2
Thursday, August 23, 1973
University Daily Kansas
Cornhuskers May Sweep 1973 Big Eight Football
From Page One
at least second place in the Big Eight. If they can overcome their knack for losing to unheralded teams, Colorado could challenge for the Big Eight title.
OKLAHOMA, the defending Big Eight Champion, has lost too many key people to be considered an odds-on contender for this year's title. Since the end of last year's season, the Sooners have lost head coach Chuck Furbanks and the entire wishbone offense of Greg Pratt, Wyle Wiley, Leon Jones and Jared Searle also lost promising quarterback Kerry Jackson in the famous forgetten scandal.
The fact still remains that the Sooners have the best defense in the Big Eight. The defensive line is anchored by the three Selmon brothers; nose guard Lucius and John Hodgson, nose backhacking. David Smith and Rod Shoate, is competent, as is the defensive secondary.
THE MAIN thing new coach Barry Switzer will have to worry about is how to rejuvenate the Sooners' famous wishbone. He has flashy runners in Joe Washington and Grant Burget and good receivers in Tinker Owens and John Carroll, but lacks any kind of quarterback Kurt Busch. The team's coaching staff was declared insoluble. So, the leadership of the wishbone will fall to Scott Hill and Steve Davis, both of whom are inexperienced.
The offensive line is another point of concern. Gone are all-Americans Tom Brahman and Al Chandler and inexperienced players have replaced them. If the Sooner's wishbone is to work, the offensive line will have to improve quickly.
Although the Sooners have a great defense, the only way to defeat the likes of Nebraska and Colorado is to outscore them. The Sooners could be better if the Sooners could still be a title contender.
THE OTHER TEAM that should finish in the upper division of the Big Eight is Oklahoma State. The Cowpokes have more players returning than any other school in the Big Eight. They have 17 starters and 33 of the top 41 players will be back
Oklahoma State, the most inconsistent team in the Big Eight last year, has allround depth and a sound offense, but lacks the ability to score a great many points.
The wishbone-tone offense is led by quarterback Brent Blackman. The running game, powered by George Palmer, Fountain Smith and Alton Gerard, is solid but the passing game is questionable. The offense is good but it ends end. The offensive line is capable and is led by tackles Tom Wolf and Mike Clendennen and guard Bon Joe Wattright.
THE DEFENSE, like the offense, is a solid senior-dominated group. The line is solid with the most improvement coming in the defensive secondary. The addition of a left-footed forward by Alvin Brown has made the Cowpokes' deep secondary one of the best in the Big Eight.
If the Cowpokes plan to be a title contender they must overcome the inconsistency that plagued the team last year. The team has depth and a good wishbone and should be a tough opponent for all Big Eight schools.
The team that should finish at least fifth and possibly higher is the University of Kansas Jayhawks, KU will be much implem- nent if they don't compete in competitive against all of its opponents.
THE MAIN KEY for KU's success is whether the offense can generate a good running game to complement its superpassing game. A healthy Delvin Williams, along with Robert Miller, could give the defense the running game they greatly need.
The passing game, game by record-breaking quarterback Dave Jaynes, will be superb. On the receiving end, Bruce Adams, an experienced competent and swift receivers. The main question on offense is whether or not the inexperienced front line can give Jaynes a chance.
THE KU DEFENSE is much improved over last year. The line, led, by possible all-big Eight stars Don Goode and Mitch Sutton, should be strong, as will the linebacking of Steve Towle and Dean Baird. The deep secondary appears to be solid, but
the loss of cornerback Denny Lantz could hurt.
The Jayhawks could very easily be a title contender if they get a good break. The team should not have to fight the face is the team's lack of depth. Injuries will play a big role, and if they can be forestalled it will greatly help. The offense is capable of putting up great attacks to complement the passing of Jayhawks.
Missouri will finish sixth, Iowa State seven and Kansas State will dwell in the
MISSOURI the surprise team of the Big Eight last year, with victories over
The Kansan's Pigskin Picks
1. NEBRASKA
2. COLORADO
3. OKLAHOMA
4. OKLAHOMA STATE
5. KANSAS
6. MISSOURI
7. IOWA STATE
8. KANSAS STATE
Colorado, Notre Dame and Iowa State. They could easily repeat the performance this year because the team is largely unchanged.
The main problem the Tigers will have is defense. The line has no depth and isexperienced, as is the linebacking. The secondary should be solid with returning starters Lynn Evans and John Moseley building down one side.
THE OFFENSE should be capable and is led by senior quarterback John Cherry. The running game, led by Tommy Reason and Leroy Moss, should move the ball. The passing game is questionable with Chuck Link the only returning starting receiver.
Coach Al Onofrio's Tigers will be competitive but will need a super performance from the defense to be a contender for a first division finish.
The Iowa State Cyclones, under new coach Earle Bruce, badly need a quarterback to replace the spectacular George Amundson. As it now stands, the Cyclone
haven't found an adequate replacement. At least five players are being considered for the position, with none coming close to the abilities of Amundson.
OTHER THAN quarterback, the offense is solid in all areas. Mike Strachan and Moses Moore are both excellent running backs who will have a big, experienced offensive line to open holes for them. The wide-receivers, mainly Willie Jones and Ike Harris, are competent and should supply points if an adequate passer can be found.
OCCUPYING THE cellar will be Vince Gibson's Kansas State Wildcats. This year's Wildcats are in the process of rebuilding their roster and Groom will start at quarterback. He is a considered a good runner, but a poor passer. The Wildcats are lacking in receivers to complement all-Big Eight depths. The team is an intact as are the running back positions.
The defense also appears shaky with the linebacking and safety positions the only fairly solid positions. In short, Gibson may have been content with wallowing in the cell in 1973.
Another of Iowa State's problems will be its defensive line and secondary. The line, which is far behind the ball, too much on all-Big Eight candidate Lawrence "Big Daddy" Hunt. The secondary also appears to be weak and will need shrinking up if the Cyclones are to be first down.
Although the superstars of 1972 are gone, the Big Eight Conference appears to be overall improved. The second division teams will all be competitive with a runaway winner an impossibility. Look for Nebraska, Oklahoma and Colorado to battle it out and for Oklahoma State and Kansas to play the roles of the dark horse teams.
Kansan Classifieds Work For You!
stereo components
Graham TEAC disc presents
Significant Savings on All Name Brand Stereo Equipment
MONDAY-SATURDAY
11 A.M.-MIDNIGHT
SUNDAY
11 A.M.-10 P.M.
841-4218
Taco . . . . .
Always in season and seasoned to please?
...the Store with the Pink Dove Mall's Shopping Center
711 W. 23rd
842-7409
1