Keegan: KU has one step left: win

The players who make up Mark Mangino's sixth football team at Kansas University will head back to work Monday, intent on closing the gap on upper-division Big 12 teams.

The workouts are "optional." It always pays to remind new players what that really means: If they don't show up for all of them and don't work as if their scholarships depend on it, Mangino has the option to leave them on the bench.

They'll work hard, all right. That never has been a problem under Mangino, an organized disciplinarian. By now, the progress the program has made under the former assistant to Bill Snyder at Kansas State and Bob Stoops at Oklahoma can be measured in simple terms: Wins and losses.

Can Mangino's sixth team accomplish what no previous Kansas football squad has in 11 tries? Can the Jayhawks break even in the eight games against Big 12 competition? If the answer is yes, the program has made legitimate, measurable strides.

In his only season at the helm after the Big 12 added the four Texas schools, Glen Mason went 2-6 in conference play. Terry Allen's records were 3-5, 1-7, 3-5, 2-6 and 1-7, for a total of 10-30. Mangino's records have been 0-8, 3-5, 2-6, 3-5, 3-5, for an 11-29 total.

Mangino went 0-8 with the players and culture left him by Allen. Mangino has been here long enough to put his own stamp on things. All the remaining players are his recruits. The program is marketed aggressively. The crowds have grown. Now the question is, can Kansas win four of these eight: at Kansas State, Baylor, at Colorado, at Texas A&M, Nebraska, at Oklahoma State, Iowa State and vs. Missouri at Arrowhead Stadium?

In an attempt to upgrade the caliber of athletes on board, Mangino initially recruited too many junior college players, which indirectly ran the program into trouble with the NCAA. In the area of recruiting players from two-year schools, the quantity has gone way down, the quality up.

The key to this season could be the holes plugged by JC recruits. Only three new ones joined the team, but they all experienced encouraging springs and are expected to play key roles. Cornerback Kendrick Harper and safety Patrick Resby should make the secondary better. Guard Chet Hartley, all 315 pounds of him, will be counted on to help an offensive line that is anchored by NFL prospect Anthony Collins at left tackle, but is shy on proven Big 12 blockers. On paper, the O-line is the team's biggest cause for concern, especially given Kerry Meier's penchant for throwing interceptions facing pressure and Todd Reesing's tendency to fumble.

Defensively, the depth of the line also is a concern, though coordinator Bill Young is so clever he could come up with ways to use packages that make depth at linebacker mask lack of it up front.

Leadership shouldn't be an issue, given the presence of tight end Derek Fine, running back Brandon McAnderson, defensive tackle James McClinton, and safety Darrell Stuckey.

Al Davis, czar of the Oakland Raiders all these decades, would give Mangino's KU teams passing grades in following two of his three key sayings: "Commitment to Excellence," and "Pride and Poise."

Two down, one to go. The toughest one.

"Just win, baby!"

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ttoulouse (anonymous) says...

OK, no more Raider-based analogies Keegan. The program is under enough pressure and stress as it is...
I guess I never realized how bad our conference record has been over the last 15 years. Makes me sick! I know we're a basketball school and the program is improving, but come on!

May 31, 2007 at 6:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

JayCeph (anonymous) says...

Yeah, the football record has been pretty lousy. I hope they can do something to turn this baby around. I love going to games at Memorial stadium and (fortunately) have been to the ones where the Jayhawks won (how does that happen?).

Keep up the good work, team!

May 31, 2007 at 9:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Jimmy_Dean (Alan Halvorsen) says...

I almost wonder if we should try a 3-4 scheme, with Mike Rivera and Joe Mortensen competing for the middle backer spot, this way they can both play side by side. Also KU has always seemed to have trouble recruiting DT's. That would help with our depth issues on the DL and would allow Rivera to play instead of waste his talents on the bench!

May 31, 2007 at 12:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

txrockchalk (anonymous) says...

JayCeph,

It sounds like you need to join the ranks of us KU football season ticket holders! We can use all of the help we can get. Plus like you said, the games are a blast.

May 31, 2007 at 12:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

fabio (anonymous) says...

Jimmy Dean-that could be a good way to utilize our strength at linebacker and cover our weakness elsewhere, good thinking.
JayCeph- txrockchalk is right. There will never be a better time to become a season ticket holder than right now. Its gonna be a great season. My family is counting down the days.

May 31, 2007 at 12:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

prairie_dog (anonymous) says...

This is a breakout year if 2 things happen:
1. Pass rush. Onyegbule?
2. QB play. Yes, as a 45 year KU football sufferer, I'm getting sick of this. We haven't had high-quality QB play here since Dave Jaynes (well, maybe Seurer).

We beat KSuck in Mancrappy, Baylor and ISU. The 4th win will be tough.

May 31, 2007 at 2:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

bmcmich1 (anonymous) says...

Great post prairie dog, love the Jaynes and Seurer reference. I was a fan of Chip Hilleary, too--he wasn't the flashiest guy, but he got the job done. Also, Mark Williams led arguably the best team we've had in the last quarter century. And,if it wasn't for injury and a shortened career with us due to him being a transfer, Bill Whittemore would probably go down as one of the best we've had. His style of play was fantastic--so gritty--he was fun to watch. But those are all guys that true KU Football fans remember--I see your point in that most of the Nation probably doesn't remember them. Hell, even Indiana had Antwaan Randle-El. More recently, Iowa State had Senneca Wallace. Why can't WE have someone like that?? Hopefully we will in either Meier or Reesing. Oh, and that 4th win? I like us getting two in a row against the Buffs--it's going to be tough to do in Boulder, but they are still searching for an identity under Hawkins and in my opinion therefore ripe for the pickin. I mean come on, Mangino's road curse has GOTTA change for the better at some point!! Why not in '07?

Oh, and JayCeph--get some season tix, man--join the party!

May 31, 2007 at 2:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )