JAYTALKERS

KU Football: Thoughts after 4 games

Are you ready for some football?

Sitting here on a rainy summer Sunday morning and thinking about this upcoming Kansas Jayhawk football season.

There are few places that I’d rather be on a cool, fall day than in Lawrence, KS on gameday. I love the sights, smells, sounds, the children playing on the hill, everyone in their favorite Jayhawk gear, the cold beverages, the buffet spreads…..I love it all and it reminds me of just how great life can be when you slow down to appreciate it.

This Jayhawk season begins with a lot of promise and expectations, with Todd Reesing, Jake Sharp, and Kerry Meier entering their senior seasons, with hopes that Dezmon Briscoe will have the best season a KU wide receiver has ever had, with a defense that should be more stout, with more depth at every position than KU has had for quite some time.

My plan this year is to enjoy the ride, one game at a time. Of course I hope for a Big 12 North Championship, a Big 12 Championship, record-breaking seasons for Reesing, Meier, Briscoe, Sharp and others….but I also realize that sometimes things don’t turn out the way we want. So instead of getting hyped up for what might be, I’m going to thoroughly enjoy what is.

I enter the season with optimism partnered with a building enthusiasm of simply being in an environment that feels like I’m reconnecting with a best friend.

Are you ready for some football? I know I am.

Keep Rockin’ and Chalkin’,

Mic

Anderson Family Football Complex Photos

KU had an open house tonight (Wednesday) of their $31 million dollar football complex, located just outside of Memorial Stadium. It is very impressive and Coach Mangino tells me his new plush office is much nicer than his old office, which was, in his words ” a sweatbox”. He also said that he doesn’t get to enjoy his 60 inch plasma tv in his office that much because he’s “got a lot of work to do”. All in all, it was a great night and KU fans should be proud of this complex. It is DEFINITELY going to help in recruiting.

Keep Rockin and Chalkin!

-Mic

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=wb94q1i.70t6xinu&x=0&y=dzztzy&localeid=en_US

Want to Turn Around Your College Football Program? Get a Playmaker at QB.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: THE key to a college football team’s success starts and ends with the quarterback. I’m not saying coaching, offensive line, defense, special teams, WR’s, etc. aren’t important, but if you want to get on the college football map, and stay on it, you better have a QB that can make plays. Think about it:

When did K-State really put their stamp on the college football landscape? When they got QBs (Ell Roberson, Michael Bishop, etc.) that could make plays.

When did MU put their stamp on the college football landscape? When they got QBs (Brad Smith, Chase Daniel, etc.) that could make plays.

When did KU finally take that next step and put their stamp on the college football landscape? When they got QBs (Bill Whittemore, Todd Reesing) that could make plays.

The interesting thing is, and this may end up playing out with K-State’s Ron Prince too, all of the coaches are criticized by the media and their fan bases until they get that QB. Tons of MU fans wanted Pinkel gone until Chase Daniel started to make plays. Mangino was considered to be on the hot seat until Todd Ressing started making plays all over the place.

So those QB’s start making plays and now both Pinkel and Mangino are seen as quality Big 12 coaches..as winners….as Coach of the Year….because they recruited QBs that panned out. So will Josh Freeman start making more plays and become the QB that Ron Prince and KSU Nation thought (are praying) he could be?

The perception of Prince, and perhaps his job, will ride on that answer. If Josh Freeman comes into his own and becomes a consistent playmaker, then suddenly people will talk about KSU’s turnaround and how Prince is doing a great job. If Freeman throws a bunch of interceptions and is just an average college QB, then KSU fans and media will think Prince isn’t the right guy for the job. (some clearly think that already)

You’ve heard the saying “It’s all about the Benjamins”. In college football “It’s all about the quarterbacks”. Especially for college coaches fighting to save their jobs. Finding the QB that can make plays can mean millions to college coaches and athletic departments. Just ask Mark Mangino. Just ask Lew Perkins. Just ask Gary Pinkel. Just ask Mike Alden. I’m not going to add Ron Prince to this list yet. We have to wait and see how Josh Freeman plays this year before we know whether Ron Prince is the next former KSU coach or the next coaching “genius” (aka the coach that hit the jackpot in recruiting and found a playmaking QB).

Keep Rockin and Chalkin,

Mic

Thank You Coach Mangino, KU Football Team

TO: KU Football Head Coach Mark Mangino and the entire KU Football team

FROM: Jayhawk Nation (courtesy of Mic Johnson, Jayhawk Blogger extraordinaire)

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

…for making oranges my new favorite food. I will NEVER eat another one without thinking of this season.
…for 12 wins for the first time. Ever.
…for all of your hard work, determination and resolve.
…for all of the hours spent making yourselves better when no one was watching.
…for believing that you could take the mess that Terry Allen left behind and turn KU Football into something special.
…for representing my alma mater with class and dignity.
…for not listening to the “experts” (hear that, Mark May, Lee Corso, Chris Fowler of ESPN?) who said that you didn’t play anyone and that you couldn’t beat Virginia Tech.
…for taking a knee at the 2 yard line to end the Orange Bowl out of respect for Virginia Tech and their coach Frank Beamer.
…for making KU fans care about football again.
…for beating K-State for the first time in Manhattan since 1989.
…for making up for, in one game, years of humiliating losses to Nebraska.
…for quietly and respectfully flipping the bird to all of the “perfect people” who made fun of Coach Mangino’s weight.
…for reminding people that it’s more important to play as a TEAM than to highlight any individual.
…for taking this program, in just six years, to a level no one except you could have imagined.
…for making the right changes so that KU can routinely compete for the best high school recruits in the country.
…for ending the season ranked higher than any other school in the Big 12.
…for making sure that MU had to share the spotlight with KU all season long and, for most of the year, give up that spotlight to the rival they are too proud to admit they envy.
…for laying claim to the title of “Best College Football Team in The State of Kansas”.
…for winning the Orange Bowl so that we can talk about you for the rest of our lives.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

As a wise Jayhawk fan I know was fond of saying: “Every day is a great day to be a Jayhawk. But some days are just a little better.”

Keep Rockin and Chalkin,

Mic
www.jaytalkers.com

Rally cry of the jealous: “KU didn’t play anyone”

Fresh off the announcement that KU will be playing in a BCS game, the Orange Bowl, the jealous fans of neighboring universities are coming out in full force.

Take the following email I received this morning from a KSU alum-friend of mine:

“Nobody you’ve beat is ranked….sorry, but KU hasn’t beaten anyone good.”

Here’s my reply:

“Rankings schmankings.

With this season, there are plenty of teams that beat teams that weren’t ranked that now are and vice versa, so that argument doesn’t hold any water in my book, particularly this year.

There were what, 17 or 18 top 5 teams this year beaten by unranked teams?

When KU went into Manhattan, KSU was coming off a 20-pt win in Austin over UT. Was UT no good? Was anyone saying that KSU wasn’t any good when KU played them?

When KU played Colorado, CU had beaten OU. Was OU any good? Was anyone saying that CU was a bad team when KU played them?

When KU went into College Station, were people chalking that game up as a “gimme” for KU?

Everyone is jumping on that “KU didn’t play anyone” bandwagon because it’s easy to do and it’s a convenient argument.

But it’s being way overblown.

You don’t go 11-1 over a season in the Big 12 (who has 8 bowl teams, btw) without “playing anyone”. No doubt our nonconference schedule was easy (Mangino learned from Snyder, right?), but we DESTROYED those teams and that is what you are supposed to do (just ask Michigan about not taking care of business) and then we went 7-1 in Big 12 play.

KU has nothing to apologize for. They lost to a Missouri team that played as good as they are capable of playing. There’s no shame in that. They turned the ball over twice and missed 2 FG’s. They convert 2 of the 4 red zone opportunities, then maybe they win and then “suddenly” they are respected because they beat MU? I don’t buy it.

When you think about it, you and everyone else that is hopping on the “KU didn’t play anyone” bandwagon, would have an entirely different opinion if KU scored 9 more points against MU.

I also know that you would have KSU switch places with KU in a heartbeat.”

So go on KU fans. Enjoy the ride. Enjoy the Orange Bowl. And try to understand the arguments from the jealous fan bases of Missouri and K-State.

That’s the neighborly thing to do.

Keep Rockin’ and Chalkin’,

Mic

A Little KU-MU and A Lot of Perspective

For me, this past holiday weekend was about KU sports and about giving thanks for all of the blessings in my life. As I headed into the long weekend, what I didn’t realize was that it was also going to be about strong feelings of love toward a family I have never met.

All week I anticipated the KU-MU game in Arrowhead Stadium. I had my tickets. I had my tailgating plan. I had the Saturday ESPN Sports Center and Gameday broadcasts set on my DVR. My wife had planned a special game-day breakfast. I had my hat, gloves, long underwear, coat and hot chocolate ready. I scoured the internet for any and every story I could find about the game and about the Jayhawks.

My heart rate increased every time I thought about the game and the environment that I would be a part of in and around Arrowhead Stadium. I thought time and again about everything riding on this game and how KU and Missouri may never play another rivalry game with so much significance during my lifetime.

I spent countless hours emailing with my friends about every aspect of the game. I let them know that my biggest fear was that KU’s football team would do what KU’s basketball team did last year in their Elite Eight game against UCLA, which was beat themselves by doing things they hadn’t done all season long. Against UCLA last year, the KU basketball team missed something like 20 layups. That hadn’t happened all season. They didn’t play their best game and they played out of character and beat themselves.

So here I was in Arrowhead Stadium watching the same thing happen to KU’s football team. My worst fears were realized as Todd Reesing, playing with a glove on his throwing hand for the first time ever, threw two interceptions after having thrown over 200 passes without one. Kicker Scott Webb, who had been solid this year, missed two field goals. KU’s defense, which had risen to the occasion so many times this year, gave up completion after completion on 3rd and long. Our normally steady wide receivers dropped passes and ran incorrect routes. Our coaching staff inexplicably gave Jake Sharp one rushing attempt. Our offensive line got pushed around. Our defensive line got very little penetration and were exhausted after being on the field for so long.

In the end, we all know what happened. The Kansas Jayhawk football team lost by 8 points to our hated rival, the Missouri Tigers. Everyone from players, coaches, family members, students and alumni had invested so much time and energy into this game only to come away with that numb feeling that accompanies virtually every loss.

I was going to feel sorry for myself and all of Jayhawk Nation, but that’s when, as so often happens when I get caught up in the fast pace of life, I was served a full dose of perspective.

Sunday morning my wife got a phone call. It was from a good friend of a woman
(we’ll call her Jane) that my wife had just hired on Wednesday from another department within the company. This was a great promotion for Jane, who was in her early 30′s and I believe the mother of 2-3 children. My wife told me how happy Jane was about this new job opportunity, what a perfect fit she was for the role, and how Jane and her husband (we’ll call him John) were going to celebrate over the long holiday weekend. John was also going to the KU-MU game and I imagined that he must have had the same sense of anticipation leading up to the game that I did. I’m pretty sure John was an MU fan, but as you will come to see, that doesn’t matter.

After the game, John and four of his friends decided to do some off-roading in the Hummer they were driving. I imagined that this was something that they had done several times over the years. From what I’ve been told, they went up a steep hill figuring it was a downward hill on the other side. Unfortunately, it was a straight drop-off. The Hummer fell several feet and 4 guys walked away.

John didn’t.

So while normally I would be feeling down and frustrated by KU’s loss to MU, emailing friends about everything that KU could have done differently, analyzing how a play here or there could have changed the outcome, scouring the internet for all the articles I could find about the game, I’m not. The truth is that I just can’t stop thinking about John.

I didn’t know John. I didn’t know Jane. I just knew they were a young, happy couple celebrating a great moment in their lives and looking forward to a brighter, better future. And then it all came to a sudden, inexplicable stop. I can’t help but think about how unfair it is. No one deserves going through something like this.
More importantly, I can’t help but think how much time I spent reading, writing, texting, worrying, analyzing, cheering, and agonizing over a KU-MU football game hyped as “Armageddon at Arrowhead”. It’s all so painfully insignificant right now.

It’s a cliché, but it’s one of the statements I’ve come to appreciate as life slaps me time and again with these perspective-filled moments: LIFE IS TOO SHORT.

I’m sad today. I’m sad that KU lost in Arrowhead on Saturday night. I’m sad at how Jane, John, their children and their families’ lives changed forever in an instant.

At the same time, I’m happy. I’m happy for the incredible Jayhawk football season. I’m happy that basketball season is just getting underway. I’m happy that I have a loving wife, family and friends. And I’m happy that God gave me the ability to realize just how fortunate I am and to not take anything for granted. Some people live their entire lives and never realize that. I have lost so many people close to me in the short time I’ve been on this earth and I live my life as a tribute to them. And now John is going to be a part of that tribute.

I don’t typically ask readers of my column for favors, but today is different. After you finish reading this, please say a prayer for John, a prayer for Jane, a prayer for their children, a prayer for their families, and a prayer for yourself and your families.

Keep Rockin’ and Chalkin’,

Mic
www.jaytalkers.com

Jayhawk Fans: It’s Time to Give Thanks. And Lots of It.

As I woke this morning, I was overcome with feelings of anticipation as I thought about the week ahead and the Thanksgiving holiday. Thanksgiving is a time for reflection, introspection and taking time out to give thanks for the many people and blessings in our lives. It’s a time to gather with family and friends, to enjoy a long holiday weekend, to savor every bite of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and pie.

This Thanksgiving, however, is going to be an extra special one for Jayhawk fans all across the country.

This Thanksgiving, Jayhawk hearts will be overflowing with more love and joy than ever. This Thanksgiving every Jayhawk fan is going to have an extra bounce in their step. This Thanksgiving every Jayhawk fan is going to be talking about the game in Arrowhead Stadium on November 24th against the Misery Tiggers. This Thanksgiving will be one that Jayhawk fans will talk about for years to come.

With that in mind, here is the Jayhawk version of “Things I am thankful for.”:

*11-0
*#2 BCS ranking and #2 ranking in the AP and Coach’s poll
*Mark Mangino and his entire coaching staff
*A legitimate shot at the National Championship in both football and basketball
*The sustained ability to take it “one game at a time”. Brandon McAnderson said it best: “This week our focus was Iowa State, and last week our focus was Oklahoma State. It sounds like a cliché, and it sounds like something that everybody says, but it’s just the way we are.”
*Todd Reesing. His 30 touchdown passes have him tied for second-place on KU’s all-time TD pass list. And he’s only a sophomore. Oh, and he has yet to lose as a starting college quarterback.
*The least penalized team in college football
*Winning on the road
*The entire wide receiver corps with their ability to create separation, catch the ball, get yards after the catch, and sustain their downfield blocks.
*Turnover margin. KU has gone 18 quarters without a turnover and leads the nation plus-21 in turnovers.
*Jake Sharp and 1,000 yard rusher Brandon McAnderson
*KU students camping out for football tickets
*The fact that KU is, as ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit termed it, “THE story of the year in college football”
*76 points on Homecoming against Nebraska
*Ed Warriner. Someone should create an Offensive Coordinator of the Year Award with his image and likeness. They can call it The Warriner Award.
*KU football games on national television every week
*Lew Perkins
*The fact that, though few will admit it, KU and MU fans both respect what the other has accomplished this year.
*KU football games in HD
*KU cheerleaders and the Rock Chalk Dancers
*Marcus Hereford
*The infamous YouTube video of Mark Mangino ripping into Raimond Pendleton
*The infamous YouTube video of Misery Tigger QB Chase Daniel picking his nose and then enjoying
an “appetizer”
*Memorial Stadium and a single season attendance record, averaging 46,498 fans over 7 games
*That most KU fans that own a “MUCK FIZZOU” shirt have finally decided to quit wearing them and use them for what they were originally intended: Cleaning the toilet.
*Expansion of the football facilities
*Derek Fine
*That KU fans won’t rush the field at Arrowhead Stadium when we beat MU.
*Kerry Meier, EASILY college football’s M.U.P. (Most Unselfish Player)
*Beating K-State 3 out of the last 4
*The most underrated offensive line in college football
*Mike Riviera
*Easiest bet to win: The Jayhawks are 10-0 against the Las Vegas point spread this season.
*Scott Webb: KU’s new leading single season scoring leader with 110 points.
*Bill Young
*Former KU football coach Don Fambrough’s absolute disgust for Missouri.
*Punter Kyle Tucker has rarely been needed this season.
*Aqib Talib
*Winning with CLASS and knowing that MU never will.
*The 13 seniors on the Jayhawk football team that have been instrumental in laying a foundation for the future success of the program. Sometimes there aren’t enough words…
*The #2 ranked scoring defense in the country
*James McClinton
*My friend’s parents who are selling me their two extra tickets to the KU-Missouri game and not ripping me off like every ticket broker in the country.
*A chance to shut up the predominantly ignorant MU fan base for another year.
*A chance to hear the Rock Chalk Chant throughout the state of Kansas…AND Missouri…on Nov. 24th.
*Joe Mortensen
*Keeping the Jayhawk train rolling after football season. The Jayhawk basketball team is in the Top 5, Brandon Rush is back, and we’ve got a team that has a legitimate shot at the Final Four and National Championship. Oh, and we just signed another Top 10 recruiting class.

But the one thing that I am MOST THANKFUL for?

KU-Misery: November 24th: Sold out Arrowhead Stadium. 7 p.m. on ABC. 100% of ABC affiliates will air the game. Yes, that means the ENTIRE COUNTRY will be watching. ESPN College Gameday in Kansas City. The most anticipated college game in Kansas City history. The biggest game in the long history of the rivalry. The biggest game in college football to this point in the season. Coach of the Year on the line. Big 12 North title on the line (KU is already guaranteed a share of the Big 12 North title. But we don’t like to share. Especially not with Misery.) Entry into the Big 12 Championship Game on the line. National Championship aspirations.

Yes, Jayhawk fans, we have so much to be thankful for this season. Perhaps more than ever. Eat some turkey, then eat a little more, and then get your GAME FACES on.
Oh, who am I kidding? My game face is already on.
GO JAYHAWKS! POUND THE MISERY TIGGERS!

Keep Rockin’ and Chalkin’ and Happy Thanksgiving to all,

Mic Johnson
www.jaytalkers.com

KU-MU: I can’t help but look ahead

During this most improbable and incredible of KU Football seasons, I have tried extremely hard to embrace the “one game at a time” mentality that Coach Mark Mangino, his coaching staff and his players have been preaching. So far, I’ve done a pretty good job of it.

But I have a confession to make.

I can’t do it anymore.

I want to. I really do. But I just can’t.

While I know Iowa State has recent wins against Colorado and K-State, have an experienced quarterback in Bret Meyer, have up and coming coach Gene Chezik, and would love nothing more than to beat the only undefeated team left in the Top 10, I just can’t focus on this game.

Why, you ask?

Ok, you probably don’t have to ask because you know, in your heart of Jayhawk hearts: You’re just as guilty as I am.

November 24th: KU-Missouri in SOLD OUT ARROWHEAD STADIUM.

Ok. There. I said it.

With Thanksgiving right around the corner and visions of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls, pie and more, Jayhawk Nation is going to be treated to a smorgasbord of football with a fervor and anticipation that most Jayhawk football fans have never experienced in their lifetimes.

Let’s assume that KU beats Iowa State this weekend. Let’s assume that Missouri beats KSU (though this is my upset special of the week because (A) It’s Senior Day in Manhattan (B) KSU’s pride is still aching after the 73 point massacre in Lincoln last week and they will want to prove it was a fluke, and (C) Missouri ALWAYS seems to find ways to screw up a good thing.)

There is so much riding on this game. Here are my thoughts, in no particular order:

*The MU game concerns me. Just like KU, MU has an explosive offense led by an excellent quarterback. If I’m honest with myself, I think MU’s offense is more polished at this point. *Both teams have solid defenses that have, at times, risen to the occasion, and at other times, given up big plays. KU’s defense has given up 39 and 28 points, respectively, in the last two weeks. Missouri’s defense has given up more than 20 points in 6 of their games this year.
*The winner wins the Big 12 North.
*The winner goes on to the Big 12 Championship Game in San Antonio.
*The winner keeps their dream of a National Championship alive.
*The winner, and it’s fan base, gets bragging rights for an entire year.
*The winning coach catapults to the top of the Coach of the Year rankings.
*I literally get sick to my stomach when I think of what it would be like to be in Arrowhead if MU won the game. Not only because of all of the previously mentioned benefits to the winner, not only because I would have to watch the MU fan base celebrate (I like to say: “Every fan base has ignorant fans. At MU, they just have more.”), but also because everyone and their dog in the national media will quickly hop off the Kansas bandwagon and say “See, their schedule was weak. When they played a quality opponent, they lost. And now they’re going to the Holiday or Alamo Bowl”. As quickly as KU rose to be “the story of the year in college football” (Thanks Kirk Herbsteit), that’s how quickly some people will pounce on them if they lose.
*If KU wins, it will INCREDIBLE. It will be a celebration not seen in Kansas City since the Jayhawk basketball team won the 1988 National Championship in Kemper Arena. We certainly know Kansas City has pretty much given up on the dream of any mass celebrations for the Chiefs and Royals anytime soon.

My prediction?

I can’t make a prediction. I don’t want to look ahead. I….must….focus….on….Iowa…State.

Oh, forget it. I can’t do it.

It’s going to be a major battle that will come down to second half adjustments by the coaching staffs and a few big, key plays. I really think it’s too close to call but in the interest of getting off the fence and supporting my beloved alma mater, I’m going with….wait for it…wait for it….

KU: 42 MISERY: 35

Keep Rockin’ and Chalkin’,

Mic
www.jaytalkers.com