2008 Kansas Jayhawks Football Preview

2008 Kansas Jayhawks season preview from Maddux Sports. Below you can find our official Kansas Jayhawks football preview as well as the 2008 Kansas Jayhawks Football Schedule. If you dont know how to beat the odds, give Maddux's winning NCAA picks a shot.

Coach: Mark Mangino (7th year at Kansas)
Team Name: Jayhawks
2007 Overall Record: 12-1
Returning Starters: 13

In 2007, the Kansas Jayhawks (21-1 overall, 7-1 Big 12) finished first, along with the Missouri Tigers, in the North Division of the Big 12. They lost the division crown due to a 36-28 regular season defeat by those same Tigers. In the post-season, the Hawks earned a trip to the Orange Bowl where they beat Virginia Tech 24-21.

The offense likes to churn it out and junior QB Todd Reesing (446 ATT, 276 COMP, 3,486 YDS, 33 TDs, 7 INT) is the chief churner. His 33 TD/7 INT ratio is exemplary. The frontline must replace left tackle Anthony Collins who left early for the pros. Freshman Jeff Spikes will try to fill that gap. Two juniors vie for the starting RB spot—Jake Sharp and Jocques Crawford. Sharp, who returns as the team’s leading rusher with 821 yards and seven touchdowns, will likely get the nod. Dexton Fields who returns having caught six TDs last season leads the wide receivers.

Last year, the defense was ranked 12th overall in total yardage and fourth in points allowed per game—16.4. Nine of 11 starters are back, including senior MLB Joe Mortensen (106 tackles, 50 solo) who led the Hawks in tackles last year. The pass rush was lacking in 2007. This season, with more experience and some fine depth, the frontline could cure that woe. The secondary is deep. One question remains—how will the squad adjust to new coordinator Clint Bowen? It will probably be a seamless transition since Bowen’s been an assistant with the club for years.

The Jayhawks probably can’t beat Oklahoma on the road when they meet them on October 18. Swing games include those versus South Florida, another away game, on September 12. October 25 at home against Texas Tech is another tossup, while the final two games—November 15 versus Texas and November 29 against Missouri can go either way.

An amazingly tough defense and solid offense define this Jayhawk squad. Mark Mangino, who has spent every one of his six head coaching seasons at Kansas, brings a 37-36 overall record into 2008. Eight or nine wins look likely, as does another bowl bid.

Kansas Jayhawks Football Schedule

Date	Opponent	Home/Away
Aug 30	Florida International	Home
Sep 6	La Tech	Home
Sep 12	South Florida	Away
Sep 20	Sam Houston State	Home
Oct 4	Iowa State	Away
Oct 11	Colorado	Home
Oct 18	Oklahoma	Away
Oct 25	Texas Tech	Home
Nov 1	Kansas State	Home
Nov 8	Nebraska	Away
Nov 15	Texas	Home
Nov 29	Missouri	Neutral

 

For more info on the 2008 Kansas Jayhawks football program, view the Jayhawks website or read up on the rest of the Big 12 ncaa football teams below.