Not-so-gentle reign

If we're 7-3 right now instead of 5-5 this isnt even a blip on the radar. It's not. We all know that. Im not saying thats right (or wrong), but its so and we all know it.

The reality is Mangino is done. Im not for that by the way. Weather its this year or next he's done. This issue may or may not boil over again. But it will always be there now. I didnt think this was news, there has always been stories of his temper.

I find it interesting how different some of these stories come across though. You know... like it really does depend on the individual on how they are going to take it. It sounds pretty ugly some of the stuff he's saying to some of these kids. Some kids will brush it off knowing he's just trying to toughen them up. Some will be lost from that point on. If anything his problem is not knowing when to do that and when not to.

I for one dont want him gone, but if we dont go bowling this year he'll be close to being done anyway. And if we get a repeat performance next year he'll be gone for sure as well.

For better or worse, when you have expectations (not unrealistic either mind you) of at least MAKING a bowl game and fail to do so the leash is going to be shortened. As well it should be. Having the best QB in KU history and 2 of the top 15 (if not 10) receivers in the country shouldnt result in 7 straight losses. Unfortunately, its going to.

November 19, 2009 at 9:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

KU AD Perkins meets with football players over concerns about coach Mark Mangino

I dont think this leaks if its insignificant. Thats my guess, but who knows.

November 17, 2009 at 10:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

From bad to worse

Simply put we are brutal. We'll end up 5-7 after starting 5-0 and that quite frankly is nothing short of @#$@%#! disgraceful. I've got no dillusions that we were going to go undefeated or even drop a few games. This however is ridiculous.

To have the best QB in school history in his Senior year, along with 2 of the top 15 receivers in the whole country and come out and be this impotent on offense is staggering. Yes, our "D" has been horrible. But for its shortcomings, I see at least 2 of the losses we've had you can pin DIRECTLY on our pathetic offense's issues. The "D" on Saturday cost us with that stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid facemasking penalty. The shame of it is, they'd been more than just respectable during the game, they'd been pretty damn good.

Weather its the coaching, or the Reesing's not being able to do his progressions like he once did our offense is pass happy and sadly predictable. Our run game used to be strong, but we seem to bail on it far to quickly, even in games we're still in.

The unfortunate / fortunate reality is that 5-10 years ago most KU fans would just nod and go on their way with the schools football team. We'd all just be ready for hoops. But the heightened expectations (which are justified --- at least to go bowling regularly) not being met because we can only win ONE @#$@#R$ is pathetic and disgraceful.

A team with this much talent shouldnt go 1-7 in conference play. And were going to. Sad.

Well... at least the X-Man is lighting it up.

November 15, 2009 at 9 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Nebraska: Mangino's Last Stand?

I agree with your sentiments here. And while I also agree that we didnt "quit" during the CU game, that was the first game this season where it was exposed as us being wholly unprepared as a team.

We've been @#$$#^#$^ as a team since the CU game. You could even argue we've been that way since the Southern Miss game.

His comment about the Defense after the CU game ("we were worried about this back when") stuff to me doesnt speak highly of him as a coach in my mind. Even if its true, you've just sold out the players you've got on that... and im sure that leads to where you've mentioned about them quitting on him.

You cant throw your mediocre talented players under the bus, even if it was attempting to be subtle (it wasnt). It's a ashame, but it does seem that we've done nothing remotely successful since then.

There is no chance at 7-5 at this juncture. None. We wont beat both NU and Mizzou... and to be honest, do we even look like we'll win any of the games that are left? I still think we'll get to 6-6 somehow... but dont ask me how... thats more on blind faith than anything. A 5-7 season is looking likely. Frustrating.

Ive posted on the boards all season that if we didnt start 6-0 we'd be in trouble... we didnt... and we are. If there's a jumble of 6-6 Big 12 teams KU is going to be one of those who will probably be a wall flower when it comes to bowl selection... as you've pointed out as well.

November 8, 2009 at 12:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

FINAL: Daniel Thomas runs for 183 yards in KSU's 17-10 victory over KU

Im not going to be gunning to run (or walk) coach Mangino outta town. There needs to be (and im sure there will) a critical look at the coaching staff (and maybe even Mangino) after the season is over.

If they make a 2nd or 3rd rate bowl and win he'll have they'll be no pressure to fire him. Nor should there be. Make staff changes possibly? Im sure thats happening no matter what.

For all of the angst and frustration with Todd Reesing going from Mr. Cool under pressure to a guy who looks like he's running for his life and forcing the issue, he is STILL the best option we have at QB. The idea were getting farther with Pick in there is laughable. No chance there. Thats running up the white flag.

I still find it ironic that the early Mangino years had at least decent D-I defenses and now it seems like we cant stop anyone to save our lives... and more importantly, I'd be curious as to where we rank nationally (or even in the Big 12) on stopping guys on 3rd down. Or even 3 and outs. We cant be very good at that at all. Giving up 200+ yds rushing is a joke. A bad one at that. I get the KSU is running the ball... but come on.

Again... 7-5 should have been the worst we hoped for and now we'd be lucky to get there. 6-6 is starting to look hopeful. I do legitimately wonder if we'll win a game the rest of the season.

November 7, 2009 at 5:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

FINAL: Daniel Thomas runs for 183 yards in KSU's 17-10 victory over KU

People got on me about being a 'hater' 4 weeks ago, but everything I presumed to come true has.

The Colorado game was the nail in the coffin. The OU loss was assured, the Tech game was almost assured (as will the UT game) as losses as well.

Our odds of redemption to come were KSU, Nebraska, and Mizzou. I mentioned at the time after the CU/OU games we'd be lucky to win one of those. Now id be surprised if we won again.

The Flag Football "O" is fun and exciting when Reesing isnt pressured... and even a little when he his. But he's looked like @#$@ since the CU game and has done nothing to restore anyones confidence in him (or the Offenses' odds) since then. Lets not even bother talking about the "D", which finally made a bit of a cameo today.

We SHOULD be disappointed where this team will end up... which at this point is HOPEFULLY 6-6 and a bowl bid. But if there is a jumble mish-mosh of mediocre Big 12 teams (North more specifically) I have no faith that we'd be ahead of the rest of the crew than if several finish 6-6.

Have these guys shown ANYTHING all year that would make you think we could be either Mizzou or Nebraska at this point? Be honest. We havent. I still think we can pull out the game next week since its in Lawrence, but the UT game will be a brutal thumping and if Gabbert is healthy for Mizzou I dont have faith we can take them.

7-5 SHOULD have been the worst we ended up with and now it appears to be the best we'd end up at.

November 7, 2009 at 4 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Releford, Little to sit out exhibition game

Im with you brooklyn...

... I see no benefit to Little red shirting at all (except from KU's vantage point). Releford makes more sense on both ends, but who knows.

Reed and Johnson would be interesting picks, but I cant see Johnson doing it. This guy was one of the top PGs in the country.

I guess we'll know at the end of the week.

November 2, 2009 at 3:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

FINAL: Oklahoma overwhelms Kansas, 35-13

It is a bit ironic as rastameta pointed out...

... our Offense used to be flat out offensive and putrid. Out Defense used to be at worst average and at times early in Mangino's tenure it was excellent. Wild how times have changed.

Look... there is no question that the Football Program is better stronger now than it has been in most of our lifetimes. I DONT view fans being more critical as a problem... remember, most of the time previously we just didnt care. Glen Mason did have some good years as well, but I think Mangino has it to a place where it maybe more sustainable. Or so we hope. Interest and revenues are at an all time high now for football.

Expectations SHOULD be higher after the Orange Bowl. Thats not to say I think we as fans should think going to a BCS bowl is going to happen... it may not happen again. At this point going to a bowl game however is and should be expected. Especially when you schedule the cupcakes that Mangino likes to snack on prior to Big 12 play.

We HAVE to beat the teams we should however in Big 12 play, and losing that CU game I fear is going to be our downfall. We shouldnt be shocked if we only win one more game though, which in my mind stinks. While its only a one game differential, with our 'gimmie' non-conference schedule 6-6 seems a world away from 7-5 to me. And because if that easy non-conference schedule, if the Big 12 gets backlogged with 6-6 teams and to few bowl bids we shouldnt assume we'd get one of them either.

October 25, 2009 at 11:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

FINAL: Oklahoma overwhelms Kansas, 35-13

I said before the season started that if we didnt start 6-0 prior to today's game against OU we were in trouble... and we are.

Why? Because now were counting/assuming a/some "W"s in some form from the KSU-Neb-Mizzou trio. While winning 1 or 2 of these games seems possible (the optimist would say probably), the reality is after last weeks game against a mediocre at best CU team and today's predicted whooping we took from OU I dont know how anyone here can be honest about the situation and assume we'd win ANY of those 3 games. It doesnt mean we wont. I still think someway, somehow we'll pick one off, but I certainly wouldnt bet the house on it.

We have a 1000% chance of losing to Texas. I think we've got a 99% chance of losing to Texas Tech. Have we beat those guys since the Big 12 was formed? I dont think we have. When you apply no pressure on the QB from your front 4 and you dont blitz, teams like Tech and Mr. McCoy from Austin are going to tear us up. I think we'll get smoked worse than we did today next week in Lubbock. Im not looking forward to it.

So that leaves us with KSU, Mizzou, Nebraska. While I do believe the KSU is doing it with smoke and mirrors right now, you cant tell me after losing 4 of the last 5 to us they arent going to be jacked beyond belief in 2 weeks up at the Bill. Man I hope we get some fans up there.

Mizzou has come back to reality primarily because, much like KU they played a soft non-conference schedule, and then open up with a tougher 1st half of the Big 12 schedule. Almost the opposite of us to be honest. I think dismissing Mizzou outta hand is a mistake. Especially since the next 4 games before us are CU, Baylor, KSU, ISU. If Gabbert is healthy (he hasnt been) them winning 5 straight to end the season isnt out of the realm of possibility.

Nebraska to me seems to be the most logical option for our next (and possibly last) "W". Their most impressive "W" was Mizzou in the monsoon a few weeks ago. Problem again is however they have OU left then the dregs of the North (including us). Having them at home is HUGE now.

Whom(s)ever posted it previously was dead on... we've played like hell for 4 straight weeks and should feel lucky to be 2-2 after the way we played. Blowing the ISU and Southern Miss games were there for the taking. The OU loss was predictable, but the CU game is going to haunt us. It just is.

Im not one of these "we gotta win the North and go 10-2" guys either... my wants are modest at this juncture, and have been even after the amazing Orange Bowl run (and before, really). Having the football team get to bowl games the last several years makes me think anything less than that is a huge disappointment, even if its a more minor bowl. Problem is, thats not a sure thing now either. Especially if the 6-6 Big 12 teams start piling up (which it appears that we maybe heading that way).

Very frustrating indeed.

October 25, 2009 at 1:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Jayhawks’ defense exposed by ISU

I'd predict the "D" will play better against CU. Between CUs offense, and KU's D just playing better you'd think that. Of course, if we get one of those "Snow Bowl" games next week who knows what will happen then.

All bets are off if thats the case, although I'd like to think we'd still win regardless.

October 11, 2009 at 9:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )