It’s the most amazing KU football season in living memory. Ask Journal-World sports editor Tom Keegan for his thoughts and insights about what’s next.

Moderator

Hi there folks! I’m Joel Mathis, managing editor for convergence. I’m sitting here with Tom Keegan, who is taking credit for KU’s superlative year in football. He’s also taking credit for several other sporting dynasties of recent vintage. Are you the great good luck charm, Tom?

Tom Keegan

Joel, You might consider it luck. I consider it skill. I have a brainwashing writing technique that makes all the athletes, coaches and baseball managers think anything is possible. Working for the Orange County Register in 1988, I was the Dodgers’ beat writer, covered every inning of Orel Hershiser’s streak, and every pitch of the postseason. I moved to Chicago and was a columnist covering the first three Bulls championships under Michael Jordan. After a year in Baltimore, I went to New York and was the baseball columnist for the New York Post while the Yankees won four World Series in five years. And now this, the most improbable of all seasons, Kansas football is 10-0 with two victories and an overtime loss in three years against Nebraska.

Moderator

We’ve got some questions — some skeptical — about your Reesing for Heisman campaign. Here’s two of them:

HowMuchRice

Your Heisman campaign starting on Sept. 1 is a classic case of a pot-stirrer doing nothing but throwing oatmeal against the wall and hoping it sticks. The question is: How do you live with yourself?

whoisjohngalt

Keegan, why are you taking credit for starting the Todd Reesing For Heisman campaign when there were already 3 “Todd Reesing For Heisman” Facebook groups with over 500 members when you published your article?

Tom Keegan

Well, Mr. Rice, you obviously don’t have the wisdom I have. I have been watching sports for more than 40 years and covering them for more than 25. I’ve seen it all, except I had never seen a QB rip off his red shirt at the half and completely change a football program the way Todd Reesing did against Colorado last season. Then in his first college start he again was remarkable. It wasn’t just what he did, but how he did it, by forever keeping his eyes downfield yet somehow still knowing exactly where everybody behind and to the sides of him was and where they were headed. Talent, instincts, brains, leadership, guts equals Heisman Trophy.

Tom Keegan

I started the Heisman campaign Sept. 1, against Central Michigan. As Casey Stengel was fond of saying, “You can look it up,” and he said that before Al Gore invented the Internet.

fundamental

Congratulations on your prescient prediction regarding Todd Reesing’s Heisman candidacy. In your opinion, would KU need to win out in order for Todd to have a legitimate shot at the Heisman, or would an 11-1 or 12-1 KU record be good enough, provided he performs well in the remaining 3 games? Also, why aren’t you on the Spodcasters every episode? With your experience, you should always be on, in my opinion.

Tom Keegan

Second question, first. I don’t like to hog the Mike, but now that I can point to your question as justification for hogging the Mike, I will do so again. Thanks. … I would say Reesing probably has to win three more to get the Heisman. That would put KU in the national title game and the ballots are due four days after the Big XII title game, so the timing would be perfect. Plus, by then Florida likely will have another loss, which will hurt Tebow’s chances.

TeamKansas

As of right now who are your top 5 candidates for the Heisman?? And if everyone wins out will that order change?

Tom Keegan

Dennis Dixon, Tim Tebow, Todd Reesing, Sam Bradford, Patrick White, all quarterbacks. If Reesing leads KU to the Big 12 title with a 13-0 record, he would be my first choice no matter what happens elsewhere. If that happens, I’m thinking of getting the No. 5 tattooed onto my chest, or maybe my face. As Mike Tyson showed us, facial tattoos really are a good look.

sss4ever82

Keegan,

Our monster running duo of Jake and Brandon quite frankly is getting little respect as far as our offense is concerned. What more do you think these guys will have to do and what does Todd have to do in order to boost himself deep into the Heisman race.

Tom Keegan

I think Reesing just needs to keep winning and it will take care of itself. As for McAnderson and Sharp, I love that neither one of them complains about a lack of respect. They too care just about winning. I actually think McAnderson is widely respected. Both guys are great about sharing the credit with the offensive linemen, tight end, and receivers, all of whom have been doing a terrific job of blocking for them. KU is the only team in the country ranked in the top 20 in rushing and passing.

Moderator

Speaking of other contributors to KU’s success, I’ll ask a question here: Why Todd Reesing for Heisman and not Aquib Talib?

Tom Keegan

Aqib Talib has been super explosive on both sides of the ball, but the way Reesing operates, he elevates the performance of the entire team. His passing makes it easier for the running backs to run. His scrambling buys receivers more time to get open. His positive personality makes it easier for players to think about the next play after they’ve just made a mistake. Talib is an All-American candidate, Reesing a Heisman Trophy candidate.

Teapot9

I will save the cheap Chris Farley “Black Sheep” joke for another time. Anyway, what are your opinions on conference championship games? I feel that either everyone should have them or no one. Assuming KU makes the conference championship a win could solidify a BCS title game and a loss could be devastating.

Tom Keegan

I like it the way it is. It’s a reflection of our free country. The schools in the conference get together and decide what they want to do. It won’t hurt KU’s chances. If KU isn’t good enough to win out, then it isn’t good enough to win the national championship. Until Oregon lost, the fact the Jayhawks would have a chance to defeat Missouri and Oklahoma on successive weeks actually helped their chances because doing so would have enabled them to bypass Oregon and LSU, whereas just beating Missouri might not have done so.

rgreene

Hey Tom,

On down I-70, what are the odds of k-state taking mizzou to the heater hut and pulling out an upset? I say not good. Your thoughts?

Tom Keegan

I can’t remember a time I’ve been more shocked by an opening line. I believe Missouri was favored by just seven points. I can’t figure that one out. The only thing that makes me think the fading Princes have a chance here is that when a line looks out of line, that usually means the bookies know something. What do they know?

Moderator

I can’t believe we’re talking about Missouri and championship games. What about Iowa State? This is a particularly bad season to be overlooking any college football opponent, and the Cyclones haven’t looked awful the last couple of weeks. Mangino’s got his team focused on this weekend, right?

Tom Keegan

Mangino always has his team focused on the weekend. You don’t hear him talking about Missouri and you don’t hear any of his players doing it either. Iowa State lost to Oklahoma by 10 and a defensive touchdown was the difference in the Missouri game. Iowa State, coming off wins against K-State and Colorado, has been a good football team the past four weeks.

Moderator

We’re running out of questions, so two more:

¢ Your prediction of Saturday’s score?

¢ Is this KU season a one-off, or is something sustainable being built here?

Tom Keegan

I’ll say Kansas 31, Iowa State 20. Something sustainable definitely is being built here. The key to next season will be Anthony Collins staying put instead of jumping to the NFL. Reesing has two more seasons after this one and Mangino steadily has been upgrading recruiting. The conference has more teams on the way up than the way down, so it won’t be easy.

Moderator

Thanks, Tom, for joining us today.

Tom Keegan

Any time. See you at the game Saturday. Do me a favor and instead of waving, strike a Heisman pose for me.