Big expectations good sign for program
Mangino welcomes opportunity to show progress. Downplays softness of last year’s schedule.
By Bryan Wheeler (Contact)
Originally published 12:00 a.m., August 22nd, 2008
Updated 12:00 a.m., August 22nd, 2008
Standing at the podium in Mrkonic Auditorium of Kansas’ brand new state-of-the-art Anderson Family Football Complex, coach Mark Mangino fielded questions about the team on its media day on Aug. 5. There were the typical questions that media and fans alike wonder about in the preseason.
What’s the situation at running back? How are the wide receivers looking this season? What are your thoughts on your linebackers? Who will be the kicker this season? What’s your favorite color? Just kidding on that last one. Sort of.
Media days are basically a time when reporters can get a feel for what to expect of the team in the upcoming season. The questions are usually straightforward, no nonsense and to the point, and so are the answers. It’s almost as if both reporters and coaches rehearsed their questions and answers beforehand.
One question that Mangino has been asked repeatedly about is last season’s success being a result of a “cupcake” schedule. Mangino’s response was just about the same as his response to the question at Big 12 media day.
“Just stop and think for a minute that Kansas’ football coach has been asked about his 2008 schedule not being tough in a year where they defeated Nebraska, Texas A&M, Colorado and Virginia Tech,” said Mangino. “All that tells me is that we’re making progress, if you’re asking me those questions.”
Mangino makes a good point. Virginia Tech, Kansas’ opponent in last year’s Orange Bowl, played for the national championship in 2000. Kansas’ coach after the 2000 season was Terry Allen, who had a 20-33 record in five seasons with the Jayhawks before Mangino replaced him. Had Doc Brown from “Back to the Future” rolled up in a DeLorean powered by plutonium and told him they would beat those teams, Allen would have asked, “Does that mean I get to keep my job?”
But Mangino has a point: even if it is rehearsed. Allen’s 2000 team went 4-7 (2-6 Big 12), which means there has been a changing of the guards in the Big 12 and Kansas has made progress. ESPN’s Big 12 writer Tim Griffin, who has covered the Big 12 teams for 24 years, also thinks so.
“(The) Jayhawks could be better than last season — even if their record won’t reflect it,” he said on Aug. 5.
And progress is what Mangino and the Jayhawks have done and hope to continue to do. In 119 years of Kansas football, there has been no greater opportunity for the team to do something it has never done: go to back-to-back bowls. Sure, Kansas may have had an easier schedule than they will have this year because they have to play AP ranked No. 4 Oklahoma, No. 6 Missouri, No. 11 Texas, No. 12 Texas Tech and No. 19 South Florida.
“Yes, does the schedule get a little tougher? It sure does,” said Mangino at Kansas’ media day. “All I’m looking for here is continuingly getting better.”
With Mark Mangino’s “one game at a time” approach the Jayhawks took to reach a 12-1 record last season, progress can be made.
— Edited by Arthur Hur
Discussion
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KU didn't have to play No. 4 Oklahoma, No. 11 Texas, or No. 12 Texas Tech last year. Note that the only meaningful (i.e. quality) opponent in the non-conference schedule, No. 19 South Florida, is on the road, as well. That's an upset waiting to happen (and by upset I mean USF beating KU... just wanted to make that clear, haha).
8-4. I'll be pleasantly surprised if KU betters that. But I remember the 2004 and 2006 seasons, and given the pattern under Mangino so far (2002 forward) 8-4 seems right about on target.
Go ahead, guys. I really want to be proven wrong. Beat two of the four teams above (as well as Mizzou) and KU will have earned another BCS bowl bid at 10-2. But it's an even-numbered year ;-)
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