Kansas Jayhawks Football

(Originally published in The Kansas City Star's "Upon Further Review" page.)

I believe Kansas University will qualify for a bowl game in the 2011 season.  Which one I can't predict, but most likely a non-New Years Day bowl game. 

History shows that KU will improve.  After the fiasco of the fighting Manginos came to an end, KU needed a culture change.  Though Mark Mangino was one of the most successful coaches at KU, the end was not and a culture change needed to happen.

History shows that successful college programs should hire from within. Unsuccessful ones need to hire from outside in order to change the culture.

Take Syracuse University—after 24 years of having a “Syracuse Man" coaching, the University decided to hire former college and NFL defensive coordinator Greg Robinson.  In Robinson’s four years, Syracuse never had a winning record and he was fired. 

Enter Doug Marrone, a “Syracuse Man.”  Though his first season was not successful and resembled those seasons under Robinson, Marrone changed the culture.  This year, Syracuse is playing like the Syracuse of old and is going to their first bowl game since 2004.  The best is yet to come.

The University of Miami of Ohio had a similar situation. The 2008-2009 season saw Miami of Ohio go 2-10.  A change needed to be made.  Enter Haywood, a "Notre Dame Man." Things did not improve during Haywood’s first year as Miami went 1-11. 

But the culture was changed, laying the foundation for future success.  This year, Miami went 9-4 while capturing the MAC title.  They went to the GoDaddy.com Bowl in Alabama Jan. 6.  Although that bowl is not one of those coveted, qualifying marks progress.

My prediction for KU in the 2011 season—Turner Gill will lead KU to a bowl game and minimum record of 6-6 and an appearance in a decent bowl game.  KU’s culture has changed and better foundation has been laid.

In studying the Nebraska Cornhuskers there are some significant similarities. Both schools have a rich football tradition, and and both have famous coaches who left behind a legacy.  But unlike Michigan, Nebraska has already gone through its “Rich Rod” phase.

We all associate Nebraska football with current athletic director Tom Osborne.  But the Nebraska dynasty started before him with the arrival of Bob Devaney. Devaney’s first year netted NU football a record of 9-2 and its first bowl win over Miami. This marked the beginning of 40 straight years of winning seasons at University of Nebraska (similar to when Bo took over in 1969, Michigan never had a losing season until 2008). 

Devaney retired in 1972 and promoted Tom Osborne, who was already an assistant head coach.  Osborne brought fame to NU while also becoming its most winning coach and the fifth most in NCAA history.  The Cornhuskers never won less than nine games under his leadership.

Osborne retired in 1997 and promoted Frank Solich in 1998 as head coach.

Solich also had early success.  He won two conference championships as well as leading the Huskers to the national championship game in 2001.  But a 7-7 record in 2002 began to sour him with first year athletic director Steve Pedersen.  After making coaching changes, Solich's 2003 team went 9-3.

Even so, it was not enough. Pedersen fired Solich and named Bo Pelini interim coach.  Pelini won the bowl game and interviewed for the head coaching job but was not hired. The job went to former Super Bowl and NFL coach Bill Callahan who would introduce the "football fad" of the time, the West Coast offense.

Callahan coached Nebraska from 2004-2007, his winning percentage was a dismal 55 percent compared with an overall winning percentage of 82 percent from 1962 to 2003.  Remember, Devaney passed on the head coaching reigns to a Nebraska man in Tom Osborne and Osborne hired a Nebraska man in Frank Solich.  Callahan could not come close and was fired, along with AD Pedersen after the 2007 season. Osborne knew he had to hire a Nebraska man and his choice was Bo Pelini.  The change happened almost immediately and Nebraska football has returned.

Pelini’s winning percentage is about 71 percent, but it is clear that NU is on the rise and becoming the Nebraska it once was.  Pelini has enjoyed so much success that his name has been mentioned as a possible replacement at Ohio State when Jim Tressel retires.

Bo Schembechler once proclaimed to the world of college basketball that a Michigan man will coach Michigan.  Nebraska learned the hard way that hiring a hot coach and abandoning the Nebraska way can prove to be highly detrimental to a program. 

Turner Gill will have KU back to being a competitive program in the Big 12 and will be headed to their first bowl game since the 2008 Insight Bowl.

But, even if Kansas makes a bowl, there is one thing to keep in mind. If Nebraska does stumble, then what is good for Kansas in 2011 might not be good for them in 2012. In case you forgot, Turner Gill is a “Nebraska man.”

November 2nd

“The games they remember are played in November”

The calendar has turned to November, which means it's time for those teams with national championship aspirations to make their cases to the pollsters. In Boulder, November 2010, only stands for the proposition that it is likely to be the last month before the University of Colorado closes the book on the Dan Hawkins’ era at Colorado. While many Buff fans have turned their attention to the naming of the next head coach, the schedule says that there are still four games to play this month.

Up next is a Kansas squad which, if it is possible, is in worse shape than the Buffs. The Jayhawks are also 0-4 in Big 12 play, and have three ranked teams—No. 7 Nebraska, No. 17 Oklahoma State, and No. 12 Missouri—left to play after playing Colorado. Kansas has been outscored 187-40 in four conference games (an average loss of 46-10), with its best game coming last week, a 28-16 loss to Iowa State (before that, the average score of the first three conference games was 53-8).

From a purely objective point of view, it is not a surprise that Kansas, which has gone 2-12 since losing in Boulder last season, is a nine-point underdog to Colorado this weekend. Of course, Colorado fans know that the Buffs have had no luck on the road since 2007 and would be skeptical of such a line …

We’ll see …

Injury Update

In getting routed 43-10, by Oklahoma (the game was not as close as even that score might indicate), the Buffs did at least get out of Norman relatively unscathed. Only senior wide receiver Travon Patterson was injured, suffering a high ankle sprain. Head coach Dan Hawkins indicated that he was unsure whether Patterson would be able to play against the Jayhawks, saying that freshman wide receiver Paul Richardson “would get more pops” if Patterson is unable to go.

On the Kansas sideline, the question for this weekend is which quarterback will start. Redshirt freshman Jordan Webb has seen the most playing time in 2010, but he suffered a shoulder injury two weeks ago and did not play against Iowa State. Sophomore Kale Pick was the starter at the beginning of the season, but was yanked after losing to North Dakota State in the opener. Pick would have been the backup for the Iowa State game, but he is recovering from a concussion. This left first year head coach Turner Gill with no option but to pull the red-shirt off of  third-string quarterback Quinn Mecham against the Cyclones. Though Kansas lost the game, 28-16, Mecham’s play was satisfactory, with the junior college transfer going 22-for-33 for 149 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions.

A starter may not be announced until Thursday. The speculation is, however, that if Jordan Webb is healthy, he will take the first snap against Colorado.

In my preview article for this game, I said that the Jayhawks would need to start right out of the gate and score early. They must have read my article.

The Kansas Jayhawks looked impressive for only the second time this season as they dominated the Aggies of New Mexico State, beating them 42-16.

A certain player who looked very impressive was sophomore D.J. Beshears. He accounted for all three of the Jayhawks' first-half touchdowns, including a 96-yard touchdown return in the second quarter.

In the second half, Jordan Webb and Jason Sims took over the scoring and added an extra 21 points in the second half for the Jayhawks.

Altogether, the Jayhawks contributed 501 yards of total offense while holding New Mexico State to just 275. Kansas was favored to win by 23 and won by 26. The Jayhawks finally did what the oddsmakers thought they would do.

So what does this mean for the rest of the season? Kansas can finally put this up-and-down, non-conference schedule behind them and look towards the Big 12 schedule. During these four unpredictable games, the Jayhawks slowly but surely came together as a team. They were a well-oiled machine last night and looked impressive. They need to do that every game now; otherwise they will be massacred by the much better Big 12 teams.

This team is very different from the one that lost to North Dakota State, and it is really good that KU was able to get a decisive win under its belt before conference play starts. I don't expect them to contend for the Big 12 North title, but they have a talented enough team to get two to four wins in the conference and maybe play in a pre-Christmas bowl game.

That might be a bit too optimistic, but they have the talent to at least not get blown out in most games. In fact, the only game I don't expect to be close is against Nebraska in two weeks, but KU has surprised before this season.

Kansas takes a trip next week to Waco, Texas to take on the Baylor Bears. KU has the ability to contend, but they need to do what they did last night; otherwise the Crimson and Blue faithful will go back into their caves until basketball season.

at 1-2 is not the best start for Turner Gil's Jayhawks in the 2010 season. More importantly it isn't a good start for first year coach Turner Gil.

The crimson and blue faithful knew this was going to be a long season with a rebuilding team and new coaching staff, but, even while rebuilding, we should be 2-1 if not 3-0 right now.

Normally the Jayhawks wouldn't be worried about facing an inferior New Mexico State, but this year it's a must win in order to keep themselves from falling into a depressing 1-3 hole. Going into a tough Big 12 schedule the Jayhawks need some momentum to maybe pull out a couple wins in the conference schedule.

With that prospect, it makes this game against New Mexico State much more important and interesting.

Based on the first three games, here is what the Jayhawks need to do to put away the Aggies tomorrow evening. 

3. Kansas needs to score first, and early. 

Nothing puts a damper on the mood than letting the opposing team score first. It sometimes will carry that bad mood and momentum throughout the rest of the game.

In all three of the Jayhawk's games the opponents have scored first, which further proves this key to the game based on KU's record.

Once North Dakota State scored first, the energy went out of the Jayhawks and the Jayhakws ended up falling into a hole in which they could not escape.

The Georgia Tech game was the exception to this rule, but it made taking the lead that much harder. Southern Miss came out, scored early and first, and put the Jayhawks away in the second half. A touchdown on KU's first possession would put some momentum on the crimson and blue side, and will hopefully dig New Mexico State into an inescapable hole.

2. Kansas must not allow more than 10 points. 

New Mexico State has averaged 312 yards and 15 points a game so far.

This young Kansas defense has the ability to hold the Aggies to less than their averages, and linebacker Justin Springer should have at least three sacks. The Jayhawk's defense has not been the best this year, but they have given a good team a run for their money, so they can most certainly do it.

A great way for Kansas to be recognized as more than just a pansy team is to dominate defensively like they have in years past, and not being a pansy team is a great thing in the Big 12.

1. Kansas can not have conservative play calling.

Every time I see a failed screen pass it makes me want to punch whoever called that play in the face.

Kansas has good talent in the receiving corps with the likes of Daymond Patterson, who has been known to shake and bake his way into the end zone.

Gil needs to realize that eight screen passes, followed by four up the middle runs will not work now that he is working in the Big 12.

Why not call a flee-flicker pass and see what happens? For the Jayhawks to win this game, Gil needs to really be aggressive with his play calling.

Kansas has a more talented team than most people realize. What they lack is the fiery passion and attitude you need on a football team.

Like I said last week, it's up to Gil to get these boys motivated to play their hearts out, and to head into conference play with some momentum, and a .500 record.

Cornerbacks were giving yards upon yards of cushion.  Screen passes were twice as common as throws beyond the first down markers.  Blitzes were few and far between until the point of desperation.  The running game was semi-effective, but also simple and predictable.

Carl Torbush, Chuck Long, and Turner Gill have a lot of transitioning to do.  Giving them at least two seasons to really install their mentality upon this football program is a bare minimum.

One look at the recruiting class for 2011 at this point in the season tells me that there's all sorts of hope for the not-too-distant future (provided Gill can convince said recruits that they are part of his turnaround plan).

Still, I do wonder: What more will be done now?  What will Turner Gill change between Weeks 3 and 4 to try and right the ship like he did between the first two?

Georgia Tech, quite frankly, did not play good football two Saturdays ago in Lawrence.  Kansas, however, gave off the impression that they more than deserved the victory.

The athletes and the coordinators were playing and play-calling like they had nothing to lose.

The Hawks have tried playing simple football and have tried playing safe football.  Kansas has tried playing fundamental football, and the fact of the matter is that such a game plan has gotten them beat twice in relatively disappointing fashions.

If Gill wants any excitement or emotion to run through this program, he'll pull out all the stops this week against New Mexico State.  If he wants his current players to maintain any heart in this program, Gill will open the floodgates against the Aggies.

It seems ridiculous that the likes of Kansas would have to take such drastic actions to beat the lowly Aggies, doesn't it?  Against a physically inferior opponent, good fundamental football should win every time out (as opposed to the sporadic nature of aggressive football).

But that's the exact trap Kansas fell into against North Dakota State and Southern Miss.  Perhaps the Hawks physically stand toe-to-toe with the Golden Eagles, and certainly could against the Bison, but they didn't.

Honestly, Kansas probably can't stand up to most teams right now.  A long list of current injuries includes Rell Lewis, Angus Quigley, Tertavian Ingram, Jeff Spikes, Jeremiah Hatch, Brad Thorson, Ed Fink, Huldon Tharp, Toben Opurum, Keeston Terry, and several other bumps and bruises.

Kansas also lost several scholarship players before the season began, including would-be big contributors like Vernon Brooks, Travis Stephens, and Jamaal Greene and potential role players like Ian Wolfe, Jeremiah Edwards, and Jacoby Thomas.

The point is that the Jayhawks don't have a lot of resources in their corner right now.  Gill, Long, and Torbush need to use the resources they do have.

Run wideouts ragged, and if they're not getting open, insert new ones.  There are plenty to choose from.

Make Isaiah Barfield and Chris Harris go stride for stride with every receiver on every down.  They may get burnt, but Aggie quarterback Matt Christian still has to get them the ball.  When they get tired, give the super-fast Calvin Rubles and Greg Brown a go.

Give energetic safeties a chance to make plays in one-on-one coverage.  There are plenty of backups to choose from here as well.

If Brad Thorson is injured, rotate until you find an athlete with the in-game gumption to replace him.  If the other linemen are giving up ground, there's no reason their positions shouldn't be threatened as well.

Utilize Kale Pick in a versatile role or in gadget plays, and allow his athleticism and throwing capabilities to add a spark to this offense.  If Jordan Webb is going to specialize in screen passes, there's no reason not to give Pick another shot.

All I'm saying is it's time to find out who your players are.

Things could get pretty bleak if some changes aren't made by conference-play time. 

Let's see which guys are most capable and ready of producing not just this year, but next as well.  Turn them all loose and see which athletes come up with the big plays.

Kansas Jayhawks' football fans have entered a nightmare, and it's far from over.

For those of you who did not watch the game, it seemed as if the Jayhawks were asleep, while Southern Miss looked like they had all injected Red Bull into their blood stream. The difference in motivation, momentum and focus between the two teams was so astounding that it seemed KU was playing like a high school team, and Southern Miss as a college team.

Maybe I'm being a bit melodramatic, since we only lost by 15. Still, the Jayhawks were dominated like Rihanna all game. 

Here is my question to the Kansas Jayhawks' football team: How do you go from beating a ranked team, to losing to a Conference USA team?

It's like the Jayhawks have alter-egos. One ego sleeps through games, and by the time it wakes up, the game is already out of reach. The other ego comes out like it's their last game and raises hell on everyone. 

This game, the sleepy ego was present, while the motivated ego stayed in Lawrence.

Not to disrespect Southern Miss, who actually has a decent team and were the favorites for this game. My question is why was Southern Miss the favorite? The Jayhawks went 12-1 and won the Orange Bowl only 3 years ago! Where did that talent go? Weren't we supposed to get major recruiting enhancements from that win?

Going through rebuilding sucks. Trust me I know, since i have been a fan of the Royals since i was born, which means I've only witnessed rebuilding seasons. 

Why did KU need to rebuild though? As much as i hate to give credit to Mizzou, take a look at their program. They went through the same situation as KU, yet were able to turn it around and are currently a ranked team with a young squad.

If Turner Gill allows the players to think that this lazy, sleepy style of play is acceptable, then not only are KU fans in for a long season, but Kansas will be stuck with it for the next 3 or 4 years. This team can be good, and they have proved it, but if they lack the hunger it takes to play each game like it's their last, then KU fans will see a lot more games like this.

KU fans better hope the motivated ego kills the other one in it's sleep, otherwise the Jayhawks will return to being the laughingstock of Big XII football.

Peace Out

Ben Gartland

9/17/10