2008 KANSAS JAYHAWKS FOOTBALL
A guide to the rest of the Big 12
BY TAYLOR BERN
Missouri is the North favorite with its Heisman-caliber quarterback, but Oklahoma beat the Tigers last year and has a talented group again. The Sooners will be challenged in the South by Texas and Texas Tech, which has one of the top receivers in the nation. Up North, Nebraska wants a solid debut season from coach Bo Pelini, and QB Josh Freeman expects to lead K-State to a bowl, a year after losing seven games.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Colorado
Head Coach: Dan Hawkins (3rd year)
2007 Record: 6-7 (4-4)
Key Players: Cody Hawkins So-QB, George Hypolite Sr-DT, Brad Jones Sr-LB
Key Losses: Hugh Charles RB, Jordon Dizon LB, Terrence Wheatley CB
Consider the Buffaloes rebuilt. Coach Dan Hawkins' tenure in Boulder hasn't always been pretty (read: 2-10 in 2006), but last year's squad made huge strides in the right direction. Colorado defeated Oklahoma and Nebraska at home and also won in Lubbock and Waco. Freshman quarterback Cody Hawkins took his bumps and threw 17 interceptions. But with experience, that number could fall while his 3,000 passing yards and 22 touchdowns could increase. Defensive tackle George Hypolite has the ability to take some pressure off of the linebackers, which lost All-American Jordon Dizon. The offense has balance and big-play ability, but its x-factor is freshman running back Darrell Scott. Scott was the No. 1-rated running back by Rivals.com, and his presence could make Colorado the Big 12's surprise team this season.
Coach's Take:"I really believe that if we're able to reach down in the hearts and minds of young men and push the right buttons and do the right things, you can develop that kind of chemistry and that kind of magic and make (wins) happen."
Dan Hawkins is in his third year as head coach of the Buffaloes. They went 2-10 in his first season, made a bowl last year and are expecting better this fall.
Iowa State
Head Coach: Gene Chizik (2nd year)
2007 Record: 3-9 (2-6)
Key Players: Alexander Robinson So-RB, RJ. Sumrall Sr-WR, Kurtis Taylor Sr-DE
Key Losses: Todd Blythe the W, Bret Meyer QB
No one expected year one of the Gene Chizik-era to go smoothly - and it didn't. The Cyclones opened the season with back-to-back home losses to Kent St. and I-AA Northern Iowa, Iowa St. rebounded with a 15-13 victory against Iowa then dropped another six games in a row.The one bright spot came at the end of the season when then-freshman running back Alexander
Robinson led ISU to two late-season victories. Against Kansas St. and Colorado, Robinson totaled 188 yards and scored four touchdowns. He also rushed for 149 yards on 21 carries in a 42-28 loss to Missouri. Iowa St. doesn't play Oklahoma, Texas and Texas Tech for the next two seasons, but it's the only North school that hasn't named its starting quarterback.
Coach's Take:"We will have more growing pains. We don't have a lot of players that 'add water, instant player."
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wide receiver R.J.
Sumrall led the
Cyclones in receiving last year with 54 receptions for 434 yards. He is one of the veterans coach Gene Chizik is counting on to lead this year's team. So far, Chizik has yet to announce who will be the Cyclones' starting quarterback.
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www.kansan.com | Thursday, August 28, 2008