We are immersed, quite unfortunately, in the summer of the sequel.From Spiderman 2 to Shrek 2, Hollywood simply decided to forgo the effort of coming up with an original idea this summer, instead simply choosing to build on a dated one.Next week, the Kansas University football team will try for a sequel of its own. Call it Tangerine 2: Mangino Strikes Back.In 114 years of football, the Jayhawks have never played in bowl games in consecutive years. The 1968 Orange Bowl team followed its Big 8 Championship season with a 1-9 clunker in 1969. Glen Mason’s loaded 1995 squad slid from 10-2 to 4-7, and then into Terry Allen football oblivion.On paper, the Jayhawks are primed to make a similar slide this season. Gone is a forgiving schedule and quarterback Bill Whittemore. In their place is a lethal 11-game slate and unproven sophomore Adam Barmann.But in the final analysis of the 2004 season, it won’t matter about the schedule, or the untested quarterback, or the color of the uniforms.For the 2004 Jayhawks to pull off the year’s most unlikely sequel, the only thing that matters is whether Charles Gordon lines up at cornerback. If Coach Mark Mangino wants to return to a bowl game — or even win more than a single conference game — Gordon should not play a single down at wide receiver.As a freshman in 2003, Gordon proved to be KU’s best receiving threat since Harrison Hill. The redshirt freshman led the team with 57 catches for 769 yards and five touchdowns — all KU freshman records — on his way to earning third team All-Big 12 honors.When the Jayhawks needed a big play, Gordon was the one who usually provided it, whether it was a Hail Mary touchdown at Colorado, or a rally-igniting punt return against Missouri.”He’s a big play guy,” Mangino said. “He can turn the complexion of the game on one play.”Unfortunately for Mangino, while Gordon was setting receiving records, the Jayhawks’ defensive secondary was being torched to the tune of 31 points per game during conference play. The KU defense was harder to watch than the Ashlee Simpson show.In a move of desperation, Mangino moved Gordon to cornerback. What ensued was a circus of Bailey Brothers proportions — Gordon would knock away a pass on defense, return a punt, and line up for a pass on consecutive plays.But as the Jayhawks head into fall practice, the Charles Gordon Amazing One-Man Circus is nearing a close.”He won’t play both ways again, that’s for sure,” Mangino said. “If he’s our best cornerback available, he’ll play defense.”Therein lies the problem — there is no better cornerback — or athlete on the KU roster. The decision is simple: keep Gordon on offense and go 3-9, or move him to defense and aim for a bowl — or at least a major upset.Take a look at the Jayhawks’ schedule. Nebraska will unveil a passing attack for the first time since the forward pass was invented. Texas Tech averaged 42 points per game last year. Oklahoma features a Heisman Trophy winning quarterback. Colorado scored 50 against KU last season in Boulder. And the last time the Jayhawks played Texas, it was a Tom Hayes-induced 59-0 debacle.Just who will shut down these high-powered offenses? Who do you line up against the Sooners’ lethal Mark Clayton? There’s only one player athletic enough on the roster to do it, and that’s Gordon, the 5’11 dynamo with the springy legs and NFL-talent.”Do I hope he’ll play defense? Of course,” said junior linebacker Banks Floodman. “Anywhere we put him, he’s going to make plays for us.”Offensively, the Jayhawks will be fine without Gordon. Big play threat Mark Simmons will team with steady senior Brandon Rideau and young Moderick Johnson to form one of the top receiving corps in the Big 12.Gordon’s full-time job likely won’t be decided until the first week of the season. Next up for the Jayhawks are four weeks of two-a-day practices in the sweltering August heat.In those practices, Mangino will face a choice: Play it safe, keep Gordon on offense and watch the Jayhawks, once again, waste a bowl appearance, or move him to defense and watch Gordon lead the Jayhawks to the best sequel since Spiderman.