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Links: Favorite in Big 12 North depends on whom you ask

Blog: The Newell Post

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By Jesse Newell

September 30, 2009

Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska have now played four non-conference games each. The question still remains, though. Who is the favorite in the Big 12 North?

Here are some links from folks sharing their thoughts on what they've seen so far in the Big 12 North and how they believe the division will play out.

• The Lincoln Journal Star's Steve Sipple: "Above all, the 25th-ranked Huskers showed they should be considered the clear-cut favorites to finish first in the Big 12 North. Yes, clear-cut. Let's make that distinction now."

• ESPN's Tim Griffin: "Still thinking that Kansas is just a tad better than the Cornhuskers, but a case could be made for either of those teams (to win the Big 12 North) or Missouri."

• The (University of Missouri) Maneater's Matt Gerstner: "There is no Big 12 North team that looks BCS-worthy right now. Hell, they don't look Cotton Bowl-worthy."

• The University Daily Kansan's Tim Dwyer: " ... if (the Jayhawks) start to defend the pass, they have a legitimate shot at running the table — only Texas and Oklahoma are ranked above the Jayhawks and left on the schedule."

• Denverjhawk on Rock Chalk Talk: "One thing is for certain whoever does come out of the North will have earned it. In reality Kansas is going to need some help. Even if Kansas takes care of business in the North they might need someone to go into Lincoln or Columbia and get a win when it isn't expected."

• J.D. Schaller of Bleacher Report: "The fact of the matter is that over the past three games against semi-quality teams, KU's offense and defense never seem to be clicking at the same time, or in any consistent sort of fashion at all, really."

• Peter Fleischer of Bleacher Report: "I have to pick the Cornhuskers if I’m going to bet on a team to win the North. I could easily see Missouri or Kansas sliding in and filling the role of champ, but Nebraska just looks too good."

• And, last but not least, Phil Steele has updated his predictions for the college football season based on results of games each week. The updated predictions have KU going 2-6 in the Big 12 North, with its only wins coming against Iowa State and Kansas State. By the way, his computer projection also has Kansas and Colorado both losing in their game on Oct. 17.

Comments

chicagoeddie (anonymous) says...

hmmmm... i think ku is good cause we have a gangsta kicker! i have never seen a kicker tackle so many people. Jesse do you have his tackle stats? That would be a great article on his no fear approach to tackling =D

September 30, 2009 at 2:41 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

chicagoeddie (anonymous) says...

yes i am the first comment!

September 30, 2009 at 2:41 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

PacificNWHawk (anonymous) says...

Nice post and generally great work–thanks. I thought Peter Fleischer's take from Bleacher Report was strong top to bottom. Looking forward to that NU vs MU match up. It was fun to see the NU, KU, MU homers take too.

September 30, 2009 at 2:42 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

FreddyD (anonymous) says...

I hate to say this, but unless KU overhauls their D-Line and linebackers in the next few weeks, I don't see them winning the Big 12 North. The linebackers are not good.

September 30, 2009 at 2:56 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

labbadabba (anonymous) says...

WooHoo! RCT gets a shoutout - way to go DenverJHawk!

Chicagoeddie - FAIL

FreddyD - Yeah, Artist Wright got himself pwnd once or twice. I think the D line will be just fine though...

September 30, 2009 at 3:18 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

jnewell (Jesse Newell) says...

chicagoeddie — We touched on Jacob's tackling skills in a Sideline Report a few weeks ago.

http://www2.kusports.com/weblogs/side...

September 30, 2009 at 3:21 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

TexasJayhawk78 (anonymous) says...

Well, well. It is not going to be CU. It is not going to be ISU. It is not going to be KSU.
That leaves three options. I love the way the media works the picking routine. It could be A, or it could be B. Then again, it could be C.

I bet these guys are a lot of fun to watch in a shell game. I guess no decision is the right decision.

The games played by each team are so different it is hard to compare, but the thing to note is they all are improving and taking care of business.

September 30, 2009 at 3:41 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Jimmy_Dean (Alan Halvorsen) says...

Man I sure hope Someone wins that game on oct. 17th...i would be extremely disappointed if I traveled all the way out to Boulder just to see a tie!
Freddy D, Correction, our linebackers Are good.
Your profile picture says it all in regard to how much you know about football.

September 30, 2009 at 4:48 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

truefan (anonymous) says...

The projections by Phil Steele are way off, but if you read the top of that page it says that those are computer projections, not his personal projections. The fan projections on that site are a lot more realistic except for Colorado finishing 3rd in the Big XII North.

My over-enthusiastic fan side says KU will win the North this year, but my realistic side says that our schedule is too hard and our pass D is too soft once again. Luckily the defense will have 2 games to hopefully gain back some confidence (my confidence, not theirs) before OU rolls into town. Last week looked too much like last year, good coverage, but no pass rush.

September 30, 2009 at 5:22 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

patton6 (anonymous) says...

Jimmy: Well played with the Boulder comment, I was thinking the same thing. I do have to agree with Freddy on our LBs though...right now they're very solid in run defense, but extremely vulnerable against the pass. I disagree that we need an overhaul to win the north though, because both Nebraska and Missouri have their fair share of weaknesses too. Like Jesse said, right now it's anyone's guess and while it's easy to make a case for whoever you advocate, it's just as easy to make one against that same team.

September 30, 2009 at 9:26 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

frisbeenation (anonymous) says...

"The updated predictions have KU going 2-6 in the Big 12 North, with its only wins coming against Iowa State and Kansas State. By the way, his computer projection also has Kansas and Colorado both losing in their game on Oct. 17."

Which is why they PLAY the games, baby!

October 1, 2009 at 12:59 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Rivethead (anonymous) says...

There seems to be a consistent theme with people disappointed in our D last week. I don't get it all.

USM would finish in the top two or three if they played in the Big 12 North. Easily.

They are extremely talented and lit our passing D up as no doubt they would everyone in the Big 12, except Texas.

But we also won the game.

And take away some bad officiating and the USM game wasn't even close.

October 1, 2009 at 7:33 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

hdhntr (anonymous) says...

rivethd, what game were you watching? USM had KU by the cahonies and bad playcalls doomed them. KU was lucky to get a win at home, they got all the calls.

Looks like Steele is still stupid, KU with only two wins? Really? After 4 games we know this about the north, ksu, cu and isu are the bottom feeders in spite of PS picking the first two two be in contention. KU, NU and MU are still teams trying to find themselves, as easily predicted, KU has the most offense, D notsomuch, still not very good. NU? Can run the ball but other skill players average at best, same for oline. D overated, secondary and backers inexperienced and thin. MU has done some things very well, QB has emerged as most talented in north potentially but how will he fare in conference play with no running game? Their D is much improved, faster and don't give up the long plays that doomed them last yr.

overall? throw the top 3 in a hat and pick. After next thursday will have a better handle on MU/NU. KU will get smashed by tough south teams, how they rebound after being manhandled will be key to rest of year.

October 1, 2009 at 8:29 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

hawkman1031 (anonymous) says...

hdhntr what game were you watching? KU got all of the calls? I think the whole crowd disagrees with you. Southern Miss had us? funny, but I remember leading, driving for a TD and fumbling, giving them a chance to tie it but our D held.

Tonight I celebrate as nebraska dies. ha ha.
And if I am wrong, misery dies... sweet

October 1, 2009 at 10:33 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

coolhand357 (anonymous) says...

Sorry hawkman, we all have to wait till Thursday,Oct 8th for the MU/NU game. But we can begin the celbration now! Nebraska must die & Misery must first be tortured... then die. Because the ghost of John Brown says so.

October 1, 2009 at 10:47 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

gamblinggringo (anonymous) says...

Denverjhawk seems to have the best analysis, unfortunately for Kansas fans. He's exactly right: KU has the toughest road to the championship game. They will have to beat Missouri AND Nebraska AND either Oklahoma or Texas Tech. Not impossible, but by far the toughest road.

October 1, 2009 at 11:19 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

shelleysue (anonymous) says...

Everyone has their own opinions but USM came to play and we weren't ready for it ... and we knew they were going to be good! The D held at the end but they darn well should have after letting USM have their way most of the game. Special teams concern me too - we're giving up way too many yards. The week before, a Duke player slipped on the 20 and I heard a lot of laughter from KU fans. But I believe that was the worst field position they had on a kick all day. I had very high hopes at the start of the season but now I have my concerns. I don't think the team is clicking on all fronts either and Reesing sometimes doesn't seem himself - maybe it's just my imagination but I don't think so. Yes I realize he has been amazing most of the time, but there have been moments that look out of character for him. We have pulled out the four wins thus far but in my opinion with the level of play I've seen so far, we're headed for some trouble in the Big 12. I hope they get things turned around. I have been looking forward to a win on October 24 for quite a while now.

Win or lose and regardless what the score is, I am there cheering for the Hawks until the very last second.

Note: I will have to agree that the USM game officiating pretty much sucked.

October 1, 2009 at 11:27 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Jimmy_Dean (Alan Halvorsen) says...

hdhntr-Also...how can you say MU has potentially the best QB in the Big 12 North. Do you even know about your own QB dude, his name's Todd Reesing. Are you just now starting to watch KU football or what..
Your statement sounds like something an ESPN analyst would say. That isn't a compliment.

October 1, 2009 at 11:34 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

txrockchalk (anonymous) says...

Alan ~

See portion of text in previous comment from hdhntr below:

*****

“…I root for the superior Tigers but also pull for KU as well as both programs had foundered around in football forever and have upgraded facilities and their fortunes. good luck till KC anyway. Always root against the Big Dead and in the buff's tho, just don't like their pompous fans.
KU has best proven Offense in North and this is a offensive league, should win north. MU has more talent and speed but very young, beakers will be surprised at how good the D will be…”

http://www2.kusports.com/news/2009/ju...

*****

October 1, 2009 at 12:57 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Jimmy_Dean (Alan Halvorsen) says...

Thanks Tex, I hadn't realized. What a strange person. Anyway...I'll steal this from fabio.
Gabbert has beaten Illinois...who has Reesing beatin? lol just something to think about if anyone else wants to compare the two.

October 1, 2009 at 5:29 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

txrockchalk (anonymous) says...

You got it, J_D! That fabio guy is brilliant - - must be from good genes :^)

October 1, 2009 at 7:46 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

FreddyD (anonymous) says...

Jimmy Dean, if we were talking sausage, then maybe I'd give more consideration to your opinion, and I guess since you have pictures of Todd Reesing and Kerry Meier as your avatar, then that must make you an expert on analyzing KU's linebackers...

KU's defense is suspect at best, and it showed throughout the non-conference. Sure, they beat up on UTEP, but UTEP is awful. Duke hung around for a half and make KU look bad, and Southern Miss had their way with KU's defense until late in the fourth quarter... I know, cue the "The defense stepped up when it had to" line... Guess what, that ain't gonna work against Big 12 opponents, because KU put absolutely no pressure on Davis and if you think that you can give that kind of time to the MU's, TT's, OU's and UT's of the world, it's going to be a long conference season. I came into this season with high hopes, and while I'm still cautiously optimistic, I'm not sold that our defense is anywhere near championship caliber. Our linebackers are SLOW. They don't swarm to the ball and like I've said, outside of Oneyegbule, what KU D-Lineman is beating a Big-12 lineman consistently? Laptad? I doubt it. Bottomline, the only two guys that an offense is even remotely worried about are Stuckey and Oneyegbule... And as much as I like Todd Reesing, he's not better than Gabbert... That dude is the next Big Ben. Like I said, unless there's an infusion of speed and a better pass rush, this KU defense is going to struggle with the Big 12.

Rock Chalk

October 1, 2009 at 8:30 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

fabio (anonymous) says...

Jesse I think it is time to step in and delete FreddyD. Gabbert beat Ilinios(1-2) and soundly so therefore he is better than Todd Reesing? See ya at Arrowhead genius. Ya actually make Lee Corso look smart.

October 1, 2009 at 10:56 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Jimmy_Dean (Alan Halvorsen) says...

If you noticed, USM utilized the screen pass more than any other team we've faced (I don't recall ever seeing that many screen passes). They did that in an effort to keep the pressure off of Davis (An already mobile quarterback). Not only did they screen us to death, they ran the play action boot leg all day too. Quick realeases all game long from Davis. It'd be foolish to get on a defense for not being in his face consistently. The only time they were one deminsional in their offense was at the end of the game...straight up drop back read. Guess what Laptad was there to bring him down. To think Big 12 offense isn't aware of Laptad is silly.

As far as the whole Gabbert being the next Big Ben, that's great I hope he is. If I'm correct, (which I am) Ben Roethlisberger never took his team to a BCS bowl, let alone win one. He can win all the super bowl championships he wants, I don't give a rats ass! I root for the Jayhawks, we play, and win bowl games. I'll take Sparky any day.

October 1, 2009 at 11:17 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

FreddyD (anonymous) says...

Yo Fab, I'll take the Lee Corso comparison, thanks. God forbid somebody suggest that a player from Missouri is better than somebody from KU. And I don't care how you rationalize KU's defense - the LBs are slow and the D-Line doesn't scare anybody. Thanks.

October 2, 2009 at 9:15 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

number1jayhawker (anonymous) says...

hdhntr said misery and KU football "foundered"? He must be thinking of a team that has a horse as a mascot, since that is what some horses do. LOL Now if he had said "floundered" .

October 2, 2009 at 10:31 a.m. ( | suggest removal )