Heading into this weekend's opening game has caused me to reflect on what I was thinking this time last year. My main worry was would our defense keep doing enought to keep us in the games each week. Over the course of the past few years our defense was the lone bright spot. Every week they played their heart out and . Nick Reid, Banks Floodman, & Gabe Toomey began the run of outstanding linebacker tandems that continues today. The Hawks' were in most games until the defense began to wear down in the second-half due to the inability of the offense to move the ball. Our defense was there, now we just needed an offense to materialize.
Hello Todd Reesing..........He gave us stability at quarterback that we haven't had since the days of Bill Wittemore (and that can even be questioned). We managed to go a whole year with one guy leading the team down field. Coach Mangino & Kerry Meier get a lot of credit for making this happen. Coach Mangino for having the stones to go to a guy her recruited to be his QB and lead the squad, and asking him to take one for the team and step aside. Kerry Meier for not letting his ego get in the way and learning to help the team in other ways. We have found our team!!!!
Getting back to the upcoming season and I have a level of excitement that I haven't had in quite a while regarding KU football. While excited, I am also a realist and realize that this is all new to us and the team. I believe the team will go into this season playing with a chip on their shoulder and continue using that for motivation throughtout the year. As far as Hawk fans we need to set our sights high, but not unobatinable.
I see the South Florida game as key to our season. If we can go into their backyard and grab a win, then I think our confidence will explode. If not, then the doubt pertaining to our schedule will begin to creep into our minds and the pundents will come out of the woodwork to say, "I told you so." This game is the key to our season.
We also need a win against on of the so-called Big Three from the south division (OU, Texas Tech, or Texas). I hope I am wrong, but I do not see us getting a win in Norman, so that leaves the other two. Can Mangino's squad rebound off a loss to OU and be ready to face the high octane offense of the Red Raiders in Lawrence the following weekend?? I believe we can and predict this game to be a tight one which the Hawks pull-out.
Win's against K-State at home & Nebraska on the road (yes, we will end the streak in Lincoln) sets-up a big game against Texas back in Lawrence. Colt McCoy has to improve a lot for me to think that this kid can lead the Longhorn's. I just cannot buy into the Texas-sized hype when it comes to this kid. He makes way to many mistakes for me and I think the Jayhawk's get it done this time.
That sends us into Arrowhead to face the Tigers and let's face it, we picked a bad time last season to play our worst game of the season. The Tigers will be an even better team this year. They now have a great defense to go with the arm of Chase Daniels. If they come in undefeated then all the expectations and pressure will be on their shoulder's. We have nothing to lose and everything to gain and our maturity & experience this season will get the job done.
That sends us to the Big 12 Title Game, but our season hinges on the outcome of the South Florida game. Get a victory in Florida and we are on our way. Lose that game and it becomes a matter of us getting our confidence back and getting on a roll. Good Luck to Coach Mangino & the 2008 Kansas Jayhawk's
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