Thursday, September 17. 1998
The University Daily Kansan
Section B · Page 3
Commentary
As Big 12 conference begins to improve, the Jayhawks begin to lose more ground
The creation of the Big 12 Conference three years ago was supposed to shake up college football. It was envisioned as the next great Super Conference ___
But with the exception of Nebraska (and maybe Kansas State), Big 12 schools have done little to distinguish themselves nationally or within the conference itself.
The Big 12 was boring and full of mediocre teams.
But things seem different this year. Suddenly, the mediocrity is evolving into respectability.
Spencer Duncan
So far in this young season, only two teams in the conference don't have a victory: Kansas and Baylor. Five teams are ranked in the Associated Press top-25, including two ranked in the top five, the Cornhuskers and the Wildcats. And two schools, Texas and Texas Tech, are receiving votes in the poll, which means they are on the verge of cracking it.
That does not mean the Big 12 is the strongest conference in the nation, that title belongs to the SEC. But it does mean the Big 12 finally is showing off the power it always has promised but has not yet produced.
And all of this may be bad luck for the Jayhawks. Last season Kansas was an OK team in a LESS THAN OK conference. That allowed the Jayhawks to surprise Missouri and almost beat Texas in the season finale, which might have given Kansas a bowl berth.
The OK Hawks finished 5-6 and looked decent in the process.
Last year's results boosted this year's expectations. But while Kansas is a better team than last season, it is still just OK. So now, instead of being an OK team in a LESS THAN OK conference, Kansas is an OK team in a PRETTY DARN GOOD conference.
It's bad timing for Kansas coach Terry Allen, who wants to turn things around quickly. Had he been around two years ago, he might have had better luck. While Kansas can finish this season with a winning record, it will be extremely tough.
The Jayhawks are stronger. They have a more versatile running game, despite small size at running back. Zac Wegner is better all around, despite the fact that he still has problems throwing while on the run. And the secondary and receiving corps have shown quick feet and sharp hands, despite giving up some big plays and missing some catches.
The true weakness of the team has been the defensive line.
The Jayhawks' defensive line should be one of, if
not the, strongest areas for the team. Juco transfer Dion Rayford, seniors Patrick Brown and Hanson Caston, junior Dion Johnson and sophomore Dariss Lomax were touted as one of the top d-lines in the conference before the season kicked off. But so far, it has sputtered.
Lomax has not played a down after being suspended for violating team rules and Johnson is out with a separated shoulder.
The remaining players have tremendous speed and strength. And despite those losses, the line should still be powerful.
It isn't.
Kansas allowed Missouri and Oklahoma State to rack up a combined 631 yards. The OK 'Hawks are giving up 315 rushing yards per game, the worst in the country. The fault lies with the defensive line. If it does not get better, then teams will batter Kansas
The Jayhawks will take care of their non-conference opponents with ease. But in a season when Iowa State has downed Iowa, Colorado is nearly back to top form and a mediocre Texas &M team is starting to run the ball well, getting a conference win could be difficult for Kansas.
The Jayhawks are a bad team, but the Big 12 is maturing and Kansas needs to keep up.
One down, one more recruit to go: Nick Collison
Duncan is a Topeka senior in English and journalism.
Forward from Iowa to visit this weekend
By Erin Thompson Kansan sportswriter
Kansas basketball head coach Roy Williams received an oral commitment from Andrew Gooden last weekend and will look to persuade Iowa recruit Nick Collison to do the same this weekend.
Collision, 6-foot-9 forward from Iowa Falls, Iowa, has an official recruiting visit scheduled for this weekend in Lawrence. He has narrowed his choices to Duke and Kansas. Last weekend he visited Duke and is expected to announce his decision after his visit to Kansas.
Following his trip to Duke, Collison was confused as to what school he would attend, Mike Sullivan,
recruiting analyst, told the
Lawrence Journal-World.
Kansas had been considered the heavy favorite for Collison before last weekend.
The close proximity of Lawrence to his home town was a big selling point, and Dave Collison, his father and high school coach.
"The biggest drawback for Duke is its location," Dave Collison said. "At KU, he'd have the ability to get home once in a while, and we could get down there to see some games."
Sullivan told the Journal-World he thought the trip to Duke had added some confusion for Collison but that once he visited Kansas he should pick Kansas as his top choice.
Duke already has received an oral commitment from Nick Horvath, a 6-foot-10 senior from Arden Hills, Minn. Dave Collison said that Duke probably would redshift Horvath, but both Duke and Kansas have said
Nick would be able to play right away.
"That is definitely something to think about," Dave Collison said. "Duke has a number of big guys who are freshmen. He (Nick) eliminated Arizona because they recruited three big guys who are freshmen this year."
Collision will go to the Kansas-Illinois State football game Saturday night and will be matched with a basketball player that evening.
Collision visited Kansas on Labor Day weekend during his fourth unofficial recruiting visit and attended the Kansas-Oklahoma State game.
If Collison decides to play for Kansas, it could affect another recruit's decision.
Casey Sanders, a 6-foot-10 center from Tampa, has scheduled an official visit for the weekend of Oct. 16, which includes "Late Night with Roy Williams."
Sanders will not visit if Kansas has received a commitment from Collison before then, recruiting analyst Bob Gibbons said.
Williams made an in-home visit to Gooden last weekend in El Cerrito, Calif., where Gooden told him he planned to play basketball for the University.
Gooden averaged 17 points per game and 13 rebounds last year at El Cerrito High School. He emerged as a top recruit last July at the Adidas ABCD camp in New Jersey, where he was the top rebounder.
Kirk Hinrich, of Sioux City, Iowa, is no longer being recruited by Kentucky, Gibbons said. Hinrich will visit Oklahoma this weekend and will visit Kansas Oct. 3.
Other recruiting news
Brent Darby, 6-1 senior from River Rouge, Mich., committed to Ohio State. He had been considering Michigan State and Kansas.
AmeriCom Direct
Computerized calling for SADD & MSAA
Flexible Hours Evenings & Weekends
earn $5.50-$7.25/hr. plus commission
$2,000 cash and prizes
available in the World Series contest
Great convenient downtown location 619 Massachusetts St.1B 843-5101
THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS • SCHOOL OF FINE ARTS • LED CENTER SERIES
STUDENT
SENATE
ALL TICKETS HALF PRICE FOR STUDENTS
is clearly the choice for wireless PCS service from
- 100% Digital Call Quality
- True Per-Second Billing SM
- First Incoming Minute Free
- Free Voice Mail, Paging, Caller ID
- No Contracts
- No Activation Fee
"Aerial" and "You called. We Answered." are service marks of Aerial Communications, Inc.
©1997 Aerial Communications, Inc.