2008 KANSAS JAYHAWKS FOOTBALL
2008 schedule
BY TAYLOR BERN
Florida International
Aug. 30 at 6 p.m.
This game should be more clinic than contest, although it will be hard to improve on last year's 55-3 rout. Kansas has an advantage at every position and fans should enjoy this ceremonious start to the season.
Louisiana Tech
Sep. 6 at 6 p.m.
Last season Kansas beat its four non-conference opponents by a combined score of 214-23. That brought a lot of scrutiny about scheduling cupcakes and the Bulldogs are only a small step up from the usual pastries.
at South Florida
Sep. 12 at 7 p.m.
This is Kansas' first real test of the season as the Bulls have won nine games in back-to-back years behind junior quarterback Matt Grothe. In 2006, Kansas held off South Florida 13-7 in Memorial Stadium.
Sam Houston State
Sep. 20 at 7 p.m.
The last time Rhett Bomar played Kansas, he was wearing an Oklahoma jersey and he led his squad to a 19-3 victory.
Three years later he returns with the I-AA Bearkats and should be in for a long night.
at Iowa State
This should be Kansas'easiest Big 12 contest and a good one to get it rolling. The Jayhawks beat the Cyclones by a combined score of 86-17 the past two seasons.
Colorado
Oct. 11 at TBA Dan Hawkins' team is headed in the right direction and it could make this game too close for comfort.The Kansas secondary will have to be ready for Cody Hawkins' balanced passing attack.
at Oklahoma
This game starts one of the most difficult and important six game stretches in the Mangino era. The Jayhawks could, and probably should, be undefeated heading into this game and the Big 12 title still goes through Norman.
Texas Tech
The Red Raiders defense returns eight starters from a decent unit last season, but its still vulnerable. If you can't simply over-power Tech, which Kansas likely can't, then the best route is to air it out and beat Graham Harrell at his own game.
Kansas State
The Wildcats could be in for an ugly season and they'll be looking for at least one big win to hang their hats on. Records won't matter in this contest and the Jayhawks must focus on protecting their home field advantage.
Nov. 1 at TBA
at Nebraska
Kansas' last trip to Lincoln was a memorable 39-32 overtime loss, and few KU fans will ever forget last year's 76-39 beat down. The Jayhawks can't take this game for granted because the Cornhuskers always get up for home games.
Texas
Nov. 15 at IBA The Jayhawks final two games could each feature two teams battling for a bid to the Big 12 title game. Texas won 10 games last year but lost to Kansas State and at Texas A&M. Texas' Colt McCoy will have his work cut out for him.
Missouri (at Arrowhead Stadium)
Nov. 29 at 11:30 a.m. or 2 p.m. The 2007 match-up was the biggest game in Kansas'history and turned out to be its only blemish of the season. It will be hard for there to be more on the line in this contest, but regular season finales don't get much more.
Associated Press Top 25 Poll
Team (1st place votes) 2007 Pts.
1. Georgia (22) 11-2 1528
2. Ohio State (21) 11-2 1506
3. Southern California (12) 11-2 1490
4. Oklahoma (4) 11-3 1444
5. Florida (6) 12-2 1266
6. Missouri 12-2 1266
7. LSU 12-2 1135
8. West Virginia 11-2 1116
9. Clemson 9-4 1105
10. Auburn 9-4 968
11. Texas 10-3 966
12. Texas Tech 9-4 786
13. Wisconsin 9-4 771
**14. Kansas** 12-1 707
15. Arizona State 10-3 631
16. BYU 11-2 590
17. Virginia Tech 11-3 578
18. Tennessee 10-4 509
19. South Florida 9-4 496
20. Illinois 9-4 483
21. Oregon 9-4 366
22. Penn State 9-4 293
23. Wake Forest 9-4 227
24. Alabama 7-6 89
25. Pittsburgh 5-7 85
USA Today Coaches' Poll
1. Georgia (22) 11-2 1,438
2. USC (14) 11-2 1,430
3. Ohio State (14) 11-2 1,392
4. Oklahoma (3) 11-3 1,329
5. Florida (5) 9-4 1,293
6. LSU (3) 12-2 1,163
7. Missouri 12-2 1,143
8. West Virginia 11-2 1,008
9. Clemson 9-4 999
10. Texas 10-3 979
11. Auburn 9-4 888
12. Wisconsin 9-4 747
**13. Kansas** 12-1 714
14. Texas Tech 9-4 644
15. Virginia Tech 11-3 568
16. Arizona State 10-3 560
17. BYU 11-2 547
18. Tennessee 10-4 506
19. Illinois 9-4 422
20. Oregon 9-4 399
21. South Florida 9-4 350
22. Penn State 9-4 313
23. Wake Forest 9-4 203
24. Michigan 9-4 112
25. Fresno State 9-4 91
20
www.kansan.com | Thursday, August 28, 2008