Football Brutal slate awaits: Big Three in South on KU’s schedule

**Lzen** · 08-19-2009, 10:41 AM

http://www2.kusports.com/news/2009/a...dule/?football

Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Brutal slate awaits: Big Three in South on KU’s schedule

By Eric Sorrentino

If the Kansas University football team is to win its first outright Big 12 North title this season, the Jayhawks will have to make history with a brutal conference schedule ahead of them.For the second straight year, KU drew the big three from the Big 12 South: Oklahoma, Texas and Texas Tech. Two of the three (UT, TTU) are on the road.
By contrast, Nebraska, which is expected to finish atop the North standings with KU, doesn’t face Texas this year. And the Cornhuskers drew Texas Tech and Oklahoma at home.
When comparing schedules, Nebraska is the favorite. Kansas, however, returns the most prolific quarterback in its history in Todd Reesing, along with the best group of receivers in the conference. Couple that with a date against Nebraska on Nov. 14 in Lawrence, and the Big 12 North is officially up for grabs.
Here’s a look at KU’s conference schedule in 2009, along with a few names to remember when preparing for the opposition:
Oct. 10: vs. Iowa State
Player to watch: Junior running back Alexander Robinson. If healthy, Robinson should surpass his 863 all-purpose yards (703 rushing) and six scores from last season. He only caught 17 passes, but new offensive coordinator Tom Herman, who previously held the same position at Rice, is expected to implement his spread attack, which will showcase heavy doses of Robinson in the running and receiving game. He’s really the Cyclones’ lone home run threat on offense.
The Jayhawks’ offense should be able to feast on an ISU unit that ranked No. 116 of 119 Bowl Subdivision teams in pass defense last year.
Oct. 17: at Colorado
Player to watch: Sophomore running back Darrell Scott. The five-star recruit and the No. 1-rated Rivals.com freshman back in the nation was somewhat of a disappointment last year after rushing for just 343 yards and a touchdown. Injuries limited his productivity, but he’s a prime breakout candidate this year with future NFL potential.
Colorado has the deepest corps of backs in the conference with sophomores Scott, Rodney Stewart and Brian Lockridge, to go along with junior Demetrius Sumler. With a quarterback battle between unproven signal callers Cody Hawkins and Tyler Hansen, the Buffaloes should focus a lot on their ground game this season.
Oct. 24: vs. Oklahoma
Player to watch: Junior quarterback Sam Bradford. Naturally, you’re going to attract attention when you’re the reigning Heisman Trophy winner coming off a season with 4,720 passing yards and a nation’s-best 50 touchdown passes. Bradford, predicted by many to be a Top 5 NFL Draft pick this April, decided to return to school with a fire still burning inside him after OU’s BCS Championship loss to Florida. He would have battled Matthew Stafford, who went on to sign a $78 million contract with Detroit, for the No. 1 pick. Bradford should be a finalist again for the Heisman, and the Sooners are a consensus Top 5 team in the country this season.
The atmosphere in Lawrence should be electric for this game, particularly if the Jayhawks enter at 6-0, which is realistic. ESPN College GameDay, are you listening?
Oct. 31: at Texas Tech
Player to watch: Junior quarterback Taylor Potts. The Red Raiders have led the nation in passing six of the last seven years, so it’s a good bet coach Mike Leach will continue to air it out, even without Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree. Potts is next in line in the TTU quarterback factory, and at 6-foot-5, he’s taller than any signal caller of the Leach era (2000-present). He reportedly has a better arm and can heave it downfield with more precision than Harrell.
Texas Tech won’t be a Top 25 team to start the season like last year, but consider the Red Raiders haven’t won fewer than eight games in a season since 2001.
Nov. 7: at Kansas State
Player to watch: Senior wide receiver Brandon Banks. He’s arguably the most underrated player in the conference. Banks caught 67 passes for 1,049 yards and nine TD’s last season, and he’s a threat to take it the distance on kickoff returns, too. Most Lawrence High and Free State High receivers are bigger than Banks, who is listed a mere 5-7, 150 pounds.
One problem: With Josh Freeman gone, who’s going to give Banks his touches, Carson Coffman or Daniel Thomas? Both are unproven.
Nov. 14: vs. Nebraska
Player to watch: Senior defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. The KU offensive line is most likely going to want to double team Suh, who’s already being projected the No. 2 overall pick in Todd McShay’s 2010 NFL Draft. The 6-4, 300-pounder led an improved Nebraska defense last season in tackles (76) and sacks (7.5).
The Huskers should be a fringe Top 20 team to start the year. This game will be one of the most anticipated KU home games of the season and could decide the Big 12 North champion.
Nov. 21: at Texas
Player to watch: Senior quarterback Colt McCoy. He was the most accurate QB in the land last year, completing 76.67 percent of his passes, a NCAA record. McCoy was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy last year and is a front-runner to win the award this season.
The Longhorns didn’t like being the odd man out in the South’s three-way tie last year, and will likely use that as motivation in their quest to win a BCS Championship. Texas is a consensus Top 5 team in the country this season.
The Jayhawks, as good as they’re supposed to be, will likely still be at least 14-point underdogs at Darrell Royal Memorial Stadium.
Nov. 28: vs. Missouri in Kansas City, Mo.
Player to watch: Junior running back Derrick Washington. He rushed for 1,036 yards and 17 scores last year on a hurt left knee. With the absence of Chase Daniel, Jeremy Maclin and Chase Coffman, Washington quickly becomes the No. 1 option in the MU offense. Pressure rests on the arm of sophomore quarterback Blaine Gabbert, one of the most heralded recruits in Missouri history. But Washington should help him ease into a comfort zone in his first year running the offense.
Missouri, which won the North the last two years, won’t be ranked to start the season and will be somewhat of a long shot to win the Big 12 North again in 2009.

blaise · 08-19-2009, 10:46 AM

Mangino's got a lot on his plate, that's for sure.

CoMoChief · 08-19-2009, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blaise

Mangino's got a lot on his plate, that's for sure.

Well its a good thing that he's incredibly fat and loves to eat, then.

ROYC75 · 08-19-2009, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blaise

Mangino's got a lot on his plate, that's for sure.

WELL, He can eat a lot.

Pablo · 08-19-2009, 11:00 AM

MANGINO DIPS HIS KFC IN CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM.

blaise · 08-19-2009, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PostRockPablo

MANGINO DIPS HIS KFC IN CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM.

While he's sitting on the toilet.

POND_OF_RED · 08-19-2009, 11:11 AM

Should be a fun season for the north. That schedule is very brutal. The only game I see as a "sure thing" is vs. ISU. The game at CU you are definitely favored in but I could see Colorado being a pain in the ass for a few teams this year if they can get that ground game going especially on the road. KSU and MU are rivalry games so those are always toss ups. Should be fun to watch. Good luck. I just hope we can both compete for the Big 12 until that last week. Nothing more fun than a meaningful rivalry game to close out the regular season even if we'd be playing for a bloodbath the next week.

CoMoChief · 08-19-2009, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blaise

While he's sitting on the toilet.

taking his 4th shit of the morning....

blaise · 08-19-2009, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

taking his 4th shit of the morning....

That's 1/3 of his daily output, or what he's dubbed his "Big 12".

**Lzen** · 08-20-2009, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by POND_OF_RED

Should be a fun season for the north. That schedule is very brutal. The only game I see as a "sure thing" is vs. ISU. The game at CU you are definitely favored in but I could see Colorado being a pain in the ass for a few teams this year if they can get that ground game going especially on the road. KSU and MU are rivalry games so those are always toss ups. Should be fun to watch. Good luck. I just hope we can both compete for the Big 12 until that last week. Nothing more fun than a meaningful rivalry game to close out the regular season even if we'd be playing for a bloodbath the next week.

You make some very valid points. I have seen a few talking heads say good things about CU this year and suggest they might be a dark horse in the North. The thing with Colorado is that they aren't going anywhere with Cody Hawkins at QB. JMO.

**Lzen** · 08-20-2009, 08:28 AM

Oh, and thanks to the douchebags for filling up this thread with Mangino is fat. Wow, we have never heard those jokes. Way to add intelligent comments to the discussion.

**DaKCMan AP** · 08-20-2009, 08:33 AM

KU goes 4-4 in conference, at best, IMO.

**Lzen** · 08-20-2009, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaKCMan AP

KU goes 4-4 in conference, at best, IMO.

At best? Really? What games do they lose, IYO?

Reerun_KC · 08-20-2009, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lzen

Oh, and thanks to the douchebags for filling up this thread with Mangino is fat. Wow, we have never heard those jokes. Way to add intelligent comments to the discussion.

You do realize we are talking about MU and KSU fans right?

**DaKCMan AP** · 08-20-2009, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lzen

At best? Really? What games do they lose, IYO?

Definite: OU, Texas

Probably: Nebraska

Possibly: TTU, MU, Colorado

08-19-2009, 10:41 AM
Lzen Supporter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Jan Quadrant Vincent 16 Casino cash: $2310692	Brutal slate awaits: Big Three in South on KU’s schedule http://www2.kusports.com/news/2009/a...dule/?football Tuesday, August 18, 2009 Brutal slate awaits: Big Three in South on KU’s schedule By Eric Sorrentino If the Kansas University football team is to win its first outright Big 12 North title this season, the Jayhawks will have to make history with a brutal conference schedule ahead of them.For the second straight year, KU drew the big three from the Big 12 South: Oklahoma, Texas and Texas Tech. Two of the three (UT, TTU) are on the road. By contrast, Nebraska, which is expected to finish atop the North standings with KU, doesn’t face Texas this year. And the Cornhuskers drew Texas Tech and Oklahoma at home. When comparing schedules, Nebraska is the favorite. Kansas, however, returns the most prolific quarterback in its history in Todd Reesing, along with the best group of receivers in the conference. Couple that with a date against Nebraska on Nov. 14 in Lawrence, and the Big 12 North is officially up for grabs. Here’s a look at KU’s conference schedule in 2009, along with a few names to remember when preparing for the opposition: Oct. 10: vs. Iowa State Player to watch: Junior running back Alexander Robinson. If healthy, Robinson should surpass his 863 all-purpose yards (703 rushing) and six scores from last season. He only caught 17 passes, but new offensive coordinator Tom Herman, who previously held the same position at Rice, is expected to implement his spread attack, which will showcase heavy doses of Robinson in the running and receiving game. He’s really the Cyclones’ lone home run threat on offense. The Jayhawks’ offense should be able to feast on an ISU unit that ranked No. 116 of 119 Bowl Subdivision teams in pass defense last year. Oct. 17: at Colorado Player to watch: Sophomore running back Darrell Scott. The five-star recruit and the No. 1-rated Rivals.com freshman back in the nation was somewhat of a disappointment last year after rushing for just 343 yards and a touchdown. Injuries limited his productivity, but he’s a prime breakout candidate this year with future NFL potential. Colorado has the deepest corps of backs in the conference with sophomores Scott, Rodney Stewart and Brian Lockridge, to go along with junior Demetrius Sumler. With a quarterback battle between unproven signal callers Cody Hawkins and Tyler Hansen, the Buffaloes should focus a lot on their ground game this season. Oct. 24: vs. Oklahoma Player to watch: Junior quarterback Sam Bradford. Naturally, you’re going to attract attention when you’re the reigning Heisman Trophy winner coming off a season with 4,720 passing yards and a nation’s-best 50 touchdown passes. Bradford, predicted by many to be a Top 5 NFL Draft pick this April, decided to return to school with a fire still burning inside him after OU’s BCS Championship loss to Florida. He would have battled Matthew Stafford, who went on to sign a $78 million contract with Detroit, for the No. 1 pick. Bradford should be a finalist again for the Heisman, and the Sooners are a consensus Top 5 team in the country this season. The atmosphere in Lawrence should be electric for this game, particularly if the Jayhawks enter at 6-0, which is realistic. ESPN College GameDay, are you listening? Oct. 31: at Texas Tech Player to watch: Junior quarterback Taylor Potts. The Red Raiders have led the nation in passing six of the last seven years, so it’s a good bet coach Mike Leach will continue to air it out, even without Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree. Potts is next in line in the TTU quarterback factory, and at 6-foot-5, he’s taller than any signal caller of the Leach era (2000-present). He reportedly has a better arm and can heave it downfield with more precision than Harrell. Texas Tech won’t be a Top 25 team to start the season like last year, but consider the Red Raiders haven’t won fewer than eight games in a season since 2001. Nov. 7: at Kansas State Player to watch: Senior wide receiver Brandon Banks. He’s arguably the most underrated player in the conference. Banks caught 67 passes for 1,049 yards and nine TD’s last season, and he’s a threat to take it the distance on kickoff returns, too. Most Lawrence High and Free State High receivers are bigger than Banks, who is listed a mere 5-7, 150 pounds. One problem: With Josh Freeman gone, who’s going to give Banks his touches, Carson Coffman or Daniel Thomas? Both are unproven. Nov. 14: vs. Nebraska Player to watch: Senior defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. The KU offensive line is most likely going to want to double team Suh, who’s already being projected the No. 2 overall pick in Todd McShay’s 2010 NFL Draft. The 6-4, 300-pounder led an improved Nebraska defense last season in tackles (76) and sacks (7.5). The Huskers should be a fringe Top 20 team to start the year. This game will be one of the most anticipated KU home games of the season and could decide the Big 12 North champion. Nov. 21: at Texas Player to watch: Senior quarterback Colt McCoy. He was the most accurate QB in the land last year, completing 76.67 percent of his passes, a NCAA record. McCoy was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy last year and is a front-runner to win the award this season. The Longhorns didn’t like being the odd man out in the South’s three-way tie last year, and will likely use that as motivation in their quest to win a BCS Championship. Texas is a consensus Top 5 team in the country this season. The Jayhawks, as good as they’re supposed to be, will likely still be at least 14-point underdogs at Darrell Royal Memorial Stadium. Nov. 28: vs. Missouri in Kansas City, Mo. Player to watch: Junior running back Derrick Washington. He rushed for 1,036 yards and 17 scores last year on a hurt left knee. With the absence of Chase Daniel, Jeremy Maclin and Chase Coffman, Washington quickly becomes the No. 1 option in the MU offense. Pressure rests on the arm of sophomore quarterback Blaine Gabbert, one of the most heralded recruits in Missouri history. But Washington should help him ease into a comfort zone in his first year running the offense. Missouri, which won the North the last two years, won’t be ranked to start the season and will be somewhat of a long shot to win the Big 12 North again in 2009.
Posts: 41,311

08-19-2009, 10:46 AM	#2
blaise In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Plano, TX Casino cash: $9999900	Mangino's got a lot on his plate, that's for sure.
Posts: 22,188

08-19-2009, 11:00 AM	#5
Pablo Ultrabanned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: KCMO Casino cash: $2109356	MANGINO DIPS HIS KFC IN CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM.
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08-19-2009, 11:11 AM	#7
POND_OF_RED The talking stonehead Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Blue Springs, MO Casino cash: $1863146	Should be a fun season for the north. That schedule is very brutal. The only game I see as a "sure thing" is vs. ISU. The game at CU you are definitely favored in but I could see Colorado being a pain in the ass for a few teams this year if they can get that ground game going especially on the road. KSU and MU are rivalry games so those are always toss ups. Should be fun to watch. Good luck. I just hope we can both compete for the Big 12 until that last week. Nothing more fun than a meaningful rivalry game to close out the regular season even if we'd be playing for a bloodbath the next week.
Posts: 5,687

08-20-2009, 08:28 AM	#11
Lzen Supporter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Jan Quadrant Vincent 16 Casino cash: $2310692	Oh, and thanks to the douchebags for filling up this thread with Mangino is fat. Wow, we have never heard those jokes. Way to add intelligent comments to the discussion. __________________ If at first you don't succeed ...skydiving is not for you.
Posts: 41,311

08-20-2009, 08:33 AM	#12
DaKCMan AP Beloved & Awesome CP Celebrity Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Florida Casino cash: $6774952	KU goes 4-4 in conference, at best, IMO. __________________
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