I was driving south through Oklahoma during the weekend and checked out the different radio stations that the Sooner State offered to pass the time.

Roughly an hour from the Oklahoma-Texas border, the radio ‘seek’ stopped on a rock station, and the beginning of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” was playing.

Immediately, Kansas football sprang into my mind because of its connection to the teams’ run onto the field.

40,000 plus people standing and clapping, drunken students screaming, and best of all, the nice little video montage of the Jayhawk-shaped jet flying through Kansas before blowing up the opponent’s helmet at midfield... road rage here I come.

So, needing a jolt from what had been an otherwise dull journey, I cranked the volume, raised my fist – pounding it in the air and stared menacingly at people as I passed by them – pointing at some – letting them know that I, along with the KU football team, mean business this year.

After the song finished and I led Oklahoma state troopers on a high-speed chase through the Texas panhandle, (if heavy metal does that to me, imagine the effect on the football players), I thought of a possible soundtrack that might help determine how our schedule this season should play out.

In the spirit of the “EP,” yours truly has selected six songs sure to prepare and get you pumped up for the 2006 season.

1. Devo, “Whip It”

Three of KU’s first four games are in Lawrence against the likes of South Florida, Louisiana Monroe and Northwestern State. Northwestern State? So what if we open the season against a Division I-AA opponent. Remember people – the Bill Snyder formula for success specifically mentions, “destroy small schools.” Despite a tough nationally televised roadie in Toledo, KU should definitely “Whip It,” and the season starts 3-1.

2. Ice Cube, “Check Yo Self”

Once the preseason, err, non-conference is done, then things get exciting. Opening conference play at Nebraska will be demanding because the Huskers are still fuming about that ass whooping from last season. Besides the Big Red, you have Texas A&M; and Oklahoma State to worry about to open Big 12 play. The latter two are at Memorial Stadium, though, and that’s never a bad thing. 2-1 to start the conference is a real possibility, but the ‘Hawks have to check themselves before they potentially wreck their season. (5-2, 2-1)

3. Talking Heads, “Burning Down the House”

Waco. Branch Davidians. Janet Reno. Just a few things that come to mind. Oh yeah, we play Baylor too. KU – 31 Waco FD – 3. (6-2, 3-1)

4. Wu-Tang Clan, “Protect Ya Neck”

It’s crunch time people. The North portion of the schedule is in full effect and the ‘Hawks have to protect any chances of winning a wide open North division. The Buffaloes and their sex-crazed recruits invade Lawrence before KU heads to Ames to face the Cyclones. Both very winnable games, yet a split is likely. Regardless, the Fred Count has KU at (7-3, 4-2) to this point in the season.

5. Michael Jackson, “Thriller”

Forget what MJ has become. Remember what his nose used to look like? Real. The season concludes against our two biggest rivals, The Purple Rain-led Wildcats and Gary Pinkel’s group. These games are going to go down to the wire, but BOTH will be KU triumphs. The K-State dominance is done; you remember two years ago? And Missouri? It’s Missouri! Gary Pinkel is the head coach, of course he’ll find a way to lose the game! (9-3, 4-2)

6. Queen, “We are the Champions”

Big 12 North that is. That’s right folks, I’m the first one to say it publicly – that I know of – KU will win the Big 12 North title this year. Sure I said the same thing last year, and we should have. But a winning mind-frame takes time – so too does getting out of the first round apparently – and a good quarterback that doesn’t hit his O-lineman’s heads more than his receiver’s hands doesn’t hurt either.

There you have it ladies and gentlemen. The 2006 KU football soundtrack, for your listening pleasure. While you can’t find it at your favorite CD store, in old-school hip-hop tradition, I will be selling bootleg copies out of my trunk. Holler if you hear me.