Friday, April 10, 2009
Ah, spring. The weather is starting to warm up, baseball season has finally begun, and now the football season is about to start. Yes, the spring game, a staple of the spring season for any collegiate program, is scheduled for kickoff 2 p.m. Saturday, April 11, at Memorial Stadium. The highly glorified scrimmage will give fans a look ahead to the upcoming season.
It tends to be a bigger deal at football-crazed schools like Georgia and Alabama, but there’s no reason Kansas fans can’t get excited for the spring game this year. The Jayhawks are coming off their two best consecutive seasons in school history, including two back-to-back bowl victories. Now, with the spring game, the hype can start for the Jayhawks’ shot at a Big 12 North championship.
Let’s look a little more closely at the division that Kansas could take control of this season. Iowa State, well, it’ll still be Iowa State. Yes, they have some good young talent, but the departure of head coach Gene Chizik could leave them near the bottom of the Big 12.
Colorado has some turmoil of its own with a possible quarterback battle leading up to next season. Cody Hawkins no longer seems to be the apple of head coach/dad Dan Hawkins’ eye, and he may lose the starting job. Isn’t it about time? He ran backwards 16 yards just to get sacked for a safety against Kansas last season. The Buffaloes also lose defensive tackle George Hypolite, who was a big factor in their run defense last season. Mark Colorado down for another average season.
Kansas State is bringing back coach Bill Snyder for another shot at rebuilding the program, but he’s losing some critical pieces. Josh Freeman, famous for imploding against the Jayhawks, is departing for the NFL draft. Second-leading wide receiver Deon Murphy and top defensive player Ian Campbell are both graduating. Snyder has options with what’s left of his team, but it won’t be enough for a run at the Big 12 North title.
Missouri and Nebraska will be the biggest obstacles in Kansas’ way. But Missouri is losing a lot of talent, including Chase Daniel, Chase Coffman and Jeremy Maclin. Nebraska has the best shot to challenge Kansas in the North. Yes, the team will lose quarterback Joe Ganz, but it won’t lose many others. Speedster Roy Helu Jr., the same guy that torched Kansas for 115 yards and 2 touchdowns, including one from 52 yards out, will return at running back. Coach Bo Pelini will keep a strong focus on defense, and with run-stopper Ndamukong Suh back, Nebraska’s stout defense will be difficult to overcome.
Kansas will lose some players, mainly on the defensive side, but they will retain a lot of talent. The spring game can show the fans a lot about the potential of this team. The main questions will be how the Jayhawks can replace all three starting linebackers, and who will start at cornerback. But, if they say the best offense is a good defense, why can’t the opposite be true? Todd Reesing is the best quarterback in the North, and most of his weapons return, which should lead to a third consecutive bowl game. Saturday will give the fans their first chance to see the team. The game will surely lead to much speculation, including about Kansas’ shot at a Big 12 North title. After the game, all the fans can do is wait and see.
— — Edited by Justin Leverett
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