University Daily Kansan
Wednesday, August 24, 1977
15
From page two
Sooner power . . .
think he passes so well as Stanley or runs
think he passes so well as Stanley or runs
thinking he does think he is a good
friend of Stanley.
KANSAS
Kansas coach Bud Moore doesn't like to think about this season in terms of how many games his club will lose. He likes to think about it in terms of how many they will win.
Either way, it ought to come out about the iame.
The Jayhawks, loaded with talent at some positions but inexperienced at some others, appeared headed for a .500 season. Maybe a better, maybe a little worse. It all depends.
What it depends on is several things: the ability of whoever wins the starting quarterback job—either Mark Vickersed or James Wright. The ability to wishbone offense; the ability of the offensive backfield to establish as a strong running game as the team had last year, and the ability of the defensive secondary team to win their jobs in a hurry and learn them well.
The Jayhawks are not without their strong points, most notably the offensive and defensive lines. Anchored by veterans, they also have more depth than a year ago.
The offensive backfield, except for the muddled quarterback position, is sound. Bill Campfield and Norris Banks return, and ready to take Laverne Smith's place is sophomore Mike Higgins, the leading rusher in the spring game.
Coach Jim Stanley has guided Oklahoma State to four straight winning seasons and two bowl appearances, but his chances of making it five in a row rest on the two legs of
If KU could play the kind of non-conference schedule to which it has accustomed in recent years, there might be hope for a better-than-average year. But, all things considered, a .500 year is about all they can hope for.
Miller, one of the leading candidates for the Heisman Trophy, is the only offensive player in college.
OKLAHOMASTATE
Stanley has to rebuild the offensive line, which was decimated by graduation. The replacements are to be adequate, but aren't suited as quick as last season's group.
The defensive secondary is weaker than a year ago, and the defensive line appears to be weak.
The Cowbys' depth problems won't be helped if the OSU coaches go through with a possible switch of defensive end Daria Butter to linebacker. While Butler could be a standout linebacker, his leaving the mightly create a spot too big to fill.
Miller, who set 10 school rushing records last year, has a chance to become the first back in Big Eight history to gain 1,000 or more rushing in three straight seasons.
MISSOURI
The Missouri Tigers have been-described
wrapped in a mystery on an enigma.
wrapped in a mystery on an enigma.
Coach Al Onufrio has what may be the quarterback in the conference in senior PSA. He's also missed almost all of spring drills because of a twisted knee and has had surgery on his left knee.
And the Tigers figure to be just as confusing this year.
Even with韦斯 and standout receivers Joe Stewart and Leo Lewis, the offense doesn't appear to be as potent as it was a year ago.
The Tigers once will run out of the power-I offense, and they figure to put the bail in the air. Stewart was the leading pass player since last season, and Lewis was near the top.
MU won't have as powerful a running game this year as they've had in the past. Tay Gailbrath and Curtis Brown are gone, Gary Hall will lack the speed of their last few backfields.
On defense, MU will be by standout senior luck with Morrison. But he's going to score.
For nowhere else was the 'Tigers' inconsistency more evident last season than in the defense. Missouri was last in the league after all, and it was defensing the pass, and last in total defense.
And the help will have to come from new people, because Missouri returns only one linebacker and doesn't return anybody to the defensive secondary.
It could add up to a long season for Tiger fans.
KANSASSTATE
But even though they are improved, they still won't have the ability to stay with most teachers.
The Wildcats, who haven't won a conference game in more than two years, figure to be one of the strongest teams.
Coach Ellis Rainsberger likes to point out that his team scored an average of 23 points a game in its last three games last year—10.1, 9.6, and 8.5. Oklahoma. Oklahoma State and Colorado.
But what Rainberger doesn't say is that its team gave up an average of 43 points a season.
And you can't win many football games when the other guz scores 43 points.
With Wendell Henriksen at the offensive controls, the Wildcats do expect to be a better offensive team than they were a 2-year ago. But it will be up to the defense, led by senior All-American linebacker Gary Spani, to keep opponents off the scoreboard.
K-State placed last in the conference in lush season last, but should be improved in that department this time around. And, despite its defensive line has size, skill and experience.
But they are weak on defense, as only three starters return. They appear to have a stronger secondary, but lack size on the line and lack death all over.
And the kicking game is dormant going into fall practice. Game Sinovic, one of the league's best punters and place kickers, has graduated.
This year figures to be an improved one for K-State, but Rainisberger is learning how long the road to success is. He won't find the end this year.
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