Reader poll
Undefeated Jayhawks rank 9th in BCS
Jayhawks fall in at number nine in the Bowl Championship Series standings after winning in Colorado. Enlarge video
Kansas fans wave the wheat following a field goal by Scott Webb in the first half of the Jayhawks' 19-14 victory over Colorado. KU improved to 7-0 with the victory Saturday in Boulder, Colo.
No word if "Win one for the gipper!" ever has been cried at a Kansas University football practice.
Whatever coach Mark Mangino has up his sleeve to keep KU's concentration, it has worked wonders so far.
Not only are the Jayhawks succeeding, they're sustaining even as outside attention - be it newfound praise or even lingering doubt - continues to mount.
"Coach keeps us focused," cornerback Aqib Talib said after KU's 19-14 victory over Colorado on Saturday. "Coach makes sure he has a speech every week for us to keep us down to earth."
Cue the image of Knute Rockne addressing his Notre Dame squad in 1928.
It's not quite that dramatic, of course. It's just that No. 12 Kansas (7-0 overall, 3-0 Big 12 Conference play) hasn't been this good in more than a decade. The current players - some of whom were 6 years old the last time KU started 7-0 - are green to what accompanies such success.
That's where coaching, and speeches, come in to play.
"When I talk to the team after practices, I deal with the issue at hand for that particular time," Mangino said Sunday. "It may be during a season we struggle, so you discuss those issues.
"In this case here, it's success. I'm a firm believer that if you don't handle adversity or success well, you're doomed for problems."
The Jayhawks obviously have responded each week. They rolled past five beatable opponents at home by a wider margin than anticipated, then won two huge conference games on the road when past failures were cited as a reason they might not.
Prominence does have its consequences, one of which is the increased vigilance of the national media. Mega-newspapers like the New York Times have profiled Talib, and ESPN came to a recent practice to capture behind-the-scenes footage for its popular "College Gameday" show.
Heading into Saturday's game at Texas A&M - which again will be televised nationally on ESPN2 - the Jayhawks can expect the attention to intensify. It will as long as they stay undefeated.
So far, KU's players have handled it well. Mid-week speeches may have something to do with it. But Mangino said it's more of a proper mind-set that the players have adopted for this increasingly wild ride.
"We've worked hard to attain success," Mangino said, "and the way we've done that is just by taking care of the business at hand every day.
"Our kids are really grounded. I don't see that affecting us. This group of kids here is pretty focused on the task at hand."
Added linebacker Joe Mortensen: "It feels good to be 7-0. But we're just a one-track mind right now. We're on A&M. We can't really look ahead. We're just going to try to win every game and see what happens at the end."
Comments
LJWorld.com doesn’t necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post. Read our full policy. Also, read about banned accounts and harassing comments.
marionlibrarian (anonymous) says…
Congrats to the Jayhawks for advancing in the polls! We love you!!
justthefacts (anonymous) says…
I could not be happier. When this coach was first hired, I took a look at his reputation and skills and told anyone who would listen to me that if he were given enough time (5 years minimum) he'd build a winning system we could all be proud to claim. My belief tthat he has the ability to attract good players and then coach them into good performances is proving to be accurate. Thanks for proving my point Coach M. As long as you continue to follow the rules (Puleeez don't violate any NCAA rules) I'll have your back for life!
Kontum1972 (anonymous) says…
hmmmm...dont hear anyone calling him a fat slob NOW!
Marcus (anonymous) says…
I am so pround of the players. They are a special bunch. Somebody needs to put Coach M. on a program. We need him around as long as possible! Way to go coach. you are the man!!
sundancewierdo (anonymous) says…
hey he can eat 2 dozen tacos if he keeps winning this way. the big difference this year is the offensive coordinator and a spark of life from our qb. right now we have a kid who is redshirted and is supposed to be quite a qb. think they will turn meier into a tight end? may be a good idea. we don't really have too many seniors so the leadership shown here is just fantastic. i'm really excited to see my team on tv when there is a road game. that's the kind of thing that will get kids to want to come here. they want playing time and exposure. way to go mangino!