment. For a program that has never been to a BCS bowl and hasn't been to the Orange Bowl since 1969, Sunday's announcement, coming at the tail end of the winningest season in Kansas history, was hard to take for granted. Especially for tight end Derek Fine, who committed to what once was a moribund program and was on the team in 2003 when the Jayhawks went to another Florida bowl, the Tangerine Bowl. "I like oranges better," Fine said. "They taste better, they're bigger." Win or lose, playing in the Orange Bowl means the 2007 Jayhawks will go down as one of the top three teams in Kansas history, alongside the Orange Bowl teams of 1947 and 1968. For a program that five years ago was a conference laughingstock, 2007 has been one giant leap. "It was just great to stand in that room and watch those kids when they found out," KU coach Mark Mangino said. "It was like when my kids were knee-high and it was Christmas morning." The selection pairing the No. 8 Jayhawks (11-1) against No. 3 Virginia Tech (11-2), as always, is not without controversy. And it didn't spare any hearts, especially those in Columbia, Mo. Missouri, which beat Kansas and is ranked a spot higher in both major polls, lost to Oklahoma on Saturday night in the Big 12 championship game. Sunday, fell out of the BCS entirely, accepting a bid to the Cotton Bowl. "Missouri and Kansas were basically back-to-back next to each other," said Orange Bowl CEO Eric Poms. "With the result of the (Big 12 championship) game, having a two-loss team versus a one-loss team was probably the biggest thing we looked at. We knew whatever way we went, you could make a case for the other side." There were no tears shed in Lawrence, where Joe Mortensen was asked if he felt sorry for the Tigers. "No," he said. There also wasn't much suspense in Lawrence, not within the Kansas athletic department, anyway. Since Saturday, Perkins had been working the phones, literally all day and all night, talking to bowl representatives, ironing details, scenarios and, to a lesser extent, making KU's case. He felt all along KU would wind up in a BCS bowl. He just didn't know which. Heading into Saturday's games, KU was a candidate for the Rose, Orange, Fiesta and Sugar bowls. Once Illinois qualified for BCS play, KU was eliminated from Rose Bowl contention. Once Hawaii qualified, the Sugar Bowl was out. Then game the Orange Bowl, which got to choose its teams ahead of the Fiesta Bowl. "The Orange Bowl was very strong, really pursuing us," Perkins said. "We were talking quite often, regularly through the whole process. "The good thing that I was pleased about was everybody was interested in Kansas. That was the most important thing." If the Orange Bowl hadn't chosen KU, the probability the Fiesta Bowl would have was "very strong," Perkins said. Instead, the Fiesta took West Virginia and Oklahoma. Since the BCS rules allow just two teams from one conference into its bowls, that left out Missouri, which brings up the song that has played all season at KU, a tune about the Jayhawks' schedule, which includes no wins against teams ranked in the final Top 25 and ranks among the softest in the nation. Perkins said the schedule was never part of the discussion. "We don't have any argument," Perkins said. "We're in the BCS. So we have no argument. Our schedule didn't bother us. We don't have to be apologetic about anything. What people don't realize is schedules are made a long way out, so you don't realize how things are gonna happen, and we had no problem with our schedule. We're playing in the Orange Bowl." As it is designed to do, the Orange Bowl will create an intriguing matchup between the nation's No. 4 defense and Kansas' No. 6 offense. But that is a discussion for another day. Sunday, the Jayhawks were soaking the moment, and the orange juice. "It's been a great journey here for my five years," senior running back Brandon McAnderson said. "The opportunity that's in front of us is huge." Tully Corcoran can be reached at (785) 295-5652 or tully.corcoran@cjonline.com.
Posts: 42,458

12-03-2007, 09:48 AM	#24
Garcia Bronco No Keys, No Problem Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Denver Casino cash: $1883136	So I just bought this house and I live next door, here in Denver, to a smokin hot KU alum. I am a VT alum...how can I work this to my advantage?
Posts: 32,811

12-03-2007, 09:59 AM	#29
Eleazar Beyond the Rapids Join Date: May 2003 Location: Langley, VA Casino cash: $-370000	I wonder how many years it's been since they played a defense like VT has.
Posts: 80,659