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Kansas University head football coach Mark Mangino speaks with media members in this file photo from Saturday, Aug. 18, 2007 following a morning practice at Memorial Stadium.
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KU football team ranked #13
For the first time in 12 years, the Kansas football team is ranked before the season even starts. Friday the USA Today coaches' poll put Kansas in the top 15.
Journal-World File Photo
Kansas linebacker Mike Rivera pumps his fist after the Jayhawks shut down the Aggies on a fourth down deep in Kansas territory in this file photo from last season's KU victory at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas. Rivera and the Jayhawks learned Friday that they're ranked No. 13 in the USA Today preseason coaches poll.
Past preseasons
Here's a look at the four previous times the KU football program has been ranked heading into a season:
Year: 1952
Preseason rank: 17
Finish: 7-3 (3-3 in Big Seven), N/R
Year: 1961
Preseason rank: 8
Finish: 7-3-1 (5-2 Big Eight), 15th (UPI)
Year: 1976
Preseason rank: 19
Finish: 6-5 (2-5 in Big Eight), N/R
Year: 1996
Preseason rank: 25
Finish: 4-7 (2-6 in Big 12 North), N/R
Year: 2008
Preseason rank: 13
Finish: ????
For those Kansas University football fans suffering from triskaidekaphobia (an irrational fear of the number 13), Friday's release of the 2008 USA Today preseason coaches' poll might come as a traumatic karmic development.
For everyone else, it represents a sign that the program has etched itself into the national conscience.
On the heels of a 12-1 season and their first BCS bowl victory in school history, the Jayhawks find themselves ranked 13th in the nation in one of the major preseason polls, the first time since 1996 they've entered a season in the Top 25.
Georgia earned the No. 1 spot, followed by Southern California, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Florida.
"I feel the same way I did a year ago about this team," Kansas coach Mark Mangino said during last week's Big 12 media days in Kansas City, Mo. "I think our team has good chemistry, from what I've seen through the winter workouts and through spring ball and (from) what the strength coach has told me about the summer program. We have some key people to replace, but we did last year, as well."
This year's preseason ranking marks the fifth in the program's history and the highest since 1961, when the Jayhawks entered the season ranked eighth.
The poll also echoes sentiment that Kansas will endure a much tougher schedule than it did a season ago, when the Jayhawks faced just two teams - Virginia Tech and Missouri - that finished the season in the Top 25.
This year, Kansas is scheduled to face five teams listed among the preseason Top 25, including Oklahoma (No. 4), Missouri (No. 7), Texas (No. 10), Texas Tech (No. 14) and South Florida (No. 21).
Two other teams on the Jayhawks' schedule - Nebraska and Colorado - also received votes.
"I'm not in the prediction business," said Mangino about his team's perceived difficulty of schedule. "I know that our kids are looking forward to the season and the people we have on the schedule. Yeah, it's a little bit more difficult schedule than it was a year ago. But we embrace those challenges. You want to play teams like Oklahoma, Texas, Texas Tech."
The Jayhawks, who defeated Virginia Tech 24-21 in the Orange Bowl and finished the 2007 season ranked No. 7 nationally, return 15 starters from last year's team, including quarterback and Davey O'Brien Award semifinalist Todd Reesing.
Still, even as they enter the season with a No. 13 ranking and a level of anticipation not typically seen around Lawrence, players aren't ready to admit they've "arrived".
"Even though we won the Orange Bowl, we're still not greatly appreciated," said junior safety Darrell Stuckey. "This is the first time in a long time that we've been in the Top 25, and we're grateful for that. But we still aren't done. We still aren't the best we can be.
"And we realize there's a lot of room for improvement."
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Comments
KGphoto (anonymous) says...
Unspooling "triskaidekaphobia" and "traumatic karmic development" in the opening paragraph, is entertaining. A bit haughty for a pre-season rankings article, but entertaining. You sure you don't want to be writing about something with a little more worldy preeminence?
That said, who's toting the rock in Texas? And how did they get #10? Is it because their whites are so white? I'll whip their ass!
August 2, 2008 at 7:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Jhaux (anonymous) says...
My only fear is another duganarnettstoryaphobia to wake up to.
Rock Chalk!
August 2, 2008 at 7:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kackley (anonymous) says...
My only regret is that we still have slimeballs like Jhaux complaining about Dugan Arnett for no reason. Get a life.
August 2, 2008 at 9:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KU1979 (anonymous) says...
Our guys have the right attitude and I can't wait for the season to start. And 13 is my lucky number, so no fear here!
August 2, 2008 at 9:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
njjayhawk (anonymous) says...
Let's play the season, and then do the analysis. We must avoid the 1968 to 1969 KU pratfall, when we went from 9-2 and a heartbreaking loss to Penn State in the OB to 1-9 the following year with a bevy of talent still on the team. I think we will be fine this year: 9-3, with a bowl victory in a major non-BCS bowl.
Oh, by the way....is it true that Ron Prince, KSU head man, will appear on "Dancing with the Stars" with Marie Osmond, showing off his "Prince Stomp" which he demonstrated last year on the sidelines at Texas? If true, let's hope Marie doesn't faint again when she sees Prince rev up "The Stomp" with her in his arms on the dance floor. Good heavens, what on earth will Paula Abdul say?
August 2, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rockchalkjayhawk81 (anonymous) says...
football!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!i am so ready
August 2, 2008 at 9:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Bleed_Crimson_Blue (anonymous) says...
At least the 'Hawks will be worthy of our attention this fall - the same can not be said for the Chiefs..
August 2, 2008 at 11:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sevenyearhawk (anonymous) says...
Four weeks from today, folks!!!!
It is going to be a helluva year for Kansas and the Big XII ...
August 2, 2008 at 11:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mvjayhawk (anonymous) says...
this is the year we do it....go to back-to-back bowls. it's another stepping stone for a program that is still being built..and MM is doing it his way...the "sawing wood" way. We will have a good football team again...this poll reflects that. Whether we're BCS bowl bound again is another story. Last year was record breaking in a number of ways...but it is last year. we have to keep the hammer down, keep getting good coaches, good funding, good facilities, and very good players.
it's going to be a heckuva college football year. The Big 12 is very good...and USC, Georgia, Florida and Ohio St will be excellent teams. I can't wait!! Go Jayhawks!!!!
August 2, 2008 at 12:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JJHawq (anonymous) says...
KU will win more than the Chiefs. I'm hoping for 3-13 and the top pick in the draft.
August 2, 2008 at 12:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jhwkfan162515 (anonymous) says...
Well, since we won't be playing any games on a Friday the 13th, I don't think we have to worry about starting off at #13. RCJH.
August 2, 2008 at 12:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sevenyearhawk (anonymous) says...
The USF game was *supposed* to be on the 13th, until it got moved to Friday ...
August 2, 2008 at 1:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cwag (anonymous) says...
13 has always been a lucky Jayhawk number -
read 'Sports Stories For You and Youth' by Dr. Forrest Clare "Phog" Allen for further insight.
August 2, 2008 at 1:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lando30 (anonymous) says...
it's nice to get recognized in the polls. it helps a couple things. 1)recognition helps recruiting. 2) A loss to one of the south opponents will not hurt as much as if we were trying to climb into the polls during the season. that being said, someone made a good point earlier about the teams we beat last year and one of those teams beat all 3 of the south teams we play this year. it really does come down to taking one game at a time. anything's possible...
Beak Em
August 2, 2008 at 2:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
thiknthinhawk (anonymous) says...
I really don't think people are prepared for the level of success we'll acheive this season. Last season wasn't a fluke and wasn't the pinnacle. With the foe's we face this season and the level of talent combined with the coaching of Mangino and co., we will be in the hunt for the national title. Crawford is a serious hoss- just what our offense needed. And our defense will be one of the best in the land. woo hoo! Last year was only the beginning!!!
August 2, 2008 at 2:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
klong (anonymous) says...
I'm done with all the talk. I'm ready see if they can continue to improve at a high level. Less than one month, I can't wait!
August 2, 2008 at 2:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rockchalkAZ (anonymous) says...
Can anyone tell me, is it too late to order the student sports ticket package at ku for this year? How do I do it?
August 2, 2008 at 5:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
actorman (anonymous) says...
"My only regret is that we still have slimeballs like Jhaux complaining about Dugan Arnett for no reason. Get a life."
Hear, hear!!!
August 2, 2008 at 9:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
njjayhawk (anonymous) says...
Would someone PLEASE answer my question (see above) about Ron Prince of KSU appearing on "Dancing with the Stars" with Marie Osmond as his partner?
August 2, 2008 at 10:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KGphoto (anonymous) says...
OU just dismissed Jarboe. That helps.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/st...
August 3, 2008 at 10:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JayViking (anonymous) says...
Posted by rockchalkAZ (anonymous) on August 2, 2008 at 5:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Can anyone tell me, is it too late to order the student sports ticket package at ku for this year? How do I do it?
No. You can do the "all sports combo" through enroll & pay via additional campus fees or something like that. however, it's 150 bucks and if you don't plan to attend many basketball games it isn't worth it. you can always walk up to the ticket window once they open up season ticket sales and purchase the student football season tickets (45 bucks).
August 4, 2008 at 8:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )