If insults, “disrespect” and all that “nobody believed we could  ” baloney really motivates football players, the 2002 Kansas team should have more incentive than that of a turpentined cat.

We’re about to learn if the Jayhawks will have a last laugh or wind up a laughingstock after 12 games. They have been picked in the preseason to finish sixth in the Big 12’s northern division; lowly Baylor shares that dubious distinction among the southern brethren.

Nobody’d be happier than coach Mark Mangino if his first outfit could steal five or six games and do a little gloating after the Nov. 16 season finale. You know, guys chortling and grinning in the locker-room, blurting out hackneyed bits  “nobody, but us, thought we were any good” or “we were picked last and sure showed ’em.”

Such self-pumping is badly overused anymore, even for teams expected to do well. Lots of jocks love to depict themselves as hapless victims, then gloat over how they conquered adversity. But believe me, if Kansas can play .500 ball or close to it, a little bragging will be in order.

Trouble is, if things go bad, the Jayhawks may be saddled with that old Casey Stengel baseball bit about “nobody thought we could do it and we couldn’t.”

Not long ago, I figured Kansas had a reasonable chance to surprise Iowa State in the Ames opener. After the Cyclones’ rousing second-half surge against touted Florida State, a few miracles need to be in the air for KU.

But there are 11 other games. With the league booked to send eight teams to postseason encampments, only four clubs will sit at home. Heck, with six victories, KU could be one of the eight  not exactly national title timber, but a far cry from the 3-8 of last season.

So Kansas should proceed with a fiery “we’ll show ’em!” attitude. The Hawks will be lightly regarded by most and can sneak up on some opponents.

As another year of athletic endeavor begins for the Jayhawks, it seems to me there are some situations new athletic director Al Bohl has to keep in mind.

No. 1, of course, is to get, and keep, things perking in the football department. There isn’t anywhere near the talent and depth Kansas needs to double its victory total of a year ago. Yet the new coaching staff has glossy credentials and there’s been a turn-around in discipline and expectations. KU’s spending what’s needed to succeed.

A few injuries to key opponents here, some breaks and coach Mangino and Bohl could wind up looking pretty good  Bohl mainly because he was able to hire Mangino and Mark because his extensive background in the big leagues pays off quickly.

To be honest, there’s still a scud cloud hanging over the KU operation because of the alleged nonfeasances, misfeasances and malfeasances that occurred on Al Bohl’s watch as Fresno State athletic director. Officials have given the guy a vote of confidence and nothing new has surfaced. That’s good.

But the guy gets the highest salary of anyone on the campus, $255,000 per, and a lot of people expect something pretty darn good for such loot. He’s worked long and hard, but for all his exuberance, outreach and intensity, Bohl has to realize a lot of juries are still out on just how effective he will finally be here. He certainly has good people in his department who’ll bust a gut to make good things happen.

A banner football season would solve a lot of image problems, but not all of them. It’s still going to take a while for the air to clear.

Turning to KU basketball, the best thing Bohl can do is stand back, be friendly and supportive and not screw around with The Franchise, Roy Williams. This program brings in some $4 million a year, pays most of the bills and has every chance of making the Final Four again.

There have been some tense early moments involving Bohl and Williams. Al needs to remind himself every day which side his bread is buttered on. They used to joke that all Galli-Curci could do was sing, all Red Grange could do was run and all Johnny Carson could do was present the best late night show in history.

Well, all Roy Williams can do is coach, win and project KU in an incredibly favorable light. Leave him alone, Al. Fade into the background, raise money and enjoy what Roy does, which only makes you (Al) look good. You’re not the star, Roy is.

Let’s hope that so much harmony is generated between Bohl and Williams that when UCLA fires Steve Lavin, Lawrence is not the first place the Bruins call for a successor.

Another Bohl project this year has to be finding ways for the women’s basketball program to win enough games that its million-dollar drain isn’t as painful. If Al Bohl’s best move for men’s basketball is to leave it alone, it would seem a little meddling might be in order for the women’s venue.

If Mangino happens to work some miracles and there’s a big turnaround, stand back and let ’em lionize Mark, Al. Athletics directors’ jobs are supposed to be behind the scenes, not hogging any of the limelight that belongs to coaches and jocks. Enough of the hale-fellow-well-met for now.

Any athletic director looking for a role model would be wise to emulate the late Dutch Lonborg, a pure gentleman who presided over the finest period of success in KU history from 1950 into the mid-1960s.

Kansas can be that good, all-around, again. Let’s hope it starts the new era with a football season that astounds everyone with its success and a basketball season that gives KU and Williams the national title they so richly deserve.