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Monday, October 22, 2007

Keegan

Keegan: Kansas in odd company

By Tom Keegan

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Undefeated Jayhawks rank 9th in BCS

Jayhawks fall in at number nine in the Bowl Championship Series standings after winning in Colorado.

Ohio State, Boston College, Arizona State, Kansas University and Hawaii.

A perennial football heavyweight, the nation's top Catholic football program, a baseball powerhouse, an elite basketball university and an island way out there in every sense of way out there. They span nearly 6,000 miles and various cultures and climates.

By now most followers of college football know what those five schools have in common. They are the only remaining undefeated teams among the 119 that play in the sport's most competitive division.

All five rank among the top 16 in the nation in the Associated Press poll: 1. Ohio State; 2. Boston College; 7. Arizona State; 12. Kansas; 16. Hawaii.

Combined, the five schools have a 36-0 record, compared to a 12-27 combined mark for Notre Dame, Nebraska, Iowa, Washington and Ole Miss.

Interestingly, the five share a scheduling similarity. None of the 36 victories they have scored thus far came against a school now ranked in the AP Top-25 poll. Three of the 36 victims were ranked at the time of the games against the unbeaten. Ohio State (Purdue), Boston College (Georgia Tech) and Kansas (Kansas State) each scored a victory over a ranked team.

The rankings aren't a prediction of where teams finish, rather a reflection of what they've accomplished thus far. Safe prediction: Arizona State won't be ranked after its next four games, which are against California, Oregon, UCLA and USC. That doesn't mean the Sun Devils don't deserve to be ranked now.

Boston College doesn't have a breather left, with Virginia Tech on deck, followed by Florida State, Maryland, Clemson and Miami.

Hawaii, which has had the easiest schedule among unbeatens, has three tough challenges left, facing Fresno State, Boise State and weaker-than-usual Washington.

Ohio State doesn't have any layups, with Penn State, Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan remaining.

Regardless of what happens from here for Kansas, the soft nonconference schedule already has served its purpose. The 7-0 start has resulted in tons of exposure for the program, and with any luck, Mark Mangino's decision not to talk to respected sideline reporter Jack Arute at halftime will not hurt the team's chances of getting back on the network soon.

The start also guarantees KU a bowl game early enough for the program's growing fan base to start saving cash for a bowl trip, which could lead bowl directors to have confidence Kansas will travel in big numbers.

The schedule grows much tougher for the Jayhawks, who have their two weakest remaining opponents at home (Nebraska and Iowa State) and the three toughest ones away from Memorial Stadium (Texas A&M, Oklahoma State, Missouri).

Then again, playing on the road doesn't mean what it once did. In two road conference games, KU has won as many games (two) as Mangino's first five teams did in 20 games.

"People always knocked us, saying we weren't going to be able to find a way to win on the road, saying, 'Wait until they play on the road, they'll fold,'" quarterback Todd Reesing said. "... So all the talk about, 'Can't win on the road,' that's got to be over now."

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Comments

plasticJHawk (anonymous) says...

Wow, is that it? I can't tell if you actually finished this column, or just got tired of writing.

Indeed, I would say that Kansas probably has the most favorable schedule to finish out the regular season. Even Hawaii faces the ever underrated Fresno State and Boise State squads.

October 22, 2007 at 7:21 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Yahweh (anonymous) says...

Well, at least he didn't make any wild speculations. I don't mind him cutting his articles short if he leaves out his crazed banter. He has a Dick-Vitale-like quality of picking and choosing bits of reality.

"Facts can prove anything even remotely true,"
--Homer Simpson

Yeah, I agree we have the easiest of any of the programs' remaining schedules. I hope we go undefeated, of course, but that would be a crazy ride indeed. I wonder what Vegas' odds are on an undefeated season for the 'Hawks?

October 22, 2007 at 7:43 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

klong (anonymous) says...

I said it last week. A win in Boulder would be the key for the rest of the year. They did it and are more confident now than ever. College Station doesn't scare me nearly as bad as it did a few weeks ago. I know it will be loud and hard to adjust to, but these guys have it in them. TAMU isn't good enough to beat us! I don't care where we play. They can't stop the pass, enough said. The rest of the way doesn't scare me until MU.

As much as we all hate to we have to pull for KSU to beat em'. They haven't won in Manhattan for at leat 20 years. I think KSU still has an upset in them.

October 22, 2007 at 8:45 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Yahweh (anonymous) says...

My slight dislike of K-State pales in comparison to my absolute hatred of anything Missouri. They burned down my hometown for crying out loud! Until I get a formal appology from their governor I'll never rest.

October 22, 2007 at 9:10 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

klong (anonymous) says...

My thoughts exactly Yahweh. I just said the same thing this weekend,but without the letter from the governor thing, but I like that! You mind if I use it now too?

October 22, 2007 at 9:14 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

hawk_bred20 (anonymous) says...

I know a few people have already been saying it, but I am more worried about Oklahoma St. in three weeks. We do have to take care of business with two other games first though.

But, imagine going into Stillwater at 9-0, knowing that if we win, we will be undefeated going to play Missouri. This could truly be a special season.

October 22, 2007 at 9:59 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

troutsee (anonymous) says...

Keep choppin wood but think 14-0. Such dreams are no longer unrealistic.

October 22, 2007 at 10:49 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

fabio (anonymous) says...

You guys are getting way ahead of yourselves. Weve got a nationally televised game, in our most hostile venue of the year. We recruit heavy out of Texas and Reesing and a few others are gonna be playing close to home. The other games seem light years away right now. Beat the Aggies! Get revenge for last years melt down!

October 22, 2007 at 10:57 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

KU (anonymous) says...

hawk_bred....I agree that OSU will be tougher than aTm because they have more speed and skill.

Fortunately, KU should be able to rest some starters in the second half against Nebraska so they go into the OSU game fresh!

October 22, 2007 at 11:39 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

KURiggins (anonymous) says...

No doubt KU is for real. Did anyone watch the BCS Show last night? To paraphrase, they said KU has had the easiest road so far this year. They said again, KU is not for real when its opponents are a combined 22-36. Really? Ask Oklahoma how easy it is in Boulder. What does KU have to do to prove they deserve to be considered among the nation's best? Yes, yes I know USC is the best..and that loss to Stanford(40pt underdogs) was a miracle. Whatever! As long as we are focused we have proven we can run with the big boys. Its Texas A&M that should be nervous, not us. Hello, did anyone else see Todd Reesing undress that so-called tough CU defense on a 40plus yard run? So the pundits of college football this is your wake up call..The Hawks are for real! That's right, oh I know USC and LSU are tough..but at some point you have to put up or shut up. KU, so far is one of the best for a reason. And even if KU can not run the table(a realistic possibility) they deserve some credit w/o naysayers. Maybe when we crush your team you'll get it!..Go Hawks

October 22, 2007 at 11:55 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Yahweh (anonymous) says...

Yeah, Klong, go ahead. I've been saying it for years. The gubenatorial part is new, but to be honest, I'm not sure I would accept the apology... I'd think there was something sinister behind it.

It's just so easy to hate Missouri. I was talking to a K-state fan about it at the bar on Saturday. We both mentioned how we kind of didn't like each others' teams, but we wished each other well. We both agreed, though, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that nothing good comes from Columbia. He may have hated Missouri even more than me. He was an oldtimer, so he has more to hate than me.

October 22, 2007 at 12:06 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jhawks1510 (anonymous) says...

Personally, I'm happy w/no respect. Flying under the radar suits me just fine. So long as we get dissed, we keep having to go out and prove ourselves. When we get to our bowl game and are dissed again, that just helps motivate.

October 22, 2007 at 12:46 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

seattlehawk_78 (anonymous) says...

I'm with you Riggins. If KU is not the real deal based on their schedule then what is Ohio State doing at number 1? Apparently they only subscribe to a theory when it pleases them. I think KU will eventually lose a game this year and all the "experts" will pat themselves on the back and say, see, we told you KU wasn't for real. Of course when USC or LSU loses they didn't really get beat, it was an upset. I wish someone would take the time to actually watch this team and then tell me why they are not good for some other reason than their schedule. There is something to be said for flying under the radar but I'd like a little respect now and then.

Maybe if the "experts" on ESPN kept scorecards about their predictions they wouldn't be so arrogant whenever they are proved wrong.

October 22, 2007 at 1:14 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Jimmy_Dean (Alan Halvorsen) says...

I agree with everything you just said seattle.

If ESPN kept track of Corso's predictions, then he'd stop making predictions.

October 22, 2007 at 3:15 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

leikness (anonymous) says...

KU - If mangino even thinks about sitting starters against NU I will run onto the field and tackle Sam Keller at the back of the end zone myself.

KU seriously needs to go into that game with a number like 75 in mind. There's about 36 years of payback coming in that one. Run it up on NU, make them bleed, hurt people, break knees, legs, arms, but most of all, spirits (what's left of them). I want them bludgeoned when they leave Lawrence. And if anybody wants to kick some of their fans arses I'll have about 10 at my place after the game. Hell, I don't even care if a bunch of people get drunk and start doing the same crud they did a few years back. And I have Nebraska plates.

Very rarely do I hope for other players to get hurt, but I just saw too much of NU hurting people on our team over the course of time. I want back side blitzes on every snap. 5 hour game b/c of injury timeouts.

Sorry for all the hate on this one, but I want revenge.

October 22, 2007 at 3:32 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

troutsee (anonymous) says...

Way to go, leikness. Couldn't agree more. They always talk about what great and knowledgable and nice fans NU has. Hell, any fan can be nice when your beating the snot out of every team. I've seen them walking under our stadium, arms linked, eight abreast yelling, "go Big Red" over and over and making the KU fans walk around them. It's enough to make one puke. I may hate them more than MU, and that's a gargantuan hate. I've seen Dr. Tom leave his first team in way into the fourth quarter at our stadium even though his team was already ahead by 40 or 50 points. Yeah, it's pay back time for sure.

But first, let's take care of A & M and we will. We are going to massacre the luckiest team in America. Believe me, it will not be close.

October 22, 2007 at 4:44 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

seattlehawk_78 (anonymous) says...

leikness, you are way to kind. I want to see tears in the eyes of the mothers of each player. I want the players to regret the day they signed their letter of intent. I want the governor of Nebraska to declare November 3rd a state disaster. I want November 3rd, 2007 to be the saddest day in the life of all cornhusker fans.

October 22, 2007 at 6:21 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

mcrozb (anonymous) says...

Yes, one game at a time....... TAMU will be tough, but I remember too many 63-0, 72-3 losses from the huskers, i agree this is one I want badly to embarrass NU worse than ever, 72-0 would be a great payback for a long history.

October 22, 2007 at 6:22 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

seattlehawk_78 (anonymous) says...

P.S.

But I'll settle for a win by any margin since we don't beat them very often.

October 22, 2007 at 6:26 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhawk_in_iowa (anonymous) says...

I think we should start a petition to keep Callahan at Nebraska. I'm just loving this year for two reasons: the first is KU football, the second NU football(hahahahaha oh I how I hate Nebraska). I'm all for running up the score on Nebraska. Rock Chalk

October 22, 2007 at 7:20 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Ross (anonymous) says...

Normally I'd hate ND, always have, but now I have to temper that a bit. Good friend of mine's oldest is a redshirt freshman there, full scollie player part of that #1 recruiting class. Feel obligated to root for them...a little bit anyway.

October 22, 2007 at 8:14 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

actorman (anonymous) says...

I love all the comments about NU, and will never forget being at the stadium and seeing "St. Tom" go for two with a 33-0 lead in the second quarter. When asked why he did it, he said that KU was a dangerous team and capable of coming back. What a scumbag.

My one regret about what will hopefully be a massacre is that it won't be against an Osborne team.

October 23, 2007 at 12:19 a.m. ( | suggest removal )