4 and out: Kansas, Colorado, Kansas St. and Oklahoma St.
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Curt McKeever takes a look at the storylines from the second day of Big 12 Media Days - including Kansas, Colorado, Kansas State and Oklahoma State.
KANSAS
(12-1 in 2007; preseason No. 2 pick in the North for 2008)
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Get the latest news on Nebraska football and from around the Big 12 as coaches and players gather for Big 12 Media Days, Monday through Wednesday in K...
* News bulletin: Perhaps the biggest unknown about the Jayhawks is whether they can develop a consistent bell-cow ball carrier. Brandon McAnderson (1,125 yards in 2007) is gone and KU struggled to run the ball in its spring game. But Jocques Crawford has arrived from Cisco (Texas) Junior College, where last season he rushed for 1,935 yards en route to being named the national offensive player of the year. “We have high expectations for him,” coach Mark Mangino said.
* Junior safety Darrell Stuckey sizes up 2008: “I think every season you approach it as an unknown. You’re just kind of curious of how everything will play out or how much everybody got better, because sometimes people can get better independently but not as a team. We’re excited to see how everything will pan out. We’re excited to go through two-a-days and see how much better the defense has gotten, or see what new players are going to make a big impact.”
* Jayhawks through the eyes of Kevin Haskin, Topeka Capital-Journal: “I think they’re in a good position of playing a better schedule, because that’s going to give them some more incentive to prove that last year wasn’t a fluke. I think it’s a good team. The linebacking corps might be the best in the conference, and if they can fill some holes on the defensive line, they’ll be a pretty good defense. And then (Todd) Reesing, he can make a lot of things happen. They’re probably not going to have as good a record, but I think they’re going to surprise one of those powers.”
COLORADO
(6-7 in 2007; preseason No. 4 pick in the North for 2008)
* News bulletin: Tight end Riar Geer, who appealed a suspension by CU’s Office of Judicial Affairs for his involvement in an off-campus incident last winter, received “a suspension in abeyance” last Wednesday. Essentially, Geer is eligible to play this fall after missing all of spring practices and being suspended from all football-related activity. … Three players have been declared academically ineligible for the season: receiver Markques Simas, offensive tackle Sione Tau and OLB Nate Vaiomounga. Of those, Simas figured to have the biggest impact in 2008 as a compliment to the Buffs’ wideout starters.
* Senior safety Ryan Walters sizes up 2008: ” I’m not just saying it because this is my last year, but this is the best group of guys I’ve been around since I’ve been at the university. Kansas went from being not so good to winning a BCS bowl game. Nebraska the same. They went from being the powerhouse of the North to not doing so well, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see any team on top of the Big 12. I think we’ve got as good a shot as anybody.”
* Buffaloes through the eyes of B.G. Brooks, Rocky Mountain News: “I think they’re headed up, but the schedule is such that they’re going in the right direction but the improvement might be imperceptible for a year. Just looking at the North Division, they’re at Missouri, at Kansas, at Nebraska and that’s going to be tough to overtake any of those teams. And the nonconference schedule, if they slip up in September, lose a little confidence, who knows where they go? But I do think they’ll be improved. I think the big key for improvement is Cody (Hawkins).”
KANSAS STATE
(5-7 in 2007; preseason No. 5 pick in the North for 2008)
* News bulletin: The Wildcats’ situation at running back is in limbo. Junior college recruit Daniel Thomas failed to qualify and junior Leon Patton, who figured to start the season No. 1, has to resolve a legal matter. Two weeks ago, Patton was arrested for failing to appear on charges for a parking violation, driving on a canceled or suspended license and a warrant for a theft that occurred last November. As it stands now, Keithen Valentine, a walk-on junior college transfer who rushed for 104 yards in the spring game, stands to be the man. Behind him are four redshirt and three true freshmen.
* Junior safety Chris Carney sizes up 2008: “Being one of the captains of the team you’ve kind of got to look from the outside in and see how things are with almost everyone on the team. But I think we’re going to have a great season. Not too many questions. I am comfortable. Defense is definitely the key. Without good defense, you’re going to lose games.”
* Wildcats through the eyes of Jeffrey Martin, Wichita Eagle: “A winless November, that’s going to stick with them whether they admit it or not. Lost in all that, if you go back and look at the numbers (of) Josh (Freeman) the last two months — pretty good. He had 12, 13 touchdowns, only four interceptions, completed 67 percent. … Ron (Prince) has hitched his wagon to (Freeman and defensive end Ian Campbell), and he’s gambling. Personally, I think (Freeman’s) up to it. I think he’s got enough skills. I don’t know if the (four junior college receivers) are going to acclimate themselves quick enough. I think the defense is going to be better than people think. That said, the schedule is brutal, so I think 6-6 is a tremendous season. They win seven games, this guy is coach of the year and he might be gone.”
OKLAHOMA STATE
(7-6 in 2007; preseason No. 4 pick in the South for 2008)
* News bulletin: One year after suffering a freak back injury that had doctors questioning whether he’d walk again, Artrell Woods has been cleared to resume his football career. The last time the sophomore receiver played, he turned in a 111-yard performance in the Cowboys’ 2007 spring game. Woods, who hasn’t quite regained his 4.4 40-yard dash speed, is expected to be an immediate difference-maker for an already stacked offense.
* Junior linebacker Andre Sexton sizes up 2008: “The big thing is finishing games. That’s what’s separating us right now from Texas and A&M and the success they’ve had in the past. Why they’re such well-known programs is because they’ve been able to finish those type games and we haven’t. I’m very confident in our talent, and if you really analyze the film closely, you’ll see how close we really are. I believe everybody has it in their heart right now, and that’s what keeps pushing us to get better.”
* Cowboys through the eyes of Rex Holt, Stillwater Radio: “I don’t think they’re probably in the class with OU or Texas, but they’re right there, if anybody else is. In a league rich with quarterbacks and offense, OSU’s as good as anybody. Defensively is where the big question is. Their biggest question mark is linebacker. I think that’s the key to their season. … They need to win seven or eight games to keep the pressure off (Mike Gundy).”
— Curt McKeever
