This might be my favorite time of the year.Classes are back in session, and the optimism of a new season hangs over Lawrence longer than these crazy August rainsrorms.Finally, after weeks of talk, speculation, and dumbfounded rumors — it’s time to talk about some football.As some of you may or may not know (these are KU fans we’re dealing with), the Jayhawks advanced to a bowl game last season for the first time in eight years.But as we prepare for the 2005 season, history is against Team Mangino.For one, KU has never appeared in back-to-back bowl games at any point in its long history. Secondly, whenever the Jayhawks switch out the Big 12 South teams on their schedule, disaster usually ensues.Every three years, Baylor, Oklahoma State, and Texas A&M are swapped out of the KU schedule — replaced with perennial powers Oklahoma, Texas, and Texas Tech.Typically, the results are uglier than downtown Rockford, Ill.The Jayhawks have not defeated Texas since 1938, and have been embarrassed by Oklahoma in two straight meetings. Surprisingly, KU defeated the Red Raiders the last time the two teams met — a 34-31 whattheheckinthenameofTerryAllenjusthappened in 2001 — but usually struggle against Bob Knight University.Simply put, if you’re making plans for a bowl game this winter, I’ll save you the cell phone minutes. It’s not going to happen.However, the Jayhawks will put together one of their best seasons in years — even if they don’t reach six wins — and upset either Kansas State, Texas, or Nebraska.Mark my words — this team is on the way up, but five wins will be the best Mangino can muster out of this murderous schedule.Random Ramblings for the Final Week of August:* It’s about time the school district finds a way to build a stadium for the Free State football team. Once again, the Firebirds will play mostly Thursday night games at Memorial Stadium. Once again, KU will complain. And once again, the players will lose out on playing in front of a packed home crowd on Friday nights.Word going around town is that Free State is planning a multi-million dollar stadium on the site of its current track. The school district — and the community — should fight to make this a reality. * When can we admit that the rest of the world is catching up to USA basketball? Countries can’t dominate team sports forever. If they could, England would still dominate soccer, and Canada would still own hockey. * If you get a chance, check out the KU soccer and volleyball teams this fall. These sports don’t get enough recognition, but it could be a special season for both Mark Francis and Ray Bechard.New Blog Feature Alert!!If I have one problem with my boss, it’s that he thinks he knows it all. So I have dedicated this space in this blog every week to prove that he knows nothing.Kevin Romary and I — a.k.a. Big Tex — will pick the winner of every local game each week. When the NFL season starts, the Chiefs will be added to the list.We’ll keep a running total throughout the season. Loser buys a round.Rigg Week One Predictions (0-0):Kansas 45, Tulsa 20 — Jayhawks get a big day from Adam Barmann and destroy an overrated Golden Hurricane team. If there was a worse bowl team in 2003 than Kansas, it was Tulsa.Lawrence High 38, Leavenworth 10 — Dirk Wedd’s team takes its first step towards a state title. He won’t say it, but this is Wedd’s best team in years.Shawnee Mission North 17, Free State 7 — Bob Lisher and the Firebirds will improve over the course of the season, but are too inexperienced to pick up a win in week one. By the way, I have seen the future of Free State football, and it is the Murphy twins. By the time sophomores Ryan and Brian graduate, they could be the best in school history.Big Tex Week One Predictions (0-0): Kansas 37, Tulsa 21 — Anyone remember 2002? Kansas was terrible. And still won! Bill Whittemore introduced himself to the nation on that day. Will Adam Barmann do the same in 2004?Lawrence High 44, Leavenworth 7 — I figure I’ve got this one covered either way. LHS wins. Ian Handshy 121 rushing yards and 2 td’s. Jeff Colter runs for 173 and 3. Let the Lion Express begin. SMU fans of the 80’s are already jealous.SM North 38, Free State 28 — This game might take seven hours to play. Both teams will throw it a lot. If Free State can take advantage of turnovers, the Firebirds can pull an upset. But that might be asking too much of a young team in week one.