tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57940713379975888802011-04-21T18:06:41.133-07:00A place for discussion of K-State sports from an alum's perspective.TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.comBlogger961100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-76113332510557000782007-08-14T12:39:00.000-07:002007-08-19T17:04:21.299-07:00My time here at Blogger has been great, but I'm now moving over to SB Nation. The new site is called "<a href="http://www.bringonthecats.com">Bring On The Cats</a>" and is at the following URL:<br /><br />http://www.bringonthecats.com<br /><br />For the time being, I've decided against adding automatic-forwarding to this site so you (and I) can access the archives. Some of the posts from those archives will be added to the <strong>site</strong> as an introduction for the new readers.<br /><br />As always, thanks for reading, and see you at the new site.<br /><br />*TB*<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-7611333251055700078?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-10795405238514994932007-08-13T14:35:00.001-07:002007-08-13T14:59:44.336-07:00Surprisingly, there isn't a ton of news to report, considering I've been away from the computer for several days. I promise to get a preview of Missouri State up tomorrow.<br /><br />The KC Star's Blair Kerkhoff has ranked the <a href="http://www.kansascity.com/sports/columnists/blair_kerkhoff/story/228285.html">best Big 12 units </a>at every position. Sound <a href="http://kstatecatzone.blogspot.com/2007/07/big-1011-expansion-and-final-preseason.html">familiar</a>?<br /><br />The KC Star's Howard Richman reports that the <a href="http://www.kansascity.com/165/story/226006.html">offensive line will be the key </a>to K-State's success (or lack thereof) this year. No argument here.<br /><br />The Cats <a href="http://www.kansascity.com/165/story/228281.html">held practice on Saturday in Olathe</a>, which I had planned to attend until reality got in the way (thanks for the comment on the previous post, emawkc). The article mentions several items of note.<br /><br />First of all, this probably won't happen again. It was done as much because K-State is opening a new campus in Olathe as it was for fan appreciation. On top of that, I believe the NCAA counts travel time as part of fall practice, which gives the team less time on the field. Finally, think of the logistics of hauling 100-something people to Olathe, not to mention all the equipment. I hope you enjoyed it if you were there.<br /><br />It may just be preseason coach-speak, but JuCo transfer Deon Murphy may be the special teams replacement for Yamon Figurs this year. With teams kicking off from the 30 yard line this year, he should get plenty of opportunities to show his stuff, which could be crucial for field position and game-changing plays.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-1079540523851499493?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-84318997104371502832007-08-09T21:28:00.000-07:002007-08-09T22:35:01.066-07:00Sorry, I'm kind of bored and don't have any real news to report. On top of that, I stumbled on to an interesting feature of Facebook (yes, I'm on it), so I thought I would compare each Big 12 schools' statistics in each category. It tends to give a bit of insight into the culture of each school.<br /><br /><strong>Baylor</strong><br /><br />Top Music<br />1. Coldplay<br />2. Jack Johnson<br />3. John Mayer<br />4. The Fray<br />5. Incubus<br />6. Rascal Flatts<br />7. Switchfoot<br />8. The Killers<br />9. The Beatles<br />10. U2<br /><br />Top Interests<br />1. Music<br />2. Reading<br />3. Movies<br />4. Shopping<br />5. Traveling<br />6. Dancing<br />7. Sports<br />8. Running<br />9. God<br />10. Friends<br /><br />Top Books<br />1. The Bible<br />2. Harry Potter<br />3. To Kill a Mockingbird<br />4. Redeeming Love<br />5. Pride and Prejudice<br />6. Blue Like Jazz<br />7. The Great Gatsby<br />8. 1984<br />9. Angels and Demons<br /><br />Top Movies<br />1. The Notebook<br />2. Wedding Crashers<br />3. Gladiator<br />4. Braveheart<br />5. Fight Club<br />6. Anchorman<br />7. Boondock Saints<br />8. Old School<br />9. Garden State<br />10. Office Space<br /><br />Top TV<br />1. Grey's Anatomy<br />2. Family Guy<br />3. The Office<br />4. Friends<br />5. Lost<br />6. 24<br />7. House<br />8. CSI<br />9. Gilmore Girls<br />10. Desperate Housewives<br /><br />Political Views<br />39% None listed<br />26% Conservative<br />18% Moderate<br />7% Liberal<br />3% Other<br />3% Very Conservative<br />2% Apathetic<br />1% Very Liberal<br />1% Libertarian<br /><br /><strong>Colorado</strong><br /><br />Top Music<br />1. Jack Johnson<br />2. Sublime<br />3. Bob Marley<br />4. The Beatles<br />5. Pink Floyd<br />6. Bob Dylan<br />7. Radiohead<br />8. The Killers<br />9. Coldplay<br />10. Incubus<br /><br />Top Interests<br />1. Music<br />2. Snowboarding<br />3. Traveling<br />4. Reading<br />5. Skiing<br />6. Hiking<br />7. Dancing<br />8. Movies<br />9. Partying<br />10. Camping<br /><br />Top Books<br />1. Harry Potter<br />2. Pride and Prejudice<br />3. The Great Gatsby<br />4. 1984<br />5. The Alchemist<br />6. Catcher in the Rye<br />7. Life of Pi<br />8. Siddhartha<br />9. East of Eden<br />10. Angels and Demons<br /><br />Top Movies<br />1. Fight Club<br />2. Wedding Crashers<br />3. Boondock Saints<br />4. Garden State<br />5. The Notebook<br />6. Crash<br />7. Old School<br />8. Super Troopers<br />9. Pulp Fiction<br />10. The Departed<br /><br />Top TV<br />1. Family Guy<br />2. South Park<br />3. Scrubs<br />4. Entourage<br />5. Friends<br />6. Grey's Anatomy<br />7. Lost<br />8. The Office<br />9. Seinfeld<br />10. Sex and the City<br /><br />Political Views<br />45% None Listed<br />20% Liberal<br />13% Moderate<br />8% Conservative<br />5% Very Liberal<br />5% Other<br />2% Libertarian<br />2% Apathetic<br />1% Very Conservative<br /><br /><strong>Iowa State</strong><br /><br />Top Music<br />1. Jack Johnson<br />2. Incubus<br />3. Country<br />4. Coldplay<br />5. Green Day<br />6. Red Hot Chili Peppers<br />7. The Killers<br />8. Pink Floyd<br />9. Rock<br />10. Weezer<br /><br />Top Interests<br />1. Music<br />2. Movies<br />3. Reading<br />4. Sports<br />5. Shopping<br />6. Traveling<br />7. Running<br />8. Fishing<br />9. Dancing<br />10. Football<br /><br />Top Books<br />1. Harry Potter<br />2. The Bible<br />3. Angels and Demons<br />4. 1984<br />5. The DaVinci Code<br />6. Lord of the Rings<br />7. To Kill a Mockingbird<br />8. Catcher in the Rye<br /><br />Top Movies<br />1. Wedding Crashers<br />2. Boondock Saints<br />3. Anchorman<br />4. The Notebook<br />5. Old School<br />6. Office Space<br />7. Fight Club<br />8. Super Troopers<br />9. Gladiator<br />10. Dumb and Dumber<br /><br />Top TV<br />1. Family Guy<br />2. Grey's Anatomy<br />3. Scrubs<br />4. Friends<br />5. CSI<br />6. The Office<br />7. South Park<br />8. That 70's Show<br />9. Lost<br />10. Simpson's<br /><br />Political Views<br />47% None Listed<br />14% Liberal<br />14% Conservative<br />13% Moderate<br />5% Other<br />3% Very Liberal<br />2% Apathetic<br />1% Very Conservative<br />1% Libertarian<br /><br /><strong>KU</strong><br /><br />1. Jack Johnson<br />2. Incubus<br />3. Sublime<br />4. The Beatles<br />5. 311<br />6. Pink Floyd<br />7. Coldplay<br />8. Red Hot Chili Peppers<br />9. Radiohead<br />10. Bob Marley<br /><br />Top Interests<br />1. Music<br />2. Movies<br />3. Reading<br />4. Traveling<br />5. Shopping<br />6. Sports<br />7. Friends<br />8. Working Out<br />9. Art<br />10. Cooking<br /><br />Top Books<br />1. Harry Potter<br />2. The Bible<br />3. 1984<br />4. Angels and Demons<br />5. To Kill a Mockingbird<br />6. Catcher in the Rye<br />7. The DaVinci Code<br />8. In Cold Blood<br />9. Catch 22<br /><br />Top Movies<br />1. Wedding Crashers<br />2. Old School<br />3. The Notebook<br />4. Fight Club<br />5. Anchorman<br />6. Boondock Saints<br />7. Crash<br />8. Pulp Fiction<br />9. Office Space<br />10. Garden State<br /><br />Top TV<br />1. Family Guy<br />2. Gray's Anatomy<br />3. The Office<br />4. South Park<br />5. Friends<br />6. Lost<br />7. Entourage<br />8. Desperate Housewives<br />9. House<br />10. Scrubs<br /><br />Political Views<br />43% None Listed<br />17% Liberal<br />14% Moderate<br />12% Conservative<br />5% Other<br />5% Very Liberal<br />2% Apathetic<br />1% Very Conservative<br />1% Libertarian<br /><br /><strong>K-State</strong><br /><br />Top Music<br />1. Country<br />2. Jack Johnson<br />3. Incubus<br />4. 311<br />5. Tool<br />6. The Fray<br />7. Rock<br />8. Red Hot Chili Peppers<br />9. Sublime<br />10. Coldplay<br /><br />Top Interests<br />1. Music<br />2. Movies<br />3. Sports<br />4. Reading<br />5. Traveling<br />6. Running<br />7. Basketball<br />8. Football<br />9. Friends<br />10. Cars<br /><br />Top Books<br />1. The Bible<br />2. Harry Potter<br />3. Angels and Demons<br />4. The DaVinci Code<br />5. 1984<br />6. To Kill a Mockingbird<br />7. Pride and Prejudice<br />8. The Great Gatsby<br /><br />Top Movies<br />1. Wedding Crashers<br />2. Anchorman<br />3. Boondock Saints<br />4. The Notebook<br />5. Fight Club<br />6. Old School<br />7. Office Space<br />8. Super Troopers<br />9. Gladiator<br />10. Tommy Boy<br /><br />Top TV<br />1. Family Guy<br />2. Grey's Anatomy<br />3. The Office<br />4. CSI<br />5. Scrubs<br />6. Friends<br />7. Lost<br />8. That 70's Show<br />9. Seinfeld<br />10. House<br /><br />Political Views<br />44% None Listed<br />20% Conservative<br />15% Moderate<br />10% Liberal<br />5% Other<br />2% Very Conservative<br />2% Very Liberal<br />1% Libertarian<br />1% Apathetic<br /><br /><strong>Missouri</strong><br /><br />Top Music<br />1. Jack Johnson<br />2. Coldplay<br />3. Incubus<br />4. The Beatles<br />5. Sublime<br />6. The Killers<br />7. The Fray<br />8. John Mayer<br />9. Country<br />10. Green Day<br /><br />Top Interests<br />1. Music<br />2. Reading<br />3. Movies<br />4. Sports<br />5. Shopping<br />6. Traveling<br />7. Working Out<br />8. Dancing<br />9. Running<br />10. Sleeping<br /><br />Top Books<br />1. Harry Potter<br />2. The Bible<br />3. Angels and Demons<br />4. To Kill a Mockingbird<br />5. Catcher in the Rye<br />6. The DaVinci Code<br />7. 1984<br />8. The Great Gatsby<br />9. Pride and Prejudice<br /><br />Top Movies<br />1. Wedding Crashers<br />2. The Notebook<br />3. Old School<br />4. Anchorman<br />5. Fight Club<br />6. Boondock Saints<br />7. Office Space<br />8. Pulp Fiction<br />9. Garden State<br />10. Crash<br /><br />Top TV<br />1. Family Guy<br />2. Grey's Anatomy<br />3. Friends<br />4. The Office<br />5. Entourage<br />6. Lost<br />7. Seinfeld<br />8. Scrubs<br />9. South Park<br />10. House<br /><br />Political Views<br />44% None Listed<br />15% Liberal<br />15% Conservative<br />14% Moderate<br />4% Other<br />3% Very Liberal<br />2% Apathetic<br />1% Very Conservative<br />1% Libertarian<br /><br /><strong>Nebraska</strong><br /><br />Top Music<br />1. Jack Johnson<br />2. Coldplay<br />3. John Mayer<br />4. Incubus<br />5. Country<br />6. Red Hot Chili Peppers<br />7. Weezer<br />8. The Fray<br />9. Led Zeppelin<br />10. Green Day<br /><br />Top Interests<br />1. Music<br />2. Movies<br />3. Sports<br />4. Reading<br />5. Shopping<br />6. Traveling<br />7. Running<br />8. Friends<br />9. Fishing<br />10. Partying<br /><br />Top Books<br />1. The Bible<br />2. Harry Potter<br />3. To Kill a Mockingbird<br />4. Angels and Demons<br />5. 1984<br />6. The DaVinci Code<br />7. Catcher in the Rye<br />8. The Giver<br />9. Lovely Bones<br /><br />Top Movies<br />1. Wedding Crashers<br />2. Anchorman<br />3. The Notebook<br />4. Old School<br />5. Office Space<br />6. Gladiator<br />7. Dumb and Dumber<br />8. Tommy Boy<br />9. Super Troopers<br />10. Fight Club<br /><br />Top TV<br />1. Family Guy<br />2. Grey's Anatomy<br />3. The Office<br />4. Friends<br />5. Scrubs<br />6. Lost<br />7. House<br />8. South Park<br />9. Seinfeld<br />10. 24<br /><br />Political Views<br />44% None Listed<br />17% Conservative<br />15% Moderate<br />13% Liberal<br />4% Other<br />3% Very Liberal<br />2% Apathetic<br />1% Very Conservative<br />1% Libertarian<br /><br /><strong>Oklahoma</strong><br /><br />Top Music<br />1. Jack Johnson<br />2. Coldplay<br />3. The Fray<br />4. Country<br />5. Red Hot Chili Peppers<br />6. U2<br />7. Snow Patrol<br />8. Rap<br />9. Lifehouse<br />10. John Mayer<br /><br />Top Interests<br />1. Reading<br />2. Music<br />3. Movies<br />4. Sports<br />5. Traveling<br />6. Shopping<br />7. Football<br />8. God<br />9. Basketball<br />10. Friends<br /><br />Top Books<br />1. The Bible<br />2. Harry Potter<br />3. To Kill a Mockingbird<br />4. Pride and Prejudice<br />5. Angels and Demons<br />6. Catcher in the Rye<br />7. The Great Gatsby<br />8. The DaVinci Code<br />9. 1984<br /><br />Top Movies<br />1. Wedding Crashers<br />2. The Notebook<br />3. Anchorman<br />4. Old School<br />5. Top Gun<br />6. Dumb and Dumber<br />7. Braveheart<br />8. V For Vendetta<br />9. Star Wars<br />10. Pulp Fiction<br /><br />Top TV<br />1. Grey's Anatomy<br />2. Family Guy<br />3. Friends<br />4. Scrubs<br />5. Lost<br />6. CSI<br />7. The Office<br />8. House<br />9. Desperate Housewives<br />10. Heroes<br /><br />Political Views<br />40% None Listed<br />19% Conservative<br />16% Moderate<br />12% Liberal<br />4% Other<br />3% Very Liberal<br />2% Libertarian<br />2% Very Conservative<br />2% Apathetic<br /><br /><strong>Oklahoma State</strong><br /><br />Top Music<br />1. Country<br />2. Coldplay<br />3. The Fray<br />4. Pink Floyd<br />5. Jack Johnson<br />6. The Killers<br />7. Cross Canadian Ragweed<br />8. Johnny Cash<br />9. George Strait<br />10. Hinder<br /><br />Top Interests<br />1. Music<br />2. Sports<br />3. Fishing<br />4. Movies<br />5. Reading<br />6. Shopping<br />7. Basketball<br />8. God<br />9. Running<br />10. Hunting<br /><br />Top Books<br />1. The Bible<br />2. Harry Potter<br />3. To Kill a Mockingbird<br />4. Blue Like Jazz<br />5. 1984<br />6. Lord of the Flies<br />7. Angels and Demons<br />8. Lord of the Rings<br />9. Of Mice and Men<br /><br />Top Movies<br />1. Wedding Crashers<br />2. The Notebook<br />3. Old School<br />4. Anchorman<br />5. Super Troopers<br />6. Dumb and Dumber<br />7. Walk the Line<br />8. Fight Club<br />9. Braveheart<br />10. Tombstone<br /><br />Top TV<br />1. Family Guy<br />2. Grey's Anatomy<br />3. That 70's Show<br />4. CSI<br />5. House<br />6. Friends<br />7. The Office<br />8. Lost<br />9. Scrubs<br />10. The Simpsons<br /><br />Political Views<br />41% None Listed<br />22% Conservative<br />15% Moderate<br />9% Liberal<br />5% Other<br />3% Very Conservative<br />2% Very Liberal<br />1% Libertarian<br />1% Apathetic<br /><br /><strong>Texas</strong><br /><br />Top Music<br />1. Coldplay<br />2. Jack Johnson<br />3. The Beatles<br />4. Incubus<br />5. Radiohead<br />6. The Killers<br />7. John Mayer<br />8. Red Hot Chili Peppers<br />9. Sublime<br />10. Weezer<br /><br />Top Interests<br />1. Music<br />2. Moveis<br />3. Reading<br />4. Traveling<br />5. Shopping<br />6. Dancing<br />7. Sports<br />8. Running<br />9. Basketball<br />10. Sleeping<br /><br />Top Books<br />1. Harry Potter<br />2. 1984<br />3. The Bible<br />4. Angels and Demons<br />5. To Kill a Mockingbird<br />6. Catcher in the Rye<br />7. The Great Gatsby<br />8. Pride and Prejudice<br />9. The DaVinci Code<br />10. Brave New World<br /><br />Top Movies<br />1. Fight Club<br />2. Wedding Crashers<br />3. The Notebook<br />4. Old School<br />5. Office Space<br />6. Garden State<br />7. Anchorman<br />8. Pulp Fiction<br />9. Gladiator<br />10. Crash<br /><br />Top TV<br />1. Grey's Anatomy<br />2. Family Guy<br />3. The Office<br />4. Lost<br />5. Friends<br />6. 24<br />7. Scrubs<br />8. Seinfeld<br />9. Entourage<br />10. House<br /><br />Political Views<br />44% None Listed<br />17% Moderate<br />16% Liberal<br />11% Conservative<br />4% Other<br />3% Very Liberal<br />2% Libertarian<br />2% Apathetic<br />1% Very Conservative<br /><br /><strong>Texas A&M</strong><br /><br />Top Music<br />1. Jack Johnson<br />2. Country<br />3. The Fray<br />4. Coldplay<br />5. John Mayer<br />6. Rascal Flatts<br />7. George Strait<br />8. Snow Patrol<br />9. The Killers<br />10. Fall Out Boy<br /><br />Top Interests<br />1. Music<br />2. Reading<br />3. Shopping<br />4. Sports<br />5. Movies<br />6. Fishing<br />7. Hunting<br />8. Dancing<br />9. Football<br />10. Friends<br /><br />Top Books<br />1. The Bible<br />2. Harry Potter<br />3. Pride and Prejudice<br />4. To Kill a Mockingbird<br />5. Angels and Demons<br />6. The Great Gatsby<br />7. 1984<br />8. Lord of the Rings<br />9. Catcher in the Rye<br /><br />Top Movies<br />1. The Notebook<br />2. Wedding Crashers<br />3. Gladiator<br />4. Braveheart<br />5. Boondock Saints<br />6. Anchorman<br />7. Fight Club<br />8. Old School<br />9. 300<br />10. Mean Girls<br /><br />Top TV<br />1. Grey's Anatomy<br />2. Family Guy<br />3. Friends<br />4. Lost<br />5. The Office<br />6. 24<br />7. Scrubs<br />8. House<br />9. CSI<br />10. Desperate Housewives<br /><br />Political Views<br />39% None Listed<br />30% Conservative<br />16% Moderate<br />5% Liberal<br />3% Other<br />3% Very Conservative<br />2% Apathetic<br />1% Very Liberal<br />1% Libertarian<br /><br /><strong>Texas Tech</strong><br /><br />Top Music<br />1. Jack Johnson<br />2. Country<br />3. Pat Green<br />4. Sublime<br />5. Incubus<br />6. Rock<br />7. Coldplay<br />8. The Fray<br />9. Rap<br />10. Red Hot Chili Peppers<br /><br />Top Interests<br />1. Music<br />2. Sports<br />3. Movies<br />4. Shopping<br />5. Football<br />6. Friends<br />7. Working Out<br />8. Traveling<br />9. Reading<br />10. God<br /><br />Top Books<br />1. The Bible<br />2. To Kill a Mockingbird<br />3. Harry Potter<br />4. 1984<br />5. The DaVinci Code<br />6. The Notebook<br />7. The Great Gatsby<br />8. Redeeming Love<br />9. Angel and Demons<br /><br />Top Movies<br />1. Wedding Crashers<br />2. The Notebook<br />3. Old School<br />4. Fight Club<br />5. Anchorman<br />6. Boondock Saints<br />7. 300<br />8. Blow<br />9. Gladiator<br />10. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days<br /><br />Top TV<br />1. Grey's Anatomy<br />2. Family Guy<br />3. Friends<br />4. The Office<br />5. CSI<br />6. Desperate Housewives<br />7. Lost<br />8. House<br />9. Scrubs<br />10. South Park<br /><br />Political Views<br />36% None Listed<br />29% Conservative<br />17% Moderate<br />7% Liberal<br />4% Other<br />4% Very Conservative<br />2% Apathetic<br />1% Very Liberal<br />1% Libertarian<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-8431899710437150283?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-54555997965649077162007-08-08T10:57:00.001-07:002007-08-08T11:18:28.025-07:00...and if you're not interested in reading about my family, just stop here and come back later when I get more on-topic content posted.<br /><br />It may seem like I do a lot of tributes to Husker fans, but that's because most of my relatives and friends hail from the Cornhusker State. But peacefully from the world last night passed a man who will always be in my heart and on my mind.<br /><br />This man was a son, a husband, a dad, a grandpa, a great-grandpa, a World War II veteran (paratrooper), a gentleman, a golfer, an entrepreneur, a businessman for decades, a patriot, and so many other things I would never be able to list them all.<br /><br />So many things describe my grandpa, but above all he was a gentleman, in the way that so few of us are anymore. I don't recall him ever using foul language in front of a woman. When you came inside, the hats came off. He treated everyone he met with respect, and though he was never monetraily rich, he was always generous.<br /><br />Such is the inexorable march of life, I guess. But we are moving toward that sad day when the world will be without men of the greatest generation, who did so much for their families, their friends and their country that we can't ever repay them, we can only thank them and attempt to measure up to what they've done.<br /><br />I'll miss you, Pops. But I'll see you again.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-5455599796564907716?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-33921952348666448302007-08-07T15:33:00.001-07:002007-08-07T15:35:45.060-07:00Fellow bloggers, we might as well give up. The players from our own teams say they don't read us, and we don't know what's going on. And it was reported in Sports Illustrated online, so it must be true.<br /><br />Check out the last question on page three: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/ncaa/specials/preview/2007/08/07/survey.results/index.html<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-3392195234866644830?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-34659522505047720502007-08-06T15:00:00.000-07:002007-08-06T15:04:28.626-07:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RreahULIFUI/AAAAAAAAAU8/PJTpA5YCzvI/s1600-h/n17017279_33827791_319.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RreahULIFUI/AAAAAAAAAU8/PJTpA5YCzvI/s400/n17017279_33827791_319.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095711400534742338" /></a><br /><br />Thank God. Now we can actually talk about football.<br /><br />Here's the link (sorry, using a different computer that's apparently not blogger-friendly): http://www.kansascity.com/385/story/220401.html<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-3465952250504772050?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-17899725849741938632007-08-02T19:26:00.000-07:002007-08-02T20:46:45.662-07:00The Wildcat football team <a href="http://www.kansascity.com/sports/colleges/story/213488.html">reported for practice today</a>, and will begin practice tomorrow. Yet another milestone toward the best time of year. Not to mention, the players are now under the coaches' watchful eye long hours each day, making them less likely to get into trouble. Ask <a href="http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/longhorns/entries/2007/08/02/jones_still_at_large.html">Texas </a>how important that can be.<br /><br />Prince has also been a man about town as far as speaking his mind. On Wednesday, he was in Nebraska, <a href="http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=3918&u_sid=10093511">speaking at the Nebraska Coaches' Association summer clinic</a>. He exhibited what seems to be his trademark, self-depracating sense of humor, as well as sharing some of his knowledge of the game of football. Some examples...<br /><br /><blockquote>Along with Malcolm X and Gerald Ford, he joked, he's one of the three most famous Omahans. He was adopted and grew up outside Fort Riley, Kan. His dad was a World War II veteran; his mom a maid.</blockquote><br /><br /><blockquote>"I think we were picked 14th preseason out of the 12 [last year]," Prince said. "There was no question people thought we were going to scrape the bottom of the barrel."</blockquote><br /><br />Judging by the typical message board reaction, most Husker fans were less than thrilled to hear the man speak. On the other hand, a couple of Nebraska high school coaches told the <a href="http://www.journalstar.com/articles/2007/08/02/huskerextra/football/doc46b12ff0be646412342910.txt">Lincoln Journal-Star </a>that they enjoyed the presentation.<br /><br />***<br /><br />For some reason, <a href="http://themercury.com/k-statesports/article.aspx?articleId=cceea1c17b7240908aa9a24afa5de7dd">someone in San Antonio wanted to know what Prince thought </a>of <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=munson_lester&id=2954580">Michael Vick's legal troubles</a>.<br /><br />See, because Prince recruited MARCUS Vick several years ago, apparently he's supposed to have something worthwhile to say about MICHAEL Vick's alleged involvement in dog fighting in 2007? Unsurprisingly, Prince didn't have much insight, other than to say he was surprised because he considered the Vick's "a good family" and to remind young athletes to evaluate who they're associating themselves with.<br /><br />Let's let the legal system run its course with Vick. So far it looks bad...he's accused of crimes that make me sick, one of his co-defendants is about to roll on him, and in the first place, the U.S. Attorney brought charges. In case you didn't know, federal prosecutors lose cases about as often as Lindsay Lohan is sober. But he still hasn't been convicted, and so far you've only heard the prosecution's side of the story. If he's convicted, I'll be happy to see him handed over to the Bureau of Prisons.<br /><br />***<br /><br />Sorry for the slow posting pace this week, working and preparing for next summer's employment has taken a toll. Sad to say, it won't be a lot better because I'm going on a "vacation" the next couple weeks. Expect sporadic updates, unless big news breaks.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-1789972584974193863?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-42270644005139129962007-07-31T18:53:00.000-07:002007-07-31T19:16:48.939-07:00I'm late to the party (as usual) but ESPN ranked all 119 Division I-A football programs based on their performance the last 10 years. The boys from The Little Apple <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2947988">ended up 20th</a>. Not too shabby, in my opinion. I could make an argument that we should be in front of a few teams ahead of us, but there's also an argument that we could be lower. All in all, a pretty fair ranking.<br /><br />It also makes me wonder where we would have been ranked if this would have been done after 2003. At that point, we would have been 100-27 with one conference championship over the previous 10 years. That's a .787 winning percentage, which is better than any team in the nation over the last decade. Obviously we wouldn't have been number one based on winning percentage alone, but my guess is easily top 15, if not top 10.<br /><br />All that is nice to speculate on, but we need to focus on this season and getting back to that level. At this point, I project us as a 7-5 team this year. Obviously that can change upward if we see improved play on the offensive side of the ball (particularly the line and Josh Freeman), but it could trend downward if the line makes no strides and Freeman is inconsistent like he was last year.<br /><br />None of this should be construed as me being impatient with Ron Prince. If we go 7-5 or better this year, I'll be content. But that's for this year. I want to see the Cats back to winning nine, 10, or 11 games per year. I want to see some Big 12 North titles. I want to see us challenge the South's dominance of the conference title game. At this point, that might sound like a pipe dream. But K-State football taught me that's not a dream. It can be reality.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WJKilxIRVn0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WJKilxIRVn0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />God I'm excited for football season. Can you tell?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-4227064400513912996?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-6266111514451355322007-07-29T13:26:00.000-07:002007-07-29T14:52:01.360-07:00<strong>Game Two:</strong><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rqz4ZULIFRI/AAAAAAAAAUk/aKGC-To7DaA/s1600-h/powercat.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rqz4ZULIFRI/AAAAAAAAAUk/aKGC-To7DaA/s400/powercat.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092718392444982546" /></a><br /><br />vs.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rqz4vULIFSI/AAAAAAAAAUs/5y2TMuLrq2A/s1600-h/sanjose.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rqz4vULIFSI/AAAAAAAAAUs/5y2TMuLrq2A/s400/sanjose.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092718770402104610" /></a><br /><br /><br />2006 Record: 9-4 (5-3)<br />Conference: Western Athletic (WAC)<br />Returning starters: Six offensive, seven defensive<br /><br /><strong>Game Information</strong><br />Saturday, September 8<br />Manhattan, Kan., Bill Snyder Family Stadium<br />6:05 p.m. Central Daylight Time<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rqz67ULIFTI/AAAAAAAAAU0/D3vXnuL4NlQ/s1600-h/snyderstadium.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rqz67ULIFTI/AAAAAAAAAU0/D3vXnuL4NlQ/s400/snyderstadium.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092721175583790386" /></a><br /><br /><strong>When San Jose State has the ball...</strong><br /><br />Week two will bring another team with an experienced quarterback. Senior Adam Tafralis (181-276, 2284 yards, 21 TDs/7 INTs) leads the Spartan attack, with a 19-5 career record for SJSU. Tafralis is a big guy at 6'1", 219 pounds, but isn't much of a running threat (90 carries, 224 yards last year).<br /><br />K-State fans will find themselves reminiscing about the days of Darren Sproles when SJSU running back Yonus Davis takes the field. The senior is only 5'7" and 180 pounds, but put up some big numbers last year (163 carries, 1007 yards, 6.2 yards per carry, 6 TDs).<br /><br />The Spartans lost both of their starting wide receivers from last year, and their top returnee had all of three catches last year. This unit should be an area of definite concern for SJSU, as they will be relying entirely on new faces.<br /><br />Along the offensive line, the Spartans return only two starters from last year (center Justin Paysinger, left guard John Booker), along with tight end Jeff Clark. This group did a good job last year, clearing the way to 175.6 rushing yards per game. The pass protection was a little more suspect, giving up 20 sacks. The Spartans will need to replace that run blocking and find a left tackle to protect Tafralis' blind side.<br /><br /><strong>When K-State has the ball...</strong><br /><br />The Spartans return three of four defensive line starters from a unit that gave up 148.4 rushing yards per game last year. The returnees include Justin Cole, Jerome Pulu and Jarron Gilbert (combined for 19.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks). This is not a large group, however, as the three average only 267 pounds (Cole checks in at only 240).<br /><br />At linebacker, SJSU has two returning starters, Demetrius Jones and Matt Castelo (combined 243 tackles, 13 TFL, 0 sacks and 1 INT). Castelo is a particularly efficient tackler, registering 165 tackles by himself last year. The Spartans linebackers don't appear to do much with regard to rushing the passer or defending the pass, registering zero sacks, one interception and three pass breakups last season.<br /><br />Both cornerbacks return for the Spartans, but both safeties were lost. The cornerbacks are Dwight Lowery and Christopher Owens, who combined for 98 tackles, 13 INTs (nine for Lowery alone), and 12 PBUs.<br /><br /><strong>Matchups</strong><br /><br /><strong>K-State Offense vs. San Jose State Defense</strong><br /><br />The Spartans were not particularly solid against the run last year with their undersized defensive line. The Wildcats need to use their bigger linemen to establish a running game with Leon Patton and James Johnson, because SJSU's front four hounds passers. If we can get the run going, a few nicely timed play-action passes should keep the defense on its heels. Freeman will want to avoid throwing toward Lowery's side of the field, but if we can get some receivers downfield against the Spartans inexperienced safeties, big things might happen.<br /><br /><strong>K-State Defense vs. San Jose State Offense</strong><br /><br />Tafralis probably won't be intimidated by playing in Manhattan, as the Spartans will travel to Tempe and play Arizona State the first week of the season. He's a pretty well-poised QB who doesn't make very many mistakes (3-to-1 TD-to-INT ratio last year). However his lack of mobility may be a liability against the K-State pass rush. The Cats will need a good game from their front seven to prevent SJSU from establishing its rushing attack. If the Spartans can run the ball, the Cats may be in trouble.<br /><br /><strong>Special Teams</strong><br /><br />San Jose State has a good punter back in Waylon Prather (44.0 yards per punt last season). Veteran placekicker Jared Strubeck returns for SJSU, with career stats of 64-70 PATs made, 20-30 FGs made (a long of 48) and five out of 10 onside kicks recovered. Cornerback Dwight Lowery has the most experience returning punts, but only averaged 8.4 yards in five attempts last year. Backup running back Jacob French averaged 16.7 yards per kickoff return last year in 10 attempts. Look for Yonus Davis to join him returning kicks.<br /><br /><strong>Three reasons K-State could win...</strong><br /><br /><strong>1. Beat up the SJSU defense:</strong> The Spartans are not large nor particularly effective at stopping the run, and K-State's offensive line will be one of the bigger ones they've faced. If the Cats can't pick up 150 yards on the ground in this game, we will have good reason to question the offensive line progress, even this early in the season.<br /><br /><strong>2. Stifling pass defense:</strong> K-State's secondary is one of the better units in the Big 12. On top of that, SJSU returns very little at wide receiver. If the corners and safeties can shut down the passing game, the front seven can go to work on Yonus Davis.<br /><br /><strong>3. Put the heat on Tafralis:</strong> It's going to be a common refrain this season, but Ian Campbell and Rob Jackson need to live in the opposing QB's grill. With inexperienced wide receivers against the Cats veteran secondary, Tafralis may try to take time he doesn't have to get passes off with an offensive line that gave up 20 sacks last year.<br /><br /><strong>Three reasons San Jose State could win...</strong><br /><br /><strong>1. Rock the rushing game:</strong> K-State's primary question is stopping the run, and the Spartans do run pretty well. If Yonus Davis has a 100-yard game, the Spartans have a chance.<br /><br /><strong>2. Don't force things:</strong> Tafralis proved to be a good decision maker last season by only throwing seven INTs. He'll need to make good decisions and not force the ball down field, or K-State will likely make him pay.<br /><br /><strong>3. Make it come down to a kick:</strong> Strubeck is an experienced kicker, something K-State doesn't have this year. He is also incredible at booting recoverable onside kicks. If it comes down to field goals or an onsider, SJSU has an advantage.<br /><br /><strong>Prediction:</strong> The Spartans beat few quality opponents last year despite winning nine games (combined record of teams defeated was 33-76, including 7-4 I-AA Cal Poly). They were 2-3 on the road, including a loss at 5-7 Washington and a blowout at the hands of Hawaii. This could be a trap game for K-State if Ron Prince can't get the team to take SJSU seriously after the bright lights of Auburn. However, the Cats should be able to establish the run against SJSU's undersized defense, in turn giving Freeman a chance to pick on the somewhat inexperienced secondary. At this point, I'll call it a 27-13 victory for the Purple and White.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-626611151445135532?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-54112648080335083702007-07-28T13:39:00.001-07:002007-07-29T09:51:42.827-07:00Boredom makes for long, crappy afternoons, but it probably does wonders for my blogging. As such, I decided to dig into our schedule for the upcoming year and start previewing opponents, starting with the season opener at Auburn.<br /><br /><strong>Game One:</strong><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rqu9kkLIFPI/AAAAAAAAAUU/I_9wueEhYQA/s1600-h/powercat.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rqu9kkLIFPI/AAAAAAAAAUU/I_9wueEhYQA/s400/powercat.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092372239555761394" /></a><br /><br />vs.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rqu9s0LIFQI/AAAAAAAAAUc/yBb21EbCFsE/s1600-h/auburn2.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rqu9s0LIFQI/AAAAAAAAAUc/yBb21EbCFsE/s400/auburn2.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092372381289682178" /></a><br /><br /><br />2006 Record: 11-2 (6-2)<br />Returning Starters: Five offensive, seven defensive<br /><br /><strong>Game Information</strong><br />Saturday, September 1st<br />Auburn, Ala., Jordan-Hare Stadium<br />7:45 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time/6:45 p.m. Central Daylight Time (ESPN)<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rqu5NULIFLI/AAAAAAAAAT0/1_La5ACfuxg/s1600-h/jordan-hare.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rqu5NULIFLI/AAAAAAAAAT0/1_La5ACfuxg/s320/jordan-hare.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092367442077291698" /></a><br /><br /><strong>When Auburn has the ball...</strong><br />Senior quarterback Brandon Cox (163-271, 2198 yards, 14 TD/9 INT)will be taking the snaps from center. I watched him play (on TV) last year in the LSU and Nebraska (Cotton Bowl) games, so I saw the uninjured version against LSU and the injured version against Nebraska. He's a solid, if not spectacular QB who avoids making mistakes. In fact, from what I could tell, Auburn is the kind of team that will make sure it doesn't make mistakes and will wait until the other team does. The Tigers beat LSU, 7-3, in a game in which one turnover (a Cox INT) was committed.<br /><br />Cox is one of the few returning starters of note for the Tiger offense. Auburn loses four starters on the offensive line, its top receiver (Courtney Taylor) and its top running back (Kenny Irons).<br /><br />Returning running back Brad Lester (104 carries, 510 yards, 9 TDs) will carry the load this year for the Tigers. Cox's primary throwing target will probably Rodgerigus Smith (26 catches, 452 yards, 4 TDs). However, we'll see if he has any time to throw. The offensive line allowed 35 sacks last season (second-worst in the SEC) and lost four of five starters.<br /><br /><strong>When K-State has the ball...</strong><br /><br />This Auburn defense is nasty. It finished fourth in the SEC in total defense last season, and I shouldn't have to tell you how good the SEC was.<br /><br />Up front, four major contributors return for the Tigers (Quentin Groves and Sen'Derrick Marks at DE, Josh Thompson at nose guard, and Pat Sims at DT). That's 13.5 sacks and 20.5 tackles for loss returning among that group. Not to mention, the group gave up only 3.7 yards per rush and eight rushing touchdowns last year.<br /><br />At linebacker, Auburn has potential far beyond what they have in returning production. The top three returnees, stats-wise, are Merrill Johnson, Steve Gandy and Patrick Trahan (combined 61 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks). However, they may get Tray Blackmon back from academic problems, although he didn't play this spring. Blackmon is a stud who would make a big difference for AU.<br /><br />In the secondary, Auburn loses its best player, CB David Irons, but shouldn't lose a lot of overall production. Erick Brock, Airon Savage, Patrick Lee and Jonathan Wilhite (147 tackles, 4 INT, 19 passes broken up) return for the Tigers.<br /><br /><strong>Special Teams:</strong><br />Auburn lost its placekicker, punter and kickoff specialist, which could make things interesting if the game comes down to a kick. Freshman (RS) Ross Gornall will likely be the placekicker, and freshman (RS) Ryan Shoemaker will take over the punting duties from Kody Bliss (who was among the best in the nation last season).<br /><br />The Tigers were first in the SEC last year in kickoff returns, and Tristan Davis and Brad Lester return for more this year. Strangely, Auburn was 11th in the SEC in punt return average. Robert Dunn was the primary punt returner last year, and he returns for this season.<br /><br /><strong>Matchups </strong><br /><br /><strong>K-State offense vs. Auburn defense</strong><br />Auburn is going to make things miserable for offensive coordinator James Franklin and the K-State offense. While I'm cautiously optimistic our offensive line will be better, it will take them a while to improve. This is not the defensive line to start that group against, and you can bet the crowd noise at Jordan-Hare will make signal-calling difficult. Establishing the run will be crucial to make sure Josh Freeman doesn't get killed, and I'm not sure we can establish much of a running game. James Johnson and Leon Patton will have to have the game of their lives.<br /><br /><strong>K-State defense vs. Auburn offense</strong><br />Auburn's serious questions on the offensive line may allow Ian Campbell, Rob Jackson and company to make life difficult for Brandon Cox. However, Auburn is a patient team who will probably try to establish the run, and stopping the run is the major question mark of the K-State defense. Auburn was third in the SEC in time of possession last year (30:08 per game), and if the K-State offense can't keep the defense off the field, they'll probably be content to grind it out and wear down the Cats defense.<br /><br /><strong>Three reasons K-State could win:</strong><br /><br /><strong>1. Exploit Auburn's offensive line:</strong> This is a unit that wasn't particularly outstanding last year, and lost four starters. If K-State's front seven bottle up the Auburn rushing game, they will force Cox to beat them.<br /><br /><strong>2. Make turnovers happen:</strong> Cox threw nine interceptions last year. K-State's secondary is athletic and plays together well, and a healthy Marcus Watts could turn the ball over a couple times.<br /><br /><strong>3. Auburn struggles in season-openers:</strong> The Tigers are 4-3 in season openers under Tommy Tuberville, including a shutout loss at home to USC in 2003. Other losses have come to USC in Los Angeles (2002) and at home to Georgia Tech (2005). Wins have come over Appalachian State (1999), Wyoming (2000), Ball State (2001), Louisiana-Monroe (2004) and Washington State (2006), all in Auburn.<br /><br /><strong>Three reasons Auburn could win...</strong><br /><br /><strong>1. Dominating defense:</strong> Auburn returns solid contributors at each defensive unit. We saw last year how much K-State struggled in games in which it could not establish any running game, and we saw what happened against athletic defenses that didn't give Freeman time to throw. If the Cats put up a lot of three-and-outs, it will be a long night in the South.<br /><br /><strong>2. Senior quarterback:</strong> Cox is 19-5 as a starter the last two years, and has played in his share of big games, including two bowl games. He's patient and, depite last year's nine INTs, generally doesn't force the ball. If he is truly healthy, he will be much better than he looked in the Cotton Bowl.<br /><br /><strong>3. Talent:</strong> It was really difficult to put together the previews of Auburn's units, because they have so many new players who could challenge for starting time. And with all those bodies, the Tigers' coaches can keep running fresh bodies out there on both sides of the ball. Big-time programs in the South have a major recruiting advantage, because there are an unbelievable amount of great recruits in this region.<br /><br /><strong>Prediction:</strong> I look for a very low-scoring affair. Auburn's offensive line may have trouble coming together and establishing a running game and protecting Cox, which should give the K-State defense a chance to bottle up the Auburn attack. Conversely, the Auburn defense won't give up much either. Auburn has proven it is a patient team that will allow its opponent to beat itself if necessary. The Auburn offense will eventually wear down the Cats' defense to pull away for a 21-10 win.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-5411264808033508370?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-84523693408528265022007-07-27T15:53:00.000-07:002007-07-27T16:09:25.326-07:00My weekend is off to a nice start, but Luis Colon's isn't. He was <a href="http://www.kansascity.com/385/story/207656.html">charged with simple battery </a>after an incident in Manhattan today. <br /><br />The story says no serious injuries were caused, so Colon was not incarcerated. Ordinarily, I'd say a thing like this isn't worth drastic measures.<br /><br />Not with this guy. I won't be unhappy in the least if Frank Martin sends Colon down KS 177 and tells him not to bother coming back.<br /><br />Maybe those are harsh words, but Colon is hardly a first-time offender. Last year against Cal, he got tossed for throwing a punch (a sucker punch, at that) late in the game.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z2ZuIXI1VgM"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z2ZuIXI1VgM" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br />--As the announcer says, that defines cheap shot--<br /><br />Colon has obvious temper and attitude problems. There were numerous times last year when I saw him throw his headband and pout when taken out of the game. He obviously angers way too easily. Why that is, I have no idea, but it's not a good attitude to have around.<br /><br />Further, here's a quote from the KC Star that makes this much worse:<br /><blockquote>Colon, a sophomore, allegedly punched a fellow student on campus.</blockquote><br /><br />This incident happened <strong>on campus</strong>. During the day. This wasn't some beer-fueled episode in Aggieville. Not that drunkenness is an excuse, it's merely an explanation, but at least it indicates a problem that can be worked on. If I'm a coach (and nobody is beating down my door to offer the job), any incident on campus is an immediate suspension.<br /><br />It's Frank Martin's call. But I won't shed any tears if Luis Colon is sent packing.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-8452369340852826502?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-56288390688688054402007-07-26T18:34:00.000-07:002007-07-26T21:39:27.173-07:00Picked this story up from the extensive comments on <a href="http://burntorangenation.com/storyonly/2007/7/26/3260/48658">Burnt Orange Nation's Big 12 blogger poll post</a>. It seems that in the wake of the Big 10 Network's <a href="http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200770724055">struggle to gain acceptance from cable providers</a>, the conference may <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/bigten/2007-07-25-network-expansion_N.htm">look to extend </a>its already sasquatchian footprint.<br /><br />Considering the conference already stretches from Iowa to Pennsylvania, this will naturally have far-ranging speculation as to who will be added (not to mention whether the conference will change its logo to a "10" with a 12 cut into the number).<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RqlQUULIFII/AAAAAAAAATc/hihmlmAlj9Y/s1600-h/big10.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RqlQUULIFII/AAAAAAAAATc/hihmlmAlj9Y/s400/big10.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091689163662038146" /></a><br /><br />Naturally this got the crack reporting squad from the KC Star on the case by talking to...<a href="http://www.kansascity.com/385/story/206522.html">Missouri</a>. They came to basically the same conclusion I did. Mizzou is pretty far down the Big 10's list. I can't figure out a few of the things about the Mizzou-Big 10 connection. Mizzou doesn't have it too bad in the Big 12, as they have more money than most other schools and one of the best natural rivalries in the conference with KU. In the Big 10, they'd have a minor rivalry with Illinois and would be stuck in a conference with Ohio State and Michigan rather than Texas and Oklahoma.<br /><br />If the Big 10 is looking to add TV markets, Mizzou is not the place to go. While it certainly is a presence in St. Louis and Kansas City, it's far from the primary presence in either town. It shares STL with Illinois (as mentioned in the Star), and shares KC with K-State and KU.<br /><br />Even if it had sole control of both markets, Mizzou wouldn't be nearly as attractive as Rutgers and (maybe) Syracuse, who are the other schools being talked about right now (we'll get to Notre Dame in a minute). I have to believe Rutgers is the leader in the clubhouse right now. They bring a far better football team than Mizzou does, and open the doors to lovely Piscataway, N.J., not to mention the rest of Joisey and probably at least a solid presence in NYC.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rql2i0LIFJI/AAAAAAAAATk/4q5ZwEexpMk/s1600-h/joisey.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rql2i0LIFJI/AAAAAAAAATk/4q5ZwEexpMk/s320/joisey.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091731194211996818" /></a><br />--Welcome to New Jersey!--<br /><br />As for Notre Dame, it's my guess that the Big 10 doesn't want a re-run of its failed attempt at the Leprechauns in 1999. Not to mention, Notre Dame doesn't really bring in any new markets, which is what the conference is really looking for. Sure, they're a national team, but you don't point to Los Angeles and say "hey, ND is a national team, let's put its game against Navy on TV next week."<br /><br />***<br /><br />It's time to wrap up my preseason predictions for the 1st Annual Big 12 Blogger Days. PB over at BON posted the results or all our votes, which I linked above. Here are my results for the top units (not individuals) at each different group of positions, along with some miscellaneous picks...<br /><br /><strong>Quarterbacks</strong><br />1. Texas: Colt McCoy is the real pick here. He was great last year until he got hurt, even being mentioned as a darkhorse Heisman candidate. We'll see if the newcomers on the offensive line come together, but he's got a good running back to help him out and a tanker full of good receivers.<br />2. Oklahoma State: My man-crush on Okie State continues. But I picked Bobby Reid as the offensive player of the year, so it's probably a little disingenuous that I would pick him behind anyone. However, I think McCoy will lead his team to more wins, as I noted in my other picks.<br />Notes: I had a hard time not picking Mizzou with Chase Daniel on this list, especially given the targets he'll have. Just shows the talent coming back at QB in the conference this year.<br />K-State at QB: Right now I have us listed at eighth. I think most would agree we have the potential to move way up from that position. We'll see how much Josh Freeman matures and whether the offensive line actually gives him time to throw, not to mention a viable running game.<br /><br /><strong>Running Backs</strong><br />1. Texas A&M: It's the old lightning/thunder thing. Jorvorskie Lane is about as easy to stop as an 18-wheeler on an ice road once he gets going, and Mike Goodson has some moves. Throw in an experienced offensive line, and this group could put up big numbers if they don't trip over Coach Fran.<br />2. Oklahoma State: Dantrell Savage and Keith Toston. Two good backs, in a good system, with weapons at other positions (Reid, Adarius Bowman) to keep the focus off them.<br />Notes: I probably shortchanged UT's Jamaal Charles here. I question his offensive line, but knowing Texas they'll just plug in another couple future all-conference linemen in and will never miss a beat.<br />K-State at RB: I really like both of the Cats' returning rock-toters. The KC Star confirmed this morning that Leon Patton is expected to be back with the team for fall practice after an undisclosed academic issue. He's the 'moves' back while James Johnson is supposed to bring the hammer. I have the Cats at seventh based on statistical formulas that are too complicated for you to understand (mainly because they don't make any sense), but again, given some offensive line improvement, this group could easily be among the four or five best units.<br /><br />Wide Receivers (***Note: Because this group is called "Wide Receivers" I didn't include tight ends, which explains why Mizzou isn't among my top two teams.***)<br />1. Oklahoma: They only return Malcolm Kelly and Juaquin Iglesias, not to mention Manuel Johnson. Maybe an audacious pick because they aren't sure who's going to throw to them, and OU may focus on the run this year.<br />2. Texas: Close call with these two teams, especially with UT returning Limas Sweed, Quan Crosby and Billy Pittman. With a proven QB throwing to these guys, I may end up looking like an idiot for picking them second.<br />Notes: As mentioned, I didn't include Mizzou in this. If it was just receivers, they would likely be one or two. Nebraska has a lot of decent receivers, but nobody that really stands out. Finally, Bowman from Okie State may be the best individual receiver in the league, but nobody else really sticks out. Oh yeah, and best wishes go out to <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/ncaa/07/13/bc.fbc.oklahomast.woods.ap/index.html">Artrell Woods after his injury</a>, though I know I'm quite a bit late.<br />K-State at WR: Losing Yamon Figurs knocks us down to the lower echelons of the conference at this position, at least on returning talent. Jordy Nelson and Daniel Gonzalez were solid if not spectacular; if Jordy can stay healthy he should return to his 2005 form. We should also see highly touted athlete Lamark Brown at WR, and a solid corps of tight ends (Jeron Mastrud, Brett Alstatt, Rashaad Norwood, Michael Pooschke).<br /><br /><strong>Offensive Line</strong><br />1. Oklahoma: Lots of returning players with starting experience, lots of rushing yards, not many sacks allowed. You know what's scarier? All that experience, and no seniors. Look out in '08.<br />2. Texas A&M: If you're going to run a rush-based attack, you better have the hogs up front. Four seniors and a junior from one of the Big 12's best rushing attacks return.<br />Notes: Nebraska has quite a bit of experience returning and just missed the list. Okie State also has quite a bit of experience returning.<br />K-State at OL: A lot of returning experience...but not a lot of production. This unit couldn't open up much in the running game and Freeman was running for his life way too often. Here's hoping Ron Prince's experience as an offensive line coach, as well as the additions of Alesana Alesana and Clyde Aufner lead to an improved unit. It will be the key to the season.<br /><br /><strong>Defensive Line</strong><br />1. Texas: I don't know how anyone is going to run on the Horns this year. For that matter, I don't know how they'll pass. This group is stacked.<br />2. K-State: This group returns Ian Campbell, Rob Jackson, Steven Cline and Alphonso Moran, not to mention a few reserves. Campbell and Jackson will take care of the pass rush, we need the guys in the middle to stiffen up against the run.<br /><br /><strong>Linebacker</strong><br />1. Oklahoma State: Return six players with a combined 36 starts from last year, not to mention 7 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss. I can't argue with that, although stats don't always tell the entire story. <br />2. Nebraska: Bo Ruud, Corey McKeon and Steve Octavian will anchor this group as long as they stay healthy. Rangy players who will be asked to do a lot with an all-new defensive line.<br />Notes: Iowa State's Alvin Bowen led the country in tackles last year, which should give Gene Chizik something to build around. Colorado also returns highly acclaimed Jordan Dizon. Texas has a lot of returning experience, but this group has underachieved a little bit thus far.<br />K-State at LB: On paper, we have probably the weakest linebacking corp in the conference. That'll happen when you lose guys like Brandon Archer and Zach Diles. Marcus Perry needs to anchor the group, and it would help if JuCo transfer Chris Patterson could step in and provide immediate help. Going to a 3-4 will be interesting, as it will mean Ian Campbell and Rob Jackson occasionally lining up at LB. JuCo transfer Gary Chandler may see some time here.<br /><br /><strong>Secondary</strong><br />1. Oklahoma: Returns four players who were all-conference second team or better, including preseason media defensive player of the year Reggie Smith (also second-team all-conference and former first-team freshman All-America).<br />2. K-State: This group has a lot of returning experience, including Marcus Watts at safety, probably the team's most valuable player. Joshua Moore had a good freshman season, making the all-conference freshman team. Other returnees of note include Bryan Baldwin, Byron Garvin, Justin McKinney and Andrew Erker.<br />Notes: Other notable secondary players in the North include Colorado's Terrence Wheatley and KU's Aqib Talib. Also keep your eye on Okie State's Andre Sexton.<br /><br />Most exciting/interesting/compelling conference game of the season (I'm not allowed to pick a K-State game): Nebraska @ Mizzou<br />--I'm sure the South-centric folks in this conference would pick the Red River Shootout or the Lonestar Showdown, but this game is more interesting to me. It determine who has the upper hand in the North, and should be a primetime game in front of Columbia's snakepit. They've been hyping this game on KC sports talk radio since May. Honorable mention goes to Nebraska at Texas and Texas A&M at Mizzou, because I want to see the best of the North get back into the game with the South.<br /><br />Most exciting/interesting/compelling non-conference game of the season (again, I can't pick a K-State): USC @ Nebraska<br />--Nebraska gets one of the national title favorites in Lincoln. On paper they don't match up well, but we'll see if they can give the Trojans a game. Honorable mention goes to Oklahoma State @ Georgia in the opening game of the year. We need to get some national respect back by beating power conference powers.<br /><br />That's it for Blogger Days. Happy Friday.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-5628839068868805440?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-7995508786923840532007-07-25T20:30:00.000-07:002007-07-25T21:21:32.540-07:00San Antonio bid adieu to a bunch of journalists and Big 12 football coaches and players today as the Big 12 media days wrapped up. Before I begin my coverage, I should note a couple other Big 12 blogs that have also noticed something is happening in San Anton...<br /><br /><a href="http://ajthoughts.blogspot.com">AJ the HuskerH8er</a>--He hates the Huskers first and loves Missouri second<br /><br /><a href="http://bearmeat.blogspot.com">BearMeat</a>--These Baylor fans realize they probably won't win the conference this year, so they make the best of it...by noticing they have a quarterback whose last name is Weed.<br /><br />AJ takes note of the hard-hitting journalism on display in San Antonio by noting that <a href="http://ajthoughts.blogspot.com/2007/07/death-of-journalism-media-day-2007.html">some Nebraska journalists asked Missouri players about Chase Daniel picking his boogers</a>...<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kEW8_KVhDFE"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kEW8_KVhDFE" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />...and eating them. Wow, I'm sure that will be vital to Nebraska Big 12 coverage.<br /><br />Anyway, the Prince and His Court <a href="http://www.big12sports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/footbl-media-day-central-07.html">made their appearance today</a>. Prince's comments didn't consist of a lot more than typical offseason coach-speak. He did note that he expects to be back in San Antonio on December 1 to play for the conference title. Like the attitude, waiting to see the results (in person, since it's San Anton).<br /><br />***<br /><br />Now that the 'official' media days are over, I'm going to continue my preseason coverage. On Monday I brought you <a href="http://kstatecatzone.blogspot.com/2007/07/media-days-malaise.html">my predictions for conference finish</a>; today, you shall find out who I predict (and therefore, will be) the best offensive and defensive player, as well as the best offensive and defensive units.<br /><br /><strong>Offensive Player of the Year:</strong> Bobby Reid, Oklahoma State<br />I'm high on Okie State this year. No doubt about that. Reid is a threat running and passing. He can hand off or pitch out to Dantrell Savage. And he can throw to Adarius Bowman, also a contender for top offensive player. Not to mention Mike Gundy runs an offense designed to garner big numbers for the quarterback. The only drawback is he has to play OU, UT and A&M this year, not to mention a trip to Lincoln and a visit from K-State's defense.<br /><br /><strong>Defensive Player of the Year:</strong> Ian Campbell, K-State<br />OK, I admit it, I'm a homer. There are a lot of good defensive players in the Big 12, and a defensive end is not the most glamorous position. Still, Campbell was <a href="http://www.big12sports.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2006-2007/confldrs.html#conf.wi2">second in the conference in sacks and first in tackles for loss</a>. The Houston Chronicle named him its defensive player of the year.<br /><br /><strong>Best Team Offense: Oklahoma State</strong><br />There are a lot of teams contending for this spot. Texas has weapons everywhere, but lost quite a few good offensive linemen. Oklahoma has to find a new quarterback. Texas A&M seems to have a lot, too, but I'm a little suspicious of <a href="http://www.star-telegram.com/college_sports/story/180097.html">McGee's offseason surgery </a>(K-Staters saw what shoulder surgery can do to a QB last year in Dylan Meier).<br /><br />In the end, for me, this ended up being a two-team race between Mizzou and Oklahoma State. The Tigers have Chase Daniel at QB (3527 yards, 28 TDs, 10 INTs), Martin Rucker--Chase Coffman--Will Franklin receiving passes(combined 1978 yards, 20 TDs) and Tony Temple at RB (1063 yards, 7 TDs). The Pokes have Bobby Reid at QB (2466 yards passing, 24 passing TDs, 11 INTs, 500 rushing yards and 5 rushing TDs), Adarius Bowman split wide (1181 yards, 12 TDs), and Dantrell Savage and Keith Toston toting the rock (1451 yards, 14 TDs).<br /><br />The offensive lines are approximately a wash, so the deciding factor for me was the offensive balance. Mizzou relies very heavily on the pass, whereas Okie State isn't afraid to run the ball. Thus, it should be more difficult for Big 12 defenses to take away the Cowboys' entire offensive game, although Temple could keep defenses honest.<br /><br /><strong>Best Team Defense: Oklahoma</strong><br />This is really nothing more than a hunch. Actually, the Sooners lost quite a bit from last year, but they did have the <a href="http://www.big12sports.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2006-2007/confldrs.html#conf.wi2">best defense </a>in the conference last year. The defensive line doesn't return much experience, but has some new faces with solid credentials (including Gerald McCoy, Cory Bennett and Jeremy Beal). A decent linebacking corp comes next, followed by what I consider the best secondary in the Big 12. Having lockdown guys like Marcus Walker, Reggie Smith and Nic Harris back there will help the front group get up to speed. Having Brent Venables and Bob Stoops puts them over the top.<br /><br />That does it for today's predictions. Tomorrow I'll get in to listing my top units at each group of positions. Keep checking in with <a href="http://www.big12sports.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2006-2007/confldrs.html#conf.wi2">Burnt Orange Nation </a>for the Big 12 bloggers compiled results.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-799550878692384053?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-22378096831376484162007-07-24T21:14:00.000-07:002007-07-24T21:22:02.341-07:00...when I saw this on my sitemeter. I am the number one hit when you type in "<a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=HELP%21 I married a Husker Fan">HELP! I married a Husker Fan</a>" on Google. Hell, if this law school and blogging thing doesn't work out, maybe I have a future as a marriage counselor. I'll be the guy who helps people who marry fans of rival teams work out their differences.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Zv0_EpF5SyY"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Zv0_EpF5SyY" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />Oh yeah, and the Astros game was sweet. Craig Biggio <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2947484">announced his retirement today </a>and then <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=270724118">hit a grand slam tonight</a>. Chills.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RqbO7kLIFHI/AAAAAAAAATU/JmSjxFNMQIc/s1600-h/bidg.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RqbO7kLIFHI/AAAAAAAAATU/JmSjxFNMQIc/s320/bidg.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090983951506871410" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-2237809683137648416?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-69366557741639261622007-07-23T19:14:00.000-07:002007-07-23T21:29:46.968-07:00Big 12 media days have begun. Check out the following blogs in the coming days for coverage of the Fourth Estate's binge in San Antonio, as well as our own takes on various issues.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.burntorangenation.com">Burnt Orange Nation</a>--The visionary of Big 12 bloggers<br /><a href="http://www.the12thmanchild.com">The 12th Manchild</a>--Solid coverage of one of the most interesting South teams this year.<br /><a href="http://www.cornnation.com">Corn Nation</a>--Excellent Husker coverage. Like the addition of occasional <a href="http://huskermike.blogspot.com">Husker Mike </a>posts recently.<br /><a href="http://www.clonechronicles.com">Clone Chronicles</a>--CrossCyed will keep you up-to-date on Gene Chizik's first year.<br /><a href="http://www.rockchalktalk.com">Rock Chalk Talk</a>--Great coverage of that school to the east.<br /><a href="http://www.doubletnation.com">Double T Nation</a>--Seth C keeps a watchful eye on <a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=qSPcMXWJjUg">Crazy Mike Leach's </a>team from the South Plains.<br /><br />I'll begin my preseason coverage by reiterating my predicted finish in each division:<br /><strong><a href="http://kstatecatzone.blogspot.com/2007/05/big-12-north-preview.html">North</a></strong><br />1. Missouri<br />2. Nebraska<br />3. K-State<br />4. KU<br />5. Iowa State<br />6. Colorado<br />***I will stick with these predictions even though they were made in May. CU should be better than last year, but I'm not sold that they'll be much better. <br /><br />I think Chizik knows his X's and O's (esp. on defense) and will get Iowa State to play hard, which could be worth a slight improvement. <br /><br />I question KU's offense a little bit after losing Cornish, but they do have a pretty good defense. <br /><br />Some <a href="http://www.maizenbrew.com/story/2007/7/18/121954/286">others </a>think I'm <a href="http://www.cornnation.com/storyonly/2007/7/23/9421/70759">picking K-State too low</a>. I would consider us the darkhorse for the North right now, with Mizzou and Nebraska being the <a href="http://www.big12sports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/071907aac.html">pick of the pundits</a>. The questions are at offensive line and linebacker (and maybe wide receiver). If we see improvement there, we have a chance.<br /><br />Nebraska has some defense questions, particularly with the defensive line and secondary. The offense should be pretty good. The key will be the defense's improvement and how well Sam Keller (or whomever the QB is) plays. No earth-shattering news there.<br /><br />Mizzou has, on paper, the best offense in the North. They also have the most questions on defense. I think they'll score a lot of points, enough to win some games their defense might lose them if the offense was only average.<br /><br /><a href="http://kstatecatzone.blogspot.com/2007/06/big-12-south-and-overall-conference.html"><strong>South</strong></a><br />1. Texas<br />2. Oklahoma<br />3. Oklahoma State<br />4. Texas Tech<br />5. Texas A&M<br />6. Baylor<br /><br />Baylor lost a lot and is going to have a really tough year.<br /><br />I probably picked A&M too low. I think they'll probably finish above Tech, and could possibly be better than one of the three of Okie State, OU and UT. We'll see how they deal with a <a href="http://www.aggieathletics.com/schedule.php?SID=MFB&YOS=2007">brutal schedule</a>.<br /><br />Tech has a quarterback returning for the first time in probably my lifetime. But they lost a lot of good players (especially Filani) on offense and defense. Can the Mad Scientist reload, or will he have to rebuild?<br /><br />Oklahoma State is my surprise team this year. I think they could very well win the South, maybe the conference, but I just don't have the cojones to make that pick. Love the offense, reminds me of Snyder's offense in the late 90s.<br /><br />Oklahoma has to replace Paul Thompson, but other than that they're in pretty good shape. Could very well win the division.<br /><br />The Horns' pass defense was <a href="http://www.big12sports.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2006-2007/confonly.html">pitiful </a>last year, and they lost several of their <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Griffin_(football_player)">best secondary players</a>. Will it be addition by subtraction? Or will the newcomers fail to step it up?<br /><br />Check back in the coming days for more of TB's preseason prognostications and other astounding alliterations.<br /><br />***<br /><br />I want to lay to rest one thing that still pops up occasionally, although I know I'll never convince the haterade drinkers otherwise. Big 12 media days started today, and even though <a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=3070&SPID=212&DB_OEM_ID=400&ATCLID=220015&Q_SEASON=2007">The Prince </a>and His Court aren't up until tomorrow, I figured I'd be an informed blogger by reading the comments from <a href="http://www.big12sports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/footbl-media-day-central-07.html">Oklahoma, KU, Nebraska and Baylor</a>.<br /><br />I started off with KU. Not much exciting there. Mangino used his favorite phrase, "hard-nosed", to describe a few of his players. Good to know we won't be seeing any broken noses keeping KU players out of football games this fall.<br /><br />Then I moved on to Nebraska. And while I was reading, I realized I just couldn't let some of these Callahan Classics go without commenting. The man from Oakland described his staff's recruitment of Terrence Nunn as such...<br /><br /><blockquote>We had an opportunity to recruit Terrence, who at that point was committed to Wisconsin. And first off...Turner Gill and myself went down. And he was initially going to be committed to Nebraska. Then there was a coaching change. He decided to go to Wisconsin. So we went back down there. I told Turner, I said, 'Let's go down there and get this guy.' There's no way we're going to let this guy go to Wisconsin where he can be in a pro passing system.</blockquote><br /><br />If I had a dollar for every time a Nebraska fan/friend/family member of mine told me Ron Prince was a dirty recruiter for "stealing" Josh Freeman from big red, I'd have enough money to join <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Oaks,_Houston,_Texas">River Oaks Country Club</a>.<br /><br />We need to put to rest one major myth of recruiting that is poorly understood by the average fan. When a recruit is "committed" to a certain school, it usually means he's orally committed, which is non-binding. Is it questionable to recruit an oral commitment? Maybe. Is it ethically indefensible? Despite what <a href="http://av.vet.ksu.edu/">Jim Rose may have told you (listen to it, it's comical)</a>, no, it is not. Is it at least ethically questionable to <a href="http://ajthoughts.blogspot.com/2007/06/summertime-and-livins-easy.html">hope another player gets hurt</a>? And congrats to your coach for <a href="http://collegian.ksu.edu/collegian/article.php?a=10053">handling the situation really well</a>.<br /><br />The Josh Freeman situation was pretty much identical to the Terrence Nunn situation. Ron Prince recruited Josh Freeman while he was at Virginia. Nebraska had recruited Nunn before Callahan got there. Freeman orally committed to another school; Nunn committed to another school. Prince reopened recruitment of Freeman; Callahan reopened Nebraska's recruitment of Nunn.<br /><br />This happens every year at a lot of different schools. Every school has benefitted from it, and every school has been jilted by it. It happens. Get over it.<br /><br />I bet I didn't change anyone's mind. But it sure made me feel better.<br /><br />I'll be at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minute_Maid_Park">Minute Maid</a> watching the Dodgers slaughter the Astros tomorrow, but I'll be back Wednesday with more preseason media days rants.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-6936655774163926162?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-61103874864044653392007-07-22T19:17:00.000-07:002007-07-22T19:46:18.260-07:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RqQVj0LIFFI/AAAAAAAAATE/8q90Ku-zh8c/s1600-h/beasley3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RqQVj0LIFFI/AAAAAAAAATE/8q90Ku-zh8c/s320/beasley3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090217183880418386" /></a><br /><br />Well, at least now Michael Beasley can leave the land of <a href="http://www.kansascity.com/sports/story/186661.html">crappy food </a>and return home to Manhattan, and his mom's homecooking. Team USA <a href="http://www.serbia2007.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/07/fiba/u19men/news/lateNews/p/eventid/3955/langid/1/langlc/en/newsid/20818/roundid/3955/FE_news_lateNews_arti.html">lost to host Serbia today </a>in the U19 World Championship Game, 74-69.<br /><br />Beasley had massive foul trouble during the tournament, picking up 20 personal fouls in nine games, limiting him to 17 minutes per game (<a href="http://www.serbia2007.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/07/fiba/u19men/teamPlay/team/p/eventid/3955/langlc/en/openNodeIDs/4457/roundid/5651/selNodeID/4457/teamnumber/379/fe_teamPlay_teamAccuStat.html">stats here</a>). Despite the limited playing time, Beasley scored 12.8 points per game, second most on the team. He also pulled down 5.3 boards per game. His overall shooting was pretty good (56.7 percent), but from three-point land he was woeful (one of 10). Who am I to nitpick though, it was a pretty good tournament for Beasley.<br /><br />***<br /><br />Nice article about Josh Freeman in the <a href="http://www.themercury.com/k-statesports/article.aspx?articleId=69be3758adbb47579ed53d75ea2471f1">Manhattan Mercury </a>today. It's mostly a bunch of offseason-speak about how he wants to be a leader and has worked hard in the weight room, but it's a good read nonetheless. Also interesting to hear he's up to 260 lbs. now, although he estimates he'll play at more like 250. Considering the average (projected) starting linebacker in the Big 12 North weighs about 230 lbs., Freeman will be a difficult target to take down.<br /><br />Now if the line can just keep those guys off him...<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RqQWMULIFGI/AAAAAAAAATM/4SZu9iqTDS4/s1600-h/freeman.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RqQWMULIFGI/AAAAAAAAATM/4SZu9iqTDS4/s320/freeman.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090217879665120354" /></a><br /><br />***<br /><br />Big week coming up here in the Cat Zone. The Big 12 media days are upon us, and I'm sure I'll have plenty to say about the paid writers' predictions. Particularly if I can get my hands on the print copy of Tom Shatel's columns for the Omaha World-Herald.<br /><br />That said, us bloggers have some good stuff in store, too. Stay tuned...<br /><br />Oh yeah, and congrats to Padraig Harrington for his big win at the British Open today. That was one of the most exciting final rounds I've ever watched.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RqQUc0LIFDI/AAAAAAAAAS0/QGEaT5m79ts/s1600-h/paddy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RqQUc0LIFDI/AAAAAAAAAS0/QGEaT5m79ts/s320/paddy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090215964109706290" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-6110387486404465339?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-55609364275877861912007-07-20T15:51:00.000-07:002007-07-20T16:56:20.688-07:00The Big 12's Fourth Estate released <a href="http://www.big12sports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/072007aab.html">more preseason conference stuff </a>today. Specifically, they picked offensive, defensive and newcomers of the year, as well as preseason all-conference teams.<br /><br />Offensive player: Colt McCoy, Texas (No argument here, as long as he stays healthy)<br /><br />Defensive player: Reggie Smith, Oklahoma (Not Ian Campbell? He was defensive player of the year last year...by the Houston Chronicle.)<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RqFHFkLIE_I/AAAAAAAAASU/-_TKXk7tWUA/s1600-h/iancampbell.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RqFHFkLIE_I/AAAAAAAAASU/-_TKXk7tWUA/s320/iancampbell.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5089427214840632306" /></a><br />--This guy once called me mouthy in an intramural basketball game. I shut up immediately.--<br /><br />Newcomer of the year: Sam (<a href="http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007/03/22/dont-take-sam-kellers-parking-spot/">Flippy Cup</a>) Keller, Nebraska (Certainly the most hyped, although he went <a href="http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/pac10/arizona_state/yearly_results.php?year=2005">3-4 in 2005</a> and is supposedly in a <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2831084">fight for the starting position</a>...)<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RqFJG0LIFAI/AAAAAAAAASc/g8_CWZfkWSw/s1600-h/cupthrow.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RqFJG0LIFAI/AAAAAAAAASc/g8_CWZfkWSw/s320/cupthrow.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5089429435338724354" /></a><br />--Nice toss kid!--<br /><br />First Team Offense:<br />WR--Adarius Bowman, Oklahoma State<br />WR--Limas Sweed, Texas<br />TE--Martin Rucker, Missouri<br />OL--Tony Hills, Texas<br />OL--Duke Robinson, Oklahoma<br />OL--Matt Slauson, Nebraska<br />OL--Anthony Collins, Kansas<br />C--Cody Wallace, Texas A&M<br />QB--Colt McCoy, Texas<br />RB--Jamaal Charles, Texas<br />RB--Mike Goodson, Texas A&M<br />PK--Garrett Hartley, Oklahoma<br />KR--Perrish Cox, Oklahoma State<br />Hmm, 13 players, three of them from the North. No Wildcats, which I can't argue with at this point.<br /><br />First Team Defense:<br />DL--Ian Campbell, K-State<br />DL--Frank Okam, Texas<br />DL--Chris Harrington, Texas A&M<br />DL--James McClinton, Kansas<br />DL--Derek Lokey, Texas<br />LB--Bo Ruud, Nebraska<br />LB--Alvin Bowen, Iowa State<br />LB--Jordan Dizon, Colorado<br />DB--Reggie Smith, Oklahoma<br />DB--Aquib Talib, Kansas<br />DB--Marcus Watts, K-State<br />DB--Marcus Griffin, Texas<br />P--Matt Fodge, Oklahoma State<br />PR--Reggie Smith, Oklahoma<br />Fourteen players, seven from the North. Two Wildcats, more than any other North team, only behind Texas. Like I said yesterday, I'm pretty excited about the defense this fall.<br /><br />Preseason predictions carry the approximate value of a warm bucket of piss. For what we know right now, this seems like a pretty good forecast by the writers. Of course, fans of every team disagree, because they see their teams' potential and other teams' flaws. I happen to think James Johnson could be one of the better running backs in the league, and I'd like to think Josh Freeman could be one of the better QBs. But we'll have to see how the big guys up front do...<br /><br />***<br /><br />At least the Big 12 writers seem to be somewhat informed. I had the misfortune to waste five minutes reading <a href="http://cfn.scout.com/">collegefootballnews.com's </a>preseason predictions today, here are some of the lowlights:<br /><br />Coach on the Hot Seat: Dan Hawkins, Colorado<br />--Are you kidding me? It's his second year, and all he has to improve on is a 2-10 record. Dear God, how hard can that be? He is not on the hot seat, unless he continues the <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/2004-02-19-recruting-scandal_x.htm">proud Colorado tradition of getting into trouble with the NCAA</a>.<br /><br />About Missouri: "The defense should be far better"<br />--Uhh, ok. They return five starters on defense. On a defense that was <a href="http://www.big12sports.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2006-2007/confonly.html">seventh in the league in conference games in overall defense</a>. I'll be surprised if they're better, much less far better.<br /><br />Five games the Big 12 better take very, very seriously: Oklahoma at Tulsa<br />--What the hell is OU doing playing at Tulsa?<br /><br />Top Offenses:<br />11. K-State<br />--Well, we were a stellar <a href="http://www.big12sports.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2006-2007/confonly.html">ninth </a>in the league last year, return most of the offensive line, the quarterback, two running backs, and Jordy Nelson at WR.<br /><br />I'm not a genius. But at least my predictions are internally consistent.<br /><br />***<br /><br />In other news today, Nebraska wide receiver Maurice Purify got a <a href="http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1200&u_sid=10083770">one game suspension </a>for his legal troubles. To recap, his legal troubles included:<br />--Assaulting another dude at a Lincoln bar<br />--'Accidentally' hitting the dude's girlfriend (that charge was dropped as part of the plea deal...would have been difficult to prove anyway)<br />--Failure to comply when police were trying to cuff him<br />--DUI one month after all that trouble<br /><br />Boy, I bet he learned his lesson, and learned it just in time to travel to Winston-Salem, N.C., and return to Lincoln for the invasion of the Condoms.<br /><br />Oh, but I forgot. There is a little more to the punishment. Purify is also prohibited from making "any appearance in a drinking establishment that primarily serves alcohol." (Redundancy, anyone?) That's gonna narrow his entertainment options in Lincoln.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RqFKNELIFCI/AAAAAAAAASs/PqfuD8s54Zc/s1600-h/scrabble.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RqFKNELIFCI/AAAAAAAAASs/PqfuD8s54Zc/s320/scrabble.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5089430642224534562" /></a><br />--Rousing game of Scrabble, anyone?--<br /><br />Have a great weekend everyone.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-5560936427587786191?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-51203145118278976582007-07-19T17:05:00.000-07:002007-07-19T18:02:53.725-07:00A couple days ago, KC Star reporter Howard Richman <a href="http://www.kansascity.com/165/story/194468-p2.html">caught up with Bill Snyder </a>to see what he's up to these days. Apparently he's keeping pretty busy, between jet skiing and golf.<br /><br />Oh yeah, and helping kids across Kansas. Between mentoring, leadership groups, promoting cancer research, and being inducted into <a href="http://www.holidaybowl.com/hof.htm">halls of fame </a>I'm guessing he hasn't had much time to watch much South Park.<br /><br />Bill Snyder was a part of the revolution of K-State, and in doing so he proved, in my mind, what a proud sports program can do for a university. <a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=400&ATCLID=213181">This article </a>notes the enrollment growth at K-State during Snyder's time as coach. Obviously that was not entirely due to football, but putting a winning team on the field each fall helps. Manhattan is a college town, so it relies on K-State activities. When you add something like college football to the list of can't-miss activities, you open a huge pipeline for growth. So for the one-millionth time, thanks Coach!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2xzA_VHxdJk"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2xzA_VHxdJk" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />***<br /><br />It's preseason media time for Big 12 football. That means the people who get paid to write about Big 12 football <a href="http://www.big12sports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/071907aac.html">have voted on who will finish where</a>, among other things, in the conference.<br /><br />In the North, the writers predict the order of finish will be as follows: <br />1. Missouri<br />2. Nebraska<br />3. K-State<br />4. Kansas<br />5. Colorado<br />6. Iowa State<br />Hmm, I picked ISU over CU, but otherwise they just <a href="http://kstatecatzone.blogspot.com/2007/05/big-12-north-preview.html">ripped me off</a>. Or maybe not.<br /><br />In the South...<br />1. Texas<br />2. Oklahoma<br />3. Texas A&M<br />4. Oklahoma State<br />5. Texas Tech<br />6. Baylor<br />I <a href="http://kstatecatzone.blogspot.com/2007/06/big-12-south-and-overall-conference.html">predicted </a>less for A&M and more for Okie State. But I think this is the most wide-open year in the South in a while. I could honestly see Okie State winning the South this year. There, now you all know how crazy I am.<br /><br />In other prediction news, Michigan blog "Maize and Brew" has its Big 12 predictions up. Let's just say they predict a K-State-Texas showdown in San Antonio for the Big 12 title. I'd be okay with that, only about three hours from Houston to San Anton.<br /><br />Of course, all these predictions that don't include Nebraska winning the North have sent Husker fans into a tizzy. I'll just say this: all three of the projected top teams in the North (Mizzou, NU, K-State) have potential upside, along with serious questions marks. Mizzou lost a lot on a defense that wasn't very good to begin with. Nebraska also has serious defensive questions (defensive line, corners and safeties), not to mention a new QB and and lack of depth at running back. K-State could have the best defense of the three if the run defense stiffens up, but the offense is a huge question. We got a glimpse of what Josh Freeman can do last year...<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RqAF2Gi6R4I/AAAAAAAAASE/RjaepWsl8I0/s1600-h/utksu.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RqAF2Gi6R4I/AAAAAAAAASE/RjaepWsl8I0/s320/utksu.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5089074005956773762" /></a><br /><br />...and we got a glimpse of what Josh Freeman can do last year...<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RqAGqWi6R5I/AAAAAAAAASM/034GyxsCsaY/s1600-h/freeman.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RqAGqWi6R5I/AAAAAAAAASM/034GyxsCsaY/s320/freeman.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5089074903604938642" /></a><br /><br />Of course, a lot of this depends on the offensive line. If they protect Freeman and open some holes for the running backs, we could actually score some points. If not, well, it might be last year all over again.<br /><br />Either way, football's almost back. Forty-four more days til the Cats travel to Auburn for a primetime, nationally televised opener. And with that, you'll have to excuse me...<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-5120314511827897658?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-66554343693803786532007-07-18T18:45:00.001-07:002007-07-18T19:45:03.265-07:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rp7PhGi6R3I/AAAAAAAAAR8/PYbFw386fJY/s1600-h/Texas_OLD5.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rp7PhGi6R3I/AAAAAAAAAR8/PYbFw386fJY/s320/Texas_OLD5.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088732796574910322" /></a><br /><br /><em>"Bud Light presents, Real Men of Genius (Real Men of Genius!)<br />Today we salute you, Mr. Way Too Proud of Texas Guy (Mr. Way Too Proud of Texas Guy!)<br />Men from lesser states may know their state's capital, <br />But you, you know your state's bird, tree and even reptile (Love that horny toad!)<br />You display your pride with your Lone Star Tattoo, Native Texan bumper sticker, and contempt for any state that doesn't start with 'Tex' and end with '-as' (That spells Texas!)<br />Sure there are 49 other states in the Union,<br />But they're smaller, wussier, and the people talk funny (Yankee wussies!)<br />So crack open an ice-cold Bud Light oh lover of the Lone Star State,<br />Because all that flag-waving must have made you mighty thirsty (Mr. Way Too Proud of Texas Guy!)"</em><br /><br />Tonight, we wrap up our tour of Big 12 fanbases and their more out-of-control behavior in Austin. If you don't know the basis for this harebrained idea, hit <a href="http://kstatecatzone.blogspot.com/2007/06/ahh-fanbases.html">this post </a>first so you don't think that I really hate every Big 12 school.<br /><br />Anyway, on to UT. This was probably a bad school to do last, because there isn't a lot of media documentation of fans being arrogant.<br /><br />Fortunately, there is my own personal documentation of other forms of arrogance. In 2002, I witnessed UT kicker Dusty Mangum practice field goals at halftime in Manhattan...over K-State's marching band. Then the bastard made the <a href="http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/pages/winningtrads/greatgames.html">winning field goal </a>later that night. So, yeah, damn.<br /><br />One of the more entertaining moments of my undergraduate education occurred during my cultural anthropology class. Basically, my professor told us the <a href="http://www.answers.com/topic/hook-em-horns">origins of the hook 'em horns handsign</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rp7EV2i6RuI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/DS5vPo_eA-o/s1600-h/hookem.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rp7EV2i6RuI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/DS5vPo_eA-o/s320/hookem.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088720508673476322" /></a><br /><br />So from now on, every time I see a Longhorn fan throw up the horns, I don't throw 'em up upside down, OU style. I stand there and say, "That sucks that your wife is cheating on you and you don't have the balls to do anything about it. What can I do to help?"<br /><br />You should also be proud, UT. Despite the fact that you <a href="http://www.famoustexans.com/georgewbush.htm">declined him for your law school</a>, <a href="http://www.pollingreport.com/BushJob.htm">approximately 31 percent </a>of the country supports UT. That's an incredible percentage.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rp7E-Gi6RvI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/UXFJIWf6v0k/s1600-h/bushhookem.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rp7E-Gi6RvI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/UXFJIWf6v0k/s320/bushhookem.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088721200163210994" /></a><br /><br />Exciting as Austin can be...<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rp7IVGi6RwI/AAAAAAAAARE/dAVotQ1Yp6g/s1600-h/utfans1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rp7IVGi6RwI/AAAAAAAAARE/dAVotQ1Yp6g/s320/utfans1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088724893835085570" /></a><br /><br />...there has to be some down time, with little to do. Apparently the lull between the Lonestar Showdown (I guess that's what ABC calls it) and the 'horns bowl game last year proved to be one of those times. Further, the 'horns apparently aren't very good at dealing with losses, if <a href="http://www.theeagle.com/breakingnews/062507.php">this is what they do when they lose</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rp7I7Gi6RxI/AAAAAAAAARM/FWsHpVH-TFM/s1600-h/SAW-SIGN2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rp7I7Gi6RxI/AAAAAAAAARM/FWsHpVH-TFM/s320/SAW-SIGN2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088725546670114578" /></a><br /><br />That great law school, and they sue over...t-shirts?<br /><br />Anyway, Austin is a rather open-minded, accepting town, which means it's home to a lot of, uhh, alternative lifestyles. And I don't mean homosexuality, I just mean people who do their best to...<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rp7OD2i6R0I/AAAAAAAAARk/bJ2E1plQINA/s1600-h/keepaustinweird.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rp7OD2i6R0I/AAAAAAAAARk/bJ2E1plQINA/s320/keepaustinweird.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088731194552108866" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rp7M_2i6RyI/AAAAAAAAARU/i4J-k32NbD0/s1600-h/austinweird.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rp7M_2i6RyI/AAAAAAAAARU/i4J-k32NbD0/s320/austinweird.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088730026321004322" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rp7Ntmi6RzI/AAAAAAAAARc/kru7q4tPJRY/s1600-h/austinweird2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rp7Ntmi6RzI/AAAAAAAAARc/kru7q4tPJRY/s320/austinweird2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088730812300019506" /></a><br /><br />Apparently these people also double as trumpetists.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rp7OTGi6R1I/AAAAAAAAARs/WRyoctoe8eU/s1600-h/utband.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rp7OTGi6R1I/AAAAAAAAARs/WRyoctoe8eU/s320/utband.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088731456545113938" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rp7OcGi6R2I/AAAAAAAAAR0/qiq3zrZRSRs/s1600-h/utbandhats.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rp7OcGi6R2I/AAAAAAAAAR0/qiq3zrZRSRs/s320/utbandhats.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088731611163936610" /></a><br />--All hat, no cattle.--<br /><br />So that's it, friends. We have reached the end of our journey of shame through the Big 12. I suppose now I'll have to get back to posting actual content. In the next few weeks I'll try to do some basic outlines of K-State's opponents this year, as well as make some more crazy off-season lists. If there's anything you want listed, let me know.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-6655434369380378653?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-9639972357033565822007-07-17T18:15:00.000-07:002007-07-17T19:12:18.999-07:00Wildcat fans in particular, and possibly fans of other schools, remember the <a href="http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2006/nov/20/kstate_bus_riders_hit_overpass/">Cat Tracker incident </a>in Lawrence last year. In case you've forgotten, one man was killed and another suffered a serious head injury when the double-decker party bus went under an overpass (they were standing on the roof). A terrible tragedy that was totally preventable.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rp1rqmi6RtI/AAAAAAAAAQs/TlsRGJKm244/s1600-h/cattracker.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rp1rqmi6RtI/AAAAAAAAAQs/TlsRGJKm244/s320/cattracker.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088341533644179154" /></a><br /><br />Anyway, the good news this week is that Chris Orr, the man critically injured but not killed in the wreck, <a href="http://www.kansascity.com/sports/story/192584.html">is starting to regain his memory</a>. It's been quite the journey for the former sportswriter, who has recovered from injuries that left him in critical condition. Best of luck to you, Chris.<br /><br />Now, on to the news you knew would be coming after something like this happens. That's right, <a href="http://themercury.com/News/article.aspx?articleId=336fe4bfb6d941fd968a96b6733f92a9">a lawsuit has been filed</a>. The widow of victim John Green has sued the bus owner, Bob Pottroff (among others). This is a civil lawsuit, which means the widow (plaintiff) will have to establish the bus owners had a duty of care toward her husband, that they breached that duty, that their breach was the cause of her husband's death, and that damages resulted.<br /><br />***Note: None of this is legal advice, and none of it is based specifically on Kansas law. It's merely based on general principles of tort law, and is espoused by someone who is not a lawyer (yet).***<br /><br />The plaintiff probably can't establish a duty of care based merely on operation of the vehicle, because it didn't actively create a risk. Most likely, the plaintiff will have to establish there was a special relationship between the deceased and the driver. Is there a special relationship between the driver of a party bus and its passengers?<br /><br />If a duty is established, the plaintiff must next establish the defendant was negligent in performing that duty (or breached that duty). Negligence is the failure to conform one's actions to the standard of a reasonable person. Was it reasonable for a person in the defendant's position to know there were people on top of the bus, and if it was, was it reasonable to keep driving the bus with such knowledge? Seems pretty likely to me. Further, the driver was not licensed to drive a bus, and was driving the bus with people on top, which is against the law. A violation of the law is negligence per se, which means such a violation is presumed to be negligence. There is some issue of contributory negligence on the part of those who were standing on top of the bus as well.<br /><br />If a duty and a breach of that duty are established, we move on to causation. Causation is really freakin' complicated. Suffice it to say, it's likely provable to a jury that the continued driving of the bus with people on top led to the injuries (although there is an argument that the 'cause' was the victim climbing on top of the bus).<br /><br />Finally, if all elements are proven, we must ask if there were damages. Damages are pretty easy, we have a man dead. Further, he was a <a href="http://www.utu.org/print_news.cfm?ArticleID=31844">young, Kansas City-area businessman</a>. There could be a lot of future income at stake here, and this could end up being a fairly high dollar lawsuit, when you factor all types of damages in.<br /><br />Bob Pottroff is a <a href="http://www.pottroff.com/CM/XMLAttorneyProfile.asp?guid=I2562E4721DD211B2ABAEA4005203FBF9&ind_wld_id=1606956&pid=1">fairly high-powered</a>, if not universeally <a href="http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2006/nov/29/driver_bus_accident_not_licensed/?city_local">well-liked (in comments)</a>, Manhattan lawyer. He's the guy you turn to if you want to get out of a legal jam (and you have the money to pay for it). Maybe he can get himself out of this jam.<br /><br />Oh wait, forgot two things.<br /><br />1. Juries hate lawyers, especially lawyers as defendants.<br /><br />2. The plaintiff, the dead man's widow, was eight months pregnant at the time of the incident.<br /><br />Settle, Bob.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-963997235703356582?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-49020087352801684552007-07-17T05:20:00.000-07:002007-07-17T05:24:58.083-07:00Just so you know, the clip is JD Quinn, who was dismissed from OU's team last year for his fake job at some Norman, Okla., car dealership.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/DzNb2pD7Wcs"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/DzNb2pD7Wcs" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />So just to recap...<br />Gainfully employed journalist: "JD, what do you think of Oklahoma's penalties?"<br /><br />College student/athlete who's never had a real job in his life: "Get a real job."<br /><br />You missed your calling, JD. You should have been a Ruf/Nek.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-4902008735280168455?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-23611355740077867442007-07-15T17:43:00.000-07:002007-07-16T18:23:46.416-07:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpwYQmi6RsI/AAAAAAAAAQk/uOClGHpT3xM/s1600-h/Texas_AM_OLD1.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpwYQmi6RsI/AAAAAAAAAQk/uOClGHpT3xM/s320/Texas_AM_OLD1.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087968352525764290" /></a><br /><br /><em>"Bud Light presents, Real Men of Genius (Real Men of Genius!)<br />Today we salute you, Mr. Way Too Proud of Texas Guy (Mr. Way Too Proud of Texas Guy!)<br />Men from lesser states may know their state's capital, <br />But you, you know your state's bird, tree and even reptile (Love that horny toad!)<br />You display your pride with your Lone Star Tattoo, Native Texan bumper sticker, and contempt for any state that doesn't start with 'Tex' and end with '-as' (That spells Texas!)<br />Sure there are 49 other states in the Union,<br />But they're smaller, wussier, and the people talk funny (Yankee wussies!)<br />So crack open an ice-cold Bud Light oh lover of the Lone Star State,<br />Because all that flag-waving must have made you mighty thirsty (Mr. Way Too Proud of Texas Guy!)"</em><br /><br />We're starting to get to the end of our journey through the goofier side of the Big 12. For a little refresher on what this is all about, hit <a href="http://kstatecatzone.blogspot.com/2007/06/ahh-fanbases.html">this link</a>. Basically, I heard on the news that a couple in Oklahoma, OU fans, judging by their shirts, had won a wedding...in Wal-Mart. Of course that inspired in me the typical "what a bunch of rednecks" response, but then I realized that's a trite reaction to news that could have easily happened in any other Big 12 state. So don't think I'm doing this out of spite for your team, I included my own team. Think of it as a handy reminder of your rival's downfalls next time they need to be reminded.<br /><br />So anyway, on to College Station. I had a huge misperception of A&M before I came to Texas. All I saw was the pageantry of games at Kyle Field (which, if you read this regularly, you know I love the pageantry of college football). I thought the Corps of Cadets were a revered group at A&M.<br /><br />Judging by Aggie fans I've met since moving here, I could not have been more wrong. Some of them told me they wouldn't piss on the quad if it was on fire.<br /><br />Now don't get me wrong. It's great that A&M contributes to the United States Armed Services. But some of the Corps, uh, activities hardly seem to be related to that end.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpwRwWi6RiI/AAAAAAAAAPU/rtPv1T6h28A/s1600-h/Corps2Haze.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpwRwWi6RiI/AAAAAAAAAPU/rtPv1T6h28A/s320/Corps2Haze.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087961201405216290" /></a><br /><br />There's also a fine line between celebrating your military heritage and being an out-of-control mob of angry Texans. At least a few times in history, members of the Corps have <a href="http://media.www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2002/10/30/Opinion/Violence.Following.Nebraska.Game.Disgusting-515717.shtml">gotten into fights with fans of other teams </a>who have trespassed on the sacred ground that is the Kyle Field grass.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpwSU2i6RjI/AAAAAAAAAPc/X_xcAhEPYFw/s1600-h/corpsonfieldnu.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpwSU2i6RjI/AAAAAAAAAPc/X_xcAhEPYFw/s320/corpsonfieldnu.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087961828470441522" /></a><br /><br />So let's recap. Because some <a href="http://media.www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2001/11/06/MailCall/Mail-Call-516272.shtml">total idiots from another school </a>go out on your field, you run out there, get out your sabers, and cause mass chaos. I realize you are in a military-type group and Kyle Field is your 'home base,' but you're not Marines and this ain't Fallujah. Surely your security can take care of a few drunken Cornhuskers.<br /><br />Like I said, I like the pageantry of college football, so traditions are high on my list. But as I found out once I moved to Texas, if they do it once at A&M, it's a mistake. If they do it twice, it's a tradition.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpwUQ2i6RlI/AAAAAAAAAPs/PsWwbkrlS0I/s1600-h/aggiesqueeze.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpwUQ2i6RlI/AAAAAAAAAPs/PsWwbkrlS0I/s320/aggiesqueeze.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087963958774220370" /></a><br />--Ouch--<br /><br />Unfortunately for Aggies, sometimes their players take their traditions just a little too seriously, like this one I witnessed in person last fall.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpwVOGi6RnI/AAAAAAAAAP8/jVYo9p-rc1c/s1600-h/illegalparticipation.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpwVOGi6RnI/AAAAAAAAAP8/jVYo9p-rc1c/s320/illegalparticipation.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087965011041207922" /></a><br />--Home of the 12th Man--<br /><br />Now unlike some people...<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpwTumi6RkI/AAAAAAAAAPk/tdav0qE1UtE/s1600-h/newspaper.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpwTumi6RkI/AAAAAAAAAPk/tdav0qE1UtE/s320/newspaper.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087963370363700802" /></a><br /><br />...I actually believe A&M is a pretty good institution, academically (I should have noted yesterday that Baylor is, as well). But between its agricultural and military training, apparently there isn't much instruction on meteorology, or basic shop class.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpwUnmi6RmI/AAAAAAAAAP0/bDjHW_0rtG8/s1600-h/aggierita.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpwUnmi6RmI/AAAAAAAAAP0/bDjHW_0rtG8/s320/aggierita.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087964349616244322" /></a><br /><br />So Aggies, while you may often end up at the butt of jokes made by those evil UT and Baylor fans...<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpwVqmi6RoI/AAAAAAAAAQE/fElUQJSbMFc/s1600-h/squeeze-em-off.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpwVqmi6RoI/AAAAAAAAAQE/fElUQJSbMFc/s320/squeeze-em-off.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087965500667479682" /></a><br /><br />...you always have a loving home in Houston!<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpwWk2i6RrI/AAAAAAAAAQc/jHlpL3i3wpY/s1600-h/evacuation.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpwWk2i6RrI/AAAAAAAAAQc/jHlpL3i3wpY/s400/evacuation.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087966501394859698" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-2361135574007786744?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-84339788872252019522007-07-15T09:48:00.000-07:002007-07-15T10:32:44.321-07:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RppZCWi6RhI/AAAAAAAAAPM/0gIfpcvO8tI/s1600-h/Baylor_OLD11.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RppZCWi6RhI/AAAAAAAAAPM/0gIfpcvO8tI/s320/Baylor_OLD11.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087476626015012370" /></a><br /><br /><em>"Bud Light presents, Real Men of Genius (Real Men of Genius!)<br />Today we salute you, Mr. Way Too Proud of Texas Guy (Mr. Way Too Proud of Texas Guy!)<br />Men from lesser states may know their state's capital, <br />But you, you know your state's bird, tree and even reptile (Love that horny toad!)<br />You display your pride with your Lone Star Tattoo, Native Texan bumper sticker, and contempt for any state that doesn't start with 'Tex' and end with '-as' (That spells Texas!)<br />Sure there are 49 other states in the Union,<br />But they're smaller, wussier, and the people talk funny (Yankee wussies!)<br />So crack open an ice-cold Bud Light oh lover of the Lone Star State,<br />Because all that flag-waving must have made you mighty thirsty (Mr. Way Too Proud of Texas Guy!)"</em><br /><br />Today we swing south into the heart of central Texas to honor those hardy folks who have the bad fortune to be Baylor fans. Some of them also have the misfortune of living in a city, Waco, that I've lovingly referred to as the "<a href="http://kstatecatzone.blogspot.com/2007/05/week-in-review-520.html">shithole</a>" in previous posts. The good people over at <a href="http://bearmeat.blogspot.com">BearMeat</a> tell me the town grows on you. That's probably true, and I should be more open-minded, but rashes grow on you as well. I shall give the town another try, however.<br /><br />Speaking of being open-minded, we needn't worry about encountering any of that wild mindset in Waco. I give credit to Baylor for keeping its Baptist principles in what can be a scary world, but sometimes I think you have to wonder whether Waco realizes it's not 1907 anymore.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RppTRWi6RcI/AAAAAAAAAOk/NDCcct3M2X8/s1600-h/bayloroldschool.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RppTRWi6RcI/AAAAAAAAAOk/NDCcct3M2X8/s320/bayloroldschool.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087470286643283394" /></a><br />--Waco, home of hoop skirts and bouffant hair--<br /><br />Such fastidious adherence to principles often leads to some head-scratching results. For example:<br /><br />1. The always-reliable Wikipedia informs me <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dance">dancing has been around since about 3300 BC</a>. At Baylor, it's been around <a href="http://www.baylor.edu/pr/news.php?action=story&story=1052">since 1996</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RppU9Gi6RdI/AAAAAAAAAOs/5_E8WPke9ik/s1600-h/dancing.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RppU9Gi6RdI/AAAAAAAAAOs/5_E8WPke9ik/s320/dancing.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087472137774187986" /></a><br />--Snap yo fingas, do yo step, you can do it all by yoself!--<br /><br />2. To the great dismay of all who have had to endure years of bad football and basketball at Baylor, <a href="http://www.baylor.edu/student_policies/index.php?id=32251">alcohol has no place on campus </a>to provide comfort through the endless suffering.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RppV72i6ReI/AAAAAAAAAO0/NkTl6NuVW0s/s1600-h/baylor1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RppV72i6ReI/AAAAAAAAAO0/NkTl6NuVW0s/s320/baylor1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087473215810979298" /></a><br />--You just know she's jonesin' for a tumbler of Maker's Mark--<br /><br />3. Baylor is a place where years of service and money donated can be taken away for an inconsequential little thing like being gay. <a href="http://advocate.com/exclusive_detail_ektid22846.asp">This guy </a>is a grad, served the university for 18 years, donated $65,000, and raised money for an endowed scholarship...and then was told to take a hike.<br /><br />4. Apparently, homosexuality is such an abomination in the eyes of the Bears that <a href="http://www.baylor.edu/Lariat/news.php?action=story&story=35546">quotes by gay people can't even be read on campus</a>. I wonder if the poems of Whitman, the music of Tchaikovsky, and the economics of Keynes are taboo, as well?<br /><br />But the bears are fair. They discriminate against cheaters who tarnish the university's good name just as they do those who dedicate their gay life to helping...<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RppYbGi6RfI/AAAAAAAAAO8/IqwvTKoMhKQ/s1600-h/davebliss.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RppYbGi6RfI/AAAAAAAAAO8/IqwvTKoMhKQ/s320/davebliss.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087475951705146866" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RppYpmi6RgI/AAAAAAAAAPE/AJaws0SUUJs/s1600-h/dotson.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RppYpmi6RgI/AAAAAAAAAPE/AJaws0SUUJs/s320/dotson.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087476200813250050" /></a><br /><br />Next up: The Aggies<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-8433978887225201952?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-80085448029838017222007-07-14T18:58:00.000-07:002007-07-14T20:04:07.828-07:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpmHrWi6RZI/AAAAAAAAAOM/B87fhPEPcHw/s1600-h/Texas_Tech.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpmHrWi6RZI/AAAAAAAAAOM/B87fhPEPcHw/s320/Texas_Tech.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087246432947815826" /></a><br /><br /><em>"Bud Light presents, Real Men of Genius (Real Men of Genius!)<br />Today we salute you, Mr. Way Too Proud of Texas Guy (Mr. Way Too Proud of Texas Guy!)<br />Men from lesser states may know their state's capital, <br />But you, you know your state's bird, tree and even reptile (Love that horny toad!)<br />You display your pride with your Lone Star Tattoo, Native Texan bumper sticker, and contempt for any state that doesn't start with 'Tex' and end with '-as' (That spells Texas!)<br />Sure there are 49 other states in the Union,<br />But they're smaller, wussier, and the people talk funny (Yankee wussies!)<br />So crack open an ice-cold Bud Light oh lover of the Lone Star State,<br />Because all that flag-waving must have made you mighty thirsty (Mr. Way Too Proud of Texas Guy!)"</em><br /><br />In our quest to honor each Big 12 fanbase, today we cross into Lone Star country. A place that flies the flags of <a href="http://www.house.state.tx.us/resources/flag/history.htm">all six former sovereigns </a>over her hallowed land (Texas gets around). The home of 22 million rather proud people.<br /><br />We'll start off on the South Plains, which is actually in the north. Lubbock is home to the hallowed academic halls of Texas Tech University. Academics are so important at Tech that they teach spelling at the football games, too.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpmB2mi6RWI/AAAAAAAAAN0/EVmxcqzYSHE/s1600-h/TCEH.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpmB2mi6RWI/AAAAAAAAAN0/EVmxcqzYSHE/s320/TCEH.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087240029151577442" /></a><br /><br />I thought third-grade spelling was a prerequisite for college.<br /><br />Never having been to Lubbock I don't know personally, but I've heard they do a fine job with culinary arts as well. They're so proud of their food, in fact, that they like to share them with other fans at the football games. And by sharing, I mean <a href="http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/big12/stories/MYSA110606.9D.big12centerpiece.2df389a.html">flinging them very hard </a>throughout the expanse of Jones Stadium.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpmC3Wi6RXI/AAAAAAAAAN8/oRET2tVsr3c/s1600-h/tortillas.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpmC3Wi6RXI/AAAAAAAAAN8/oRET2tVsr3c/s320/tortillas.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087241141548107122" /></a><br /><br />Mike Leach's Air Raid attack has brought a lot of excitement to Tech on the gridiron. His quarterbacks routinely put up PS2-type numbers, and the <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/recap?gid=200410090086">scoreboard can barely keep up</a>. Unfortunately, it appears the game is a little too exciting for some fans...<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rFxwOLbImcU"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rFxwOLbImcU" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />Apparently Tech also has a reputation for having the <a href="http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2000/11/02/Sports/Tortillas.Taunts.Await.Horns.In.Lubbock-700678.shtml">meanest fans in the conference</a>. I realize there is little to do in beautiful west Texas...<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpmIXmi6RaI/AAAAAAAAAOU/XaCxWzkcSa8/s1600-h/duststorm.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpmIXmi6RaI/AAAAAAAAAOU/XaCxWzkcSa8/s320/duststorm.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087247193157027234" /></a><br /><br />...but videotaping yourselves vandalizing a visiting team's big rig doesn't seem like the brightest way to pass the time.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Qs6qjYt90_A"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Qs6qjYt90_A" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />Alas, I can't hate Tech fans, when this is their weatherman...<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qSPcMXWJjUg"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qSPcMXWJjUg" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><br />***Special addition: Here is a supplement to this week's prior <a href="http://kstatecatzone.blogspot.com/2007/07/tribute-to-big-12-fanbases-part-viii.html">tribute to Oklahoma</a>. Enjoy! (Thanks to <a href="http://thewizardofodds.blogspot.com">The Wizard of Odds</a>)<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpmOf2i6RbI/AAAAAAAAAOc/tC2bevhof-c/s1600-h/OU2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpmOf2i6RbI/AAAAAAAAAOc/tC2bevhof-c/s400/OU2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087253931960714674" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-8008544802983801722?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-85429093168804476962007-07-12T17:35:00.001-07:002007-07-13T05:26:15.293-07:00I've been so wrapped up in these fanbase tributes the past week or two that I've missed some news from Manhattan. Here are the latest dispatches from the Little Apple...<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpbUqGi6RVI/AAAAAAAAANs/YcKauKZZwq4/s1600-h/Kansasstatesign.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086486648938186066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpbUqGi6RVI/AAAAAAAAANs/YcKauKZZwq4/s200/Kansasstatesign.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Michael Beasley led the USA U-19 team to a gold medal at last week's Global Games. Now he's in Serbia, <a href="http://www.kansascity.com/sports/story/186661.html">liking everything except the food, apparently</a>. He's managed to find time to talk to the <a href="http://cjonline.com/stories/071007/cat_183444625.shtml">Topeka Capitol-Journal </a>and the <a href="http://www.kansascity.com/sports/story/186661.html">KC Star </a>this week, despite traveling with the U-19 team and finishing up an Intro to Leadership summer class. Well, that last item probably wasn't too taxing, but he has been a busy man this summer.<br /><br />I see some encouraging things from his recent comments. I think the chief concern with Beasley is his <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/11/AR2007031101466.html">attitude and effort</a>. At a minimum, he's saying all the right things...<br /><br /><br /><blockquote>“I don’t think either one of us (him or Bill Walker) has to be the star. We’ve got to be a team if we want to win.”</blockquote><br /><br />Mixed messages on how he's liking Manhattan. At least he didn't come out and say it sucked (did you really think he would?) and he's trying to make the adjustment.<br /><br /><br /><blockquote>"It’s just slow. It’s not the big city. I’ve got to like it, though. It’s home."</blockquote><br /><br />Ok, so Manhattan isn't hopping, and he's too young to get into the bars in Aggieville (let's hope he doesn't try). But he does seem to love Manhattan in a more important respect...<br /><br /><br /><blockquote>"But I just feel welcomed out there, I feel loved out there. I think every player should go somewhere where they feel loved and they have supportive fans. Whether they have a 50-point game or a three-point game, I just feel like I can be myself."<br /></blockquote><br /><br />Talk is cheap, though, and as such it's things like this that have me excited to see Beasley donning the Purple and White.<br /><br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cntF7Lv7XtU"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cntF7Lv7XtU" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpbUqGi6RVI/AAAAAAAAANs/YcKauKZZwq4/s1600-h/Kansasstatesign.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086486648938186066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpbUqGi6RVI/AAAAAAAAANs/YcKauKZZwq4/s200/Kansasstatesign.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />While we're on the subject of talking, basketball coach Frank Martin hasn't exactly been silent this summer. When he has been speaking, he's been hyping Michael Beasley. First he said <a href="http://www.kansascity.com/165/story/149595.html">Beasley could have a Kevin Durant-like impact on the Big 12</a>, and that he was a better high school player than Durant. Now, let's set this in context. He said this at a Catbacker (read, booster) function in McPherson, Kan. He was rallying the troops and all that stuff. I've heard he didn't even realize the press was in the building. It's whatever to me, he's setting the bar high. I don't really give a damn what the fans of other programs think about that comment, because they don't know how good he'll be, either. Personally, I doubt he'll put up Durant's numbers, but I'll bet he does pretty damn well.<br /><br />Then, Martin dropped this one in the <a href="http://www.kansascity.com/sports/story/186661.html">KC Star today</a>...<br /><br /><br /><blockquote>"He doesn’t go around telling people he’s good. He’s got a fire burning in his belly,” Martin said. “He’s as good a player as there is in the country.”</blockquote><br /><br />Hell, he doesn't need to tell people how good he is. He has Frank Martin for that.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpbUqGi6RVI/AAAAAAAAANs/YcKauKZZwq4/s1600-h/Kansasstatesign.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086486648938186066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpbUqGi6RVI/AAAAAAAAANs/YcKauKZZwq4/s200/Kansasstatesign.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />In other news, <a href="http://www.kansascity.com/sports/story/185156.html">Bob Huggins made a desperate media-relations plea in the KC Star to sell his $650,000 shack in Manhattan</a>. Huggins has been gone for three months now and hasn't been able to sell his house in a booming housing market. Now granted, not very many of the 14,000 soldiers and families of the Big Red One are able to afford that kind of pad, but surely some roller in Manhattan wants a house out near <a href="http://colberthills.com/page/64-1611.htm">Colbert Hills</a>.<br /><br />Look, I don't doubt Huggins enjoyed his time at K-State. He was welcomed like a god, and Manhattan is a small town similar to the one he grew up in. And I can't blame him for wanting to go home. I want to move closer to home, too. But forgive me for not getting all teary eyed about the Huggins "era" at K-State. It is what it is, and touching is not an adjective that describes it.<br /><br /><br />Jesus, can football season get here any slower? Without games and other activities to write about, I'll have to keep looking for other items to fill the time. On that note, we will soon embark on our dangerous adventure into the Lone Nut...err...Star state to lampoon the southernmost Big 12 schools and their fans. It may take a while, the pictures of goofy A&amp;M fans (I mean, Corp members) could have their own subcategory on Google.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-8542909316880447696?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-59478013979462357682007-07-11T17:57:00.000-07:002007-07-12T04:59:21.941-07:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpWKgWi6RUI/AAAAAAAAANk/DerTqWys0Eo/s1600-h/ouhelmet.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpWKgWi6RUI/AAAAAAAAANk/DerTqWys0Eo/s320/ouhelmet.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086123642597295426" /></a><br /><br />I couldn't have chosen a more appropriate day to do a sarcastic tribute to a school and fanbase. In case you missed it, though I'm sure you didn't, <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2933008">OU was hit today with NCAA sanctions </a>stemming from <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2537332">Bomar-gate</a> in 2005.<br /><br />Bob Stoops and university president David Boren are going to whine to the NCAA that forfeiting all games from 2005 and losing a couple scholarships (among other things) is an excessive penalty. Good argument. First, having the record book wiped clean is a killer punishment. In reality it changes...nothing. Second...you did everything you could?! No you didn't! Bomar hadn't been working at the dealership for about four months before he finally got caught. Definitely compliance department vigilance at its best.<br /><br />I don't know about you, but this caught me totally off-guard. I mean, <a href="http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/071207dnspooulede.c8ab5b.html">it's not like OU has been in trouble six or seven times before</a> or anything.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpWA_efRQ7I/AAAAAAAAAM8/fCJ-SlZnM3A/s1600-h/switzer.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpWA_efRQ7I/AAAAAAAAAM8/fCJ-SlZnM3A/s320/switzer.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086113182189175730" /></a><br /><br />I guess none of this should shock us coming from a program, nay, an entire state that is named after cheaters. In case you didn't know, "Sooner" refers to those who cheated in the land runs way back in the day. I guess "The Red Dirt State" wasn't a sufficiently attractive moniker.<br /><br />Speaking of unattractive, they're not exactly Nebraska's cornhead hats, but what the hell is up with this? Do you wish you lived in the mid-19th century or something?<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpWFgOfRQ8I/AAAAAAAAANE/N0gJBG_1UQw/s1600-h/soonerhats.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpWFgOfRQ8I/AAAAAAAAANE/N0gJBG_1UQw/s320/soonerhats.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086118142876402626" /></a><br /><br />Undeniably scientific data shows Oklahoma is also the <a href="http://calorielab.com/news/2006/08/12/fattest-states-2006/">14th fattest state in the nation</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpWGROfRQ9I/AAAAAAAAANM/d8zGom7AzXM/s1600-h/uglysooner5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpWGROfRQ9I/AAAAAAAAANM/d8zGom7AzXM/s320/uglysooner5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086118984689992658" /></a><br /><br />Is it any wonder?<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpWJqOfRQ-I/AAAAAAAAANU/c8gpgG06F1U/s1600-h/uglysooner30.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpWJqOfRQ-I/AAAAAAAAANU/c8gpgG06F1U/s320/uglysooner30.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086122712721605602" /></a><br /><br /><br />Have a good one, OU fans. Crack open a lukewarm PBR, throw up the inverted horns when the team's playing Tulsa, and count down the days to your program's next NCAA sanctions. Only one more to tie with SMU, and you know what that means...<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpWJy-fRQ_I/AAAAAAAAANc/EG4zcSVcE3g/s1600-h/dp.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpWJy-fRQ_I/AAAAAAAAANc/EG4zcSVcE3g/s320/dp.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086122863045460978" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-5947801397946235768?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-13071406046451599792007-07-10T16:49:00.000-07:002007-07-10T17:42:53.962-07:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpQmYOfRQ6I/AAAAAAAAAM0/tmiqTlKOR4c/s1600-h/Oklahoma_St.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpQmYOfRQ6I/AAAAAAAAAM0/tmiqTlKOR4c/s320/Oklahoma_St.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085732076856099746" /></a><br />If you've hit this page looking for something about the "<a href="http://kstatecatzone.blogspot.com/2007/07/best-of-big-12.html">Best of the Big 12</a>," scroll down or hit the link in the list to your right. Further, if you haven't read one of my other fanbase tributes, I suggest you read a few of them, as well as the <a href="http://kstatecatzone.blogspot.com/2007/06/ahh-fanbases.html">original</a>, to understand what this series is all about.<br /><br />Anyway, onward and southward today to the land of still water. Unfortunately, this is one Big 12 town I've never had the privilege of visiting, and it's high on my list. However, maybe it's not so unfortunate that I haven't been there, as we shall see...<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Y-U171p0S5U"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Y-U171p0S5U" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object> <br /><br />Now far be it for me to criticize anyone's state (I'm a NebrasKansaTexan), but for some reason I've never been fond of the state of Oklahoma. Maybe it was being raised in Nebraska during the height of the NU-OU rivalry. Maybe it was going to K-State after Bob Stoops and company bolted with recruiting database in hand. Or maybe it's living on the south side of the Red River now. I don't know, but it's certainly possible that any or all of those have combined to lower my perceptions of the state. I should say one positive thing about good ol' OK...no cop there has ever given me a speeding ticket.<br /><br />I also think Oklahoma has gotten a reputation, rightly or wrongly, as a viciously redneck dump of a state. Like I said, I have no room to talk about that, given where I'm from. But here is my basic perception of Oklahoma...<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpQc_ufRQ1I/AAAAAAAAAMM/k6bhdl0skgw/s1600-h/okstfan1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpQc_ufRQ1I/AAAAAAAAAMM/k6bhdl0skgw/s320/okstfan1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085721760344654674" /></a><br /><br />I've always had a decent perception of Okie State, though, because I had a professor from there and it's a peer institution of K-State. One man speaks not for an entire university...<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kn2VvRVBjyM"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kn2VvRVBjyM" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object> <br /><br />...but a whole crowd cheering a (weak) headbutt does.<br /><br />I also see that Okie State hasn't bought into the state of <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/11/02/ballot.samesex.marriage/index.html">Oklahoma's bigotry with regard to homosexuality</a>, which also raises my perceptions of its culture of acceptance.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpQeEufRQ2I/AAAAAAAAAMU/lC8DEn5qjBQ/s1600-h/okstatewrestling.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpQeEufRQ2I/AAAAAAAAAMU/lC8DEn5qjBQ/s320/okstatewrestling.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085722945755628386" /></a><br /><br />Wait a second...I've just received breaking word that this photo refers to Okie State's strong wrestling program. Uhh, nice depiction.<br /><br />Anyway, it was recently established by <a href="http://www.burntorangenation.com/">PB at Burnt Orange Nation that the "molly" (X) is pure in Manhattan</a>, due to some excessively strange YouTube videos made by (presumably) a K-State fan. I also empirically established there's some serious overuse of the wacky tobaccy in Lawrence, because they have <a href="http://kstatecatzone.blogspot.com/2007/07/special-tribute-to-special-ku-fan.html">a guy over there who dresses up as a boxer to play rock, paper, scissors</a>. Thus, there seems to be a clear drug problem running through the Big 12. As you can see...<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpQfyufRQ3I/AAAAAAAAAMc/djQ6F2VWI5A/s1600-h/pistolpete.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpQfyufRQ3I/AAAAAAAAAMc/djQ6F2VWI5A/s320/pistolpete.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085724835541238642" /></a><br /><br />...Stillwater is no exception. Apparently this is some sort of counterculture Okie State logo, leading me to believe Stillwater is in the throes of a severe heroin or cocaine epidemic.<br /><br />Poke fans probably don't care much what I think, they have their own multi-billionaire...<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpQg0OfRQ4I/AAAAAAAAAMk/c0k3pnhOWkw/s1600-h/BoonePickens.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpQg0OfRQ4I/AAAAAAAAAMk/c0k3pnhOWkw/s320/BoonePickens.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085725960822670210" /></a><br /><br />...building them beautiful new sports playgrounds. I'm still scratching my head as to why the money will be spent <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=2286820">increasing capacity at Pickens Stadium</a>. Why they need more empty seats at each game, I don't know, but Boone Pickens is way richer than I. I'm also not sure why the Oklahoma athletic department needs $165 million, while the academic institution (my former prof informs me there actually is some book learnin' at OSU) gets none.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpQki-fRQ5I/AAAAAAAAAMs/D9-cxqoLY0I/s1600-h/oneroom.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpQki-fRQ5I/AAAAAAAAAMs/D9-cxqoLY0I/s320/oneroom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085730062516437906" /></a><br /><br />But again, Boone Pickens is way richer than I.<br /><br />So there you have it. We'll make a quick pit stop in Norman tomorrow to fill up on NCAA violations before we make the dangrous crossing of the Red River and begin our assault on the state of Texas.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-1307140604645159979?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-91490921438096441822007-07-09T16:15:00.000-07:002007-07-09T18:24:08.977-07:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpLeVOfRQ0I/AAAAAAAAAME/CgNlBh4b4nc/s1600-h/Big12logo.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpLeVOfRQ0I/AAAAAAAAAME/CgNlBh4b4nc/s400/Big12logo.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085371385502581570" /></a><br /><br />As I've said before, I love this conference. Sure, it's not perfect. The North hasn't been particularly competitive in football and basketball the last few years. We don't share our money like a real conference should. But it's still the conference I've spent most of my life watching, and that time has provided me some wonderful memories.<br /><br />Before I begin, I want to note that I'm not including anything dealing with K-State on any of these lists. I'm just too biased toward the Purple and White to be objective. Nothing wrong with that, I think it'd be a shame to go to any school you didn't love, but for purposes of this list K-State won't be included.<br /><br />Without further ado, we're off...<br /><br /><strong>Best City</strong><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpLFVefRQpI/AAAAAAAAAKs/R4uWdlKJ6PQ/s1600-h/austin.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085343902006854290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpLFVefRQpI/AAAAAAAAAKs/R4uWdlKJ6PQ/s400/austin.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Austin, Texas: I spent three days in this city in 2005 and fell in love. There isn't much not to like about ATX, it has great restaurants, <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpLEhOfRQoI/AAAAAAAAAKk/wwHwyyfTPl8/s1600-h/chuys.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085343004358689410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpLEhOfRQoI/AAAAAAAAAKk/wwHwyyfTPl8/s320/chuys.jpg" border="0" /></a> great bars, <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpLGNOfRQqI/AAAAAAAAAK0/-Si5bjRddoE/s1600-h/sixth.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085344859784561314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpLGNOfRQqI/AAAAAAAAAK0/-Si5bjRddoE/s320/sixth.jpg" border="0" /></a> and (lots of) hot women.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpLGvOfRQrI/AAAAAAAAAK8/v-rhCxO5dAs/s1600-h/texasgirls.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085345443900113586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpLGvOfRQrI/AAAAAAAAAK8/v-rhCxO5dAs/s320/texasgirls.bmp" border="0" /></a><br />(Cite to BON for that last pic)<br /><br />The best part, though, is it's a pretty laid-back town that just likes to have a good time. Unfortunately I've only been there twice so I haven't experienced everything I want. Some day I will be back for South by Southwest and Austin City Limits. This year I'll be in town for the football game when K-State comes to town. Can't wait...<br /><br />In fact, Austin is so good, I can't pick another city to put on a list with it. Obviously I love Manhattan, and Lincoln can be a good time, but I promised not to be too much of a homer and O Street in Lincoln is to Sixth Street what Scottie Pippen was to Michael Jordan.<br /><br /><strong>Dishonorable Mention, Worst City: Waco, TX</strong><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpLO5OfRQuI/AAAAAAAAALU/r6oetm63Gzg/s1600-h/waco3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpLO5OfRQuI/AAAAAAAAALU/r6oetm63Gzg/s320/waco3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085354411791827682" /></a><br /><br /><br />Why is it that I can find my way around Houston, but I get lost in Waco? That is a mystery that will perplex me til the end of time. Actually, it won't, because I don't anticipate being back in Waco for a long time, if ever. About the only worthwhile reason I can think of to visit Waco would be to hang out with the hilarious writers of the <a href="http://bearmeat.blogspot.com">BearMeat blog</a>, which I recently added to my links on this page. Check it out, it's non-stop hilarity over there.<br /><br />Moving on...<br /><br /><strong>Best Songs</strong><br /><br />You might say I have music in my blood (my dad's a choir director), so I tend to listen a little more intently to the songs of other schools. As such, I give you my favorites. Some of them aren't particularly musical, but I find them amusing nonetheless. These are in no particular order, by the way.<br /><br />1. <a href="http://fightmusic.com/big12.html">The Aggie War Hymn (Texas A&M)</a>: Criticize it all you want for being obsessively focused on UT (or TU), I love this song. I'm a sucker for the pageantry of college football, and this song and its attendant "actions" has that in spades. Hell, <a href="http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/MikeHarris918/35858/">the stadium moves when the crowd sways from side to side</a>. And yes, Aggies, I know it's left foot forward, because the Aggie is never left behind. You may have some <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMmhnqUXseE">headscratchers</a> as far as traditions go, but I love this one.<br /><br />2. <a href="http://fightmusic.com/big12.html">Crimson and Blue (KU)</a>: Yes, I just put a KU song on my list. Although I don't think KU is far above any golden valleys, nor particularly glorious to view, some people certainly do, and who am I to disparage a well-written song? Plus, I think I cursed the 'beaks by singing along to this song when I went to the Sunflower Showdown game in 2006 that ended the Cats' long losing streak to KU. As you shall see, there's a trend there...<br /><br />3. <a href="http://fightmusic.com/big12.html">The Eyes of Texas (UT)</a>: Ok, not the most musical of songs, but again it's kind of a symbol of the pomp and circumstance of college football. And yes, Texans, we realize you'll be telling us how great you are 'til Gabriel blows his horn. And to let you know what I meant by a pattern earlier, I sang along to this song at the Erwin Center last year when, you guessed it, K-State won.<br /><br />Dishonorable Mention, Worst Song: Boomer Sooner (OU)<br /><br />I'd be remiss if I didn't note that the worst song in the entire conference is "Boomer Sooner." I'm not sure I've heard a less-musical song, including "Horse With No Name." We'd all be happier if this song was Sooner dead.<br /><br /><strong>Best Rivalries</strong><br /><br />I love watching games where you know both sides can't stand to lose to each other, and the players put it all on the line to win. These are the best of the conference, excluding <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/si_blogs/sioncampus/vent/2007/07/college-footballs-best-rivalries.html">K-State's rivals</a>, in no particular order.<br /><br />1. The Border War (KU vs. Mizzou): Hey, any rivalry that started with people killing each other has to be bitter. And oh, my, is it bitter. For those of you who don't know, this rivalry began pre-Civil War, when William Quantrill and his Border Ruffians (pro-slavery) crossed into Kansas (predominantly pro-freesoil) and raped and pillaged Kansas towns, particularly Lawrence. The jayhawkers responded in kind, aided by the thoroughly psychotic, but well-intentioned John Brown and his sons.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpLRyefRQvI/AAAAAAAAALc/A3UcinV5HcE/s1600-h/johnbrown.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpLRyefRQvI/AAAAAAAAALc/A3UcinV5HcE/s320/johnbrown.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085357594362594034" /></a><br /><br /><br />And for all you uptight bastards who want this called the "Border Showdown"...shut up. We realize it's not a real war, but it began as one. Deal with it. These games, whether it's basketball or football, are always on my list of must-see TV.<br /><br />2. The Red River Shootout (Oklahoma vs. Texas): Every time I cross the Red River, I can't help but think of this game. It's become a much more important game in recent years as OU returned to prominence, and then UT returned the favor. Most rivalries need something riding on the line, and this one has that in spades.<br /><br />The best part of this game for me? The blimp view of the stadium, with the burnt orange and the crimson almost perfectly delineating the respective teams' sections.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpLTiefRQwI/AAAAAAAAALk/qiUkFM9A95E/s1600-h/redriver.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpLTiefRQwI/AAAAAAAAALk/qiUkFM9A95E/s320/redriver.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085359518507942658" /></a><br /><br />3. The Bedlam Game (Oklahoma State vs. Oklahoma): In my opinion, in-state rivalries are the best. Everyone has a family member, or a coworker, or even a friend who loves the other team. Bragging rights for an entire year are at stake, and you can't underestimate bragging rights against people you have to deal with everyday. This is one of those rivalries where I like the basketball version as well or better, mostly because of a recent game at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, wherein I witnessed (via TV, of course) the highest energy level throughout a basketball game I've ever seen.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpLVW-fRQxI/AAAAAAAAALs/kf-cTQWoPPk/s1600-h/iba.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpLVW-fRQxI/AAAAAAAAALs/kf-cTQWoPPk/s320/iba.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085361519962702610" /></a><br /><br />4. The Backyard Brawl (Texas A&M vs. Texas): This one really started to heat up again this year, as A&M snapped a long losing streak to UT in football and almost swept the basketball series. To really turn up the burner, the Aggies need to start winning on a regular basis in football, and keep things up in basketball. Longhorn fans claim they hate OU a lot more and don't really care about A&M. That may be true right now, but I can guaran-damn-tee you they would be singing a different tune if they started losing more often to the ag school.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpLW-OfRQyI/AAAAAAAAAL0/CGu7Doft0yA/s1600-h/backyard.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpLW-OfRQyI/AAAAAAAAAL0/CGu7Doft0yA/s320/backyard.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085363293784195874" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Miscellaneous</strong><br /><br />Finally, here are some random things that don't fit into other categories...<br /><br />1. The Tunnel Walk (Nebraska): Like I said before, I love <a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=DGFU_qkp1MA">the pageantry and passion of college sports</a>. Thus, schools who really do something with their team's entrance to the field rate highly like me. That's why I like Ron Prince having a player from Kansas carry the Kansas flag, and another player carry the Stars and Stripes when the Cats run into Bill's House.<br /><br />Anyway, back to the Huskers. I've heard some of the things they've done with the Tunnel Walk lately have cheapened it a bit, but back in the day it was awesome. Everything stops, the music starts to play, the fans go nuts, and the camera shows the players coming out of the locker room. I've heard the coaches of some of the smaller schools that come to Lincoln keep their players in the locker room until it's over, not wanting them to get caught up in the moment and intimidated by the sea of red.<br /><br />2. Texas Cheerleaders: If I need to say anything more, you're either a woman or you're not interested in women. I'll break it down in one word: chaps.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpLc0ufRQzI/AAAAAAAAAL8/b9Eiennd_XA/s1600-h/POM.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpLc0ufRQzI/AAAAAAAAAL8/b9Eiennd_XA/s400/POM.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085369727645205298" /></a><br /><br /><br />Dishonorable Mention, Worst Miscellaneous: <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2054135">Oklahoma's Ruf/Neks</a><br /><br />The spelling is perfect for a school who bases its mascot on a bunch of people who were, well, thieves. How a group that runs around with fake guns and taunts opposing players achieves status as a student group boggles the mind. (Note: The administration did restrict the group...a little.)<br /><br />So there you have it. Those are a few of my favorite things.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-9149092143809644182?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-49076919306923203752007-07-08T09:42:00.000-07:002007-07-08T10:51:17.207-07:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpEjV-fRQnI/AAAAAAAAAKc/wOyrwFDYflA/s1600-h/cuhelmet.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084884314736378482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpEjV-fRQnI/AAAAAAAAAKc/wOyrwFDYflA/s320/cuhelmet.gif" border="0" /></a><br />Welcome to beautiful Colorado!<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpEZ_-fRQjI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/wTFJIzsf9mU/s1600-h/easternco.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084874041174606386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpEZ_-fRQjI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/wTFJIzsf9mU/s320/easternco.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Today we drop in on the fanbase that has, at least on Big 12 message boards, probably received the unofficial title of worst fanbase in the conference. That may be due to the large number of Husker fans who have nothing better to do than get on the Internet and tell everybody how great they are and how crappy every other program is, but it is undeniably true that CU fans have had their share of black eyes.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpEdN-fRQkI/AAAAAAAAAKE/ztv5C9l0aJw/s1600-h/cufan.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084877580227658306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpEdN-fRQkI/AAAAAAAAAKE/ztv5C9l0aJw/s320/cufan.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Although I've never been to Boulder, I've been told the football stadium is a beautiful place to take in a college football game. I suppose that's probably true, but I think it would be hard to enjoy the view while <a href="http://www.colorado.edu/news/releases/2006/268.html">marshmallows filled with coins, rocks and batteries were flying around your head</a>. I've also heard unofficial reports (take them with a grain of salt) of bottles and balloons filled with urine flying around. All this became embarrassingly evident on national TV when <a href="http://media.www.ucdadvocate.com/media/storage/paper538/news/2005/11/30/News/Football.Fans.Get.Rowdy.During.Game-1116903.shtml">the CU student section was emptied for throwing objects onto the field</a>, leading them to be chastised by the ABC announcers.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpEdkOfRQlI/AAAAAAAAAKM/73VLxo6V0f8/s1600-h/cuejection.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084877962479747666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpEdkOfRQlI/AAAAAAAAAKM/73VLxo6V0f8/s320/cuejection.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Coarseness doesn't seem to be limited to CU fans, either. Although to my knowledge not much was actually proved, numerous reports of sex as a recruiting tool and six rape allegations led to former coach Gary Barnett's downfall. Apparently logic isn't an emphasized course of study at CU, either, as the university has provided us these gems in the last few years:<br /><br />1. Gary Barnett, in his press conference addressing the rape allegations of female place kicker Katie Hnida, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/Central/02/19/colorado.football/">explained that Hnida was a "terrible" kicker, or, alternatively, "awful."</a><br /><br />I certainly see your logical connection, Gary. She was terrible, ergo she deserved to get raped by a teammate.<br /><br />2. Professor Ward Churchill also provided this well-thought-out equation: Victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks = Nazis<br /><br />Can't argue with those brilliant statements.<br /><br />Of course, maybe Barnett and Churchill were just taking a cue in idiotic statements from former CU President Betsy Hoffman. As you might have guessed by the name, former-president Hoffman is a woman. As such, I would have guessed she would find the c-word highly offensive.<br /><br />Nope.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.coloradodaily.com/articles/2004/06/16/news/news01.txt">Not only does she not find it particularly offensive, she has actually heard it used as a term of endearment</a>.<br /><br />I could not make this up if I tried.<br /><br />Just a hint for some of you out there, don't walk up to a woman you'd like to talk to and say "Hey c***, what's going on?" You won't get some, unless getting some for you entails a hard right cross to the face. Makes me wonder if CU should add an "NT" to its logo.<br /><br />Of course, maybe we shouldn't be so shocked by such shenanigans in a city where people announce to the world they will be smoking weed in public every April 20th, and then do so essentially unopposed by the local constabulary.<br /><br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HjQd4nzA59A"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HjQd4nzA59A" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />Alas, I have to give CU fans some credit. They just suffered through a nightmare football season in 2006, including a <a href="http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/sports/article/0,1299,DRMN_2_4965015,00.html">loss to Division I-AA Montana State </a>(who turned around the next week and lost to Chadron State). But at least this fan kept his sense of humor through it all...<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpEiaOfRQmI/AAAAAAAAAKU/qMuv_G3-DgM/s1600-h/drinkitoff.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084883288239194722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpEiaOfRQmI/AAAAAAAAAKU/qMuv_G3-DgM/s320/drinkitoff.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Thus concludes my tribute to the fanbases of the Big 12 North. For a break, my next post will detail what I consider the best of the Big 12. I need that break, because after it's done we shall move on to the teams of the South, and you know what that means...<a href="http://www.tshirthell.com/store/product.php?productid=704">Texas bashing</a>!!!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-4907691930692320375?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-11215519144878570092007-07-07T19:11:00.000-07:002007-07-08T07:07:48.856-07:00Apparently one tribute to KU fans wasn't enough, because I found a KU fan to top them all tonight. I was bored and flipping channels when I came across the World Rock Paper Scissors Championships on ESPN. Now first of all, the mere fact that ESPN is showing Rock Paper Scissors indicates the sad state of ESPN broadcasting these days. Even worse, the announcers and participants were trying to pass the game off as a strategic sport.<br /><br />Hold on a second.<br /><br />Ok, done with hysterical laugh.<br /><br />So anyway, it was one of those things that was so pitiful I couldn't help but watch. Plus, they have their own hotties for paper, rock and scissors.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpBexufRQbI/AAAAAAAAAI8/fPg7ZEc7Vx4/s1600-h/rpsh1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084668187687076274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpBexufRQbI/AAAAAAAAAI8/fPg7ZEc7Vx4/s320/rpsh1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpBe5-fRQcI/AAAAAAAAAJE/pjKe_eSxNHI/s1600-h/rpsh2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084668329420997058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpBe5-fRQcI/AAAAAAAAAJE/pjKe_eSxNHI/s320/rpsh2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpBfBufRQdI/AAAAAAAAAJM/F4NrDkXqL1Q/s1600-h/rpsh3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084668462564983250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpBfBufRQdI/AAAAAAAAAJM/F4NrDkXqL1Q/s320/rpsh3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So anyway, back to the point. Similar to the World Series of Poker, ESPN likes to do profiles of the competitors. One of them was of one Antoine Manuum. After a while, two things became clear...<br /><br />1. Manuum was a KU big fan. He wore KU shirts in several scenes of the profile. If you don't believe me, watch the replay on July 14, 4:00 p.m. on ESPN2.<br /><br />2. Manuum has some sort of severe personality disorder.<br /><br />I would try to describe it, but a picture is worth a thousand words.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpBgjefRQeI/AAAAAAAAAJU/WZq1Yhz7bVc/s1600-h/rps3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084670141897196002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpBgjefRQeI/AAAAAAAAAJU/WZq1Yhz7bVc/s400/rps3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpBgvefRQfI/AAAAAAAAAJc/_MMsJd9h5h4/s1600-h/rps.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084670348055626226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpBgvefRQfI/AAAAAAAAAJc/_MMsJd9h5h4/s400/rps.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpBg2efRQgI/AAAAAAAAAJk/0UGtCyK4Q20/s1600-h/rps2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084670468314710530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpBg2efRQgI/AAAAAAAAAJk/0UGtCyK4Q20/s400/rps2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />In case you couldn't tell, the back of his boxer's robe reads "Antoine Shears Manuum." That's right, in the ultra-violent sport of rock, paper, scissors, we have intimidating nicknames like "Shears."<br /><br />So let's break this down. Here is a guy, who competes in the silliest non-sport I've ever seen, and does it while dressed in a boxing robe and oven mitts (<a href="http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/05/14/news/rock.php">because his "hands are too hot"</a>). Mere words cannot express my incredulity upon viewing this on ESPN tonight.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.burntorangenation.com/">molly may be pure in Manhattan</a>, but the grass is undoubtedly laced in Lawrence.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpBi_-fRQhI/AAAAAAAAAJs/b2bxMD7tvZE/s1600-h/lbs.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RpBi_-fRQhI/AAAAAAAAAJs/b2bxMD7tvZE/s320/lbs.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084672830546723346" /></a><br />(This picture bears absolutely no relation to this post, but whenever I'm ripping on KU, I feel obligated to post it.)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-1121551914487857009?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-36436329667129861862007-07-07T11:57:00.000-07:002007-07-07T12:40:52.889-07:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Ro_qQ-fRQaI/AAAAAAAAAI0/tXpR4w20G38/s1600-h/helmet.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084540081697538466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Ro_qQ-fRQaI/AAAAAAAAAI0/tXpR4w20G38/s320/helmet.gif" border="0" /></a><br />(If you don't know what this is about, <a href="http://kstatecatzone.blogspot.com/2007/06/ahh-fanbases.html">read this first</a>.)<br /><br />I have promised I am not a total homer, and today you shall see I am a man of my word. It's only fair that if I point out the flaws in other Big 12 fanbases to point out the flaws in my own. Obviously, I'll probably be a little more constructive in my criticism, but it's my blog, so you just have to deal with that. As such, today I proceed with my self-immolation.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Ro_ojOfRQZI/AAAAAAAAAIs/ko7xRPHeg-A/s1600-h/fire.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084538196206895506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Ro_ojOfRQZI/AAAAAAAAAIs/ko7xRPHeg-A/s320/fire.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My biggest frustration with K-State fans, particularly students (I was one, remember) is an attitude of rebeliousness for the sake of rebeliousness. I'm not a conformist, but if you're going to rebel, have something worth rebelling against. And no, <a href="http://media.www.kstatecollegian.com/media/storage/paper1022/news/2007/03/13/News/Standing.Alone-2773954.shtml">your "right" to yell the f-bomb in place of "hell" during the "Hey" song at home football/basketball games is not a worthwhile cause</a>. By doing so, you're not standing up for your free speech rights, you're being an asshole. Those athletes from the opposing team are not more intimidated by you yelling "We're gonna beat the fuck outta you!" than they are by you yelling "We're gonna beat the hell outta you!"<br /><br />Furthermore, don't tell me you're standing up for tradition. I came to K-State in 2002, and it was "hell" until about my junior or senior year, when the f-bomb started to leak into the song. Don't forget, there are children at these athletic contests, and if there's one thing that pisses me off it's using foul language in front of kids.<br /><br />Because I took Nebraska fans to task for "Sal is dead, go big red!" it's only fair that I should recognize such despicability in my own fanbase. I won't dignify the link by posting it, but let's just say some K-State fans used their stunning Photoshop skills to make some <a href="http://huskermike.blogspot.com/2006/10/little-classlessness-from-ksu-fans.html">thoroughly inappropriate farks of deceased Husker quarterback Brook Berringer</a>. I understand that we can't stand Nebraska because they beat us down for years and now hate us because we had the audacity to become competitive with them, but there's no excuse for this.<br /><br />Also, why use Brook Berringer as a target? <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brook_Berringer">He was a Kansan, and was a good person</a>. If you're going to be a jerk, at least take on somebody like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_Phillips">Lawrence Phillips </a>or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Peter">Christian Peter</a>, who are worthy targets of scorn.<br /><br />Finally, with a citation to <a href="http://www.burntorangenation.com/">PB over at Burnt Orange Nation</a>, I offer the following videos, ostensibly produced by a fan of K-State athletics.<br /><br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1DbHjgzP9NE"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1DbHjgzP9NE" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wpcrp6cTiEM"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wpcrp6cTiEM" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />There are more, but that's all I really felt like posting.<br /><br />Now, let me admit that I'm not nearly talented enough with videomaking equipment to make these videos. But dear God, what's the point of them? When I watch them, I don't think "Man that makes me proud to be a K-State fan!", but rather I think "Where's my crystal meth?!" (***Note, I do not use illegal drugs***) I can't really comment on whether the molly is pure in Manhattan, as PB believes it to be, but videos like that give me little reason to doubt him.<br /><br />There you have it. Football season really needs to hurry up and get here.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-3643632966712986186?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-34783425257454698262007-07-05T10:23:00.000-07:002007-07-06T16:50:21.470-07:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Ro7T5ufRQYI/AAAAAAAAAIk/UjRKqH4Xa1k/s1600-h/helmet.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084234018033058178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Ro7T5ufRQYI/AAAAAAAAAIk/UjRKqH4Xa1k/s320/helmet.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><br />(Once again, if you don't know the premise for this, check out <a href="http://kstatecatzone.blogspot.com/2007/06/ahh-fanbases.html">this post </a>first.)<br /><br />Today we move west across the hallowed Kansas-Missouri border and stop at that school to the east, Harvard-on-the-Kaw. Here, we have the "flagship university of Kansas" populated by students from JoCo, Chicago, St. Louis and Denver.<br /><br />At KU, there are a lot of likeable Kansas natives, and if I can say anything good about them, it's that they don't make the Nebraskian claim to having the greatest fans in college sports. That's probably a good thing, because Nebraska fans themselves <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/recap?gid=200311080020">found out what great hosts the 'beaks can be in 2003</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Ro59vufRQTI/AAAAAAAAAH8/QrC25JOeFfM/s1600-h/tire.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084139288234377522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Ro59vufRQTI/AAAAAAAAAH8/QrC25JOeFfM/s320/tire.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Small-town hospitality at its finest.<br /><br />Maybe it's only natural that KU fans should have a hatred for opponents' vehicles,<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Ro7Sf-fRQWI/AAAAAAAAAIU/N7yWZN16eLY/s1600-h/noose.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084232476139798882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Ro7Sf-fRQWI/AAAAAAAAAIU/N7yWZN16eLY/s320/noose.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />because their own athletes have had so many problems involving vehicles. Who could forget Dion Rayford, who <a href="http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2000/apr/13/kus_rayford_sentenced/">got stuck in a Taco Bell window after the workers forgot his chalupa</a>? I've never tried them, but those must be some damn tasty chalupas in order to get a very large man to crawl through a very small window. Or Jeff Hawkins, who was so excited to get some McDonald's fries at 2 a.m. <a href="http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_km4479/is_200602/ai_n16341454">he tried to cut in the drive-thru line</a>.<br /><br />Of course, that's all off-the-field stuff. Now it's hardly a secret that KU hasn't enjoyed a lot of success in football recently, <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Ro6EtufRQUI/AAAAAAAAAIE/edDUzzpXLhw/s1600-h/badgame.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084146950456033602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Ro6EtufRQUI/AAAAAAAAAIE/edDUzzpXLhw/s320/badgame.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />so it'd only be natural for them to get a little excited the last few years when they've had more to cheer about on the gridiron. Of course, <a href="http://www2.kusports.com/news/2006/nov/29/some_ku_weary_goalpost_overkill/?football">what starts out as a little well-deserved exuberation eventually becomes an image of not knowing what it's like to win</a>. Just for documentation, KU fans have now charged the field AND TORN DOWN THEIR GOALPOSTS <a href="http://www2.kusports.com/news/2006/nov/29/some_ku_weary_goalpost_overkill/?football">six times since 2003</a>. And let's take a gander at which teams were the victims of such momentous victories that mass destruction had to occur:<br /><br />2003: Missouri, 8-5 record<br />2004: K-State, 4-7<br />2005: Iowa State, 7-5<br />2005: Nebraska, 8-4<br />2005: Missouri, 7-5<br />2006: K-State, 7-5<br /><br />I will give them passes on the 2004 K-State game (first win over K-State in 11 years), and 2005 Nebraska game (first win over Nebraska in 1,058,284 years). But the games against Mizzou? Ok, so they're your big Border War rival, but they're not very good and you beat them about every other year as it is. And a half pass on the 2005 Iowa State game, as that got the 'beaks bowl eligible.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Ro7RuefRQVI/AAAAAAAAAIM/ENHfmOHDXP4/s1600-h/riot.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084231625736274258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Ro7RuefRQVI/AAAAAAAAAIM/ENHfmOHDXP4/s320/riot.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />(This is probably a Mizzou fan, but it pretty well sums up the KU football fan mindset.)<br /><br />So thanks, KU fans, because we know that no matter how bad our own football seasons will be, you'll beat a 2-7 Colorado team and tear down your goalposts.<br /><br />I would go off on KU basketball fans, but a humble K-Stater doesn't have much room to talk about basketball these days. So I'll simply offer you this, and turn my lonely eyes toward another basketball season with high hopes ready to be dashed. Always a bridesmaid...<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Ro7TyefRQXI/AAAAAAAAAIc/542L_7aSDUM/s1600-h/bridesmaid.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084233893479006578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Ro7TyefRQXI/AAAAAAAAAIc/542L_7aSDUM/s320/bridesmaid.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />***Next up, TB performs an act of self-immolation by pointing out certain behavior of K-State fans that thoroughly irritates him.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-3478342525745469826?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-67105567447266491552007-07-04T08:09:00.001-07:002007-07-04T08:10:50.470-07:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rou4TufRQRI/AAAAAAAAAHs/qOpdUJq1hbc/s1600-h/happy4th.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rou4TufRQRI/AAAAAAAAAHs/qOpdUJq1hbc/s400/happy4th.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5083359253453947154" /></a><br /><br />Have a great holiday and celebrate our great country.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-6710556744726649155?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-25572630951328257852007-07-03T18:56:00.001-07:002007-07-03T18:56:36.226-07:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RoZkmOfRQKI/AAAAAAAAAGc/cL1SnOnvjdo/s1600-h/mizzou.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081859837421240482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RoZkmOfRQKI/AAAAAAAAAGc/cL1SnOnvjdo/s320/mizzou.gif" border="0" /></a><br />(***Note: If you don't know the premise for this, <a href="http://kstatecatzone.blogspot.com/2007/06/ahh-fanbases.html">check out this post</a>. Basically, I found myself making fun of Oklahoma fans for getting married in a Wal-Mart, and realized I should be equal opportunity about running down Big 12 fanbases/programs. And yes, I will include K-State.***)<br /><br />As we work our way south through the Big 12 fanbase roster, the next stop must be CoMo, or Columbia, Mo. I've only been to one Big 12 game in Columbia, and that was the K-State-MU basketball game in 2004. The first, last, and primary thing I will remember about that trip were my MU friends' first warning to me upon entering the old Hearnes Center...<br /><br />Watch out for the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Antlers">Antlers</a>.<br /><br />I'll give the Antlers a little credit. They're organized, which is more than you can say for most student fan groups. Unfortunately, organization combined with college creativity, a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herding_instinct">herd-behavior </a>mindset, and (I suspect) a whole lot of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kcs512/264094833/">beer </a>doesn't always lead to desirous results.<br /><br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/aCpgfJ4E6L4"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/aCpgfJ4E6L4" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />Sorry for making you watch that.<br /><br />Despite occasionally humorous pranks (such as the "car wreck" after Billy Tubbs' jogging incident), the Antlers are more known for cheap shots and <a href="http://floydslair.blogspot.com/2005/02/why-we-hate-mizzou-reason-25406.html">baiting</a>. I suppose some would say "That was pretty brave to repeat all that stuff to the players." Umm, not really. Do you really think the basketball coaches of a Baptist university that has recently been through a <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/mensbasketball/big12/2005-06-08-baylor-changes_x.htm">major scandal </a>were going to let their players beat up some redneck from Missouri?<br /><br />What's more...you're shit-talking on Baylor?! Isn't that kind of like telling your little brother you're going to beat him up? I guess Mizzou hasn't had a lot to cheer about in basketball recently <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RoZj2-fRQJI/AAAAAAAAAGU/lCqScDtv19o/s1600-h/quin.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081859025672421522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RoZj2-fRQJI/AAAAAAAAAGU/lCqScDtv19o/s400/quin.jpg" border="0" /></a> so maybe they'll take what they can get.<br /><br />Mizzou is backed by some of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wal-mart">richest people in America</a>. In proving that the rich are just as prone to dumb ideas as anyone else, the current Mizzou Arena <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/retail/2004-11-24-walmart-heiress-arena_x.htm">was supposed to be named after Paige Laurie</a>, an heiress to the Walton fortune. I hate the corporate naming of stadiums and arenas, but naming a basketball arena after a 22-year-old girl has to be one of the most cosmically stupid ideas ever. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rorn_-fRQNI/AAAAAAAAAG0/Ra-7iu37-0I/s1600-h/paige.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5083130215732953298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rorn_-fRQNI/AAAAAAAAAG0/Ra-7iu37-0I/s400/paige.jpg" border="0" /></a> And boy did Mizzou ever have shit on its face when it found out Paige paid her roommate to do her homework at USC. I imagine the feeling was something like this...<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RornxefRQMI/AAAAAAAAAGs/67GKD-YS2tA/s1600-h/mizzoudisappointment.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5083129966624850114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RornxefRQMI/AAAAAAAAAGs/67GKD-YS2tA/s320/mizzoudisappointment.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So good luck Mizzou fan. I'm actually kind of cheering for you this year, I picked you to win the North in football, but that might be the kiss of death for your chances. But fear not, Tigger fans, it can't get worse than this...<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Ror6d-fRQOI/AAAAAAAAAG8/IZ2HOUu4hVI/s1600-h/clemons.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5083150522338328802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Ror6d-fRQOI/AAAAAAAAAG8/IZ2HOUu4hVI/s400/clemons.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Ror61efRQQI/AAAAAAAAAHM/1eFLYZe_7JA/s1600-h/floyd.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5083150926065254658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Ror61efRQQI/AAAAAAAAAHM/1eFLYZe_7JA/s400/floyd.jpg" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-2557263095132825785?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-15474934346808501112007-07-02T18:20:00.000-07:002007-07-02T19:09:15.483-07:0061 days...<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RomlkOfRQLI/AAAAAAAAAGk/wn3tw_Lv6-w/s1600-h/stadium.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RomlkOfRQLI/AAAAAAAAAGk/wn3tw_Lv6-w/s400/stadium.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082775696247439538" /></a><br /><br />Less than two months until football...and nights like this when everyone gathers at Bill's House.<br /><br /><br />Sorry for the slow pace right now. Hard to find time between moving back to Houston and working all day. Plus, it felt kind of wrong to post a sarcastic tribute to Missouri fans with all the flooding I saw there on Sunday. I'll be back with ya this week.<br /><br />Go Cats!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-1547493434680850111?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-39475870623602755262007-06-29T12:29:00.000-07:002007-06-29T13:02:41.451-07:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RoVkeufRQHI/AAAAAAAAAGE/fvDy-3F4YD8/s1600-h/isuhelmet.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RoVkeufRQHI/AAAAAAAAAGE/fvDy-3F4YD8/s320/isuhelmet.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081578233595510898" /></a><br /><br />It won't stop raining here, so I'm forced to not play golf. There isn't much good on TV, either, so I figured I'd plow on with my quest to honor the less-glamorous side of each Big 12 fanbase.<br /><br />I hate to kick a man when he's down, so I almost decided to leave the Iowa State tribute blank. But I figured if I did that, it might imply they have no fans, which would be an even worse insult. And besides, any university who has had this...<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RoVeQufRQCI/AAAAAAAAAFc/sEmoYD00tCs/s1600-h/isularry.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RoVeQufRQCI/AAAAAAAAAFc/sEmoYD00tCs/s320/isularry.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081571396007575586" /></a><br /><br />...in its past deserves to catch a little grief. Ol' Lecherous Larry really missed his time. He needed to be born into the coaching era before digital cameras, so he could get away with having a girl in every Big 8 town like Bob Devaney did.<br /><br />The great Lecher holds an unspecial place in every K-Stater's heart for telling an attractive K-State coed (allegedly in between sips of a more upscale beer, like Milwaukee's Best) that she should be at KU. The following picture doesn't really disprove that notion, but I'll take the excuse to post it anyway...<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RoVibefRQDI/AAAAAAAAAFk/p38UtJZPIrk/s1600-h/kstate.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RoVibefRQDI/AAAAAAAAAFk/p38UtJZPIrk/s320/kstate.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081575978737680434" /></a><br /><br />Of course, maybe Eustachy was just repressed, because he was living in the midst fans such as this guy...<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RoVi5efRQEI/AAAAAAAAAFs/DfxqE9oy98I/s1600-h/isuredneck.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RoVi5efRQEI/AAAAAAAAAFs/DfxqE9oy98I/s320/isuredneck.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081576494133755970" /></a><br /><br />(I have no idea if this guy is an ISU fan or not, but it was posted under ISU football pics on flickr, so I ran with it.)<br /><br />I don't have anything against people finding the right person for them, but if you find that person with a cardboard sign and a PBR, well, just expect the world to get a laugh out of it. At least he was able to correcty write the words on his sign, unlike the shirt-maker for these next ISU fans...<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RoVjfufRQFI/AAAAAAAAAF0/cDwcETBwPyE/s1600-h/isubackward.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RoVjfufRQFI/AAAAAAAAAF0/cDwcETBwPyE/s320/isubackward.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081577151263752274" /></a><br /><br />These guys are definitely big fans of "ETATS AWOI", whatever the hell that is. It would be funnier if they were fans of a team in a state that is generally looked down upon as culturally backward, such as "SASNAKRA", but we'll let Iowa represent.<br /><br />Finally, I think this guy epitomizes the state of Iowa State athletics right now, but fear not Clone fans! Jamie Pollard will bring you back.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RoVkVefRQGI/AAAAAAAAAF8/ttDF34e0MFY/s1600-h/isupassedout.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RoVkVefRQGI/AAAAAAAAAF8/ttDF34e0MFY/s320/isupassedout.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081578074681720930" /></a><br /><br />Holy hell, it's stopped raining. I may go slog out a quick 18.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-3947587062360275526?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-75083028859776881442007-06-29T07:02:00.000-07:002007-06-29T07:36:04.585-07:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RoUYzOfRQBI/AAAAAAAAAFU/6msKb4CVNBU/s1600-h/helmet.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RoUYzOfRQBI/AAAAAAAAAFU/6msKb4CVNBU/s320/helmet.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081495022899118098" /></a><br />As I mentioned previously, I intend to tour the ridiculousness that often comes with being a fan(atic) of any sports team by creating a tribute to each Big 12 fanbases indiscretions and funny photos. And yes, I will include K-State, so don't think I'm a total homer. Just so you know, I also intend to go through my favorite traditions from each Big 12 team as well, so you'll get the good with the bad.<br /><br />Moving on, the first team to be chronicled is the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Maybe it's just because I'm from there that I'm more familiar with some of the more ridonkulous things they do, but maybe it's because they hold themselves out as somehow different from other fans. For example...<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RoUSO-fRP9I/AAAAAAAAAE0/TLG8nsVVvwg/s1600-h/dumbnu4gates.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RoUSO-fRP9I/AAAAAAAAAE0/TLG8nsVVvwg/s320/dumbnu4gates.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081487803059093458" /></a><br /><br />You have to look close, the the text across the middle of the pictures says, "Through these gates pass the greatest fans in college football." That's where it begins with Nebraska. They believe they have the greatest fans in college football. It even says so on their stadium. And undoubtedly, most of my family and friends up there are as nice as anyone you would ever want to meet, and cheer on their team just like anyone else. But Husker fans forget their fanbase is, as a whole, not all that different from any others. For example...<br /><br />"<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKg7E0tLFU0">Sal is dead. Go big red</a>." (Note: The video doesn't show anyone chanting that, or the bumper stickers that said it. It happened in 1990, before digital cameras where we took pics of everything, and I can't find any pictures of it.)<br /><br />There's no defense for this, Huskers. You can tell me you hate Colorado (even though they're 'not your rival'), how they're a bunch of immoral, elitist bastards, but making light of the death of a 21 year old due to cancer is evidence of a pretty sad existence. Granted, K-State fans have made some <a href="http://huskermike.blogspot.com/2006/10/little-classlessness-from-ksu-fans.html">equally pathetic remarks about Brook Berringer</a>, but Snyder Stadium doesn't proclaim us the greatest fans in college football.<br /><br />Ok, you may say, that's one (albeit a bad one) isolated example of bad fans being bad fans. Oh, but there's more, and a more recent incident. For example...<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RoUUzefRP-I/AAAAAAAAAE8/BYyQTGRDrWc/s1600-h/dumbnu1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RoUUzefRP-I/AAAAAAAAAE8/BYyQTGRDrWc/s320/dumbnu1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081490629147574242" /></a><br /><br />The cartoon is dumb enough, but I'll give it a pass because the kid claimed he was making a point about the antics of the Memorial Stadium crowd and KU fan's "Our coach can eat your coach" shirts. The point is, an injured KU player lay motionless on the field for something like 10 minutes, temporarily paralyzed, and Husker fans DID THE WAVE! Lord knows it can get boring up there, but if you really need something to do, go buy some Valentino's pizza or read your program.<br /><br />But in Nebraska, it's not always that bad. Sometimes it's just funny. For example...<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RoUVjOfRP_I/AAAAAAAAAFE/B2yWphhFYzc/s1600-h/dumbnu3cornhead.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RoUVjOfRP_I/AAAAAAAAAFE/B2yWphhFYzc/s320/dumbnu3cornhead.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081491449486327794" /></a><br /><br />If I have to explain this, then maybe you shouldn't be reading this. I like hats. I love hats. I have way more hats than I will ever need. But I cannot understand the allure of <a href="http://huskerheadquarters.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idProduct=21">spending $20 </a>on a giant piece of foam in (roughly) the shape of a corn cob, and then wearing it around, much to annoyance of those in front or and behind you.<br /><br />I'll end with one of the greatest representatives any university could ever hope to have, a true native Nebraskan (although I suspect the accent is fake) and a big Husker fan...<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RoUWZOfRQAI/AAAAAAAAAFM/ETH5QTyfR9I/s1600-h/dumbnu2larry.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RoUWZOfRQAI/AAAAAAAAAFM/ETH5QTyfR9I/s320/dumbnu2larry.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081492377199263746" /></a><br /><br />Now I'll admit, I thought Larry the Cable Guy was funny...initially. But his jokes get old. How many times can you joke about farts, and poop, and your ugly/inbred family, and accidentally dating your sister?<br /><br />So there you have it. Part I of this 12-part series is complete. Stay tuned in the coming days as I move through the rest of the conference.<br /><br />P.S. For a more complete list of Husker hilarity, drop in on AJ. He actually <a href="http://ajthoughts.blogspot.com/2007/06/50-reasons-to-hate-huskers.html">made a list</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-7508302885977688144?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-36765224900886732542007-06-27T17:19:00.000-07:002007-06-27T17:40:43.246-07:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RoL_M-fRP8I/AAAAAAAAAEs/jKGT-YlQE9I/s1600-h/http---admin.xosn.com-pdf5-73249.pdf-SPSID%3D3081%26SPID%3D213%26KEY%3DLOHHAUMEUQNXMFU.20070418143127%26DB_ACCOUNT_TYPE%3DAGENT%26skip_agent_menus%3DNO%26DB_MENU_ID%3D286%26skip_agent_info%3DNO%26DB_LANG%3DC%26DB_OEM_ID%3D400.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RoL_M-fRP8I/AAAAAAAAAEs/jKGT-YlQE9I/s320/http---admin.xosn.com-pdf5-73249.pdf-SPSID%3D3081%26SPID%3D213%26KEY%3DLOHHAUMEUQNXMFU.20070418143127%26DB_ACCOUNT_TYPE%3DAGENT%26skip_agent_menus%3DNO%26DB_MENU_ID%3D286%26skip_agent_info%3DNO%26DB_LANG%3DC%26DB_OEM_ID%3D400.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080903928025006018" /></a><br /><br />Thanks to the <a href="http://www.cjonline.com/stories/062607/cat_180019837.shtml">Topeka Capitol-Journal</a>, I now have an idea of what the premium seating at Bramlage Coliseum is going to look like (above, courtesy K-Statesports.com). After hearing about the idea of putting suites into Bramlage for more than a year, I was trying to decide whether I was for or against it. Obviously, it would bring in more money. But on the other hand, if you know anything about Bramlage, you know traditional glassed-in suites would have kind of a "<a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/bubble/">Boy-in-the-bubble</a>" look.<br /><br />With the loge seats, Bramlage will finally begin to take on the look and feel of a real basketball arena. When I first encountered it I liked it, but it just had the feeling it wasn't quite there yet. I've heard some in Manhattan say Bramlage actually is an unfinished project, that they ran out of money when it was being built and had to forgo some things that were supposed to be included. I don't know if that's true or not, I can't find a source for it, and we all know how rumors can get started. Regardless, with the addition of the courtside seating, the much improved atmosphere from last year, and the addition of the loge seating (behind the students...which should be interesting), we're going to see significant improvements to Bramlage in the fall.<br /><br />Another thing I must commend AD Tim Weiser on is the idea of building a K-State sports hall of fame. Weiser <a href="http://collegian.ksu.edu/collegian/article.php?a=10417">told me last year </a>he wanted Bramlage's west side to be an inviting "front-door" to the sports complex. He repeated that in the <a href="http://www.cjonline.com/stories/062607/cat_180019837.shtml">CJ story </a>today. This is a great idea. Having a Wildcat hall-of-fame will allow for young Wildcat fans to learn about the history and traditions of Wildcat athletics, making for a better future fanbase. When I came to K-State (and granted, I was a transplant), I knew nothing of K-State history, except that they used to suck in football. I had no idea they had once had a good basketball program, with legendary coaches and players. <br /><br />Learning all of that took a long time. With a hall-of-fame, maybe future transplants will catch the Purple Fever a little quicker than I did.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-3676522490088673254?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-75164353219794612002007-06-26T15:02:00.000-07:002007-06-26T16:09:58.892-07:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RoGcwOfRP7I/AAAAAAAAAEk/fWSa3QiqqE0/s1600-h/horse.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RoGcwOfRP7I/AAAAAAAAAEk/fWSa3QiqqE0/s320/horse.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080514206987534258" /></a><br /><br />This Big 12 revenue sharing horse has been beaten to death the last couple weeks, so I'm really hoping to start moving on to new topics soon. However, Wendell Barnhouse of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram had to <a href="http://www.star-telegram.com/college_sports/story/147568.html">drop his $.02 in</a>, so I feel obliged to respond. I contacted Mr. Barnhouse via email, but he has not responded.<br /><br />Essentially, Barnhouse asserts that revenue sharing is a "nonissue" for the Big 12. At first I wondered what planet he lives on, but then I realized he lives in Texas, just as I do. In Texas, revenue sharing is generally a nonissue, except to the extent that UT and A&M don't want to give up "their" money. For the eight conference schools not named UT, A&M, OU or NU, it is absolutely an issue. The smaller eight schools get a smaller cut of the Big 12 money each year, which leads to a self-perpetuating system where the big guys get more money, buy fancier toys, and maintain what they see as the rightful order of things (to use <a href="http://bubbleheads.blogspot.com/2005/11/restore-order.html">Nebraska language</a>).<br /><br />Barnhouse severely misstates the argument when he writes:<br /><br /><blockquote>Leveling the Big 12's financial playing field is impossible considering the money-making potential of football stadiums at Texas, A&M, Oklahoma and Nebraska. Those four schools can generate crowds that are consistently nearly double that of other conference schools.</blockquote><br /><br />The whole point of this is not to allow Iowa State to spend as much money on athletics as Texas. That will never happen. There's no way Iowa State is going to make up that $52 million gap. The point is, conference revenue is not the property of any individual program, and should be shared equally.<br /><br />A few things about this strike me. For one, the big schools claim it's "their" money, so they're rightfully entitled to keep it. Barnhouse refers to it as sharing the money "equitably, not evenly." I don't buy that as an accurate characterization of the issue. The TV appearances made by these schools are a result of the CONFERENCE'S TV deal. You may notice it's called the Big 12 TV contract, not the Longhorns' TV contract, or the Aggies' TV contract, or the Sooners' TV contract, or the Cornhuskers' TV contract. ABC and FSN contract with the Big 12 to show its games. Now granted, most of those games the last few years have been UT and OU games. A lot of them have also been NU and A&M games, although UT and OU are clearly the kings of the conference as far as TV goes.<br /><br />The point is, there's no requirement in the Big 12 TV contract that UT or OU or A&M or NU be on TV a certain number of times. It's just so happened that in the last few years, the Longhorns and Sooners, et al, have been the best teams, ergo TV wants more of their games. So the TV money generated by the Big 12 is exactly that, it's the Big 12's money. As such, it should be shared equally among all members. <br /><br />I know it's an easy argument in a capitalist society to say the money should go to those who earned it, but a college athletic conference is not a purely capitalist endeavor. We have 12 schools that have banded together for the common good. Sharing things equally isn't exactly a foreign concept, we do it with most of the revenue, with the exception of 50 percent of the TV money...and as mentioned before, that TV money is about to get a whole lot bigger, meaning the gap between the haves and have-lots of the Big 12 is about to get bigger as well.<br /><br />And lest the big four schools forget, <a href="http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/">the conference hasn't always been aligned as it is</a>. Texas went 4-7 in 1997. Oklahoma didn't have a winning record in the Big 12 until 1999. Texas A&M went 6-6 twice, 4-8 once and 5-6 once. Nebraska went 7-7 in 2002 and 5-6 in 2004. Bad days like that could come back around, and these schools could be looking at the short end of the stick for some time (all it takes is the wrong coach(ing staff).<br /><br />I guess I just don't get the idea of a conference in which the philosophy is to allow certain members to aggrandize themselves at the expense of the other member institutions. In some ways, it already has come back to bite those teams in the butt. If the Big 12 turns into the Big 4 and the Little 8, the strength of schedule of all member institutions suffers, which makes it harder for the conference teams to compete for national titles.<br /><br />One final thought on this for the schools who complain that it would be thoroughly unfair for them to share the conference's revenue with the other member institutions. If you get mad about this, mad enough to drop the Big 12, where are you going to go? And is it really worth it to go through the hassle of changing conferences over this? Here's how much money each school would have lost to equal revenue sharing based on the <a href="http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1200&u_sid=2392213">2005-06 figures</a>:<br /><br />Texas: $2.13 million<br />Oklahoma: $1.59 million<br />Texas A&M: $730,000<br />Nebraska: $310,000<br />Colorado: $140,000<br /><br />There aren't necessarily a lot of great options. The SEC (assuming it wants to expand/change membership) <a href="http://www.secsports.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=20&url_article_id=7426&change_well_id=2">splits all its revenue equally</a>, although they also make more money than the Big 12. The Big 10 (again, assuming it's not still holding out for Notre Dame) shares all its revenue equally. As far as I know, the Pac-10 is the only other major conference that doesn't share all revenue equally.<br /><br />Finally, an analogy that I hope will put this in perspective. Major League Baseball <a href="http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=1345">does not have equal revenue sharing or a salary cap</a>. The <a href="http://www.theredzone.org/caproom.asp">National Football League </a>does. It's easy to name the dominant teams in MLB, it's the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees. They're practically the only teams on TV, and the primary teams who are talked about that. Contrast that with the NFL. You can't name a single, dominant team in the NFL. You're fine with the MLB situation if you're a Yankees or Red Sox fan, but the vast majority of the nation's baseball fans are not Yankees or Red Sox fans. In the NFL, fans of every team feel like they have a shot, or at least the opportunity to get a shot, at the playoffs/Super Bowl. One makes for a good product with satisfied fans who can root for a contender. The other makes for cynical fans who get turned off by two teams' domination of the sport.<br /><br />Those 'other schools' in the Big 12 care about this issue. You should too. Just take a step behind the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Original_position">veil of ignorance</a> and don't forget: it could be you.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-7516435321979461200?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-77802654137347228512007-06-25T14:37:00.000-07:002007-06-25T15:07:32.369-07:00Last week we found out that <a href="http://newsok.com/article/3069536">two hick...err...lucky Oklahoma couples will get married in their local Wal-Marts </a>this July. I know exactly what you're thinking...<br /><br />"What the hell does this have to do with K-State sports?"<br /><br />Well, nothing really. My initial reaction was "typical thing for Oklahoma." Being raised in Nebraska and educated at K-State, hating on the state of Oklahoma was a natural thing for me, though scientists haven't located the "loatheOK" gene yet. But everytime such thoughts cross my head, I have to step back and remember something. I'm from Nebraska. I've lived in Kansas. Now I live in Texas.<br /><br />I have no room to be bagging on anybody for being a redneck.<br /><br />I realized this could just as easily have happened in Grand Island, Neb., or Valley Falls, Kan., or Tyler, Tex., as Gore, Okla. So obviously I'm a person who gets caught up in the initial stereotype of making fun of other fanbases for their shortcomings, while overlooking those in my own. And it's a fun thing to do, sometimes, especially when dumb fans do something <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Antlers">notorious </a>or get <a href="http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=38&u_sid=2072431">exactly what they deserve</a> (just the part about getting kicked out, not the rest of the crap Shatel wrote).<br /><br />It's one of those things that will never change, and probably shouldn't, as long as the attacks aren't personal. But everytime a fan of any team accuses "the fans" of another team of being (insert random accusation here), they should remember that their fans have probably done many things dumber/worse/classless.<br /><br />For example, every time I hear a Husker fan accuse some other team's fans of having no class, I'll never be able to forget "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado_Buffaloes#University_of_Nebraska">Sal is dead, go big red</a>" in 1990. Whenever K-State fans call KU fans elitist, I can't help but think "You're all Kansans" (except for the ones from Johnson County, you don't really count). Whenever KU fans call K-State fans backward flatlanders, I can't help but think "You're all from <a href="http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2003/jul/27/holy_hotcakes_study/">Kansas</a>." And whenever an OU/OSU fan points to another school and says its fan base is a bunch of toothless rednecks, I can't help but think "Your fans get married at Wal-Mart."<br /><br />There's really no point to this, because I never will (nor intend to) stop fanbases from making fun of each other. As my uncle says, "What fun would sports be if we couldn't make fun of each other's teams?" But because of this, I intend to periodically post true, comical pictures of states/fanbases associated with all Big 12 schools. And because I will be driving extensively through Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas in the next week, I should have a good opportunity to get some of my own. If you happen to have some of your own, send them my way.<br /><br />Happy Monday.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-7780265413734722851?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-79436968943087358692007-06-22T11:01:00.000-07:002007-06-22T11:49:16.812-07:00Blaire Kerkhoff (of the KC Star) has gotten his wish, sort of. The Big 12 has named Dan Beebe <a href="http://www.kansascity.com/sports/story/159815.html">its interim commissioner</a>. So Beebe will do whatever it is the Big 12 commish does while Nebraska chancellor Harvey Perlman searches for a new flunky.<br /><br />The more I hear about <a href="http://www.big12sports.com/genrel/011503aaa.html">Beebe</a>, the more I like him. He's had solid experience with the Ohio Valley Conference, he's familiar with the inner-workings (and <a href="http://kstatecatzone.blogspot.com/2007/05/big-12-civil-war.html">inner strife</a>) of the Big 12, and he's a lawyer. Seems like a natural fit, but I'm sure Perlman will show up and tell us he's hired <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/trentfrank/122860959/">Tex McLonghorn </a>for the job, and that the conference headquarters will now be split between Austin, College Station, Norman and Lincoln. Stay tuned...<br /><br />***<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RnwXpUouXzI/AAAAAAAAAEE/Up8Vk2-pH2s/s1600-h/569280337_096ba55db7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RnwXpUouXzI/AAAAAAAAAEE/Up8Vk2-pH2s/s320/569280337_096ba55db7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078960478448672562" /></a><br /><br />Apparently some Big 12 schools just can't keep their hands out of the cookie jar. In the last two weeks, it's been revealed there are new allegations against Oklahoma, and Colorado has been sanctioned. Ordinarily, I'd start with the program that has been in trouble more often, but in this case it's hard to decide whether that's the Dirt-Burglars or the Hippies. I'll start with OU...<br /><br />So Sooner officials <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2902438">reported themselves after they discovered they were distributing "two nutritional supplements that contained impermissible substances." </a>They said they didn't realize the substances were illegal initially, which sounds a little like Barry Bonds saying he thought he was using flaxseed oil when <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1937594">he was actually using the cream and the clear</a>. On the other hand, they did self-report themselves, and stopped the practice immediately. Kudos, Schooners. I sure would have hated to see the NCAA smash you with probation (and then suspend it) and loss of scholarships (also suspended) because you gave your players juiced milkshakes.<br /><br />Colorado's violations were probably a bit more egregious, at least as far as the NCAA is concerned. Also, CU is not one of those elite programs that can get away with giving its players <a href="http://usctrojans.cstv.com">free</a> <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news?slug=jo-bush_uscsidebar&prov=yhoo&type=lgns">houses</a> or <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=1919059">cars</a> and <a href="http://ohiostatebuckeyes.cstv.com/">cash</a> and not have the NCAA land on it. Basically, the Buffs committed the unforgivable sin of allowing prospective student athletes eat training-table meals <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=2911946">while paying dining hall prices</a>. That certainly rivals the old <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Payroll-Meet-Story-Corruption-Football/dp/0026271915">$100-handshakes</a> of the SEC and the old SWC. But as minor as that seems to me, the compliance people at CU ought to be fired (or, in the alternative, shot) for not recognizing and stopping this. I know the NCAA rulebook is thicker than most legal treatises, but is it so hard to figure out that getting one thing for the price of something cheaper is probably a violation? Good Gawd, it doesn't take the head clerk at Steak-N-Shake to figure that out.<br /><br />***<br /><br />Have a great weekend everybody. I'm off to Arthur Bryant's for some real barbeque, then off to observe the goings-on at the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockchalk/21732916/">Great Lenexa Barbeque Battle</a>. Word is you can smell the smoke and meat for miles...<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RnwYvkouX0I/AAAAAAAAAEM/AgiOLL77Jb0/s1600-h/bryant%27s.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RnwYvkouX0I/AAAAAAAAAEM/AgiOLL77Jb0/s320/bryant%27s.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078961685334482754" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RnwY4UouX1I/AAAAAAAAAEU/PSEP06yBrZ8/s1600-h/ribs.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RnwY4UouX1I/AAAAAAAAAEU/PSEP06yBrZ8/s320/ribs.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078961835658338130" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-7943696894308735869?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-91108239742257503672007-06-21T16:27:00.001-07:002007-06-21T16:31:02.776-07:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RnsJbUouXyI/AAAAAAAAAD8/xRmF25Wihxo/s1600-h/snyderstadium.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RnsJbUouXyI/AAAAAAAAAD8/xRmF25Wihxo/s400/snyderstadium.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078663369791004450" /></a><br /><br />72 days and counting...<br /><br />Also came across this video on YouTube the other day. It's really a great reminder of where K-State football was, where it went, and what we hope it will be again.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/IqWOhweImn0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/IqWOhweImn0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />Go Cats!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-9110823974225750367?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-82313365107100066132007-06-19T20:11:00.000-07:002007-06-19T20:17:13.558-07:00Last week a friend of mine, a good man and a Husker fan, died way before his time. Whatever your method of personally helping others through tough times, I ask you to keep Husker Howie and his family in your thoughts or prayers.<br /><br />You were a good man, Howie. Enjoy your new view of Memorial Stadium. And laugh at me when I hit a bad golf shot and keep making fun of me for wearing purple. We need more fans like you.<br /><br />-TB-<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-8231336510710006613?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-177510143703198472007-06-18T16:25:00.000-07:002007-06-18T17:23:29.729-07:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RncgvEouXwI/AAAAAAAAADs/gulKYWxyprg/s1600-h/DSC01256.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RncgvEouXwI/AAAAAAAAADs/gulKYWxyprg/s320/DSC01256.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077563097954017026" /></a><br /><br />A great weekend was had by all in Omaha (well, except Mississippi State fans), but now I'm back and only have a nasty sunburn to show for it. Well, maybe a little more than that. If you haven't been to the CWS, I recommend you go sometime. It's a good time, including when one Husker fan tried to get the "Go Big Red" cheer started and half his section told him to shut up.<br /><br />But anyway, I'm back now and it's time to get back into some news items around these parts. So without further ado...<br /><br />No new word yet on who will replace Kevin Weiberg as Big 12 commissioner. It seems like the names of most Big 12 ADs have been mentioned, although DeLoss Dodds is the only one I would consider a serious contender. Blair Kerkhoff of the KC Star thinks senior associate commissioner Dan Beebe should have the job. His credentials are strong, as Kerkhoff mentions in the article. But the big four (UT, aTm, OU, NU) may balk at him because he would be seen as a Weiberg guy. On the other hand, he doesn't have a vote on revenue sharing, so maybe the ADs don't really care what the commish thinks on that issue. They may care more if he manages to get a good TV contract in place where a lot more conference games are on TV, which would dilute the TV money.<br /><br />There seems to be a lot of conflict right now about Dodds. Some K-State fans point to the fact that he is a <a href="http://www.texassports.com/mainpages/001_structure/Dodds_bio.html">Kansas native and K-State alum </a>and think maybe he'd look out for Alma Mater while in Dallas. I'm not sold, although I did meet him in Manhattan and he's a really nice guy. He's a Texas man now, and has <a href="http://www.aggiesports.com/big12news/big12/051901big12finances.htm">publicly stated </a>he opposes revenue sharing. Maybe that's only because it would be a financial hit for UT, but I'm still hesitant.<br /><br />I'm sure you're all anxiously waiting my pick for the next Big 12 commish, but sorry to say I haven't made up my mind yet. From reading about Beebe, he would be my early favorite, but I want to make sure we have a man who can get the schools on TV a lot more. Of course, maybe that's not a huge consideration, as Husker Mike mentions in a post <a href="http://huskermike.blogspot.com/2007/06/weiberg-quits-big-xii-for-big-televen.html">where he looks to the future of college sports broadcasts</a>.<br /><br />One other thing to clear up from my <a href="http://kstatecatzone.blogspot.com/2007/06/big-12-at-crossroads.html">earlier post</a>. Apparently some people thought I insinuated that Nebraska Chancellor Harvey Perlman advocated Nebraska leaving for the Big 10. That's not what he nor what I said. Perlman mentioned he would never rule out leaving the Big 12, although it's not currently in Nebraska's plans. My point was that his, along with Tim Weiser's comments about schools leaving, puts that idea out there.<br /><br />***<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RnchLUouXxI/AAAAAAAAAD0/t7_ckSkmRHo/s1600-h/sprint.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RnchLUouXxI/AAAAAAAAAD0/t7_ckSkmRHo/s320/sprint.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077563583285321490" /></a><br /><br />I promised last week to discuss possible tenants for the new Sprint Center in Kansas City. It seemed like a hot topic last week when news hit about the NHL considering expansion. I was all set to post about it when Weiberg resigned and left me to talk about that. So here you go...<br /><br />It looks like the possibility of getting an NHL team via relocation has passed for Kansas City. The Nashville Predators will be bought by a Canadian (is it OK to say <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canuck">Canuck</a>, just as a joke?) billionaire, who plans to move the team to Hamilton, Ontario (wherever the hell that is). In fact, he's already launched a ticket drive, and there's apparently a buyout clause even if Nashville's citizens pull themselves away from their live music and Christian radio long enough to go to the games. Suffice it to say, we won't be seeing an NHL team named the Kansas City Predators.<br /><br />But despite that, one of the two news sources that still cares about the NHL let it be known that <a href="http://www.kansascity.com/sports/hockey/story/141549.html">Jerry Bruckheimer is interested in bringing an NHL team to Las Vegas</a>, and the NHL is interested in that happening via expansion. There are currently 30 NHL teams, meaning an expansion would make more sense if two teams were added, so <a href="http://www.kansascity.com/sports/hockey/story/141549.html">Kansas City naturally popped up as a possibility</a>, thanks to the Sprint Center.<br /><br />I have to admit, when I heard this my first thought was, "How the hell is the NHL going to expand?" Their ratings are <a href="http://cbs.sportsline.com/nhl/story/10217136">lower than Bud Adams' approval rating in Houston right now</a>. When you have a friend who played club hockey in college and has to be reminded that an NHL game is on network TV, you know the NHL has been forgotten about.<br /><br />However, I do see some positives in this. The NHL could be the first major sports league to get into Las Vegas, which is an event market. I could see pro sports, even hockey, succeeding in Vegas, maybe even thriving if they can get some star power in there. And despite what the apprehensions of some in Kansas City, I think the NHL can succeed here, too. The NHL is going through what <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994_Major_League_Baseball_strike">Major League Baseball went through in 1994 and subsequent years</a>. It's going to take a while to get fans back, but I believe they will come back. Also, the NHL season fits pretty well into most KC sports fans' calendars. The first part of the season may struggle a little because of the Chiefs, but the good news is the Chiefs only play once a week, leaving six nights where Kansas Citians have nothing better to do than go down to the <a href="http://www.powerandlightdistrict.com/">Power and Light District</a>, have a nice dinner, and catch an NHL game in their glittering new arena. The Royals don't start then until April, which means the two teams would only have to share the fans for a month or two at most. This discussion excludes college basketball in Manhattan, Columbia and Lawrence, which is also a huge attraction to many KC alums of each school. But on the whole, I think a KC hockey team could average 15,000 fans per game.<br /><br />That brings us to the other possibility to fill the Sprint Center...the NBA. It's no secret that the Seattle SuperSonics are owned by <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2850918">an Oklahoma City businessman who will be moving the team if they don't replace aging KeyArena</a>. It isn't likely Seattle citizens are going to pay more tax on their lattes to build a new arena, so the question becomes, "Where will they go?" The ESPN article above mentions Vegas again, although the odds-on favorite is OKC. The Sonics' owner (Clay Bennett) is from OKC, and the city has a <a href="http://www.okfordcenter.com/">decent arena </a>that has been <a href="http://okc.about.com/od/spectatorteamsports/a/okcnbateams.htm">home for the New Orleans Hornets since Hurricane Katrina decimated NO</a>. The city proved they could support a pro sports team, although one may wonder whether that can be sustained over a longer period of time. The Sprint Center offers more revenue streams than the Ford Center, but as <a href="http://www.pitch.com/2006-09-07/news/we-re-pucked/full">this article </a>mentions, KC may be an overextended market.<br /><br />Oh well, at least the Big 12 tournament will be in KC three times in the next five years.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-17751014370319847?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-49694683908626843642007-06-14T15:39:00.000-07:002007-06-14T18:54:54.661-07:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RnHvHkouXvI/AAAAAAAAADk/xlmJOF7yBGU/s1600-h/fork.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RnHvHkouXvI/AAAAAAAAADk/xlmJOF7yBGU/s320/fork.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5076101168395869938" /></a><br /><br />Kevin Weiberg <a href="http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=683024">stepped down today </a>as commissioner of the Big 12 conference. This came straight out of left-field for me. It seemed things were getting better, with the <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news?slug=ap-espn-big12&prov=ap&type=lgns">slight improvement to the TV contract announced recently</a>. However, to hear K-State AD Tim Weiser on KC's 810 sports talk today, this wasn't a surprise at all. Weiser indicated Weiberg had been frustrated for a while with what was going on in the conference. That seems apparent to me because Weiberg is taking a huge step down in terms of prestige (and presumably pay) now to be the vice-president in charge of university operations for the new Big Ten Television Network.<br /><br />This is going to raise a whole lot of sensitive issues for the schools in the Big 12, and the person chosen to replace Weiberg (not to mention the search process to find him) will tell us a lot about the road down which this conference is going.<br /><br />The most contentious issue among the Big 12 members right now is revenue sharing. All non-television money is shared equally. Of course, non-television money is a pittance compared to the money generated from the TV contracts. <a href="http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/colleges/big12/stories/052507dnspobig12meetingsnotes.3663195.html">Half the TV money is split equally, half is split proportional to the number of TV appearances each school makes</a>. Here is a quick look at the number of TV appearances each school made last year in football (from www.big12sports.com)...<br /><br />1. Oklahoma: 14 (6 ABC, 1 TBS, 1 Fox, 5 FSN, 1 FSN Southwest PPV)<br />2. Texas: 12 (6 ABC, 2 ESPN, 3 TBS, 1 FSN) <br />2. Nebraska: 12 (8 ABC, 1 Fox, 2 FSN, 1 FSN PPV)<br />4. Texas A&M: 8 (5 ABC, 2 ESPN, 1 FSN)<br />5. K-State: 7 (4 FSN, 1 ABC, 1 FSN pay-per-view, 1 NFL Network)<br />5. Missouri: 7 (4 ABC, 1 CBS, 2 FSN)<br />5. Oklahoma State: 7 (1 ABC, 1 TBS, 1 ESPN, 1 ESPNU, 1 CSTV, 2 FSN)<br />5. Texas Tech: 7 (1 ABC, 1 TBS, 2 CSTV, 1 NFL Network, 2 FSN)<br />9. KU: 6 (1 ABC, 1 ESPN, 4 FSN)<br />9. Colorado: 6 (1 ABC, 1 TBS, 1 ESPN Gameplan, 3 FSN)<br />11. Baylor: 5 (1 TBS, 4 FSN)<br />12. Iowa State: 4 (2 ABC, 1 ESPN, 1 FSN)<br /><br />As you can see, there's a pretty fair disconnect between the top four teams and the next eight. While K-State, Okie State and Texas Tech are only one appearance out of the top four, several of their appearances came on stations that get much less penetration than ABC and ESPN, including ESPNU, CSTV, NFL Network, and PPV games. According to the Omaha World-Herald, <a href="http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1200&u_sid=2392213">it's even more unequal than you think </a>(K-State received the least TV money last year??? How is that so?)<br /><br />And that's where the problem lies. Changing the Big 12 bylaws requires a super-majority vote of 9 out of 12 schools (athletic directors). Those four teams on top aren't going to be very excited about giving up some money every year to the other eight teams in the conference. Texas AD <a href="http://www.aggiesports.com/big12news/big12/051901big12finances.htm">DeLoss Dodds isn't for it </a>(or wasn't in 2001, and I doubt he's changed his mind). Nebraska chancellor Harvey Perlman said on KC's 810 sports today he isn't for a revenue change (no word on what Steve Pederson thinks about it...or if he's even still alive). Bill Byrne is a former Nebraska guy and now at another of the top four money schools, so I doubt he's for the change. I have no idea what OU thinks about this, but there's little reason to believe they're for it.<br /><br />Basically this is shaping up as a real showdown over Big 12 ideologies. Two factions have emerged, those who favor fully equal revenue sharing of all revenues (the schools outside the top four mentioned above) and the bigger schools. The bigger schools argue it's not fair to them to give up that money to the schools who don't earn TV appearances for the conference. It shouldn't surprise you that I don't see that as a real winner of an argument. First, the Big 10 shares all revenue equally, and it's really destroyed Ohio State and Michigan (or not). Actually, the Big 10 has done almost as well overall in football since the Big 12 was formed (three national titles for the Big 12, two for the Big 10, counting one each for Nebraska and Michigan in 1997). In basketball, the Big 10 has won one national title in that time, while the Big 12 has none. Second, there's a reason schools band together as conferences. The idea should be, in at least some ways, to benefit all members of the institutions. The top four schools from above don't want to give an inch on this issue, believing it would cause them irreparable harm.<br /><br />That's a bunch of crap, really. Stay with me here and I'll demonstrate how little money the big schools would be giving up by sharing all TV revenue equally. First, here are the operating expenses for each Big 12 school, thanks to www.midmajority.com...<br /><br />1. Texas: $83,600,248<br />2. Oklahoma: $64,322,580<br />3. Nebraska: $63,695,480<br />4. Texas A&M: $61,419,536<br />5. Texas Tech: $53,337,768<br />6. KU: $47,554,572<br />7. Colorado: $45,731,544<br />8. Missouri: $45,184,836<br />9. Oklahoma State: $44,061,812<br />10. Baylor: $36,228,960<br />11. K-State: $34,834,468<br />12. Iowa State: $32,541,236<br /><br />According to the Omaha World-Herald, the overall allocation in 2005-06 totalled about $90 million. If that total is shared equally, each school gets $7.5 million. As it is, Texas gets $9.68 million, while K-State gets $6.47 million.<br /><br />Whoa. What the hell are we arguing about here? You're telling me Texas can't take a $2.18 million cut in revenue? That's a whopping two percent of its operating expenses. Meanwhile, even the school getting the smallest cut (K-State), only gets an extra $1 million. What exactly are you scared of, Texas? Is an extra $1 million to lowly K-State going to make or break you? Hell, one rich oilman in West Texas can make up that $2 million per year.<br /><br />The problem is, the stakes get higher soon. The new Big 12 TV deal will be worth $480 million. If UT keeps getting 10 percent of that, they'll be raking in $48 million each year. If K-State keeps getting seven percent, they'll be getting $33 million each year. The rich keep getting richer, building bigger and better facilities, and forcing the smaller schools to break their banks to keep up. Now, if we all share that $480 million equally, everybody gets $40 million each year.<br /><br />In my opinion, two things need to be done, and done soon. First, we have to get a new TV deal done. The new commissioner needs to know that the minute he takes his seat in Dallas, he needs to have a phone to his ear, connected to Bristol, CT, and he needs to bust ESPN's balls to get more TV for our teams. The Big 10 is going to its own network, we need to get ESPN to start showing more of our games and fewer Big 10 games. But even that isn't going to be easy. The big schools don't really care if we have more TV appearances or not. Almost all their games are already on TV, so more TV slots mean the smaller schools get on TV more and eat up more of the revenue.<br /><br />Second, the presidents/chancellors and athletic directors of this conference need to authorize equal revenue sharing for ALL conference income. It's not going to be easy. It's going to require a vote from one of the top four to give up some money. Nebraska has the least to lose financially, but in terms of its division, it has the most to lose (four north division schools would gain money from equal sharing, only Colorado was above last year's median). Whomever it is, it has to get done, or we're going to run into more serious trouble than we're already in. If we truly are a conference, looking out for each other's interests and wanting everyone to get better, this has to happen.<br /><br />On 810 today, both chancellor Perlman and AD Weiser noted, idly, the possibility of schools leaving the conference. Perlman noted that Nebraska wouldn't rule out the possibility of leaving the Big 12 (presumably to go to the Big 10) if forced to share revenue. Weiser indicated he's so fed up with the debate that, at this point, if someone says they "want to take their ball and go home" if forced to equally share revenue, he'd be happy to tell them to take their ball and leave. I'm not going to get into who could leave, and where they'd go, but it just illustrates how selfish some of the schools in this conference are, and how divisive the issue is.<br /><br />I love the Big 12, just as I loved the Big 8 before it. This has been, and could be again, the best conference in the land. But to be the best, we're going to have to start acting like brothers, rather than enemies. If the big boys lose in this, will they throw a fit and go elsewhere? Or will they realize they're still far better off than the other schools and continue to play? Michigan and Ohio State have survived equal revenue sharing, there's no reason for me to believe Texas and Oklahoma can't do the same.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-4969468390862684364?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-54353838039822804042007-06-11T18:36:00.000-07:002007-06-11T20:28:00.508-07:00Before I begin, I'll preface this by admitting I'm not as familiar with the South teams as I am the North. I follow them, but I don't have as much in-depth knowledge of each team as your average football-crazed Texan. I'm sure justin will be along shortly to let me know what's wrong with my predictions, starting with why I didn't pick A&M to win the South.<br /><br />That said, I'd be derelict in my blogging duties if I didn't tell you what I think of the Big 12 South teams, so here are my predictions.<br /><br />1. Texas: I think some questions may remain about Colt McCoy's ability to stay healthy, but there's no question about his ability when he is healthy. The kid is flat out good, and we saw in the last two games last year his team wasn't the same without him. Oh, the offense they'll have, with McCoy, Jamaal Charles and Limas Sweed back in the picture. They definitely lost some big hosses up front, though, so we'll see how the new offensive line comes together.<br /><br />The defense is the real question mark for me with this team. They lost their best players in Michael Griffin and Aaron Ross, not to mention DE Tim Crowder. Now we hear Robert Joseph is transferring after his legal issues, so we'll see if a team that was awful against the pass last year can get better using addition by subtraction. Throw in the fact that defensive coordinator Gene Chizik is now freezing his balls off in Ames, Iowa, and I may be nuts for picking this team to represent the South in San Antonio. That's why these are spring/summer predictions, I guess.<br /><br />Predicted finish: 6-2<br />9/29, K-State: Win for UT. See my comments from the North predictions. Suffice it to say, K-State is still a fairly young team, with young coaches, trying to find its way. I'm hardly admitting the win last year in Manhattan was a fluke, but Austin ain't Manhattan.<br />10/6, vs. OU (in Dallas): Win for UT. The biggest game every year in the South comes early, which may be good for UT, with OU breaking in a new QB. Am I really predicting Mack Brown to make it three in a row against Bawb Stewps? I guess I am.<br />10/13, at Iowa State: Win for UT. Just because Chizik will know everything UT is doing on defense doesn't mean his players will be able to execute his game plan. Plus, it's early enough in the year that UT's players won't die of exposure on the Iowa plains.<br />10/20, at Baylor: Win for UT. As long as UT's players don't fall asleep during the pregame prayer, I have a feeling they'll be able to handle Baylor this year.<br />10/27, Nebraska: Win for UT. The 'Horns managed to pull one off in Lincoln, in the snow, last year, which was pretty impressive. Nebraska will be a little better than last year, but I don't see UT on the downward slide, and having the game in Austin will help with the crowd and the weather.<br />11/3, at Oklahoma State: Loss for UT. Ok, they're not invincible. At this point, the Horns will probably be the subject of some national title talk, but I see that ending in Stillwater.<br />11/10, Texas Tech: Win for UT. I'm tempted to pick Tech here, but the game's in Austin and Tech has some questions up front on defense. On the other hand, if UT's passing defense doesn't improve, I could see "veteran" (at Tech, anything more than one year for a QB qualifies as a grizzled vet) QB Graham Harrell torching UT for a victory.<br />11/23, at Texas A&M: Loss for UT. Dare I say it? Can Fran saws varsity's horns off two years in a row? If McCoy is healthy and UT is out for revenge, the Backyard Brawl could go to UT, but at this point I'm sticking with the Ags.<br /><br />2. Oklahoma: Everyone's saying OU doesn't have a quarterback. I disagree. I don't think they have a proven quarterback. We'll see if Joey Halzle of Sam Bradford have what it takes to succeed in the Big 12. They get four non-con games and a trip to Boulder (where right now the fans are scarier than the team) to sort things out. It helps to have eight offensive starters back.<br /><br />I don't have much opinion on OU's defense, other than noting they have seven starters back. Of course, the losses include CJ Ah You, Larry Birdine and Rufus Alexander. With the coaches they have, I don't expect much dropoff.<br /><br />Predicted finish, 6-2:<br />9/29, at Colorado: Win for OU. See comments from other post and above. CU will be marginally better, but not to any great extent.<br />10/6, vs. UT (in Dallas): Loss for OU. See comments above.<br />10/13, vs. Missouri: Win for OU. Mizzou should be pretty good, even possibly the North champions, but I don't see them beating OU, even in Columbia. I'd like to think I'm wrong though...but I don't.<br />10/20, at Iowa State: Win for OU. See comments from other post. I think ISU is in for a struggle this year.<br />11/3, Texas A&M: Win for OU. The Aggies couldn't stop OU's ground attack in College Station last year, even with me helping out as the 12th Man. On top of that, if it comes down to Fran v. Stewps, it's not even a contest. Throw in the fact that it's in Gaylord Stadium (or whatever it's called) and the Sooners top the Aggies.<br />11/10, Baylor: Win for OU. Poor Bears.<br />11/17, at Texas Tech: Loss for OU. Tech has a proven starter at QB for the first time since 1897, and they had OU on the ropes in Norman last year before faltering. If nothing else, a Tech fan will throw a tortilla on the field, causing an OU player to slip on his way to a possible touchdown run.<br />11/24, Oklahoma State: Win for OU. Bedlam returns to Norman this year, and I think the Sooners have just enough for Mike Gundy's Cowboys this year. Better get that defense ready, though, because I doubt OU wants to get into a shootout with the gunslingers from Stillwater.<br /><br />3. Oklahoma State: I think the Pokes break into the top half of the South this year behind Bobby Reid, Adarius Bowman and Dantrell Savage. This could be one sick offense. I really like watching this team, because it reminds me of the K-State offense under Snyder with the likes of Ell Roberson and Michael Bishop at quarterback and runners like Darren Sproles terrorizing Big 12 defenses.<br /><br />The key to OSU being more successful this year obviously lies with the defense. The Pokes return seven starters, but only ranked ninth in the league in total defense. If the defensive line replacements (Marque Fountain and Nate Peterson) are as good as advertised, they should be at least as good as last year.<br /><br />Predicted finish, 5-3:<br />9/22, vs. Texas Tech: Win for OSU. In a game where the over will probably be a good bet, I'm taking the Pokes at home. Tech's fairly experienced secondary may make life rough on Reid throwing, but that's hardly his only talent.<br />10/6, at Texas A&M: Loss for OSU. The Cowboys may have a hard time running their complicated offense and dealing with the Kyle Field noise, and A&M's experienced offense should be able to put up just enough points to sneak out a win.<br />10/13, at Nebraska: Loss for OSU. Last year the Pokes ran the Huskers out of Stillwater with an embarassing loss, and put Bill Callahan in hot water with Husker fans (at least for a week). However, it's another game where OSU will have to deal with a fairly loud crowd, not to mention a team looking for some revenge. Also, if I'm not mistaken, OSU hasn't won in Lincoln since 1960. Ouch.<br />10/20, vs. K-State: Win for OSU. One of those games where the venue switches, and the result switches. The Wildcat defense should be able to slow the Pokes down...for a while. We'll see if the Wildcat offense can give them any help.<br />11/3, vs. Texas: Win for OSU. Biggest win of the year for OSU. This could be a real shootout, but this time the Pokes have the firepower to take it, especially if UT's defense doesn't improve against the pass without Griffin and Ross.<br />11/10, vs. KU: Win for OSU. Umm, Adarius Bowman might have to leave this game from exhaustion if he plays like he did last year in Lawrence. Could he have 400 yards receiving?<br />11/17, at Baylor: Win for OSU. Okie State only put up 66 points last year on Baylor. They may not manage 60 in Waco, but the Bears will probably have a tough time holding them under 50.<br />11/24, at Oklahoma: Loss for OSU. Bitter pill to swallow at the end of the season, but at least they'll have a bowl game to look forward to. Also, I wouldn't count the Cowboys out of this one. They've beaten OU recently in Norman, and have the firepower to make life difficult on the Sooners.<br /><br />4. Texas Tech: It says something about the South's depth that I'm getting to the four and five spots and thinking I must have made a horrible mistake to pick these teams this low. Then I look at the teams above them and can't see any way to move them up.<br /><br />This should be an interesting year in Lubbock. For the first time in recorded history, Mike Leach has a quarterback with a year's starting experience (I mistakenly indicated they didn't in my North prediction post, sorry). On the other hand, TTU lost Joel Filani, Jarrett Hicks, and almost its entire offensive line. Leach, more than any other coach, has proven his system can win with almost any players plugged into spots. This will be a good test of that idea.<br /><br />On defense, it's more of the same. The secondary has a lot of experience, but the defensive line lost all its starters and has only seven players on scholarship (cross those fingers in Lubbock against injuries...or maybe I should say cross those teeth).<br /><br />I used to hate Tech, and in some ways I still do, but I discovered a newfound appreciation for Leach this winter, courtesy NFL Films and the local Lubbock news. Truly a mad scientist. Enjoy.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qSPcMXWJjUg"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qSPcMXWJjUg" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RqRz9gQfYr8"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RqRz9gQfYr8" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />Predicted finish, 5-3:<br />9/22, at Oklahoma State. Loss for TTU, see comments above.<br />10/6, Iowa State. Win for TTU. Unless Chizik can take the field himself (and has some serious talent at every position), the Clones are gonna get buried.<br />10/13, vs. Texas A&M: Win for TTU. The Raiders went into Kyle Field and snuck out a win last year, we'll see if aTm can return the favor this year. I doubt it, but the Aggies will assuredly come to play.<br />10/20, at Missouri: Loss for TTU. Could be a real shootout, but I predict a drunken and crazed Mizzou student will charge the field and cause an accidental fumble by Tech, which will be the difference in the game.<br />10/27, vs. Colorado: Win for TTU. What the hell happened to Tech in Boulder last year? Whatever it was, I'm guessing it won't happen again, in spades.<br />11/3, at Baylor: Win for TTU. Now if it was a math competition, I might have a different answer, but I'm guessing they won't change the rules of football to incorporate academic skills anytime soon.<br />11/10, at Texas: Loss for TTU. See comments above.<br />11/17, vs. OU: Win for TTU. See comments above.<br /><br />5. Texas A&M: Wow. Sorry Ags. I guess I'm probably predicting the final downfall of Dennis Franchione with a fifth-place division finish, but then again that probably doesn't make all of you sad. This year the Aggies will probably have their moments (as you'll see below), but won't be able to put it together consistently to make a run at the conference title game.<br /><br />How am I predicting a team with 16 returning starters to finish next-to-last in the South? Well, first remember I'm the guy who picked Mizzou to win the North, that might explain something right there. The other explanations are that I don't think Stephen McGee can throw the ball out of a wet paper bag and Fran will probably kick a lot of PATs when he should be going to two-point conversions. Four key losses (Bullitt, Thornton, Warren and Jack) on defense don't help matters either.<br /><br />Predicted finish, 4-4:<br />9/29, vs. Baylor. Win for A&M. The Bears have kind of been a thorn in the Ags' side lately, but it ain't happenin' in College Station.<br />10/6, vs. Oklahoma State. Win for A&M. I pick an A&M win despite the feeling this could be a lot like the early-season game against Tech last year, where A&M just couldn't quite get it done. But I think the Aggies do just enough to pull it out and, unfortunately, just enough to give their fans some serious hope before...<br />10/13, at Texas Tech: Loss for A&M. Tech won at Kyle last season, and I don't think they got much worse. Winning in Lubbock would be a big boost for aTm, but I don't see it happening.<br />10/20, at Nebraska: Loss for A&M. The noose may be starting to get tight around Fran's neck. Yeah, A&M had Nebraska all but beat last year, but this is this year and this isn't Kyle Field.<br />10/27, vs. KU: Win for A&M. Don't fuck this one up, Ags. And if you do, fire Fran on the spot.<br />11/3, at Oklahoma: Loss for A&M. Inconsistency strikes again. Win one, lose one, win two, lose two, whatever. I don't see a win in Norman this year.<br />11/10, at Missouri: Loss for A&M. This game will likely be decided by which team's coach does a better job of staying out of his own way. Mizzou has too much firepower to lost to A&M, especially in Columbia.<br />11/23, at Texas: Win for A&M. The ultimate irony may be that losing to A&M means every UT fan gets their wish if Bill Byrne decides to keep Fran on as coach because he's beat UT twice in a row.<br /><br />6. Baylor: The bad news for the Bears is they lost their best player, punter Daniel Sepulveda. The even worse news is they also lost starting QB Shawn Bell. It's rare for the Bears to have two good players at one time, so losing those two hurts bad. Add that to the fact that this university is located in Waco, Texas, and you all have my deepest sympathy. Good luck this year, you crazy Branch-Davidians..err...Baptists.<br /><br />Predicted finish, 1-7:<br />9/29, at Texas A&M: Loss for BU. Get ready to hear this phrase a lot.<br />10/6, vs. Colorado: Win for BU. An answer to the pregame prayer...the Buffs come to town, and BU makes it two in a row in the shithole over CU.<br />10/13, at KU: Loss for BU.<br />10/20, vs. Texas: Loss for BU.<br />10/27, at K-State: Loss for BU. If we blow this one, I will write an homage to Waco as the center of the universe on this site.<br />11/3, vs. Texas Tech: Loss for BU.<br />11/10, at Oklahoma: Loss for BU.<br />11/17, Oklahoma State: Loss for BU.<br /><br />So all of that leaves us with a Big 12 Championship game matchup of Texas vs. Missouri. In San Antonio which, for you non-Texas aficionados, is only about 80 miles down the road from Austin. I'm predicting there will be a maximum of 800 Missouri fan in attendance. In spite of the overwhelming odds, Mizzou will come out strong, looking for all the world like they may pull the upset of the mighty Longhorns. Alas, Pinkel and Co. will remember who they are, and the result of their last trip to Texas (last year's Sun Bowl) and will promptly choke away a late lead in true MU Tiger fashion. But hey, at least they made it this far.<br /><br />The next three months can't go fast enough.<br /><br />Coming this week: Thoughts on possible Sprint Center tenants, and pictures from the K from the Royals big 17-5 win over Philadelphia on Sunday. Also, if I'm lucky, maybe some pics from the I-70 Series, which starts tomorrow.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-5435383803982280404?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-76115331980716761882007-06-09T11:46:00.001-07:002007-06-09T11:49:15.508-07:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rmr11kouXuI/AAAAAAAAADc/63yyqNR6BEs/s1600-h/highjump.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rmr11kouXuI/AAAAAAAAADc/63yyqNR6BEs/s400/highjump.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074138230902644450" /></a><br /><br />K-State sophomore Scott Sellers is the NCAA outdoor high jump champion. Way to go, Scott!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-7611533198071676188?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-46740969577410144252007-06-07T15:31:00.000-07:002007-06-08T06:22:13.017-07:00As good a job as I did all spring covering the track and field team, it's kind of inexcusable that I would miss such big news for so long. K-State high jumper Scott Sellers was named the <a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=3194&SPID=220&DB_OEM_ID=400&ATCLID=908778">Big 12 Performer of the Year</a>, as well as the <a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=3194&SPID=220&DB_OEM_ID=400&ATCLID=921224">Midwest District track athlete of the year</a>. Congratulations Scott!<br /><br />This weekend, Sellers and fellow high jumper Kyle Lancaster are representing the Purple and White in Sacramento at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. The two <a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=3194&SPID=220&DB_OEM_ID=400&ATCLID=922241">advanced to Friday's finals </a>in the high jump (and are joined there by women's high jumper Kaylene Wagner. What's up with all these Cats who have ups?). Updates to come this weekend on how they finish.<br /><br />***<br /><br />Jeffrey Martin from the Wichita Eagle recently wrote <a href="http://www.kansas.com/248/story/88612.html">an article </a>in which an "advisor and trainer" (Hey Jeffrey, in j-school, they taught me it's "adviser") to two Wichita East football players who are highly recruited. Apparently, Brian Butler (the "advisor and trainer") has a bone to pick with K-State and KU fans who think he's not doing enough to funnel top-notch Wichita talent to the in-state schools, while he thinks K-State and KU don't recruit Kansas heavily enough.<br /><br />Huh?<br /><br />First of all, this whole thing is really stupid on a lot of levels. Can we please move past the idea that one or a few men have almighty power over the lives of 17-year-old high school students? College football fans need to realize this guy isn't going to make up Arthur and Bryce Brown's mind for them. He might advise them that one path is better than another, but the ultimate decision is up to the kid and his family.<br /><br />Second, I'm trying to figure out what cut of grass this guy is smoking, because it must be good. K-State and KU don't recruit Kansas heavily enough? Did I really read that right? I must have, here's the direct language of the article...<br /><br /><blockquote>According to Butler, the logic in the past was why take a chance on a second-tier prospect from Kansas when a passed-over, fourth-tier kid from Texas was available? Send the Kansan to a junior college --"the farm system," Butler said -- and take the Texan, if for no other reason than perception.</blockquote><br /><br />I don't have the time, patience, or stomach to look up the beaks' football roster for the last few years to determine how many Kansas players it contained. But here's a look at the last few K-State rosters:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=400&KEY=&SPID=212&SPSID=3062">2007</a>: 41 players from Kansas high schools, 39.8% of the roster.<br /><a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/SportSelect.dbml?SPSID=3062&SPID=212&DB_OEM_ID=400&KEY=&Q_SEASON=2006">2006</a>: 50 players from Kansas high schools, 46.8% of the roster.<br />Those are the two rosters from Ron Prince's first two squads. Butler indicated in the story the attitude of disfavoring Kansas players "still exists under Ron Prince" but he thought it was worse under Bill Snyder. So just for comparison sake, here's the roster of the 2003 team that won the Big 12 Championship.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/SportSelect.dbml?SPSID=3062&SPID=212&DB_OEM_ID=400&KEY=&Q_SEASON=2003">2003</a>: 60 players from Kansas high schools, 46.5% of the roster.<br /><br />Things have clearly gone downhill from the Bill Snyder era as far as recruiting Kansas players.<br /><br />Butler is particularly irked that the in-state BCS conference programs pass over Kansas kids for some fourth-rate Texas kid that A&M and UT (and presumably Tech, Baylor and Houston) don't want. In particular, Butler is mad that both K-State and KU didn't offer Frank Delarue, a running back from Wichita.<br /><br />Well, for one thing, the level of play in Texas is so much higher than it is in Kansas that these Texas kids will have played against better opposition than the average Kansas kid. Also, as to Delarue, never mind the fact that he only had offers from two MAC schools. Never mind the fact we signed James Johnson (beat Texas A&M out for him) and Leon Patton (a freshman) last year. Our squad is not hurting for running backs, so why the hell would we compete with a couple MAC schools for a kid from Wichita?<br /><br />As the title of the article says, sometimes in-state players are too good to stay home. Right now K-State is not on a level with USC and the other elite programs from whom the Browns have offers. I can't fault them for wanting to go out of state. But if that's the case, Brian Butler (and his mouthpiece, Jeffrey Martin) need to stop bitching about K-State not being loyal to in-state players, especially when I just empirically demonstrated that they are. We've offered the Browns scholarships. We want them in Manhattan. But in-state players leave. I understand that. Scott Frost left Nebraska to go to Stanford (for a while). Barry Sanders left Wichita to go to Oklahoma State. That's fine, I don't have a problem with it.<br /><br />But let's leave the irresponsible, non-fact-based journalism to the tabloids. If you're going to say K-State and KU aren't loyal to in-state players, come up with more than one example, and admit that K-State and (I assume) KU have an overwhelming number of Kansas kids on their roster. We do what we can for Kansas kids.<br /><br />Does Brian Butler?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-4674096957741014425?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-70634867452380114432007-06-07T05:22:00.000-07:002007-06-07T05:38:27.175-07:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rmf7wEouXtI/AAAAAAAAADU/yEhUxbJJeXU/s1600-h/blog3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rmf7wEouXtI/AAAAAAAAADU/yEhUxbJJeXU/s320/blog3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5073300308552998610" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/06/07/missing.teen/index.html">Authorities found the body of Kelsey Smith </a>yesterday near Longview Lake, which is just south of Kansas City. Also, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/06/07/missing.teen/index.html">an Olathe man was arrested </a>in connection with the abduction and homicide.<br /><br />Johnson County, Kan., attorney general Phill Kline announced his office would file charges. Whoa there, cowboy. I want to see this guy fried as much as anyone else, but let's think about this a moment. I'm not sure this is a capital case anyway, but the <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2004/LAW/12/17/kansas.death.penalty/">Kansas death penalty is in a severe state of flux right now</a>. Conversely, the Missouri death penalty just got the <a href="http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/nation/4860363.html">go-ahead from the Eighth Circuit</a>. On top of all that, Phill, just because the girl was abducted in JoCo doesn't mean she was killed there. Her body was found in Missouri, so there's a good chance she died there.<br /><br />If there's any possibility of it, try this guy in Jackson County, Mo. <a href="http://firephillkline.wordpress.com/">Phill Kline is a fucking idiot</a>, and this is one homicide case I don't want to see screwed up.<br /><br />God's speed to Kelsey Smith's family, and may justice be swift for Edwin Hall.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rmf6xkouXrI/AAAAAAAAADE/rJURJ-IhZ6g/s1600-h/blog1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rmf6xkouXrI/AAAAAAAAADE/rJURJ-IhZ6g/s320/blog1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5073299234811174578" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rmf7PUouXsI/AAAAAAAAADM/qT3f69Fk4dY/s1600-h/blog2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rmf7PUouXsI/AAAAAAAAADM/qT3f69Fk4dY/s320/blog2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5073299745912282818" /></a><br /><br />(Photos courtesy the Kansas City Star and FoxNews.com)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-7063486745238011443?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-77187540395651866472007-06-05T18:31:00.000-07:002007-06-05T18:55:06.979-07:00Frank Martin and the basketball team have had some new developments this week. In addition to having <a href="http://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=676729">one of the top-rated classes of incoming recruits</a>, the team <a href="http://www.cjonline.com/stories/060207/cat_174341924.shtml">added Miami point guard Denis Clemente</a>.<br /><br />Sounds like just what we need. A fast point guard who can make things happen. Not to mention, he scored 9.8 ppg, shot 43.5% from the field and 38% from three-point range. Clemente is also a 73% free-throw shooter, and had 3.3 assists per game. On the other hand, he was suspended for UM's first game last year, and was suspended late in the year. The article (and 610 sports here in KC) indicated the problems were related to class attendance, like that wasn't a big deal.<br /><br />I hope our coaches don't think that's not a big deal. I'm happy to have a prospectively good player added to the roster, especially at a spot where we could use some help. But a kid who doesn't go to class is a risk. Even more, that COULD (not saying it is) be the sign of a deeper attitude problem. I hope I'm wrong. I hope Martin got an assurance from Clemente that the problems were behind him, as well as some hard evidence (for example, his grades) that he is serious about it. We'll see.<br /><br />The team also released part of the schedule for next year. Most of the attention is focused on the <a href="http://www.oldspiceclassic.com/?DB_OEM_ID=400">Old Spice Classic</a>, where <a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=400&ATCLID=920548">the Cats will open up play with George Mason</a>. I hope that's not the headliner game of the non-conference, though. Yeah, GMU was the darling of the Big Dance two years ago, but they were an unimpressive 18-15 last year, and did not make the NCAA Tournament. If the Cats get by the Patriots, they could face Villanova, which would be a good test early in the season (not to mention a possible resume-boosting win).<br /><br />Sportsradio here in KC today mentioned K-State and Notre Dame may face off this year on the hardwood. No linky on that one, sorry.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-7718754039565186647?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-5893224461014890852007-06-01T15:46:00.001-07:002007-06-01T21:02:57.145-07:00Last weekend, Joe Posnanski wrote a great piece about <a href="http://www.kansascity.com/sports/story/124608.html">Bo Jackson</a>. Hard as it may be to believe, it's been 20 years since Bo Jackson debuted with the Royals. The column runs down some of the more amazing things Bo did in baseball, as well as football. It really is a shame for people of my generation that Bo got hurt like he did. He had the pure physical ability to be one of the greatest athletes of all time (5.4 yards per carry in the NFL? Ridonkulous). I know my dad has never stopped talking about his amazement at seeing Bo throw a strike from the warning track to home plate, on a frozen rope. For your enjoyment, here are some photos and videos of Bo...<br /><br />Here's some football video of Bo, including his classic flattening of the Boz...<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/EjO_QfFYV78"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/EjO_QfFYV78" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br /><a href="http://sports.webshots.com/photo/1046055339037325533MJNgao"><img src="http://thumb13.webshots.net/s/thumb3/5/53/39/46055339MJNgao_th.jpg" alt="Royals Bo Jackson"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RmDrRi08jLI/AAAAAAAAACs/bvf2ucIGpy4/s1600-h/bo2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RmDrRi08jLI/AAAAAAAAACs/bvf2ucIGpy4/s320/bo2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071311867058359474" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RmDrYi08jMI/AAAAAAAAAC0/olkTYkR_mNU/s1600-h/bo3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RmDrYi08jMI/AAAAAAAAAC0/olkTYkR_mNU/s320/bo3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071311987317443778" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RmDrhC08jNI/AAAAAAAAAC8/c0Vrxcuvjnw/s1600-h/bo4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RmDrhC08jNI/AAAAAAAAAC8/c0Vrxcuvjnw/s320/bo4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071312133346331858" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-589322446101489085?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-7603000299366661362007-05-30T17:00:00.000-07:002007-05-30T18:14:45.672-07:00I'm not going to bother going through each team's entire schedule, but I'll take a quick look at each North squad and run through its conference schedule to see how each team might fare this season.<br /><br />In order of predicted finish...<br /><br />1. Missouri: I know what you're thinking. You think this guy is an idiot for picking a team coached by Gary Pinkel. And, well, you're right. I am kind of an idiot. But at this point, I think this team has as good a shot as anyone to win the division. They should be loaded on offense, with Daniel, Temple (if he can stop fumbling), Coffman and Rucker returning. Throw in Will Franklin at WR, and this team will score some points.<br /><br />Of course, other fans will howl that the Tigers have no defense. Indeed, they did lose a lot from a defense that wasn't all that stout to begin with. However, looking at the deficiencies of all the other North teams, I have more reasons to pick Mizzou than anyone else.<br /><br />Predicted finish (7-1):<br />10/6, vs. Nebraska: Win for MU. They've won the last two against NU in Columbia, and I have no real reason to believe this year will be any different.<br />10/13, at Oklahoma: Loss for MU. I think OU is going to be further down than most do this year (they're preseason #7 in some poll), and they don't have a QB at this point, but I'm not sure MU is ready to win in Norman.<br />10/20, vs. Texas Tech: Win for MU. This game may end up 77-70, but I like the weapons MU has over TTU breaking in a new QB and replacing some of last year's players.<br />10/27, vs. Iowa State: Win for MU. ISU doesn't have the talent to compete right now, even with Gene Chizik.<br />11/3, at Colorado: Win for MU. I think CU will be vastly improved, but they have no homefield advantage and are still trying to get players in there for Hawkins' system.<br />11/10, vs. Texas A&M: Win for MU. This will be a huge game for MU. As I've said multiple times before, I'm not sold on Fran, and I can't pick the Aggies to win in a big road game (last year's win over UT in Austin notwithstanding).<br />11/17, at K-State: Win for MU. Kills me to say it, but I see our win steak in Manhattan ending. I do think the Cats have a good chance to take this game, given MU's past struggles here and the stength of the Lynch Mob going up against MU's offense, but I can't pick the Cats at this point. This is where we need a big Pinkel choke.<br />11/24, vs. KU (in KC): Win for MU. MU owns KU right now, and will have at least a neutral field at Arrowhead (if not homefield advantage).<br /><br />2. Nebraska: Nebraska should be another strong offensive team this year, although not as strong as MU. The OL should provide good protection and run blocking. Now if they can just find someone to run behind it, after Brandon Jackson left, Kenny Wilson broke his leg, and Marlon Lucky landed in the ICU for some unexplained reason. It may be interesting to see who wins the alleged QB battle, although I'll be shocked if it's not Sam Keller. If he doesn't win it, Husker fans should be very worried about quality of QB play, not to mention team chemistry.<br /><br />NU's defense should be decent, but not great. The LB position looks pretty strong with Ruud, Octavien and McKeon back. If NU can replace the four DL starters it lost, the unit could be pretty solid. If not, its undersized and outmanned backfield could get torched. Getting Zac Bowman back would help...<br /><br />Predicted finish (6-2):<br />9/29, vs. Iowa State: Win for NU. ISU will be outmanned and doesn't have much chance in Lincoln.<br />10/6, at Missouri: Loss for NU. See my comments from Mizzou above. Hostile environment and a good team. If Pinkel stays out of his own way...<br />10/13, vs. Oklahoma State: Win for NU. This is a much needed game, but it will be very difficult. OSU ran NU out of Stillwater last year, and have a lot of key cogs back in what should be an explosive offense. NU better watch out in this one.<br />10/20, vs. Texas A&M: Win for NU. I may be at this one with some of my Aggie friends. Looks like another good game, but A&M couldn't get it done in College Station last year and, as I mentioned earlier, I can't pick Fran in a big road game.<br />10/27, at Texas: Loss for NU. Sure, you played 'em tough in Lincoln last year, but if you can't even beat the 'Horns in the snow, how you gonna beat 'em in Austin?<br />11/3, at Kansas: Win for NU. I'm tempted to pick this as my upset special of the year, especially given KU's bitch-slapping of NU last time they came to Lawrence. But I can't do it, because this KU team isn't as good as the 2005 version, and the 2007 Huskers are better than the 2005 team.<br />11/10, vs. K-State: Win for NU. Another game it kills me to predict, but this group of 'Cats isn't quite ready to win in Lincoln. I think this should be a tough game, especially if the Lynch Mob makes life hard on NU's offense, but I'm not sure if K-State can put up the points to win yet.<br />11/23, at Colorado: Win for NU. Another game I'm tempted to pick the Huskers to lose, but CU's still going to be a little down this year. If CU has a decent year, they should have a good (as in, intimidating) home field crowd in this one, but it won't be enough.<br /><br />3. K-State: The success of this season depends on two things. First, the offensive line being able to protect the QB and open some running lanes. Second, Josh Freeman developing. I want to see the TD:INT ratio improve drastically, but even more I want to see better decision making and ball security. Several of Freeman's fumbles last year were totally preventable, because he held the ball too far away from him when he got rushed.<br /><br />This should be a really good defensive unit, maybe the best in the North. Rob Jackson and Ian Campbell should be in a lot of QBs nightmares. The secondary has all kinds of returning experience, and Reggie Walker should be the anchor of a solid LB corps. Need to find a way to toughen up against the run though. If that happens, we'll be in every game simply because the other team won't score much.<br /><br />Predicted finish (4-4):<br />9/29, at Texas: Loss for KSU. Ouch, what a crappy way to start the conference slate. In Austin, against a team that will be laying for us after last year's big win in the Little Apple. Here's hoping that early season trip to Auburn gets us ready for this game.<br />10/6, vs. KU: Win for KSU. This won't be an easy game coming off a tough trip to UT, but it's one we better pick up, especially at home. KU's defense will probably make it hard on Freeman again, but not as bad as last year, and our defense will be much better off against the beaks offense, sans Cornish.<br />10/13, vs. Colorado: Win for KSU. Handy road win last year, and a team that's probably somewhat improved this year, versus a horrible team from last year that has improved some, but not that much. Things starting to look good.<br />10/20, at Oklahoma State: Loss for KSU. Maybe not the toughest environment, but this team has some serious talent and had us on the ropes in Manhattan last year. We will need some serious defense in this one to hang in it.<br />10/27, vs. Baylor: Win for KSU. Last season's game in Waco was definitely the low point of the year. However, it occurred right as we were switching from Dylan Meier to Josh Freeman, and it was early in the year before things started to click. I don't give the Bears much chance against a team that is vastly improved from last year's meeting, and should be laying for them.<br />11/3, at Iowa State: Win for KSU. This could be an upset game, especially considering it comes right before our two biggest games of the year. But I think we have a much better team than ISU at this point, and should be able to manage a win in Ames.<br />11/10, at Nebraska: Loss for KSU. See comments above. Should be a good game, but I can't predict a win right now.<br />11/17, vs. Missouri: Loss for KSU. See comments above. Maybe I should pick a win here, but I can't.<br /><br />4. KU: The beaks join NU as teams with QB controversies heading into the fall. Kerry Meier and Todd Reesing will battle it out, though I suspect Reesing will wind up the starter. However, Mangino may continue to pull his boneheaded QB musical chairs game, and never allow either one to get comfortable. Also, Jon Cornish is gone, meaning KU has lost its top offensive threat. The defense should be pretty solid this year, though I doubt it will be on a level with the unit of two years ago.<br /><br />Predicted finish (2-6):<br />10/6, at K-State: Loss for KU. See comments above.<br />10/13, vs. Baylor: Win for KU. A battle of the two traditional doormats of the conference, with the North team coming out on top for a change.<br />10/20, at Colorado: Loss for KU. Sure, CU isn't that great. But KU has been downright wretched on the road in conference play, and CU should take them in Boulder.<br />10/27, at Texas A&M: Loss for KU. Ouch. The Aggies won in Lawrence last year, and I don't see much chance when the beaks step onto Kyle Field.<br />11/3, vs. Nebraska: Loss for KU. Again, I should pick the upset, but I won't.<br />11/10, at Oklahoma State: Loss for KU. The Cowboys have too much firepower for the birds, this one could get ugly.<br />11/17, vs. Iowa State: Win for KU. This could be an interesting game, but I still don't think the Clones are ready to compete with anyone in the conference. I could be proven woefully wrong if Gene Chizik proves to be a good coach.<br />11/24, vs. Missouri (in KC): Loss for KU. See above.<br /><br />5. Iowa State: The good news is they have Bret Meyer and Todd Blythe. The bad news is...that's about it. I think Gene Chizik is a good coach who will get the most out of these players, but their most isn't going to be much. Look out for the Clones in a few years if Chizik and recruit to Ames.<br /><br />Predicted finish (1-7):<br />9/29, at Nebraska: Loss for ISU. See above.<br />10/6, at Texas Tech: Loss for ISU. Chizik should know what TTU is up to and have a good idea how to stop them, but whether his players can execute is a whole other matter.<br />10/13, vs. Texas: Loss for ISU. No further comment necessary.<br />10/20, vs. Oklahoma: Loss for ISU. No further comment necessary.<br />10/27, at Missouri: Loss for ISU. See above.<br />11/3, vs. K-State: Loss for ISU. See above.<br />11/10, vs. Colorado: Win for ISU. See above.<br />11/17, at KU: Loss for ISU. See above.<br /><br />6. Colorado: The Buffs should be much better this year if they actually have a QB who can throw the ball out of his shadow, and it appears Dan Hawkins' son, Cody, might be able to. Hard to know how much improved they'll be, but I'll take them to at least be better than KU and Iowa State.<br /><br />Predicted finish (1-7):<br />9/29, vs. Oklahoma: Loss for CU. Bob Stoops could be the Buffs by himself.<br />10/6, at Baylor: Loss for CU. Last time the Buffs went to the shithole, they lost. This trip won't be much better.<br />10/13, at K-State: Loss for CU. See above.<br />10/20, vs. KU: Win for CU. See above.<br />10/27, at Texas Tech: Loss for CU. CU's woes in the Lone Star State continue (think 70-3).<br />11/3, vs. Missouri: Loss for CU. See above.<br />11/10, at Iowa State: Loss for CU. This is the Clones best chance for a win this year. They better get it.<br />11/23, vs. Nebraska: Loss for CU. See above.<br /><br />If I feel like it, I'll do a (much shorter) prediction for the South sometime soon. Until then, enjoy the rain.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-760300029936666136?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-45277632250295167912007-05-28T20:10:00.000-07:002007-05-28T21:05:48.777-07:00This has to go down in history as one of the more disappointing weeks in K-State sports, certainly in K-State baseball history. Entering last weekend's series with Baylor, the Bat Cats had a legitimate shot to go to the NCAA tournament. Now, 10 days and a 1-5 record later, the Cats will be sitting at home, thinking about what might have been.<br /><br />As mentioned previously, the Cats had a rough go of it against Texas in the opening game of the Big 12 tournament, losing 19-10. That still left the team with two chances at RPI boosting wins, with Nebraska and Texas A&M looming.<br /><br />After the fiasco of a game with the Huskers and a 5-1 win for the Cats, the whole season came down to another matchup with A&M. Despite having played the Aggies tough in all three games (winning one) in the regular season, the Cats couldn't do much right and lost 7-2. It turns out it wouldn't have mattered much, because Texas beat Nebraska, meaning even a win against A&M would have meant our Big 12 tournament was done. However, a win against A&M MIGHT (probably not, but at least maybe) have been enough to make the NCAA tournament.<br /><br />Now, on to what became the real story of the weekend, the Cats game on Friday against Nebraska. I have now seen the replay of the play in question, and a link to it is <a href="http://www.kolnkgin.com/sports/headlines/7694082.html">here</a>. First, let me say this...I'm relieved <a href="http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=3918&u_sid=2390800">Mitch Abeita was not seriously injured</a>. I never wish harm on players from other teams.<br /><br />Now, on to you crazy Husker fans. I've reviewed the play several times, and here are my thoughts. Jordan Cruz definitely took the full liberty of the baseline (which is not an infinitesimally narrow point of space, but rather a foot or two wide) in attempting to break up the double play. However, he was not, in my view, outside the baseline. Not to mention, he kept his spikes down (***Note: <a href="http://www.cornnation.com/story/2007/5/25/112545/241">CornNation claims Abeita was spiked</a>. In watching the video, it appears to me Cruz went in knees first, but whatever. They're Husker fans so I'm sure they're right. Not to mention, they later claim he was eight feet from the plate...he's got some long damn legs if that was the case.). He was not attempting to injure Abeita.<br /><br />Some of you claim there's a pattern of this happening. Yes, <a href="http://cjonline.com/stories/040807/cat_161624578.shtml">Eli Rumler was ejected </a>from a game against Missouri earlier this year for a late slide into second. However, if you read the comments from that game, Brad Hill fully acknowledged that was deserved and said "That's not anything we condone." I've met Brad Hill. He's as nice a guy as anyone I've ever met, almost to a fault. He doesn't drink, doesn't smoke, and doesn't swear. Really an upstanding guy.<br /><br />Some Husker fans were calling for an earhole pitch on Cruz's next at-bat as retaliation for the slide. Really? So because a player makes a questionable play (that was uncalled, by the way, do you really think the umps are conspiring against you?), your pitcher should go for his head next time? I understand baseball, I know beanballs in retaliation are customary. ESPN had a <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/ivp/index?id=2866260&cobrand=espnsearch&lpos=srch_c1_r1_mvideo">great bit on Outside the Lines and SportsCenter </a>this weekend about retaliatory pitches and pitching inside. It happens, and there's a place for it.<br /><br />However, as the video says, there's no place for pitches above the neck. You're talking about throwing a baseball, at about 90 mph, at someone's head. You're not only endangering a guy's career (I know a guy who used to play at Wichita State whose career ended after a shot to the head), but potentially his life. Cruz got plunked against A&M, are you happy now you crybabies? Jeez.<br /><br />Speaking of the A&M game, some of you claimed it was "convenient" that Cruz didn't start that game, implying it was Hill's punishment for an admittedly dirty play. It wasn't. Cruz played in 46 games, and started 30 (the Cats are 34-24 this year). Not to mention, A&M started ace <a href="http://www.aggieathletics.com/bios.php?SID=MBA&PID=7744&YOS=2007">David Newmann, </a>who is a lefty. Cruz bats left-handed. Only makes sense to me to put <a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=3231&SPID=222&DB_OEM_ID=400&ATCLID=228463&Q_SEASON=2006">Adam Muenster</a> and <a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=3231&SPID=222&DB_OEM_ID=400&ATCLID=31732&Q_SEASON=2006">Derek Bunker</a> (two switch hitters) in the lineup instead of a lefty when A&M is putting a southpaw on the bump.<br /><br />That's enough of dealing with Husker fans' problems. On to other news...<br /><br />ESPN will be <a href="http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1200&u_sid=2388925">carrying five Big 12 games on Saturday nights</a>. I've mentioned this <a href="http://kstatecatzone.blogspot.com/2007/04/big-12-management-sucks.html">before</a>, and it looks like the league office has finally taken a positive step. That's five games FSN won't be broadcasting, which is always good. It also means the best-known sports broadcasting channel in the world will be showing some Big 12 action this year. Now, we just need the Cats to get one of their games on the channel. More to come on which games will be shown later, although <a href="http://huskermike.blogspot.com/2007/05/espn-to-carry-4-or-5-big-xii-games-in.html">Husker Mike has a pretty good breakdown of it already</a>.<br /><br />Anyway, because I'm always happy to give credit where it's due, <a href="http://kstatecatzone.blogspot.com/2007/04/big-12-management-sucks.html">especially to people I've dissed before</a>, way to go Weiberg.<br /><br />***<br /><br />I'm going to have to start reading Tim Griffin of the San Antonio News-Express more often. He seems to cover the Big 12 as well as anyone, and his stuff is actually available online (are you paying attention, Tom Shatel?). Anyway, this week he had <a href="http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/columnists/tgriffin/stories/MYSA051807.WEBBig12Insider.en.80ab458e.html">a good piece about Ron Prince upgrading K-State's non-conference schedule to get the program better competition and more TV appearances</a>. Definitely worth a read.<br /><br />Also, at the end of the column, there's a bit about the Big 12 programs with the best record against BCS conference teams. Guess what? K-State comes in second place, with a .615 winning percentage. Way to go Cats, let's improve that a little in the next few years.<br /><br />Happy Memorial Day!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-4527763225029516791?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-41344928998405540642007-05-24T21:03:00.000-07:002007-05-24T21:55:17.839-07:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RlZpv_UcbHI/AAAAAAAAACU/EPJtUz7vIVk/s1600-h/KC.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RlZpv_UcbHI/AAAAAAAAACU/EPJtUz7vIVk/s400/KC.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068354703824022642" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RlZqGPUcbII/AAAAAAAAACc/THIy3ClTi-A/s1600-h/omaha.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RlZqGPUcbII/AAAAAAAAACc/THIy3ClTi-A/s200/omaha.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068355086076112002" /></a><br /><br />The Big 12 meetings are this week, hence the massive amount of articles about Big 12 sports in the <a href="http://www.kansascity.com/sports/big12/">KC Star this morning</a>. The ADs from each school will be discussing a number of issues, chiefly where the conference football and basketball tournaments will be the next few years.<br /><br />The contenders in football include Kansas City, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio. Here are my thoughts on this. The football game should rotate every two years between Kansas City and some Texas site. Why? Because KC is the only viable site in the North to hold the game, and it IS a viable site (more on that later). St. Louis is no good, it's not a Big 12 town. Denver? They've never asked for it that I know of, and anyway Denver isn't really a Big 12 town either. No other city in the North has a football stadium to accomodate the game. Thus, KC is the natural site in the North.<br /><br />If I had my way, the game would rotate between KC and Dallas every two years, with San Antonio thrown in every once in a while. Dallas, at least as football goes, is a decent Big 12 town. Not only that, but they're building a <a href="http://stadium.dallascowboys.com/">$1 billion, 100,000 seat palace for football</a>. Of course, that doesn't mean jack if they don't sell tickets for it, but I'm guessing they will, especially considering the town is almost guaranteed to have Oklahoma, Texas, or Texas A&M every time the game is played there.<br /><br />You might be thinking to yourself, "Gee, TB, you live in Houston, why don't you want the Big 12 game there?" Personally, I'd love to have it there. I live near the stadium and could go to the game, especially if my Cats make it back. Problem is, as the Star notes, Houston is not a Big 12 town. It's not a town at all. It's a big goddamn city, and it's as much an SEC city as a Big 12 city. There's no strong Big 12 identity in Houston unless the Longhorns or Aggies are playing, and they don't give shit about the Big 12, <a href="http://kstatecatzone.blogspot.com/2007/05/big-12-civil-war.html">as I've mentioned previously</a>.<br /><br />Now, on to basketball. Five freaking cities are vying for the mens and womens conference tournaments. Five. Yeah, that's ridiculous. The five are Kansas City (pictured above on top), Omaha (pictured above, below), Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Dallas.<br /><br />There's no room for debate or rotation on this issue. The Big 12 basketball tournament should be in Kansas City EVERY YEAR. Yeah, that's right, every year. Why? If you have to ask that, I have to ask "Why not?" Look at Kansas City. It's 120 miles from K-State and Mizzou, and 40 miles from KU. It's a little more than 200 miles from Lincoln, and an easy drive from Oklahoma State and Oklahoma. The city loves it some Big 12 basketball. Further, it's built the <a href="http://www.sprintcenter.com/">$276 million Sprint Center</a>, right in the middle of downtown, near a lot of good entertainment. And if that's not enough, there's still <a href="http://www.gatesbbq.com">Gates BBQ</a>.<br /><br />What's wrong with the other cities? Let me count the ways. <br /><br />Omaha: Are you kidding? <a href="http://www.qwestcenter.com/">Qwest Center Omaha </a>is a nice facility, it really is, but Omaha is not a Big 12 city. It's a Nebraska Cornhuskers' city. Omaha likes to tell you how it loves its college sports and how great it is in supporting college sports, but it doesn't walk the walk (<a href="http://ajthoughts.blogspot.com/2007/05/im-bored-of-being-right-all-time.html">ask AJ</a>). The reason people show up to the College World Series is for the party. I went to the CWS for the first time last year, and while I did go to the actual games, I was more concerned with drinking myself into a stupor on 13th Street. And don't get me started on the NCAA volleyball tournament there. It's easy to set record crowds when a Husker sports team is playing for a national title in Lincoln in December, because there's FUCKING NOTHING ELSE TO DO IN NEBRASKA IN DECEMBER! If the Husker women's volleyball team had lost in the third round of the NCAA tournament, the crowds in Omaha would have been roughly equivalent to, if not smaller than, the crowds at any average volleyball Final Four.<br /><br />Dallas: Don't get me started. <a href="http://www.aaarena.com/">American Airlines Arena </a>is the nicest facility in the mix for the tournament, but it's in the absolute worst city for the tournament. Let's see...have the tournament in a palace and play the games in front of 17,000 empty seats (Dallas)...orrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...have it in a beautiful new arena in front of a packed house for pretty much every game (KC)? No brainer to me. Dallas is a pro sports town, who loves its <a href="http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/396886">butter-fingered quarterbacks </a>and <a href="http://www.nba.com/playerfile/dirk_nowitzki/index.html">Downy-soft "power" forwards</a>.<br /><br />Tulsa: Ummm...Tulsa has anything but <a href="http://www.southernhillscc.com/">golf courses</a>? Could have fooled me.<br /><br />Oklahoma City: OKC is the only other city that has a viable claim to having the tournament. <a href="http://www.okfordcenter.com/">The Ford Center </a>is a nice facility, although it ranks third to AAA and the Sprint Center. The city did a good job of hosting the tournament, but we're talking about OKC here. Raise your hands if you prefer OKC to KC or Dallas? Ok, now we know which two of you need to be committed to the Betty Ford clinic.<br /><br />As you can see, the basketball tournament needs to stay in Kansas City, permanently, period, end of argument and discussion.<br /><br />***<br /><br />The fighting Nebraska Crybabies fell in OKC tonight to the K-State Bat Cats, 5-1. This keeps K-State's conference title (and NCAA tournament) hopes alive after yesterday's <a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=400&ATCLID=899510">dreadful 19-10 loss to Texas</a>. NU fans have spent a half a message board's worth of crying about Jordan Cruz's alleged hard slide into NU catcher Mitch Abeita, not to mention repeated calling for an earhole pitch in retaliation.<br /><br />Boo-fucking-hoo. First of all, let me ask how many of you bitches actually saw what happened, rather than hearing about it from Husker Information Minister Jim Rose (who is lower than a flabby hunk of whale shit). I'm guessing not very many unless the one TV station up there was showing a live feed from Bricktown tonight. Second, the main reason you were crying was it happened in the sixth inning when you were already down 3-1.<br /><br />Look, it's baseball, it's not always a gentlemanly sport. And the fact that your dumbass head coach and pitching coach got tossed doesn't impress me at all. Those pussies get tossed in 1 out of every 4 games you play, whether they really got wronged or not. I didn't see the slide at issue, and I'm guessing none of you did either. You have no idea if it was a hard slide or if it was clean and you're dumbass catcher just had his foot in the wrong place. Suck it up and get ready for your ass-ramming against Texas. Not to mention the reality that we could beat Texas A&M and move on to the conference tournament finals.<br /><br />Have a great weekend everybody. Sorry, no pics from the Royals game tonight, but I'll try to have some up next week.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RlZqcvUcbJI/AAAAAAAAACk/LuPtSQPq_4U/s1600-h/crybaby.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RlZqcvUcbJI/AAAAAAAAACk/LuPtSQPq_4U/s200/crybaby.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068355472623168658" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-4134492899840554064?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-80881514346715010292007-05-21T16:20:00.000-07:002007-05-21T16:40:54.684-07:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RlIt5vUcbGI/AAAAAAAAACM/vIPiZfDCgTo/s1600-h/bricktown.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RlIt5vUcbGI/AAAAAAAAACM/vIPiZfDCgTo/s320/bricktown.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067163000723237986" /></a><br /><br />Ok boys, Nebraska beat KU last night, so the seedings are set for the Big 12 tournament. Here's our <a href="http://www.big12sports.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/big12-basebl-championship.html">draw</a>...<br /><br />Wednesday, 1 p.m., Texas<br />Thursday, 7:30 p.m., Nebraska<br />Saturday, 10 a.m., Texas A&M<br /><br />If we're looking for a chance to play our way in to the NCAA tournament, well, we got our shot. We get to play the #2, #10 and #26 teams in the <a href="http://boydsworld.com/baseball/rpi/currentrpi.html">RPI</a>. Of course, that doesn't mean jack if we go 0-3, but let's remember, the Bat Cats beat each of those three teams once in conference play this year. Also, in the A&M and Nebraska series, the team was very competitive, losing two games by a combined three runs to A&M and two games by a combined four runs to NU.<br /><br />Also, the format puts the teams into two pools for play. Our pool is us, UT, A&M and NU, with the teams with the top two records advancing to the championship rounds. Basically, if we go 2-1 in pool play, we're almost guaranteed to advance (it's possible for three teams to go 2-1, but that would require one team to go 0-3, which is highly unlikely if we are one of the 2-1 teams).<br /><br />Of course, nobody knows what even two wins against our pool opponents would do for us. Maybe it would be enough, maybe it wouldn't. But there's one way to guarantee a tournament appearance, and that's by winning the whole thing, like that school to the east did last year. Unlikely? Sure, but anything's possible.<br /><br />Go Cats.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-8088151434671501029?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-18864767899861835682007-05-20T15:48:00.000-07:002007-05-20T16:14:27.883-07:00What a disaster. A whole season's worth of good work by the Bat Cats has probably gone down the drain because of three days in the biggest shithole town in the world.<br /><br />The Cats traveled to Waco needing only a win or a KU loss to be assured a spot in the Big 12 tournament. Win the series, and we would still likely be in the running for the NCAA tournament. By even managing one win in Waco, we could have kept our chances alive.<br /><br />But that's not what happened.<br /><br />After three days and 31 runs by Baylor (<a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=400&ATCLID=897915">9-8</a>, <a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=400&ATCLID=898141">13-7</a>, <a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=400&ATCLID=898267">9-3</a>), the Cats come back to Manhattan assured their second Big 12 tournament appearance...but little else. Getting swept at the hands of Baylor means the Cats take the eight seed and a first-round date with the Texas Longhorns in OKC. Wonderful. Especially condidering UT swept Texas A&M this weekend and looks to be on a roll heading into the tournament. Here's the final breakdown, assuming a Nebraska win over KU tonight...<br /><br />1. Texas 21-6 (Swept A&M)<br />2. Missouri 19-8 (Swept Oklahoma State)<br />3. Oklahoma State 16-11 (Swept by Missouri)<br />4. Nebraska 14-13 (Beat KU 2-1 if they win tonight, if they lose, A&M is the four seed)<br />5. Texas A&M 13-13 (Swept by UT)<br />6. Baylor 12-15 (Swept K-State)<br />7. Oklahoma 11-16 (Beat Texas Tech 2-1)<br />8. K-State 10-16 (Swept by Baylor)<br />9. KU 10-16 or 9-17 (Playing Nebraska this evening)<br />10. Texas Tech 8-18 (Lost to OU, 1-2)<br /><br />I hate to dwell on it, but this weekend was the single-biggest choke-job I've seen in a while. All season, we managed to hang with better teams, managing one win per series at least, winning several series, and playing tough, scrappy ball every night out. This weekend, outside of Friday night, this was not the same team. Maybe the realization that the team was on the brink of making K-State baseball history got to them. I sure hope so, because we were playing Baylor, not Rice or some other national seed. Coach Hill and the players better regroup quickly or next weekend in OKC will be the last action of the year.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.boydsworld.com/baseball/rpi/currentrpi.html">latest RPI</a>, updated today, has us at #32. A losing record and an eight seed in the Big 12 tournament does absolutely nothing to help us. We needed to make it impossible for the committee to keep us out, and getting swept by a lower ranked RPI opponent was exactly the wrong thing to do. K-State is hardly a household name in college baseball, and becoming even more anonymous by getting swept by a mediocre league foe on the last weekend of the season does not help our image at all.<br /><br />On the other hand, we do get a shot at Texas, which would be a big RPI and profile boost should we manage a win. And because we are guaranteed three games at the tourney, we should get other shots at resume boosting wins. The official brackets will be out tonight after the NU-KU game is over, I'll try to have a post up tomorrow looking them over.<br /><br />Have a great week. I start my internship tomorrow, so wish me luck.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-1886476789986183568?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-55284659590658182532007-05-16T18:10:00.000-07:002007-05-16T18:28:25.834-07:00I'll admit I rushed my weekly update a little bit this week. Despite that, I'm still an idiot for not checking out thoroughly the records of each team. Anyway, here are the updated (and corrected standings)...<br /><br />1. Texas, 18-6 (Home to Texas A&M this weekend)<br />2. Missouri, 16-8 (At Oklahoma State)<br />3. Oklahoma State, 16-8 (Home to Missouri)<br />4. Texas A&M, 13-10 (At Texas)<br />5. Nebraska, 12-12 (At KU)<br />6. K-State, 10-13 (At Baylor)<br />7. Oklahoma, 9-15 (Home to Texas Tech)<br />8. Baylor, 9-15 (Home to K-State)<br />9. KU, 8-15 (Home to Nebraska)<br />10. Texas Tech, 7-16 (At Oklahoma)<br /><br />Thus, we hold a 1.5 game lead over Baylor for the eight seed in the conference. Win one game against the Bears, and we are guaranteed to make the conference tournament. We probably need to take the series off Baylor to hang on to the six seed, because OU will almost certainly at least take the series off Tech, if not take a sweep.<br /><br />If we won the series and KU took the series off NU, we could move up to fifth, but that's a long shot.<br /><br />Currently, <a href="http://collegebaseball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=673412">Rivals </a>still has us as one of the last five teams in, playing as a three-seed at the Wichita Regional. As I've mentioned before, Wichita would be a good draw for us. It's close to home, so we should be able to put quite a few fans in the stands at Eck. Also, it would give us the chance to play the Shox, a team we've proven over the last few years we're not afraid of. Rivals currently has six Big 12 teams in the field, which is probably about right.<br /><br /><a href="http://sebaseball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=673501">SEBaseball </a>also has us as a last five team in, playing as a three-seed at the Fayetteville regional. They also have Wichita State in that regional, which would give us a first-round matchup with the WuShocks, but in a different location. Hmmm...<br /><br />***<br /><br />Not a whole lot else new in Wildcatland these days. Change of scenery for me, as I'm now looking at the world (temporarily) from the rolling hills of KC. Good to be away from the dickhead cops in Texas for a while...<br /><br />More to come this week.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-5528465959065818253?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-8179875104169513642007-05-13T21:18:00.000-07:002007-05-13T22:16:53.785-07:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RkfwmLZ0R8I/AAAAAAAAACE/4b9qhIm4y_Q/s1600-h/ksubaseball.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RkfwmLZ0R8I/AAAAAAAAACE/4b9qhIm4y_Q/s320/ksubaseball.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5064280844688181186" /></a><br />Unfortunately, this week I'm relying heavily on outside sources for the news, because I've been in Omaha all weekend. First, a quick self-indulgent shoutout to my sister for graduating from college this weekend. A big accomplishment, and even more impressive because of other considerations. Way to go!<br /><br />Ok, now on to the week in K-State sports...<br /><br /><strong>Baseball</strong><br /><br />It was the story of the season in one weekend for Coach Hill and the Bat Cats at Tointon this weekend. The #11 Texas A&M Aggies paid a visit to the Little Apple, giving the Cats a golden opportunity to solidify their place in the field of 64. And the team tried to do just that, but came up just a little short. On Friday, it was a <a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=3226&SPID=222&DB_OEM_ID=400&ATCLID=884454">hard-fought 4-2 loss</a>. On Saturday, a <a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=3226&SPID=222&DB_OEM_ID=400&ATCLID=884849">bitter 2-1 defeat</a>. But in typical fashion this season, the team didn't quit, and <a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=3226&SPID=222&DB_OEM_ID=400&ATCLID=885076">came alive in an 11-6 victory </a>today to salvage the weekend.<br /><br />It was again a light week in the Big 12, with only three conference series being played. Seems to me like each team should get one of the two weekends around finals week off, but that's just me. Anyway, here are the updated standings.<br /><br />1. Texas, 18-6 (Idle)<br />2. Oklahoma State, 15-8 (Swept Texas Tech, 3-0)<br />3. Missouri, 15-8 (Beat Oklahoma, 2-1)<br />4. Texas A&M, 13-9 (Beat K-State, 2-1)<br />5. Nebraska, 11-12 (Beat Baylor, 2-1)<br />6. K-State, 9-13 (Lost to Texas A&M, 1-2)<br />7. Oklahoma, 9-14 (Lost to Missouri, 1-2)<br />8. Baylor, 9-14 (Lost to Nebraska, 1-2)<br />9. KU, 8-15 (Swept Chicago State in non-conference action)<br />10. Texas Tech, 7-15 (Swept by Missouri, 0-3)<br /><br />That leaves us with one weekend remaining in conference play. Next week sees a full slate of conference action, with the following matchups:<br /><br />Texas A&M at Texas<br />Missouri at Oklahoma State<br />Nebraska at KU<br />K-State at Baylor<br />Texas Tech at Oklahoma<br /><br />That means there's a lot at stake at the top of the conference with the top four teams squaring off. Technically, Missouri and Oklahoma State both have a chance to catch UT for the regular-season championship. It would require them to sweep their series and have A&M sweep UT in Austin, which I doubt is going to happen. UT's magic number is 1 to win the conference. Looks like Mizzou and OSU will battle it out for the number two seed.<br /><br />Texas A&M will likely be the number 4 seed, as its magic number for the four-seed is also 1 (although Nebraska could very well sweep KU and UT COULD sweep A&M, though I doubt it). <br /><br />Nebraska stands 1.5 games ahead of K-State for the five-spot. By taking two from KU, the Huskers would assure themselves of that spot. It would be nice if the Cats could overtake NU for that five-spot, but just taking the series off Baylor in the hellhole will be hard enough. Our Cats stand only 0.5 games ahead of OU and Baylor for the six-spot in the league. OU has an easy series with Tech coming to Norman, so we can plan on them winning at least two. If we don't take the series off BU, we can plan on at least falling behind them.<br /><br />K-State owns a 1.5 game lead on KU, who sits in ninth. That's huge, especially considering the beaks play Nebraska, who will likely take the series in Lawrence. It's probably more beneficial to cheer for Nebraska this weekend, because making sure KU can't pass us is more important than improving our seed.<br /><br />Texas Tech stands 2 games behind K-State, so it's theoretically possible they could catch us, but unlikely considering they travel to Norman and aren't playing worth a damn right now.<br /><br />So basically, it comes down to this: take the series off Baylor, and we're in the conference tournament, and also won't be the eight seed, which means we don't face Texas in the first round. Also, taking the series keeps us in contention for a spot in the NCAA tournament, which both <a href="http://collegebaseball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=671313'">Rivals </a>and <a href="http://sebaseball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=669230">SEBaseball </a>have us in as of last week.<br /><br />Stay tuned...<br /><br /><strong>Track and Field</strong><br /><br />Conference championship week in Lincoln brought some decent success for the Track Cats. <a href="http://www.big12sports.com/sports/c-track/spec-rel/051307aad.html">The men finished 10th and the women 7th in the team standings</a>.<br /><br />Big congratulations to high jumper Scott Sellers for <a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=400&ATCLID=885110">winning the conference crown </a>in that event, clearing a height of 7'7.75", a conference record. That's damn impressive. Sellers could jump over Yao Ming.<br /><br />In two weeks, those athletes who have qualified (I'll try to list them this week) will make a return trip to storied Drake Stadium for the Midwest Regionals. Those who perform in Des Moines will move on to Nationals at Sacramento, Calif.<br /><br />Have a great week everyone. The updates should be more frequent now that exams are over.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-817987510416951364?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-9168062400180124682007-05-09T18:42:00.000-07:002007-05-09T19:19:32.589-07:00There really isn't much happening in Wildcatland right now, which can make for a boring blog spot. However, I guess in a lot of ways, it's better than having a <a href="http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=3918&u_sid=2379207">lot going on</a>, as the <a href="http://huskermike.blogspot.com/2007/05/weekend-wrap-huskers-behaving-badly.html">Huskers </a>can surely attest to.<br /><br />I can only hope we get through the summer without having any of our athletes getting into the same type of trouble as Maurice Purify. As fun as it can be to make fun of black eyes on a program that considers itself the Americana of college football, we always have to remember it can happen to us as well. I spent three summers in Manhattan and had a great time, but really the only entertainment at night is to go down to Aggieville. Most of the athletes spend the summer in town, and I always saw them at the bars during the summer. Mixing young, potentially aggressive people with alcohol is always a volatile mix.<br /><br />There has been some <a href="http://cjonline.com/stories/050907/cat_168577106.shtml">basketball recruiting news </a>this week. Frank Martin and Co. picked up Jamar Samuels (from the same AAU team as Michael Beasley and Dominique Sutton), and Victor Dubovitsky, a highly touted European prospect. As you know if you read this page regularly, <a href="http://kstatecatzone.blogspot.com/2007/04/random-coaching-rant.html">I don't put a lot of stock in recruiting rankings</a>. Good prospects turn into good players if they put in a lot of work once they get into the program. Usually there's a pretty big step between whatever level the prospect has been playing at and the Big 12 conference level. Of course, I'd rather have supposedly good recruits than bad recruits...<br /><br />***<br /><br />Good article on ESPN.com today about the <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=2864787">tornadoes in Greensburg</a>. Essentially, it's about how sports may help the town pull through the tragedy and rebuild.<br /><br />This really shows the spirit of small towns on the Great Plains. I've seen hundreds of them in Nebraska and Kansas. They're all unique in some way, but they're all the same in that they have a huge level of pride. It's really impressive that they want to rebuild considering the town is supposedly <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=3146565&page=1">95 percent gone</a>. A 1.7 mile wide tornado swept through a town of 1,600, essentially destroying everything except the courthouse and the grain elevator, and the people want to rebuild.<br /><br />And for Kathleen Sebelius (the governor of Kansas) and George W. Bush...<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/05/09/kansas.bush/index.html">shut up and take care of the situation</a>. Ms. Sebelius, I agree, the war in Iraq has probably diverted some resources the state would ordinarily have at its discretion. But complaining about it isn't going to change anything. Just get the town the help it needs. And George, stop being so damn defensive about people criticizing you. I know you're a big tough Texan, but just realize that being criticized comes with the territory when you're the leader of the free world. Your war has caused some problems at home that we wouldn't have othersise had to deal with. Neither of those problems is going to go away because you're sparring about it, and while you do so, you could be providing help to the citizens of Kansas who need it.<br /><br />Ok, that's enough political stuff. You read this blog for other reasons, I'm sure. Take it easy, wish me luck on my one remaining exam, and cheer on those Bat Cats this weekend against Texas A&M. A series win in this one would all but clinch an NCAA tournament berth.<br /><br />Go Cats<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-916806240018012468?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-59114216349372033882007-05-07T19:20:00.000-07:002007-05-07T19:25:50.561-07:00Sounds like the Track Cats did pretty well in Lincoln over the weekend, winning six events. You can read the full story <a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=400&ATCLID=881534">here</a>. Here's hoping the good showing in Lincoln creates some momentum for next week's conference championships in...Lincoln.<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by. Don't expect me back until about Wednesday or so, the next few days are going to be pretty insane.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rj_fkbZ0R7I/AAAAAAAAAB8/OHsGpeqp960/s1600-h/exam.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Rj_fkbZ0R7I/AAAAAAAAAB8/OHsGpeqp960/s320/exam.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062010323112052658" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-5911421634937203388?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-47272373935018267122007-05-06T13:44:00.000-07:002007-05-06T14:00:55.456-07:00This will be very abbreviated because I have to get back to the world of actus reus soon.<br /><br />The baseball team did exactly what it needed to do this weekend against that team from the east. Unfortunately, today's game was rained out by the same storm system that has caused death and destruction on the Great Plains. My condolences to all the people in Greensburg, Kan., who've lost everything they have and the families who lost relatives in the storm.<br /><br />The Bat Cats continues their late-inning heroics on Friday by plating two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to take a 2-1 lead. Sounded like a good pitcher's duel between Hutt and Smyth, and in the end closer Daniel Edwards finished it off with two strikeouts and a popout to end it.<br /><br />No cardiac moments were needed on Saturday as the Cats scored four runs to chase Beak starter Nick Czyz after only 2/3s of an inning. The Cats then held off the birds before pushing across three insurance runs in the eighth for the 7-4 final tally.<br /><br />It was a light week in the conference, with only three league series. Here are the standings at this point (assuming Missouri holds on against UT and projecting both possibilities for the outcome of tonight's Bedlam finale)...<br /><br />1. Texas 18-6 (Lost 1-2 to Missouri)<br />2. Missouri 14-7 (Beat Texas 2-1)<br />3. Oklahoma State 13-8 -OR- 12-9 (Up 2-0 so far on OU)<br />4. Texas A&M 11-9 (No conference series, beat up on Dallas Baptist)<br />5. Nebraska 10-11 (No conference series, lost two to #19 Coastal Carolina in Lincoln)<br />6. K-State 9-11 (Beat KU 2-0, final game rained out)<br />7. Oklahoma 9-12 -OR- 8-13 (Down 2-0 to OSU)<br />8. Baylor 8-13<br />9. Texas Tech 7-13<br />10. KU 8-15 (Lost 0-2 to K-State)<br /><br />That leaves us a full 2 games ahead of ninth-place Texas Tech with only six conference games remaining. Tech finishes with the two Oklahoma schools, while we will be host to Texas A&M next week before finishing up at Baylor. Finishing 3-3 all but locks up a trip to OKC, and we're also looking good to avoid the #8 seed, which would mean a first-round date with Texas.<br /><br />I don't have time to grab the links right now, but both Rivals and Scout are projecting us to be in the field of 64 for the NCAA tournament. I believe one of them had us playing as a three-seed in the Wichita Regional. In my opinion, that would be huge for us, as we should be able to get a decent crowd in the park and have proven we can beat the Shockers this year.<br /><br />Have a great week everyone. Sorry, the track team competed in Lincoln at the Nebraska Invite this week (if it didn't rain, that is), but I don't have the results.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-4727237393501826712?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-82995628553505018812007-05-05T13:10:00.000-07:002007-05-05T13:22:09.300-07:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RjznYbZ0R6I/AAAAAAAAAB0/RakDGmZIiPM/s1600-h/FSN.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RjznYbZ0R6I/AAAAAAAAAB0/RakDGmZIiPM/s320/FSN.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061174488116512674" /></a><br /><br />The K-State vs. KU baseball game is supposed to be shown live nationally on Fox Sports Net today. All my listings here in Houston show "College Baseball: K-State vs. KU" at 3:00 p.m. on channel 31. I was psyched. I studied my ass off this morning so I could watch the game at 3. Then I turn the TV on, and I get...<br /><br />The fucking Astros.<br /><br />Not even their 13-0 ass kicking of St. Louis. The game was already over by 3. But freaking Astros live, which does nothing more than allow a bunch of 10th-rate announcers go on TV and talk to a bunch of pro baseball players for an average team in one of the worst divisions in baseball. Apparently we have to cover every aspect of today's yawner in STL. I can sum it up in 5 seconds, and I didn't even watch the game: The Astros played really well, the Cardinals played like smelly butthole. From the score, that's pretty much the gist of it.<br /><br />And yet, a game that is supposed to be nationally broadcast is pre-empted in my area for a bunch of pointless coverage. This is exactly why FSN should not be the primary (or, God forbid, the sole carrier of Big 12 football games). I'd hate to think of the coverage of potential recruits we could lose if FSN Houston decides it's more important to show some preview of their shitty-ass NFL team's Sunday game rather than a college football game that might be worth watching. You know, it's not like there aren't a million good football recruits in Houston or anything...<br /><br />And yes, I realize that even the piss-poor Texans are more interesting to the average Houstonian than a K-State football game. Certainly the Astros are more important to 99 percent of Houston than the Sunflower Showdown baseball game. That's not the point. The point is this is supposed to be a national broadcast, and yet in one very important recruiting market for K-State, our game isn't being shown because of our shitty TV deal.<br /><br />Come on, Kevin Weiberg. Step up and get us a worthwhile carrier for our games. We can't wait much longer, unless we want the Big 12 to be considered on a level with Conference USA.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-8299562855350501881?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-40233714421259103762007-05-03T18:40:00.000-07:002007-05-03T19:42:09.678-07:00The NCAA recently released its new Academic Progress Ratings (APR). K-State came out fairly well, only ranking below the "acceptable" range in two sports, <a href="http://www.themercury.com/K-StateSports/article.aspx?articleId=0032f81d7e4241c2b291122045b7098a">men's basketball and baseball</a>.<br /><br />It should be noted that just about every respectable baseball program in the nation is below the standard in baseball. I don't know how you can't be. I don't know how baseball players even go to class during the spring semester. They play games pretty much every Wednesday and Friday-Sunday from mid-February on. I would guess they miss an average of three school days per week.<br /><br />The lower rates for the men's basketball team is somewhat understandable. We had a lot of players transfer out of the program the last few years, which hurts our APR. On the other hand, every single one of our senior's this year graduated (Cartier Martin, Lance Harris, Serge Afeli and Akeem Wright).<br /><br />Here's some information about <a href="http://www2.ncaa.org/portal/academics_and_athletes/education_and_research/academic_reform/backgrounder_academic_reform.html">APR</a>. The NCAA claims the APR measures <a href="http://www.ncaa.org/wps/portal/!ut/p/kcxml/04_Sj9SPykssy0xPLMnMz0vM0Y_QjzKLN4j3CQXJgFjGpvqRqCKOcAFfj_zcVH1v_QD9gtzQiHJHRUUAc0tpTA!!/delta/base64xml/L3dJdyEvUUd3QndNQSEvNElVRS82XzBfTFU!?CONTENT_URL=http://www2.ncaa.org/portal/academics_and_athletes/education_and_research/academic_reform/backgrounder_academic_reform.html">"elibigility, retention and graduation."</a> That's where my problem with the APR comes in. It measures retention. Schools lose points for players who transfer, because those players are no longer making progress at that school.<br /><br />That's ridiculous. Students in all areas of college transfer schools. I almost did, because I wasn't getting enough financial aid and the debt was piling up. Some people transfer because they pursue a new major. Some transfer because their personal situation changes (family, etc.). The average student can have millions of reasons to transfer.<br /><br />Athletes have about two million reasons to transfer, when you consider they have all the reasons an average student does, plus coaches, facilities, playing time, and just about anything else. There's no shame in transferring. It can happen for a million reasons, and does not necessarily say anything about the instution being left behind.<br /><br />You don't see the Society of Professional Journalists sitting around and saying, "Hmmm, students in journalism school aren't doing as well as we'd like. Let's institute sanctions on the school if the students don't do well! In particular, let's penalize them every time a student transfers, because that has to mean the school is doing something nefarious." C'mon. The target number is 925, which is somewhere between a <a href="http://www.themercury.com/K-StateSports/article.aspx?articleId=0032f81d7e4241c2b291122045b7098a">50</a> and <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/2007-05-02-apr-rates_N.htm?csp=34">60</a> percent graduation rate. The USA Today article does a good job of explaining how APR is calculated: essentially, each player on each team can earn two points: one for staying at the school, and one for staying academically eligible. The NCAA expects each school to get 92.5 percent of those points, thus the 925 target, and a 50-60 percent graduation rate. <a href="http://courses.k-state.edu/fall2007/information/supp.htm">Only about 56 percent of all K-State students graduate in SIX years.</a> Just my opinion, but considering transfers count against a school, 92.5 is way too high of a percentage.<br /><br />I'm usually the last guy to defend student athletes. They do put in a lot of work, but they get a lot of help, too. I have no problem with the NCAA trying to prod schools into improving the academic situation of student athletes, but if that's the goal, the means of accomplishing that goal should be substantially related to the ends. Penalizing schools for players who transfer out is insane. I can't find information about this aspect, but I've heard that players who transfer into a program and then graduate from that institution are not counted toward that institution's graduation rate. That also is insane. The school is doing exactly what it's supposed to, graduating students who enroll, and they get no credit. The NCAA has to be the most fucked up organization in the world.<br /><br />But hey, the Royals won two out of four against the Angels. That's a good sign, right?<br /><br />Wish me luck tomorrow (exam time!).<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-4023371442125910376?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-67743600228160730572007-05-01T15:50:00.000-07:002007-05-01T20:25:37.428-07:00Some of my recent posts have dealt with the horrible conference TV deal we've become stuck with. This has gotten some discussion among fans of the conference, and one strain I've seen is based on the following belief...<br /><br />The Big 12 sucks.<br /><br />If you notice the title of my <a href="http://kstatecatzone.blogspot.com/2007/04/big-12-management-sucks.html">recent post</a>, I share that sentiment to some degree. But here in Texas, the sentiment is that the conference is terrible because the North is dragging the conference down. Now, that's undoubtedly true, especially in football, for the last three seasons or so. <br /><br />But down here, it's more than that. It's because the conference is 2/3s (I count OU and OSU, because they were original Big 8 members) part of hemorrhaging Plains states that nobody cares about. 'Tis true that a lot of the schools are located in flyover territory, but there was a time when those schools were prominent. Remember Nebraska in the 1990s? Remember K-State between about 1998-2003? Colorado won a national title in the 1990s. In basketball, KU figures prominently in almost any national discussion, Iowa State won a couple conference titles, and Missouri (before Quin reduced the program to ashes) was a solid program. None of the Plains states are <a href="http://www.census.gov/population/www/index.html">losing population</a>, and as I mentioned <a href="http://kstatecatzone.blogspot.com/2007/04/big-12-management-sucks.html">before</a>, the North has as many <a href="http://www.mediainfocenter.org/compare/top50/">top 50 TV markets</a> as the South (more, if you count St. Louis).<br /><br />Part of this is due to the allure of the Big 12 South programs. Clearly, the most talent-rich state in the conference region is Texas. Recruits from that state would like to stay in state to play, if possible, just as recruits from anywhere want to stay home if they have a program that's worth playing for. That's undoubtedly true these days, considering UT's recent national title, and the resurgence of Texas Tech and (somewhat) Texas A&M (I'm withholding judgment at this point because I'm far from convinced Franchione is going to significantly improve that program from here on out). Now fans in Texas care about basketball at least at little more than they used to (it's hard to care less than zero) because of Rick Barnes and Billy Gillispie and Bobby Knight. And I will admit having schools in the state of Texas has helped the original Big 8 members by giving us a much larger TV presence.<br /><br />But you Texans have a lot to be grateful to the original Big 8 for. I know humility and thankfulness aren't traits that run in a Texans blood, though, so I don't expect any thanks. But I will say this...<br /><br />You're welcome for us bailing out your sorry-ass, scandal-ridden conference back in 1996. You're welcome for the exposure you got from playing some of the top teams in the nation in football during the early part of the conference's existence. And A&M fans, you're welcome for that goddamn conference title K-State gift-wrapped for you in 1998. UT fans, well, you're welcome for that 48-7 beatdown in 1997.<br /><br />We appreciate your thankfulness, Texas schools. You're welcome for the conference having a noodle like Kevin Weiberg at the controls, who will do anything and everything to make sure you're happy. What does he do to make sure you're happy? Well for one, you can pretty much be assured you'll never have to play a North team when it's a little nippily outside. That's because since this conference began, out of 226 conference games played by South teams in the month of November, a whopping 15 of them were played at a Big 12 North school. And Baylor played five of those. Tech has yet to play in the North in November, and three of UT's five trips to the frozen tundra were played at KU.<br /><br />Not a big deal, you say? I'm calling you on that one. I've lived amongst you Texans long enough to see how you deal with cold weather. Water freezes at 32 degrees, mercury freezes at -38 degrees, and a Texan freezes at 60 degrees. Hell, Oklahoma <a href="http://www.newsok.com/article/2978513/">bitched </a>about playing in Kansas City for the conference title game last year. Boys, football isn't a game that's supposed to always be played in beautiful weather. One of the best games I ever went to was Nebraska-OU in Lincoln, in the leftover snow and freezing cold temps (circa 1993).<br /><br />You can also pretty much count on playing your conference opener at home. Out of 11 conference openers, K-State has played two in Manhattan. Yeah, two. The conference office claims that's coincidence, and that they do the schedules by computer. Not buying it. I don't have the time to do the statistical analysis, but considering it would be normal (given a 50/50 chance the opener will be at home) to have played five or six home openers at this point, I'm guessing two is a little beyond the standard deviation. KU has played all of three home openers. Only one North schools has played seven conference openers at home (Missouri), while three South teams have played at least seven (Tech has eight).<br /><br />Maybe a conference opener at home isn't a big deal. I know this, it's a lot easier to win at home than on the road, and there are some tough venues in the Big 12. Making a statement that sets the stage for your season is a lot easier at home than it is on the road.<br /><br />So go ahead, Texans. Tell us how much the Big 12 sucks, and is bringing you down, and how you deserve so much better. Fact is, you're here because of the North (plus OU and OSU). When the SWC imploded under the weight of its own corruption (SMU ring a bell?), you didn't have many places to go. The SEC might have been interested in UT and A&M, but it already had 12 teams. The Pac 10 could have showed some interest, but it doesn't make much geographical sense to skip across New Mexico to bring in a few teams. Basically, the Big 8 needed you, and you needed the Big 8. You gave us TV sets, we gave you a respectable conference to play in with better TV exposure than you could have hoped for otherwise.<br /><br />Now you've aggrandized yourself at the North's expense. We sometimes play the conference basketball tournament in Dallas in front of 17,000 empty seats, rather than in KC where it sells out every single year. I'm not against rotating the sites, especially in football, but what financial sense does it make for the conference to play in an empty arena in Dallas or San Antonio, cities that don't give a damn about Big 12 conference tournament basketball games. Boo-hoo, so you have to travel to KC every once in a while if you want to watch your team play. Most of you will be shocked, but there actually is life outside of Texas.<br /><br />I think deep down, most of you realize you could have ended up in the shoes of schools like SMU, TCU or UH. But those of us folksy northerners extended a helping hand. We're not expecting much, just a fair shake and a little gratitude.<br /><br />I'm not holding my breath on the gratitude.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-6774360022816073057?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-62522845695379920092007-04-30T16:49:00.000-07:002007-04-30T17:23:15.339-07:00I know everybody and their dogs are doing football previews now with spring practice and games over. I'll get one up here in a couple weeks or so, but I just don't have the time to do a thorough analysis of each team in the conference right now.<br /><br />In the meantime, I've been looking at the Wildcats football schedule for 2008. It seems to be following the pattern Ron Prince has been trying to establish as far as non-conference games go. We have three home games, and one on the road. We play one high-level, BCS opponent in Louisville (at Louisville). We play a solid non-BCS opponent in Fresno State. Then we play two teams who should be fairly easy wins in U-La-La and North Texas. Here's the <a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/SportSelect.dbml?SPSID=3061&SPID=212&DB_OEM_ID=400&Q_SEASON=2008">full schedule</a>:<br /><br />8/30: Louisiana-Lafayette<br />9/6: Fresno State<br />9/20: @ Louisville<br />9/27: North Texas<br />10/4: Texas Tech<br />10/11: @ Texas A&M<br />10/18: @ Colorado<br />10/25: Oklahoma<br />11/1: @ KU<br />11/8: @ Missouri<br />11/15: Nebraska<br />11/22: Iowa State<br /><br />Of course, a lot can change in a few years. Louisville lost a lot of good players and lost head coach Bobby Petrino this year. Hard to say how the team will adjust in the near future. UL does not have the tradition as a football powerhouse, but Petrino and Co. laid a solid foundation for future success. <br /><br />Fresno State suffered an awful 4-8 season last year after a fairly strong run of success in previous years under renegade coach Pat Hill (ok, he's not really a renegade, but that <a href="http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/wac/fresno_state/index.php">mustache </a>is pretty wild). We'll find out more about them in the Big 12 this year as Texas A&M (howdy Ags!) and our own Wildcats take on the Bulldogs.<br /><br />At this point, I like the non-conference scheduling philosophy. You can't play multiple non-con games against top-notch BCS caliber opponents if you're trying to get a program back to a point where it's making the postseason consistently. I'm also happy to see the games against Div. I-AA teams have disappeared at least for the time being. It's possible to schedule nearly certain wins against I-A opponents (unless you're Colorado). Testing the squad against a high-profile opponent (and occasionally in a hostile environment) is also a good thing once a year for a couple reasons. First, it really gives you a measuring stick that blowout wins don't. Two years ago, we blew North Texas out, 54-7, and yet finished below .500 for the year. Also, it gives the coaches something to really motivate the team with during spring and fall drills. This year, I'm sure the coaches have been pointing to that trip to Auburn as a means of getting the players to really get ready. In the past, the players didn't really have to be firing on all cylinders until about the third or fourth week of the season.<br /><br />Also, 2008 signals another conference schedule rotation. We drop Oklahoma State, Baylor and Texas and pick up Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Texas Tech. Not a good tradeoff, obviously, as we drop two teams who are traditionally toward the bottom of the South for three teams that are almost always in the top four. At least we can always play Colorado and Iowa State...<br /><br />Here's to that game in College Station in 2008. I will be seeing a lot of you Aggies there.<br /><br />***<br /><br />In some final NFL Draft-related news, Brandon Archer and Quinton Echols have <a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=400&ATCLID=879305">signed with the Indianapolis Colts </a>as free agents. Congrats to those two for signing with a successful NFL franchise, and good luck in the future.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-6252284569537992009?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-90631062248598459732007-04-29T12:22:00.000-07:002007-04-29T18:38:03.540-07:00All kinds of news in Wildcatland this week.<br /><br /><strong>Baseball</strong><br /><br />Sunday was a big salvage day in an otherwise thoroughly disappointing weekend for Brad Hill's ballclub. It appeared the Cats would lose another disappointing game after getting buzzed by NU's Luke Wertz (10 strikeouts on the day, wow). But the Cats fought back and pushed a run across in the 8th inning to tie the game, 1-1. After surviving a bases-loaded scare in the bottom of the 9th, the Cats exploded for seven runs in the 10th inning to blow the game open and salvage a victory, the team's first ever at Nebraska's Haymarket Park (beautiful facility, by the way).<br /><br />Nebraska killed K-State with clutch hitting in the first two games. On Friday, the Cats led 3-2 before ace Brad Hutt made a really bad pitch at a really bad time. Hutt had NU's Jake Opitz down 0-2, leaving him one strike away from getting out of a bases-loaded, two-out jam. Unfortunately, Hutt caught a lot of plate and Opitz ripped a 2 RBI double, providing the winning margin of 4-3. <br /><br />Saturday was a scoreless pitcher's duel before NU's Andy Brown hit one "two miles" (in Brian Smoller's description) over the left field wall for a three-run home run. The Cats battled back to 3-2, but NU plated three more runs and the Cats could only push across one in the top of the ninth.<br /><br />Given the weekend's activities, the conference standings look like this...<br /><br />1. Texas 17-4 (Swept previously #2 Oklahoma State)<br />2. Missouri 12-6 (Swept Texas Tech)<br />3. Oklahoma State 10-8 (Swept by Texas)<br />4. Texas A&M 11-9 (Beat Baylor, 2-1)<br />5. Nebraska 10-11 (Beat K-State, 2-1)<br />6. Oklahoma 8-10 (Lost to KU, 1-2)<br />7. K-State 7-11 (Lost to Nebraska, 1-2)<br />T8. Baylor 8-13 (Lost to Texas A&M, 1-2) (Own tiebreaker on KU)<br />T8. KU 8-13 (Beat Oklahoma, 2-1)<br />10. Texas Tech 7-13 (Swept by Missouri)<br /><br />Ok. We're getting down to the nitty-gritty of the season at this point. The Cats have three conference series left. Next weekend, they take on KU, one at home, two in Lawrence. After that, Texas A&M comes to Manhattan. The final weekend, the team travels to Waco to take on Baylor.<br /><br />Thanks to Missouri's sweep of Tech, we have moved into seventh place in the conference, a 1.5 games ahead of the Red Raiders, and half a game ahead of both Baylor and KU. Our spot in Oklahoma City, which is obviously the first priority, is looking a little more secure, although it's hardly a guarantee yet.<br /><br />As far as making the NCAA tournament, <a href="http://www.boydsworld.com/breadcrumbs/firstlook2007.html">this guy </a>thinks we're in as of last week (prior to our win over Wichita State and the series with Nebraska). He had us fourth in line in the conference, a status that will probably change with this weekend's series loss to Nebraska. However, we have a golden opportunity coming down the stretch. Two of our three remaining series are against the two teams tied for last place in the conference. If we take both of those series, we ought to be a lock for OKC and a regional. Not getting swept by A&M would be a plus, as well.<br /><br /><strong>Men's Golf</strong><br /><br />As covered previously, the men's golf team made a <a href="http://kstatecatzone.blogspot.com/2007/04/rough-day-in-hutch.html">decent first-day showing </a>at the conference championships in Hutchinson, before <a href="http://kstatecatzone.blogspot.com/2007/04/random-monday-news-clips.html">slipping to a ninth-place finish Tuesday</a>. Not a bad overall showing by the team, considering how poorly they played most of the year (Golfweek consistently ranked them at the bottom of the conference). A better season could be in the works next year as the Cats lose nobody off the regular traveling squad.<br /><br /><strong>Track and Field</strong><br /><br />This weekend saw the 98th running of the Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa. The Cats had what I would consider a great weekend, scoring two individual titles in the historic meet.<br /><br />Kaylene Wagner won yet another title in the women's high jump, defeating Olympian <a href="http://www.amyacuff.org/">Amy Acuff</a>. Wagner went to the top of Drake Stadium's record books with her winning height of 6'2.25".<br /><br />The Track Cats' other event champion was Donniece Parrish in the women's 100 meter. Video replay had to be used to determine Parrish had won the race, by a mere .002 seconds.<br /><br />Marianne Schlachter finished second in the women's triple-jump. She is highly ranked in the Big 12 and nationally in that event.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=400&ATCLID=878473"></a><br /><br /><strong>NFL Draft</strong><br /><br />Three Wildcats have been picked so far in the NFL draft. They include Yamon Figurs (3rd round, Baltimore), Thomas Clayton (6th round, San Francisco), and Zach Diles, who will be joining me in Houston (8th round). I'm very surprised that Brandon Archer hasn't been picked yet. Of course, I was a little surprised (though I think it was justified) that Brady Quinn fell to #22 yesterday. What do I know, I don't run an NFL team.<br /><br />Have a great week. I'll keep updating, but finals week has begun and I won't have a lot of time for very long posts. Thanks for reading.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-9063106224859845973?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-37739334444083357782007-04-27T05:38:00.000-07:002007-04-27T10:10:48.410-07:00The major papers in the Big 12 North region have finally caught on to this conference TV package problem this morning, with stories about it in the <a href="http://www.kansascity.com/159/story/85916.html">Kansas City Star</a>, <a href="http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1200&u_sid=2373284">Omaha World-Herald </a>and <a href="http://cjonline.com/stories/042707/cat_165982433.shtml">Topeka Capital-Journal</a>. That only took two or three days, but what can you expect, these people are competing with 24-hour cable news channels and trying to get the latest American Idol information, they have more important things to worry about.<br /><br />Anyway, it seems that while TBS created a football coverage problem, the conference office vastly improved the basketball coverage issues. We now have three guaranteed game slots on ESPN for basketball games this year, which is more than any other conference. That will be huge for national exposure. Think about how many good games there were in the conference last season, and a lot of them weren't shown at all or only regionally. So congrats, <a href="http://kstatecatzone.blogspot.com/2007/04/big-12-management-sucks.html">Kevin Weiberg</a>, I will give you credit for working out a pretty good basketball deal for us.<br /><br />Now, on to the football issue. The World-Herald mentions ESPN and the NFL Network as possible replacements for the five or six Saturday night games TBS would have shown. I can't believe ESPN is much of an option. They already show a ton of games from other conferences (ACC, SEC, Big 10, Big East, etc.). The World-Herald mentions ESPN might have openings for Saturday night games, but I'll believe that when I see it.<br /><br />As for the NFL Network...not no, but hell no. At this point, only being able to get the NFL Network would be a disaster for this conference. It has next-to-zero presence on cable carriers across the nation, including very little in Big 12 country. I don't know of a single place in Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, or Texas that gets it on regular cable. Now, if there was some indication that NFLN was going to start broadcasting a lot of NFL and NCAA games, as well as get some decent programming the rest of the time and get itself on cable carriers across the nation (not asking much, am I?) then I could be convinced the Big 12 was getting in on the ground floor of something worthwhile.<br /><br />One thing that's being mentioned everywhere, and simultaneously written off, is playing games on Thursday nights. Thursday night games are popular on ESPN, and I love watching them. It's always good to have a little college football during the week. But I'm torn on whether or not to have Thursday night games in the Big 12. <br /><br />First of all, and this is purely my conjecture with no empirical backup, the Thursday night games seem to be more popular among schools located in larger metropolitan areas, or at least within easy reach of a nearby metropolitan area. There always seems to be a Big East game on Thursday night football, which makes sense considering the Big East has a lot of schools in or near major metro areas (Louisville, Rutgers, Pitt, Cincinnati, and WVU is close to Pittsburgh). This means the schools can draw good crowds from a relatively small area.<br /><br />Contrast that with most of the Big 12. The only schools in the Big 12 located within large urban areas are Texas (Austin) and Oklahoma (Norman/OKC). Sure there are other schools within an hour or so of fairly large cities, including KU (KC), Nebraska (Omaha), Colorado (Denver), Iowa State (Des Moines), and Oklahoma State (OKC 65 miles, Tulsa 70 miles). These schools would probably be able to attract decent crowds to Thursday night game because of their nearby population base.<br /><br />However, it would have a devastating effect on attendance at more rural Big 12 schools. At K-State, we've seen the difference in attendance between Wednesday and Saturday basketball games. The entire town of Manhattan wouldn't fill Snyder Stadium, and a lot of our fans drive in from KC and Wichita (among other, rural areas). It would be undesirable for the fans from KC and Wichita to rush from work to Manhattan, watch the game, and then get home late and have to be at work the next day. Plus, it destroys the gameday atmosphere, with tailgating beforehand and Aggieville afterwards. I can imagine the effect would be similar for colleges like Missouri, located in medium-sized towns and a couples hours from large metro areas.<br /><br />All that, and then there's the issue of logistics, as mentioned by Nebraska chancellor Harvey Pearlman in the OWH article. At K-State, the parking wouldn't be too big of a deal because the football stadium is far enough away from campus and has (more or less) sufficient parking nearby not to burden campus too much. But at more landlocked (city) campuses like Nebraska and UT, I can imagine it would be a disaster.<br /><br />Given all these factors, I'm hoping we can find a TV deal that is not the NFLN and will not require us to play games on Thursday to get exposure.<br /><br />***<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RjItQrZ0R4I/AAAAAAAAABk/2223NgJ5toc/s1600-h/Cow.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RjItQrZ0R4I/AAAAAAAAABk/2223NgJ5toc/s320/Cow.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058155096042653570" /></a><br /><br />That's about it for that issue. It appears the football schedule for 2008 is set, so I'm sure I'll be taking a look at that sometime in the near future. <br /><br />In the meantime, the Bat Cats travel to Lincoln, Neb., this weekend to take on the Huskers in a pivotal conference series. Nebraska has been playing a lot better lately despite its lost series last weekend to Texas, while our Cats have been unable to take two games when they've been in a position to do so.<br /><br />At this point, the Wildcats stand only a game behind Texas Tech for seventh place, and 1.5 games behind Nebraska for sixth. On the other hand, they also are only 1.5 games ahead of Baylor for the eighth spot. Tech travels to Missouri this weekend, then finishes up with the two Oklahoma schools, certainly not an easy road. If we could take this series off Nebraska (a BIG if), we would almost certainly stand sixth in the conference after the weekend, and in great position to make the conference tournament and even a regional.<br /><br />It looks like the pitching matchups will be as follows (thanks to <a href="http://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=101&SPID=33&DB_OEM_ID=100&ATCLID=877180">huskers.com</a>):<br /><br />Game 1: Hutt (KSU), Watson (NU). Hutt better be on his game, Watson tossed a complete game, two-hit shutout last Friday to beat Texas. Yikes.<br />Game 2: TBA (KSU), Dorn (NU)<br />Game 3: Bayuk (KSU), Wertz<br /><br />Of course all of this may be moot, as <a href="http://ajthoughts.blogspot.com/2007/04/death-of-red.html">AJ has pronounced the Husker baseball team dead</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RjIuVbZ0R5I/AAAAAAAAABs/N63Bx3UTzq4/s1600-h/penisoftheplains.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RjIuVbZ0R5I/AAAAAAAAABs/N63Bx3UTzq4/s320/penisoftheplains.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058156277158659986" /></a><br /><br />(Cow and Penis of the Plains images courtesy wikipedia)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-3773933444408335778?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-30856931334672248782007-04-26T15:16:00.000-07:002007-04-26T15:37:13.312-07:00Not a lot of major news today, and I'm worn out after yesterday's diatribe on Kevin Weiberg and the joke that is the Big 12 conference office in Dallas. So with no further ado...<br /><br />Congrats to new basketball coach Frank Martin on the <a href="http://themercury.com/k-statesports/article.aspx?articleId=6e1af64a75c146e29ccdce817c5dd027">birth of a new baby girl</a>. Exciting time for coach Martin, between the new baby son and his first chance at a head coaching job.<br /><br />Martin also has other things on his mind, some involving work. To absolutely nobody's surprise, Jason Bennett has asked for a <a href="http://www.kansascity.com/159/story/84126.html">release from his scholarship </a>so he can transfer. This story says there's been no word on whether he'll be released. What?! Why the hell wouldn't we release him? He was a less-than-average freshman post player, whose coach left, who's homesick, and who apparently has pretty good family reasons to go home (sick family members). I see absolutely no reason why Tim Weiser and Martin won't release him, so his scholarship can be put to better use.<br /><br />Finally, one of the men involved in last fall's <a href="http://www.kstatecollegian.com/home/index.cfm?event=displayArticlePrinterFriendly&uStory_id=c20216ce-892f-4d2d-8df5-9e442fe91d5f">unfortunate CatTracker bus incident</a> in Lawrence has made a <a href="http://themercury.com/k-statesports/article.aspx?articleId=17d8b32d03dc4f9587e09009aa567c79">miraculous recovery </a>and is looking to get back into his old career...sportswriting. It's amazing enough that Chris Orr lived through this accident, let alone that he's probably going to be able to resume a fairly normal life. Best of luck, Chris.<br /><br />It's unfortunate things like this happen, but it would be more unfortunate if we didn't learn from it. Be safe on the roadways, folks.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-3085693133467224878?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-65445664703271804682007-04-25T13:24:00.000-07:002007-04-25T14:26:26.175-07:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Ri_HTLZ0R3I/AAAAAAAAABc/cDFc6dQLbmw/s1600-h/sinking.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Ri_HTLZ0R3I/AAAAAAAAABc/cDFc6dQLbmw/s400/sinking.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5057480038852872050" /></a><br /><br />Props to <a href="http://huskermike.blogspot.com/2007/04/tbs-dumps-big-xii-football.html">Husker Mike </a>for bringing to light a really bad development for the Big 12 conference today. He had to go all the way to the San Antonio News-Express to find it. I didn't notice it in the KC Star, Omaha World-Herald, or Topeka Capital-Journal.<br /><br />Anyway, the news is this: TBS won't be broadcasting Big 12 football games anymore. Yeah, that's right. Just when you thought the conference's TV deal couldn't get any worse, it did. We are now stuck entirely with FSN, and it would take me the better part of a year to run down all the problems with FSN being our only carrier. I'll hit the high points...<br /><br />First, FSN is splintered into a bunch of regional networks (some even smaller). Here in Houston, I primarily get FSN Houston, which cares a whole helluva a lot more about the Rockets, Astros and Texans than it does about Big 12 football. Because FSN is so splintered, the conference often don't get national broadcasts of our conference's games because affiliates like FSN West Coast doesn't give a damn. That can destroy our TV exposure in important markets like California, Florida, and the East Coast.<br /><br />Second, FSN does only a marginally good job of packaging and marketing its games. The graphics are average, the announcers are worse, and the reporters don't have the in-depth knowledge they should considering it's the one conference they always cover. Granted, it's better than Gary Thorne calling us "KU" during most of the UT game last year, but I'll even take Brent Mushmouth over the guys in the booth for FSN.<br /><br />This is all just a part of what I've seen as a general decline in the overall quality of the Big 12 conference in the last 5 years or so. Think back to about 1998. We had six conference teams (K-State, NU, CU, MU, UT and A&M) who won 8 or more conference games (Texas Tech won 7). Nebraska was one year removed from a split national title. K-State came within one game (nay, one quarter) of playing for a national title. Two years hence, OU would actually win the title game. The point is, from the day the conference was formed until about 2002, there was always speculation that at least one team from the Big 12 would be in the national title picture in football.<br /><br />Contrast that with where we are today. Even though UT won the national title only one year ago, the Big 12's legitimacy in football has fallen off the map compared to what it was. The only people who talk about Nebraska being in the national title picture now are...Nebraska fans. K-State is now happy to make a bowl game. Colorado has fallen off the face of the earth. The only teams who have any credibility right now are OU and UT. And even OU's credibility is a little lacking after their 2003 beatdown in Kansas City (and subsequent loss to LSU) and the 2004 implosion against USC. Every other program in the conference is at best a pretender, an also-ran in the top 25 (if even that high). Nobody honestly thinks Texas Tech or Missouri is going to win a national title.<br /><br />We can discuss basketball in this, too. Between 2001 and 2004 (three NCAA tournaments), this conference put 5 teams in the Final Four. We haven't had a Final Four team since. Another nice stat to look at...<br /><br />Big 12 national championships in basketball: 0<br /><br />That's right. Since this conference was formed, it has won as many national titles in basketball as Nebraska has won NCAA tournament games in history. Zilch, nada, rien, nothing. That's pitiful for a power conference.<br /><br />I could go on. Outside of Oklahoma State, Big 12 golf is a joke. Baseball? Well, until they actually make it fair for teams north of Arkansas, I guess that doesn't really count, but how many Big 12 teams do we see each year playing in Omaha? None last year. Like golf, outside of UT, Big 12 baseball is a joke (yeah, I know Nebraska, you went to the CWS a couple times, but you really didn't do much). I guess I'll give some respect to Baylor's women's basketball for keeping the conference relevant in that sport (K-State might have been able to do so as well, if we had a real coach, but that's another rant for another day).<br /><br />So what does this all come down to? Does it mean our schools generally are only average at sports and always will be? I'm not buying that. If a school like K-State can take the worst football program in college football history and turn it into a legitimate contender, at least for a little while, the other schools in the conference can be competitive. Our schools have the money and facilities to be competitive. So what's the problem here?<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Ri_DlbZ0R2I/AAAAAAAAABU/_eObXa88z2Y/s1600-h/weiberg.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Ri_DlbZ0R2I/AAAAAAAAABU/_eObXa88z2Y/s320/weiberg.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5057475954338973538" /></a><br /><br />Kevin Weiberg.<br /><br />This man has been the <a href="http://www.big12sports.com/aboutbig12/commissioner.html">Big 12 commissioner </a>for nine of the conference's 11 years of existence. He is to be blamed for a lot of the problems today (as well as praised for some of the successes along the way).<br /><br />Why on earth do I have to watch K-State vs. Nebraska on pay-per-view when I can watch Indiana vs. Northwestern on ESPN2 all day long? How did a 17-13 K-State basketball team not go to the NIT two years ago? How in HELL did K-State get left out of the NCAA tournament this year, behind teams like Arkansas? (These are just K-State grievances)<br /><br />It seems to me Weiberg is much more concerned with making sure he doesn't irritate people at the NCAA than promoting his conference. He doesn't want to rock the boat and suggest (demand) there should be a Big 12 representative on the NCAA selection committee. And I don't buy the argument that conference reps don't have any pull on who gets into the field. That's bullshit. The fact that they're there means they can suggest or mention or in a million ways implicitly recognize their conference's teams, or at least keep them in the discussion. Plus, think about a time when you've had to turn someone down for something. Was it easier to do it by telling them face-to-face, or would you have preferred to make the decision and let the other party find out through channels?<br /><br />Maybe more importantly, why in the hell hasn't he fought for a better media deal for the conference, especially in football? When Tim Weiser came to K-State as athletic director, he <a href="http://collegian.ksu.edu/Collegian/article.php?a=10417">immediately upgraded the school's radio package</a>, bringing better coverage and more money for the department. Tell me what the problem is, Kevin. Why can't we get a better television deal? Is it because the TV stations don't want to show games in small markets? I thought that was half the reason we brought these freakin' Texas teams into the conference. We now have schools in markets such as <a href="http://www.mediainfocenter.org/compare/top50/#tv">Houston (#10), Dallas/Fort Worth (#7), San Antonio (#37), Denver (#18), Kansas City (#31) and Oklahoma City (#45)</a>. It can't be because we didn't have the teams that would attract ratings when the conference began, as I noted previously. So is it just because you're really fucking lazy and just don't want to get it done, or is there an actual, legitimate reason? <br /><br />Just curious.<br /><br />(Ship image courtesy Google images, Weiberg photo courtesy Big 12 Sports Web site)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-6544566470327180468?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-11526027483029629742007-04-24T16:59:00.000-07:002007-04-24T17:22:48.092-07:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Ri6e56MFamI/AAAAAAAAABM/IuMnoW1x1W4/s1600-h/dunes.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Ri6e56MFamI/AAAAAAAAABM/IuMnoW1x1W4/s400/dunes.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5057154149293320802" /></a><br />All the good feelings from yesterday's strong showing at the Big 12 championships disappeared like a fart in a Kansas windstorm today for the K-State men's golf team. The best the team could manage today was Kyle Yonke's 75, which led to a disastrous 311 team score and a ninth-place finish. Yuck. At least the Cats salvaged bragging rights (by one whole shot) over the team from that school down the Kaw.<br /><br />The weather reports indicate it wasn't a very enjoyable day for golf in Hutchinson, as the players were pulled off the course a little after noon because of lightning in the area. Apparently the delay only lasted about 25 minutes, but if the radar is any indication, it was a pretty soggy afternoon at the Dunes. For complete results, check out <a href="http://www.golfstatresults.com/public/leaderboards/team/static/team913.html">Golfstat's leaderboard</a>. The board may indicate Oklahoma State won yet another team title, but I'll agree with OSU's Coach McGraw in his statement that Prairie Dunes was the real winner. Ouch.<br /><br />Dear God it's a boring time in K-Stateland right now. You know there's not much going on when the Manhattan Mercury hasn't updated the K-State sports section of its Web site in two days. I guess that's better than having to talk about athletes getting arrested for bar fights in Aggieville, but it sure does make for a boring blog space.<br /><br />To help with the boredom, send me a message if you have any particular question or topic you'd like me to write about.<br /><br />In non-athletic K-State news, band director Frank Tracz has been named one of the <a href="http://www.mediarelations.k-state.edu/newsreleases/apr07/tracz42007.html">nation's top 10 music educators</a>. An award well-received in my opinion, as I've known people who've worked with Dr. Tracz at K-State and elsewhere, and from all accounts to me he's a good guy and teacher. He directed the Nebraska high school all-state band in 2004, where my dad recalled him bragging about our win over Mizzou in Bill Snyder's last game by saying, "Well, they threw an interception to our linebacker who runs the 40 in about 4.7 days." Just the fact that he was able to interact for three days with a bunch of Nebraska high school students (yeah, I'm making fun of myself there, because that was me at one point) should be enough to earn him an award.<br /><br />Have a great Wednesday. I hope there will be more news to report on tomorrow.<br /><br />(Prairie Dunes photo courtesy http://www.golfclubatlas.com/prairiedunes000247.html)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-1152602748302962974?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-83238390992531380212007-04-23T14:43:00.000-07:002007-04-23T15:20:29.238-07:00Another day, <a href="http://chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4740116.html">another multiple-homicide/suicide here in Houston</a>. That makes two since Friday, in case you're keeping track.<br /><br />Sad to say, that's the biggest news today. Some people really need to get a hobby.<br /><br />In K-State related news, what little there is, Coach Ron Prince thinks we looked pretty good in the spring game. Well, maybe not pretty good, but a <a href="http://cjonline.com/stories/042307/cat_164982515.shtml">passing grade anyway</a>. My only question to that is, how could you tell? We changed defenses, the offenses had one day to work together, and the teams were only arguably even. Why don't we just admit that spring game's are only intended to quench the fans' offseason appetite for football? It's all about getting a little entertainment and a little cash flow (which goes to the library fund, if I remember correctly). Nothing wrong with that at all, if I had been in town I would have been all about the baseball game, some tailgating, and whiling away a few hours at Snyder Stadium. But there's not much of a baseline from which to measure the players, and there's no way you can project performance beginning in four months from a game against your own teammates.<br /><br />A quick update from Hutchinson, where the Big 12 conference men's golf tournament is being played. After first round action, the Links Cats are tied for fifth with Baylor. The team shot a respectable 304 on the difficult Prairie Dunes layout, leaving them 19 shots behind Texas A&M. Individually, Joe Ida led the Cat's way with a four-over 74, five shots behind Texas A&M's Robert Gates. I'd report what place the players were in after round one, but it's a little difficult to do so because the second round is underway right now.<br /><br />Interestingly, Nebraska has the tournament leader right now (Brady Schnell), but is last place in the team race. Also, as I typed this, the Cats have moved up to a tie for fourth with Texas Tech. A top-half finish would be a great effort by Coach Norris' guys. To keep up with live standings, check out <a href="http://www.golfstatresults.com/public/leaderboards/team/static/team913.html">Golfstat's leaderboard</a>.<br /><br />A quick correction from yesterday. K-State triple jumper Marianne Schlachter won the triple jump at the Kansas Relays this weekend. Impressively, she's not far from qualifying for the European Nationals. To learn more, click <a href="http://www.kansas.com/248/story/50601.html">here</a>.<br /><br />Mark Buehrle vs. Gil Meche tonight in Kansas City. Does it get any better than that?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-8323839099253138021?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-62474681600802887202007-04-21T22:08:00.000-07:002007-04-22T15:52:14.306-07:00Another Purple-White game is in the books, and as usual people on both sides of it are making way too much out of a scrimmage.<br /><br />As all of you know, I'm not quite as high on Josh Freeman as the more optimistic K-State fans. I think he's tremendously talented, but has a lot of work to do to realize all that talent. Last night was another indication of that. He was an unimpressive 9-22 for 44 yards and 2 interceptions. Now before anyone gets too despondent, remember a few things. The game was played with a running clock, meaning it was a lot "shorter" than a real game. Freeman wasn't playing with the entire first-team offense against the second-team defense like most team's quarterbacks do in the spring game. He was playing with an assortment of offensive players, including the backup running backs (John McCardle and Jeremy James) and a shorthanded offensive line (the best linemen, overall, were on the White squad). Let's also not forget that the White defense had Rob Jackson, Ian Campbell, Steven Cline, Marcus Watts, Josh Moore, Bryan Baldwin, Marcus Perry and Reggie Walker. Those 8 will probably be starters this fall for a defense that was 5th in the conference in pass defense last year.<br /><br />We have a long way to go in a lot of respects this year, but I was encouraged by the rushing gains made by the White squad (although they certainly came against the weaker defensive squad). I can also admit I was wrong, when I wrote earlier this week that the draft system for picking teams usually produces a more exciting game. It did last year, but the 19-0 snoozefest this year didn't live up to the past. It won't be the last time you see me make a wrong prediction here.<br /><br />Leave it to Husker fans to take something as inconsequential as a spring game and turn it into a life-changing event. Now, no doubt, Josh Freeman didn't look so great last night (apparently, I obviously wasn't there). He threw for 44 yards and two interceptions. But seriously, Husker fans, how fucking dumb do you think we are? Do you really think Ron Prince went back to his office after this practice tonight and said to himself, "Man, Josh just doesn't have what it takes. I'm gonna chuck all that throwing potential he has and move him to tight end because he's a big dude." You people claim you know football like the patterns on your cow, but then you make a statement that dumb? If Bill Callahan is as dumb as your fans who think that, then the rest of the North really doesn't have anything to worry about.<br /><br />Also, to go back to all your recruiting shit-talk, let's not forget that stars don't determine a player's or program's ultimate fate. If they did, Texas, USC, Ohio State and Florida would never lose. What's that, you say? We would have never beaten Texas if Colt McCoy hadn't been hurt early? First of all, let me talk to you about telling me where I'm going to be in 20 years, because you're obviously Miss Cleo when it comes to predicting the future. Second, Texas has turned down more 5-star athletes than you get in a decade. With a roster as loaded as that, they should have been able to somehow find a way to beat a bunch of farm kids from Kansas. Good God, I'd almost forgotten how little there was to do up there until I saw some of the stuff about our (yeah, ours, not yours) spring game tonight.<br /><br />As further proof that you Husker fans have nothing better to do, I offer the following statistics.<br /><br />Spring game attendance:<br />Texas: 42,500<br />Texas A&M: 24,200<br />Oklahoma: 21,000<br />Nebraska: 54,300<br /><br />Ok. Austin, Texas, is bigger than Lincoln and Omaha combined, and is one hour from San Antonio, 2.5 hours from Houston, and 3 hours from Dallas. The College Station/Bryan area is about 190,000, and only 90 minutes from Houston. Norman is basically a suburb of Oklahoma City, which is just a little bigger than Omaha. I'll leave that information for you to draw your own inferences from.<br /><br /><strong>Baseball</strong><br /><br />This is getting agonizing. Just like the series against Missouri, the Bat Cats won Friday night, 10-6, giving themselves two shots at taking a big series and thus a big step toward their postseason goals. Alas, Brad Hill's Boys got routed 20-9 and 12-4 over the weekend. An inability to keep the Sooners from big innings killed the Cats on the weekend en route to another series loss. This was a series we really needed to get, but it's time to move on from that.<br /><br />Here are the latest conference standings...<br /><br />1. Texas 14-4 (Beat Nebraska, 2-1)<br />2. Oklahoma State 10-5 (Beat Texas A&M, 2-1)<br />3. Missouri 9-6 (Beat Baylor, 2-1)<br />4. Texas A&M 9-8 (Lost to OK State, 1-2)<br />5. Nebraska 8-10 (Lost to Texas, 1-2)<br />6. Texas Tech 7-10 (Beat KU, 2-1)<br />7. Oklahoma 7-8 (Beat K-State, 2-1)<br />8. K-State 6-9 (Lost to Oklahoma, 1-2)<br />9. Baylor 7-11 (Lost to Missouri, 1-2)<br />10. KU 6-12 (Lost to Tech, 1-2)<br /><br />As you can see, no sweeps. OU's win over us today gave it the edge on us for seventh place, and leaves us only a half game ahead of Baylor for the last spot in Oklahoma City. All of a sudden the closing stretch doesn't look so rosy, as the Wildcats travel to Lincoln next weekend to take on an improved Nebraska squad with a lot to play for. All of the closing series are huge, but it looks like the goal of playing in Oklahoma City could come down to the final weekend, when the team travels to Waco to take on Baylor. As I see it, we absolutely must win the series with KU, take at least one game off Nebraska and A&M, and then see what happens in Waco. The good news is Baylor still has the same tough series as we face, traveling to Nebraska and facing A&M. <br /><br /><strong>Women's Golf</strong><br /><br />The women's golf team weathered the hell that is Waco, Texas, to finish 7th at the conference golf tournament last week. A rough second day prevented the Wildcats from achieving a higher finish, as the ladies could only manage a 321 team score on Tuesday. A few more good bounces could have made a big difference, as the Cats finished a mere 4 shots behind fourth-place Nebraska. The team will have some work to do next year, as they will have to replace seniors Katy Heffel and Helene Robert.<br /><br /><strong>Men's Golf</strong><br /><br />No action this week as the men prepared to travel to Hutchinson for the Big 12 Championship at <a href="http://www.golfdigest.com/pdf/gd200705100greatest.pdf">storied Prairie Dunes</a>. The last few years have been a busy time at the Dunes, as the course has hosted the US Women's Open, US Senior Open, and the Big 12 men's tournament twice. At least it looks like they'll have decent weather in Hutchinson, for the first two days anyway. Good luck guys.<br /><br /><strong>Track and Field</strong><br /><br />The track teams traveled to Lawrence for the Kansas Relays over the weekend. No individual champions at the competitive meet, click <a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=3194&SPID=220&DB_OEM_ID=400&ATCLID=874822">here</a> to view results.<br /><br />Dost mine eyes deceive me? The Royals won a series over the division-leading Twins? I'll be damned. Have a great week.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-6247468160080288720?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-85646775576377710152007-04-20T14:24:00.000-07:002007-04-20T15:06:50.505-07:00Sorry for the lack of an update yesterday. Schoolwork is keeping me busy, and there wasn't really anything much to write about. I suppose I could give you a breakdown of the rosters for the spring game tomorrow, but that would be about as informative as it would be boring (and pointless).<br /><br />I guess I will take this opportunity to get something off my chest. Usually I like to keep the message board stuff off here, because it's well taken care of on its own. However, this week marked a sad anniversary in Big 8/12 sports history, as April 16th marked the 11th year since former Nebraska QB (and a native of Goodland, Kan.) died in a plane crash.<br /><br />Now don't get me wrong. I'm a full supporter of heckling other programs and their players, as long as it's witty and creative and not mean-spirited. That's part of what makes college sports so great, because fans actually care enough to come up with stinging cheers for other players. For examples of what I consider funny, see Missouri's Antlers <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Antlers">circa the Billy Tubbs incident</a>(when they ran out on the court in jogging suits and one guy with a cardboard car ran them over). For examples of what I don't find funny, see Missouri's Antlers <a href="http://floydslair.blogspot.com/2005/02/why-we-hate-mizzou-reason-25406.html">pretty much ever since</a>. There's a fine line to be toed between good taste and outright cheap shots. <br /><br />The inhabitants of a certain K-State Internet message board (I won't dignify it by linking it) have pole-vaulted over that line of decency by making light of Berringer's death in a most distasteful way. If you happen to be one of them, do us all a favor: go to the nearest grocery store/pharmacy, buy a large bottle of ibuprofen, and go home and take every single pill in the bottle (note: don't actually do this).<br /><br />Going to K-State football games is one of my favorite activities. However, it's always marred by one or two people in my area who are loud, foul-mouthed (and it's hard to offend me) and just generally despicable human beings. It's the same at other schools that I've been to (and a fairly high concentration of them in Lawrence on a certain September evening a few years ago...). We've seen bad things like this before, including the "Sal is dead, go big red" cheer at Nebraska during the Colorado game in the early 90s. Unfortunately, our assholes decided to make themselves known to the world on the Internet recently. They are not representative of K-State fans as a whole.<br /><br />At least we can yell "get a room!" to the clingy girls who commit PDA with their boyfriends all game long.<br /><br />***<br /><br />In order to toughen up the players for this year's football season, Coach Prince had the football players <a href="http://www.kansascity.com/165/story/75986.html">go through a morning workout with the soldiers at Fort Riley in January</a>. I'm not going to be so ridiculous as to claim this is going to get us another win or two next fall, but I do like Prince's ability to think outside the box and use his available resources (a large military base 20 miles away) to give the players a change from the monotony of workouts. Also, here's hoping the coaches don't have to post any more locker-room notices of Fort Riley soldiers who won't return from Iraq alive.<br /><br />***<br /><br />Have a great weekend everyone. Good luck to the Royals as they take on the division-leading Twins at the K this weekend, as well as the Bat Cats as they are host to the Dirt-Burglars this weekend. We need a series win in that one.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-8564677557637771015?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-70318225816333574252007-04-18T15:16:00.000-07:002007-04-18T16:18:35.972-07:00The <a href="http://cjonline.com/stories/041807/cat_163742218.shtml">Purple and White rosters are now set </a>for K-State's annual spring game. Josh Freeman was the number one pick. But should he have been? You can make the argument he is the team's number one pick, because when he played well later in the year (the Iowa State, Colorado and Texas, not to mention the Oklahoma State games), we won. When the offensive line gives him time to make good decisions, he can make all the throws, which in turn loosens up the defense for the running game.<br /><br />All that said, I can't say I wouldn't have taken Marcus Watts, Ian Campbell or Rob Jackson first. Especially Watts and Campbell, who do a lot to change the game on defense. Of course, offensive coordinator James Franklin had the first pick, which might explain why he chose Freeman.<br /><br />On a related note, I like the idea of holding a 'draft' to decide the teams. The spring game I went to while Bill Snyder was still coaching was 1s vs. 2s, which was about as boring as it gets. No matter how good your second-stringers are, they aren't as good as your first-stringers by definition. No better example than Nebraska's spring game last weekend, where the first-stringers won 38-0. Spring games are boring enough as it is without being blowouts, at least having the teams a little more evenly matched gives fans a little more value for their $5 (or whatever a donation to the library costs these days).<br /><br />I also like the draft because, by making the teams more equal, it gives the players a better experience by making at least some of the 1s face off against their first-string counterparts on the other side of the ball. It has to help to face off with someone who will more closely resemble the players you'll see in the fall in a simulated game situation.<br /><br />For those of you who will be watching the spring game, enjoy, but don't take it to seriously. I'm sure at some point, Freeman will make a beautiful throw or two and maybe James Johnson or Leon Patton will break some nice runs, but it's still spring ball. My only goal for the spring game is...no one gets injured.<br /><br />***<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Riae_BK_WFI/AAAAAAAAABE/LR3gMuPJPJs/s1600-h/kc.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/Riae_BK_WFI/AAAAAAAAABE/LR3gMuPJPJs/s400/kc.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054902437253437522" /></a><br /><br />Breaking news!!! Royals win!!! The first of many losing streaks this summer is over, and KC has improved to a whopping 4-11. I can't wait to go to some Royals games this summer, and I think they will be improved over last year, but this is still an organization that has a long way to go.<br /><br />On the bright side, KC's $55 million-dollar man has been well worth his $11 million per year salary thus far. Gil Meche started and went 8 innings today and only gave up three runs. If the Royals could ever get the bats and arms going at the same time, they might win a series or two. It doesn't get any easier with the Twins and the White Sox coming to the K for the next two series.<br /><br />***<br /><br />For all Houstonians who read this, and all of you who want a little comedy about the Space City, check this out.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9d03gH_cFfI"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9d03gH_cFfI" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />***<br /><br />On a concluding note, if Fred Phelps really does go to Virginia to protest at the funerals of those killed at Virginia Tech, I hope he and his inbred family drive their van off the side of a mountain.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-7031822581633357425?l=kstatecatzone.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>TBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04266951313632420658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794071337997588880.post-4978650294246140792007-04-17T10:09:00.000-07:002007-04-17T11:41:12.705-07:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RiUUwrimFEI/AAAAAAAAAA8/9nqZRBzYimw/s1600-h/big-12-south-park.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kZORb7uNURw/RiUUwrimFEI/AAAAAAAAAA8/9nqZRBzYimw/s400/big-12-south-park.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054468983347352642" /></a><br /><br />Two weeks ago, CBS Sportsline writer Tom Dienhart <a href="http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=193845">ranked the football coaches in the Big 12</a>. His conclusion? Ron Prince is the second-worst coach in the Big 12, ahead only of Gene Chizik, who has yet to coach a game at Iowa State.<br /><br />I'm not here to claim Ron Prince should be considered among the top coaches in the conference. He's only coached one year, has no prior head coaching experience, and was the coordinator of a very average offense at Virginia. But to look at some of the coaches he's behind, you have to scratch your head at the criteria used.<br /><br />First of all, how is Dan Hawkins (#7 on the list) ahead of anybody? He was a fairly successful coach at Boise State, but we saw this year that Boise State <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/recap?gid=200701010024">didn't lose much without him</a>. Yeah, I know he walked into a disaster at Colorado, but did less than nothing with it. Sorry, but a 2-10 season with a loss to a D-IAA team should not be grounds for any sort of decent ranking. Dienhart defends this ranking by saying Hawkins is a "zen-master." Wow, great support for your argument.<br /><br />Now, on to Dennis Franchione (#6 on the list). I watched a few A&M games (one in person) last year, and this guy is not that great of a coach. He is a whopping 25-23 at A&M, including a 4-8 season his first year (2003) and a 5-6 record in 2005. <br /><br />Further, this guy makes some horrible coaching decisions. We'll get into Prince's poor decisions later, but his coaching at the end of the OU game (the one I attended) was pitiful. He had the biggest running back in the conference, and he didn't use him on short yardage, and went for a field goal inside the red zone, down 4, with very little time left in the 4th quarter, and a defense that was gassed from OU pounding the rock all game long. Sack up and go for the touchdown, at least it's more honorable to go down swinging. His team also imploded late against Nebraska, at home.<br /><br />I'm not going to make the argument that Prince is better than Mark Mangino at KU yet, not after the debacle in Lawrence last year. But how in the hell is Mangino ranked #5 in the conference. Did Dienhart even look at Mangino's record? He's 25-35 in his time at KU. He's had one winning season. One .500 season. I'll grant you he's an improvement over Terry Allen, but that's kind of like being a little better looking than Roseanne. He is not a top half coach in this conference.<br /><br />Like I said, Prince has made more than his share of mistakes. The fake punt against Texas...bad call. Losing a lot of assistants after one year? Not a good sign (not the end of the world, either). He's a first-year coach, he's going to make mistakes.<br /><br />But here's how I look at it. Here we have a first-year coach, who walked into a program that had finished below .500 and last in the North the prior two years. He finished with a winning season and took us back to a bowl for the first time since 2003. Tell me how your first year coach did in 2004, Nebraska? That worked out pretty well. What about Colorado this year (2-10)? Or KU in 2002 (2-10)? Texas A&M in 2003 (4-8)? Missouri in 2001 (4-7)? Oklahoma State in 2005 (4-7)? I won't bother to mention Iowa State and Baylor because they had sucked for a long time when their current coaches took over. The only current Big 12 coaches who did better in their first year than Prince are Mack Brown and Bob Stoops. Mike Leach did as well as Prince (7-6). <br /><br />I'll take what's happened so far as a sign things are looking up. What's that? We're recruiting a bunch of players with average rankings by Rivals? First of all, recruiting rankings are a bunch of wild projections about 17 year olds by people who <a href="http://www.suntimes.com/sports/preps/209763,CST-SPT-prep14.article">don't have much faith in the system</a>. Second, K-State has never landed highly ranked recruits. Terrence Newman? Two-star recruit out of Salina. Darren Sproles? Nobody wanted him because he was too small. Bill Snyder won by getting decent players who were willing to work hard and then unleashed his amazing corps of assistant coaches on them. It remains to be seen if Prince and his staff can improve players like Snyder did, but it will certainly be their key to success in Manhattan.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5794071337997588880-497865029424614079?l=ks