Talk about coming out of nowhere. That’s what the Kansas Jayhawks did in 2007, as they went from unranked when the season began to unbeaten in November, led by a prolific offense and a playmaking defense.
The Jayhawks breezed through their non-conference schedule, outscoring their four opponents 214-23. But, the winning wouldn’t stop there, and it would continue until the Jayhawks had done the seemingly improbable, winning their first 11 games and rising to #2 in the rankings with only two wins separating them from a chance at a national championship.
But, their hopes of a national or conference title were dashed in their regular-season finale against rival Missouri, who took both the Big 12 North title and #1 ranking that the Jayhawks would’ve gotten had they won that 12th game in a row. However, Mark Mangino’s squad got a terrific consolation prize, as they earned a berth in the Orange Bowl against ACC champion Virginia Tech. In the Orange Bowl, it was the Jayhawks who gave the Hokies a taste of their own Beamerball, picking off three passes and returning one for a touchdown, blocking a field goal, and recording five sacks as they jumped out to an early 17-0 lead and held off the Hokies 24-21 to cap off an amazing 12-1 season.
With nine starters back on defense and a Heisman candidate returning at quarterback, the Jayhawks have their sights set on another successful season and another challenge for the Big 12 North crown.
Starters Returning: 15 (6 offense, 9 defense)
Key Returnees: QB Todd Reesing, RB Jake Sharp, WR Dexton Fields, WR Dezmon Briscoe, C Ryan Cantrell, LG Adrian Mayes, RG Chet Hartley, DE John Larsen, DE Russell Brorsen, DT Caleb Blakesley, LB Joe Mortensen, LB Mike Rivera, LB James Holt, CB Chris Harris, FS Justin Thornton, SS Darrell Stuckey
Key Losses: RB Brandon McAnderson, WR Marcus Henry, TE Derek Fine, LT Anthony Collins, RT Cesar Rodriguez, DT James McClinton, CB Aqib Talib, K Scott Webb, P Kyle Tucker
Key Newcomers: RB Jocques Crawford, WR Roderick Harris, TE Tanner Hawkinson, P Alonso Rojas
Names to Remember
Offense
1. Todd Reesing, QB, Jr.: At the start of last season, not many people knew who Reesing was. By the end of the season, he’d obliterated the school’s record book and put himself in a position to be a serious Heisman candidate this season.
2. Jake Sharp, RB, Jr.: Even with Brandon McAnderson running for well over 1,000 yards last season, Sharp wasn’t shut out of the carries department, as he ran for 821 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 5.6 yards per carry, and he also caught 21 passes for 163 yards and two more scores. Expect him to push for the third straight 1,000 yard season for a Jayhawk rusher and form a terrific tandem with Crawford.
3. Kerry Meier, WR, Jr.: Meier is high on the depth chart on two offensive positions, as he’s penciled in as a starter at receiver, and he’s also Reesing’s backup at QB, a position he started eight games at in 2006. While he could do just fine there if need be, at receiver, he presents a big target for Reesing at 6’3, 220 pounds, and should put up excellent numbers there this season after catching 26 passes for 274 yards and two scores in a part-time starting role last year.
Defense
1. Chris Harris, CB, So.: Aqib who? I’m only half kidding, because while it is a little too early to crown him as the next anything just yet, Harris (65 tackles, two interceptions in ‘07) definitely has some serious skills.
2. Kansas’ linebackers: The Jayhawks return all three starting linebackers from last season, each of whom started all 13 games and recorded more than 90 overall tackles and double-digit tackles for loss, in Joe Mortensen (106 tackles, 15 TFL, 3 sacks), James Holt (99 tackles, 13 TFL, 2 sacks), and Mike Rivera (96 tackles, 10.5 TFL, 3 sacks).
3. Justin Thornton, FS, Jr.: Thornton started only the last four games of last season, but there’s a good reason why he’s set as the starter at free safety heading into this season, as he tied Talib for the team lead in interceptions with five and had nine pass breakups as well.
Eddie’s Essentials
1. Tenacious, playmaking defense: Kansas’ defense specialized in making plays last season, to say the least. They led the Big 12 in scoring and total defense, forced 35 turnovers, and while their sack numbers (26) were pretty good, Kansas defenders got into the backfield on a regular basis (100 tackles for loss).
2. Well-oiled offensive machine: Putting up gaudy numbers is nice, and Kansas did plenty of that last season (43 points, 479 yards per game), but it’s all the better if you do it efficiently. Kansas made only 14 turnovers all season, which combined with their takeaway lovin’ defense, accounted for the best turnover margin in the nation.
3. Special teams: Kansas will be breaking in a new kicker and a new punter this season, and as great of a position as your offense and defense can put you in to win it, special teams needs to at least not lose it for you.
2008 Schedule
8/30 vs. Florida International – Blowout Win
9/6 vs. Louisiana Tech – Blowout Win
9/12 at South Florida – Close Win
9/20 vs. Sam Houston State – Blowout Win
10/4 at Iowa State – Double-Digit Win
10/11 vs. Colorado – Double-Digit Win
10/18 at Oklahoma – Close Loss
10/25 vs. Texas Tech – Close Win
11/1 vs. Kansas State – Double-Digit Win
11/8 at Nebraska – Close Loss
11/15 vs. Texas – Close Win
11/29 vs. Missouri (in Kansas City) – Close Loss
Projected Record: 9-3, 5-3 Big 12 – I mentioned in my Nebraska preview that I don’t think both Kansas and Missouri will leave Lincoln with wins, and with that in mind, I think the Jayhawks will fall victim to an improved Huskers team.
Best-Case Record: 11-1, 7-1 Big 12 – The question is – would it put them in the Big 12 title game, or would it put them in the same position they were in last year?
Worst-Case Record: 7-5, 4-4 Big 12 – I don’t see KU finishing with less than eight wins, but less is possible if they falter in all of their tough games.
Swing Games: 9/12 at South Florida, 10/25 vs. Texas Tech, 11/8 at Nebraska, 11/15 vs. Texas, 11/29 vs. Missouri
Upset Alert: 11/8 at Nebraska – After 36 straight wins by Nebraska from 1969-2004, the Jayhawks have at least gotten a little something back on the Huskers with beatings in the last two meetings in Lawrence, including last year’s 76-39 funfest (well, not for Nebraska fans, or Bill Callahan). But, KU hasn’t won in Lincoln since 1968, and though the Huskers are in a rebuilding process, they will definitely be fired up for this one.
Key Game(s): Nov. 29 vs. Missouri – Last year, the Jayhawks went into this one with a chance to claim the #1 ranking and the Big 12 North title, but it wasn’t to be, as Missouri raced out to a 28-7 lead after three quarters and held off a furious comeback for a 36-28 win. Of course, Kansas got the last laugh with the Orange Bowl berth, but still. This year’s game could have big implications as well, as the winner could book a spot in the Big 12 title game, and it could be Kansas’ turn to wipe out Missouri’s national title aspirations.
2008 Outlook
Well, if you wanted Kansas to prove that they’re more than just a one-year wonder, you got what you wanted.
Sure, there are the cupcakes on the schedule (Florida International, Sam Houston State – oooh, I see a Rhett Bomar!), but besides a non-conference trip to Tampa to face top-20 South Florida, they have to face the best three teams in the Big 12 South and take a trip to Lincoln to face a Nebraska team that will be hungry for a revenge tail-kicking.
But, the Jayhawks certainly have the team to weather such a tough slate. There are some holes to fill on offense, but the pieces are there to fill them. The receiving corps is experienced with Fields, Briscoe, and Henry, though sophomore Bradley Dedeaux (or freshman Tanner Hawkinson) has some big shoes to fill at tight end, where Fine was a leading receiver and key blocker. Provided Reesing is as sharp as he was last year, another big season is in store for the air attack.
In the rushing attack, McAnderson will be missed, but Sharp is poised for a huge season. He’ll be sharing carries with JC star Jocques Crawford. Crawford, whose brother Aaron is a sophomore running back at Texas Tech, has the size to be a power back, but he has plenty of quickness as well.
As good as the offense will be, the defense will be just as good, even without Talib. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better crew of linebackers than Mortensen, Rivera, and Holt, and while the defensive line does take a hit with the loss of McClinton, three starters return there, including Larsen, who had 12 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two picks, and three forced fumbles last season. All the same, the secondary should be one of the best in the conference, as all four starters have at least a little bit of starting experience.
The only real weakness for this team at this point might be the special teams unit, but if new kicker Stephen Hoge and new punter Alonso Rojas are solid, then that won‘t be a problem area. Special teams does offer up an added weapon in enior receiver Marcus Herford, who should also have an expanded role in the passing game, is a star kick returner (28.6 yards per return, 2 TD last season).
The tougher schedule might see the Jayhawks take a couple more losses than last season, but I see them reaching at least nine wins, which could be good enough for a New Year’s Day Bowl. And, with a good amount of talent returning in 2009, the future is certainly bright in Lawrence.
