Kansas Football Wrap Up

• KU had its best season ever. But what does success do to our expectations next year?
  
• Two KU juniors are turning pro. Cornerback Aqib Talib and left tackle Anthony Collins, two of KU's best players, are skipping their senior seasons to enter the NFL Draft. Talib and Collins are projected to go in the second and third round but that's what lots of young college players are told. Remember Charles Gordon, KU's standout from a few years ago who skipped his senior season to hit the NFL jackpot? Gordon didn't even get drafted. He went to the Viking's practice squad for half a season before being promoted to 3rd string corner, where he still remains. Including Gordon, there are only five Jayhawks active in the NFL. Juniors have to declare for the draft by January 15.
• The Jayhawks wore their red jerseys in the Orange Bowl, in order to maximize the garishness of the color scheme that night (Virginia Tech contributes a lot in the department wherever they go). The official reason was that the red jerseys were undefeated. But weren't the white ones also? And the blues only lost to MU and only just barely. Looking at the Jayhawks logo, I wonder why the team doesn't wear blue jerseys and red helmets? Yellow facemasks and shoes would maybe be too much though.
• KU lost one of it's offensive assistants and state of Texas recruiters to Nebraska. That'll hurt some, but hopefully it's offset by all of the great exposure this year.
• KU's seniors who are leaving include big wide receiver Marcus Henry, defensive lineman James McClinton and both of our kickers. There are several notable red-shirt seniors, such as tight end Derek Fine and tailback Brandon McAnderson, but I'm not clear which of these players have eligibility remaining and intend on returning. If anyone knows, especially in regard to Fine and McAnderson, let me know.
  
• So Kansas is ranked seventh in the nation behind six teams, all with with more losses. Hmm… I guess that's about right but it still feels unresolved. Yet another of the college presidents is getting involved. The University of Georgia, who got left out of the BCS championship game, is calling for an 8-team playoff. That sounds like a great start! The BCS runs through 2010 in it's current contract, which will be renegotiated with FOX sometime next Fall. Let's go Playoffs in 2011!
• In 2008 Kansas plays Florida International, Louisiana Tech, South Florida, Sam Houston State, and 8 conference games including Missouri at Arrowhead in the last game. Sounds fun!