Monday, August 21, 2000
The University Daily Kansan
Section B·Page 7
Big 12 Football
Senior Morgan Norris leaps over a pile of players during the Jayhawks' matchup against Baylor last year. This year, the Bears will try to improve on their 1-1999 season. Kansan file photo
Baylor seeks ways to improve
By Jason Franchuk sports@kansan.com Kansan sportwriter
As lunch passed and the Big 12 Conference's annual media day was supposed to carry on, people wondered if the conference was going to become the Big 11.
Baylor, scheduled to speak in the early afternoon, had not arrived yet.
Most coaches wouldn't admit it, but Baylor not participating might not be a bad thing. Baylor, which went 1-10 last year, has been the doormat of the conference since its inception four years ago.
As Colorado coach Gary Barnett pointed out, "You can't have a superconference with a team going 0-11."
Then again, as difficult as a Big 12 schedule can be, maybe it's not so bad to have the Bears around. Barnett was probably not wagging his finger directly at Baylor, but the message was obvious — the Bears need to improve.
Second-year Bears coach Kevin Steele knows that, too. Baylor surrendered 414 points last year while scoring only 137. The Bears, however, had a chance to win their first
two games. They went into overtime with Boston College, then had a victory in the bag against Nevada-Las Vegas before an incomprehensible fumble in the waning seconds led to another loss.
"The goal of every off-season program is the same — to get better."
tremendous amount of hope."
The addition of junior college quarterback Greg Cicero could create a dramatic improvement. Cicero, a 6-foot-4 junior, will compete with incumbent Mike Odum and redshirt freshman Guy Tomcheck for the spot. But consider Cicero the favorite, not just because of his prostyle size, but because of the psychology he brings to the team.
"I wasn't part of last year's team." Cicero said. "So I don't know what it's like to lose that many games. I think I can bring a winning attitude
BAYLOR BEARS
Coach: Kevin Steele, second season, 1-10 Key players: DB Gary Baxter, RB Darrall Bush, LB Kris Micheau, DB Samir Al-Amin
1999 Record: 1-10, no bowl
2000 Prediction: 4-7, no bowl
*For the puzzle to come together, the Bears must prevent lastplay fumbles. Seriously, folks, Baylor's better than people think; but 2000 will be just one more year in the rebuilding process.*
to the team."
Steele and his two players finally arrived for media day, and before Steele oozed with optimism, he shined humor on the trials and tribulations of last season.
He just hopes his Bears won't be laughed at this season.
"We're not going to look back at the 1999 season and think about payback." Steele said. "Our theme is to pay forward. We want to invest so heavily in work ethic this off-season, spring and summer conditioning, that we have no intent of giving up on our investment."
Edited by Shawn Hutchinson
Young Tigers face bruising schedule
Bv Chris Wristen
By Chris Wristen
sports@kanson.com
Kanson sportwriter
1988 was a great year to be a Tiger.
1999, however, wasn't and don't
expect 2000 to be either. After an
Insight.com Bowl victory in '98,
'98
the '99 season brought high expectations to Columbia. But after a 1-3 start, the Tigers dropped six of their, last seven
games and finished in the Big 12 North Division cellar.
The 2000 edition team looks promising. The squad lost just 16 lettermen from last year's team.
Looks can be deceiving.
These Tigers are young — very young. Only 12 seniors return to the squad. There are 24 juniors, 25 sophomores, 22 redshirt freshmen and 23
The lack of numbers for upper-classmen leadership has assistant coach Ricky Hunley concerned.
freshmen — eight of whom are académically ineligible — in the roster.
"Your confidence can easily be shaken when you're young," Hunley said. " (Last year) we had a redshirt freshman quarterback and a sophomore quarterback. They've taken some lumps."
The schedule alone will be bruising. Non-conference games against Michigan State and Clemson may rock the Tigers early. It won't get any easier with a conference opener at Nebraska.
A quarterback controversy and an inexperienced offensive line also could create problems. Junior quarterback Jim Dougherty and sophomore Kirk Farmer will battle for the starting nod under center.
The defense, headlined by presea-
tor All-American candidate and
MISSOURI TIGERS
Coach: Larry Smith, seventh season,
30-38-1
1999 Record: 4-7, no bowl
2000 Prediction: 1-10, no box
Key Players: DE Justin Smith, S Julian Jones, RB Dwayne Blakeley, WR Pati Minaucci
2000 Predation — 1-10, 10-30
For the puzzle to come together, the Tigers must have a miracle happen. Missouri has only one sure win on its schedule — Western Illinois. With this roster, it might not get any more. This isn't just a Missouri thing, either. The Tigers are in trouble in 2000.
defensive end Justin Smith, offers some hope. Smith said he expected big things from the secondary.
"Our secondary is good," Smith said. "It's no surprise, really, but I think Julian Jones is going to be one of the premier D-backs in the conference."
Despite losses, Iowa State closer to its goals
— Edited by Clay McCuistion
By Jason Franchuk sports@kansan.com Kansan swriter
When Iowa State football coach Dan McCarny speaks about his football team, it's easy to think he's going to hold his kielbasa-thick thumb and forefinger an inch apart as if to say, "this close."
As in, the Cyclones were "this close" to reaching a bowl game and "this close" to receiving respect in the Big 12 Conference.
McCarney and ISU may have been closer than they thought. After all, last year's 4-7 record (1-7 Big 12) was the Cyclones' best under McCarney, who is 13-42 after five seasons in Ames. While the record looks as though Iowa State was mired in mediocrity, a deeper
look shows it was close to a bowl game.
After winning its first three games against non-conference opponents, Iowa State barely lost to Kansas State. Nebraska crushed the Cyclones later 49-14, and ISU's morale was shot.
The Cyclones did put up a fight. After losing to Nebraska, the Cyclones beat Missouri but then lost to Colorado and Texas. If Iowa State hadn't already dropped four consecutive games before playing
IOWA STATE CYCLONES
Coach: Dan McCarney, sixth season, 13-42
Key Player:s GQ Bison Sageen, DL James Reed, RB J.J. Moses, DE Reggie Hayward, NG Ryan Harklauw
1999 Record: 4-7, no bowl
2000 Prediction: 4-7, no bowl
For the puzzle to come together, the Cyclones must adjust to not having a Davis (Darren or Troy) at running back, and cope with an unexperienced defense.
against Kansas, the 31-28 loss might have ended differently.
This year, McCarney will have to lead his team without a Davis brother for the first time since he arrived at Iowa State. Darren Davis, who graduated, comprised the majority of ISU's offense.
Despite only six starters returning on offence, McCarney can relax knowing at least his quarterback will be back. Sage Rosenfels last year threw for 1,781 yards and 10 touchdowns.
McCarney said he didn't feel the heat to produce a winning season.
"I don't feel any pressure," he said. "I know that the program has improved a lot. Anybody who's been close to the program knows that."
Edited by Kimberly Thompson
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