Stories about Kansas
What’s Scary About Kansas? 3 comments
Football philosophy may not win football games, but attitudes sure affect how college students perform on the field. The difference in philosophy and attitude between last year's head coach Mark Mangino and Turner Gill can be described by any number of cliche's, but there's no simpler way to say it than they are almost exactly opposite in every way that you can think of. Mangino ruled the team with the intent of striking fear into his players. Gill hopes to inspire and influence with positivity. His plan is to improve not just the quality of the football players, but also the quality of the young men in helmets and pads. And generally, teams without turmoil tend to fare a little better than those deep in it.
Kansas Post-Mortem 1 comment
I've got to admit, this was a week that had me both apathetic and worried at the same time. After such an emotional game last week, I wondered how our team would be able to respond to a team that many consider to be underachieving. Kansas has the pieces and the talent to be dangerous, but haven't been showing it since their initial 5-0 start to the season. People outside of Kansas and Nebraska will probably look at 31-17 and think that Nebraska didn't have their share of troubles in this game. I saw a Husker team that did what it absolutely needed to in order to win the game, but it could have easily been much closer and even an upset if a couple of things hadn't gone NU's way.
Nebraska and KU Provide Offense 20 comments
The Huskers had gone four straight weeks with 13 offensive points or less. NU averaged less than 240 yards in the last five games. Kansas has had their own struggles as they averaged under 290 yards in their last three games and had at least 3 turnovers in each of the last four games (all KU losses). While a low-scoring game seemed a certainty, both offenses did move the ball with some success.
Did We Make it a Week? 6 comments
There are certain annual traditions we observe here at the Big Red Network. Prior to the Super Bowl, we release a prediction in the form of Haiku. We release a blogpoll ballot throughout the season, we produce a pocket guide for games, and when Kansas week rolls around we make a statement or two about the overall conditioning of their coaching staff. Will this year be different?
Landmark? Maybe Just a Street Sign 14 comments
At Big Red Network, we love debating the importance of certain games and wins. It's the kind of thing all fans love, I think. It is a fun topic to debate. The Lincoln Journal Star's Steve Sipple knows this too. Maybe that is why he took the rather gutsy stance of calling the recent NU win over Kansas a landmark triumph. Respectfully, I disagree. It is a nice win, sure. But, whether it is a true "landmark" depends on what both NU and KU do down the stretch.
Nebraska Downs Kansas, 45-35 17 comments
Nebraska secured a bowl eligibility and preserved a 40-year winning streak against Kansas in Lincoln by beating the Jayhawks 45 to 35 on a cold and blustery day at Memorial Stadium. Ndamukong Suh, Roy Helu Jr. and Joe Ganz stared for the Huskers as they overcame three turnovers to get the win.
KU…It’s Like Looking in the Mirror 6 comments
There's a lot at stake on Saturday. A Nebraska win would make the Cornhuskers bowl eligible, help ice the bruised egos from the Oklahoma game, keep dim Big 12 North title hopes alive and guarantee that Bo Pelini would have a winning record at home in his first season (Memorial Staidum MUST become a tough place to play again).
So far in 2008 Nebraska's been blown off the field twice but in their other two losses they've done a remarkably good job of beating themselves. In fact, that's been the albatross all year--bad penalties, costly turnovers, blown assignments--even in wins.
Of course the gods of college football are quite handy with the irony (see also: the BCS) so it's no surprise that this Saturday, at least statistically speaking, that's exactly what Nebraska will have to do: Beat themselves because there's not much separating the Jayhawks and Huskers on paper.
The Obligatory Mangino is Overweight Post 2 comments
The Big Red Network has been around for a little over two and a half years. Creating original content every weekday throughout the year causes you to sometimes repeat yourself a bit. Each of the past two years before the KU game, we pointed out Kansas head coach Mark Mangino's weight . We then were bombarded with comments from Jayhawk fans and others outraged and pointing out our lack of class.
Jayhawks Not as Unbeatable as You Might Think 5 comments
Given the beatdown the Huskers took in Norman and the easy confidence-building contest Kansas had against Kansas State, you might decide that the Jayhawks would blow Nebraska off the field this week. KU's blowout victory in Lawrence a year ago could also lead you to a similar conclusion. But things may not be as hopeless as some NU fans might believe.
Previewing Kansas - Ask a Blogger 6 comments
Big Red Network is committed to bringing thorough coverage of NU's 2008 opponents. This includes finding local sources to interview. So, we are talking to people who really know their stuff - bloggers. Yep, we're asking a few simple questions of our blog brethren to get you in the know on Husker foes.
Today, we are talking about Kansas. To get the inside scoop on the Jayhawks we turn to the folks at Rock Chalk Talk. They took five (or six...) questions and provided some very high-quality information. Here's what they had to say about the 2008 Jayhawks.
1968: A Great Year for Johnny Cash, Nixon, Elvis and Kansas Football 3 comments
As far as years go, 1968 is just about as memorable as any. The Tet Offensive, Live at Folsom Prison, MLK's death, Nixon's election, My Lai, Mexico City and on top of all that the Kansas Jayhawks finished 1968 as Co-Champions of the Big 8. In terms of cultural cache, 1968 is the Elvis of the 20th century which, I suppose, is fitting as it was the year the King revitalized his career with the "Comeback Special."
While that very revitalization probably killed Elvis in the end--gold plated handguns and all the behavioral problems they represent are tough to come by without hit records--the Jayhawks have thus far restrained themselves in the role of the nouveau riche. (Minus that Mangino extension.)
Kansas Breakdown: One Hit Wonder 7 comments
The Kansas Jayhawks had a magical season last year. Plagued by strength of schedule complaints from the media, they had two solid chances to prove their meddle. Although they lost to Missouri, they are no longer cellar dwellers in the Big 12. With the number two scoring offense in the country and the best turnover margin, the stomped on lesser opponents at home, and won solidly on the road. The 42 points/game were aided by the defensive efforts. Controlling the run game proved critical for them. Allowing less than 100 rush yards/game helped them control the clock. Their defense only allowed an average of 16 points/game.
2008 Opponent Previews: Kansas 3 comments
The Jayhawks went 12-1 a year ago and won the Orange Bowl. That won't happen again in 2008.
Kansas Loses a Pair of Scholarships 7 comments
Perhaps a sign that KU football has arrived, the Jayhawks became one of 17 Division I-A football programs to lose scholarships as a penalty for it's poor graduation rates. The Jayhawks were the only Big 12 school to be penalized in this manner and Washington State was the only other BCS conference school to be similarly sanctioned.
Big 12 Recruiting Roundup: Kansas 1 comment
Kansas won't win any beauty contests with their 2008 recruiting class. Only three of their twenty recruits earned four-stars from either Rivals.com or Scout.com and two of those three came from junior colleges (running back Jocques Crawford and offensive lineman Nathan D'Cunha). Tight end Tanner Hawkinson was the lone four-star recruit from the high school ranks.
Big 12 State of the Union: Kansas 5 comments
Kansas had a terrific season in 2008. Maybe that's an understatement. What fan wouldn't take 12-1 even if it meant no division, conference, or national title? It still included a BCS bowl win.
After 76 Points, What Can Be Said? 15 comments
My Saturday started innocently enough. Friends came over to our house for brunch, mimosas were served. It was all a pretty pleasant scene. Then...the game started. In the hours that followed, NU set a record for defensive futility, as the 2007 season's death spiral became almost laughable. I take a certain amount of pride in and responsibility for being "the guy who has something to say" in nearly any situation. But, after watching Kansas scorch Nebraska like that, it is hard to post many thoughts worth repeating. Like many fans, I'm starting to become numb to this disaster. And, being resigned to this kind of ineptitude might be the worst feeling of all.
Face Off in Lawrence 12 comments
About a decade ago, the movie Face Off came out. In the film, Nicholas Cage and John Travolta switched faces in perhaps the most implausible movie plot in memory. And yet as the Jayhawks lambasted the Huskers in Lawrence, you couldn't help but wonder if the Huskers might really be hiding under those blue uniforms and that the Jayhawks were dressed up as Nebraskans.
Is KU Really That Good? 4 comments
One of the many great lines produced by “The Simpsons� is when Principal Skinner gives a speech as he receives an award and says something along the lines of “you know you're good, but are you ‘plaque good'?� The Jayhawks are definitely good enough to walk away with the Big 12 North – and that's “plaque good�.
KU Momentum Reminiscent of KSU 5 comments
Watching Kansas transform itself from a doormat to a contender in the Big 12 North has an eerie familiarity to it. That's because we may have seen this movie before at Kansas State. In a lot of ways, the rise of the Jayhawk program parallels the rise of Wildcat football under Bill Snyder.
How Big is Too Big? 31 comments
Every year when Nebraska is set to play Kansas and you spend the week thinking about their team, you can't help but think about their coach Mark Mangino. The elephant in the room, so to speak, is that he's morbidly obese. In some ways, it seems sort of out-of-bounds to mention and yet it's also impossible to ignore. By now you've heard all the jokes “Mangino the Hutt�, “Get in My Belly!� and on and on. But beyond the potshots, is it an issue that can affect the program at Kansas?
2007 Opponent Preview…Kansas 1 comment
After Kansas took Nebraska to overtime in Lincoln, many Husker fans were touting Mark Mangino for coach of the year honors. Over the last couple of seasons, few coaches have done more with less. But winning a Big 12 poker tournament with only a high king is no recipe for success. Despite some of the achievements under Mangino, the Jayhawks recruiting has yet to improve to a level that is competitive with the better teams in the Big 12.
Evidence of another questionable call? 4 comments
There were lots of questionable calls in Saturday's overtime win over Kansas. There was Kansas' lateral that never was, a surprising lack of holding penalties, and now the question of Nate Swift's goal line catch in overtime thanks to this photo by the Lincoln Journal Star.
A Picture Worth 1000 Words 3 comments
I'm not one to make excuses for myself or for anyone else. Nebraska's vaunted defensive front 4 needs to play better than it did against Kansas. But, I urge Husker fans to take a look at this picture from Saturday's game, snapped by the Omaha World Herald.
Observations Following “Survival Saturday” 3 comments
It was "Survival Saturday". This week's games - both in Lincoln and around the country - showed how fickle and tough this college football game can be. ESPN didn't see it coming, or else they would have put a logo on it and promoted it on every platform they run. In that mess, Nebraska managed to win against Kansas. For that, Husker fans can be thankful. And, watching the NU game revealed a couple of things to me about the Huskers and about myself.
Huskers Beat Jayhawks in Overtime 0 comments
Nebraska struck early and rallied late to beat Kansas in overtime 39-32. The win starts the Huskers at 1-0 in Big 12 conference play and starts the Jayhawks at 0-1 in the conference.
Husker Game Day Info for Kansas 0 comments
The Huskers kick off today at 6:00 PM CDT against the Kansas Jayhawks. For information on where to find the game on TV, radio, Sirius satellite radio or live on the internet visit our Game Day page.
Also, set aside 13 minutes during your pre-game routine to listen to this week's podcast. We break down the game for you and highlight some matchups to watch.
Want to be the most knowledgeable fan at your Husker party? Print out our Game Day Pocket Guide. It contains depth charts, stats and trivia that will surely impress your buddies. The only thing it won't tell you is where to find the closest Runza!
Enjoy the game and Go Big Red!
Get your Game Day Pocket Guide for Nebraska - Kansas! 2 comments
Quick, what is Jordan Picou's number? Who backs up Jay Moore at Defensive End? Who has Kansas played so far this year?
If you're like me, questions like this pop into your head every 3.2 minutes while you're watching a Husker game. That's why we put together this free Game Day Pocket Guide for you.
Mangino is fat. Seriously, seriously fat. 26 comments
I know it doesn't have anything to do with football. And it might be a little insensitive to say it. And, Kansas fans will come out of the woodwork to scold me for bringing it up again. But, Nebraska's game with Kansas this week revealed the obvious once again. Mark Mangino is fat, very fat. And, isn't it about time he did something about it?
Sizing Up Kansas 0 comments
Despite what you may think of the Jayhawks or what they lost to graduation in 2005, on paper, the Jayhawks have the size to give the Huskers problems again in 2006. Their defensive line is a bit smaller than Nebraska's, but they make up for that with bigger linebackers. Running the football won't be like toppling dominoes. The Huskers will need to use their speed, blocking technique, and deception to make plays in the running game.
No Place Like Home for Jayhawks 2 comments
Previewing Kansas
“We're not in Kansas anymore�, said a famous Kansan. It was an understatement in The Wizard of Oz and it was an understatement last season. Few teams post the kind of perfect home/road records that Kansas did in 2005. The Jayhawks went 6-0 at home including a 40-15 trouncing of the Cornhuskers and stumbled to a 0-4 record on opposing teams' campuses (and split the difference at 1-1 on neutral sites).