NCAA Football FanHouse

The SEC's Shifting Defensive Sands

Brian Grummell — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:36:00 EST

Filed under: Alabama Football, Auburn Football, Texas Football, Big 12, SEC, Texas A&M Football, Iowa State Football

The SEC has long been known as a place where defense rules in college football. Maybe some of that had to do with the league's generally minimal focus on offense for so many years, but we can debate that in another entry. Regardless, its defensive credibility is rock solid.

But in recent years, a steady influx of offensive changes from coaches to schemes has balanced the league and made it all the more dangerous.

But, as noted at the Daily Texan, there's also been a barely noticed flow of defensive coaching talent away from the SEC. Former Auburn star defensive coordinators Gene Chizik and Will Muschamp have made their way to the Big 12. Chizik was Texas' defensive coordinator before being hired as the head coach at Iowa State. Muschamp, meanwhile, is Texas' new D.C.

Elsewhere, former Alabama defensive coordinator Joe Kines is now the D.C. at Texas A&M. Chances are, those three have been adequately replaced, but their departure and the SEC's changing offensive makeup seems to indicate a change from the All D, No O days of SEC past. I doubt wide open offensive football with not much defense like on display in the WAC ever finds a home in the SEC. OK, severely doubt it. But it is interesting to note a modest departure of defensive coaching talent as a steady wave of offensive coaching talent moves in.

Related: I wonder if this perks up the state of defense in the suddenly wide-open, quarterback loaded Big 12?

(Via: Football Rumor Mill)

The SEC's Shifting Defensive Sands originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:36:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Big Ten Network to Most of Iowa: "Iowa-Iowa State Game? Not Yours."

Mark Hasty — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 23:25:00 EST

Filed under: Iowa Football, Big 10, Big 12, NCAA FB Media Watch, Iowa State Football

The Iowa-Iowa State rivalry may not be the sexiest intrastate rivalry in college football, but in Iowa, it's a sharp sword that slices the state in two. Even though the modern series is only 31 years old, the game is still one of the biggest events in Iowa year in and year out. Whether it's at Kinnick or Jack Trice, the stadium is always filled to the spilling point, and most of the rest of the state watches on TV.

Or at least they used to.

This year's Hawkeye-Cyclone game will be airing on the Big Ten Network, which still isn't available on many of Iowa's biggest cable systems. Comcast, the first major cable provider to sign with the BTN, barely has any subscribers in Iowa. A number of the state's smaller companies have signed on, but Mediacom, the state's largest provider, is still in negotiations with the network.

In its first year the games which aired on BTN provided plenty of memorable moments (like the notorious Appalachian State game) but relatively few of them were games with this degree of desirability. It's a brilliant move by the Big Ten Network to grab this game, which should put some pressure on Mediacom to get on board. I'm not sure how many Iowans would dump cable for satellite just for this game, but it's a good bet that you wouldn't want to be a Mediacom customer service rep if a deal doesn't get done before kickoff.

I no longer live in Iowa but I'm still in Big Ten country and I think it's past time for all sides to give a little and get a deal done. I can live without seeing my Hawkeyes take on Maine or Florida International (two other Iowa games that will air on BTN) but if I can't see Iowa-Iowa State? A pox on both their houses.

Big Ten Network to Most of Iowa: "Iowa-Iowa State Game? Not Yours." originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 02 Jul 2008 23:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Worst Moments in Big Ten Football History #10: The Death of Jack Trice, 1923

Mark Hasty — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:20:00 EST

Filed under: Minnesota Football, Big 10, Big 12, NCAA FB History, Iowa State Football

FanHouse is counting down the ten best, ten worst, and ten weirdest moments in Big Ten football history.

ABOVE: Iowa State University's Jack Trice Stadium is the only Football Bowl Subdivision stadium named after an African-American.

It might have been an unfortunate accident of the sort which happened in the early days of football, before the players took the field in modern-day suits of armor.

It might have been an ugly, racially motivated attack which went further than its perpetrators intended.

It might have been a murder.

After 85 years, it's almost impossible to say just what happened on October 6, 1923, in Minneapolis. What is beyond dispute is that Jack Trice, the first African-American athlete at Iowa State, was trampled by at least three Minnesota players while executing a roll block. Though he did not appear seriously injured at the time, Trice suffered severe internal injuries and died two days later.

At the time, Trice's teammates and friends didn't think the trampling was intentional. Minnesota fans weren't so sure. They began chanting "We're sorry, Ames!" shortly after the play. (In the Midwest, it's common to refer to universities by their locations instead of their names.) When you look at what life was like for an African-American college athlete in the 1920s, you can't help but be a little suspicious.

Trice was welcomed at Iowa State, where he enrolled to follow hishigh school coach, but he and the rest of the school's African-American students couldn't find housing in Ames until a local Masonic lodge took them in. Trice didn't play football his freshman year, focusing instead on his studies and his performance in track and field. His big break came in the opening game of the 1923 season against the highly-regarded Golden Gophers.

Trice couldn't even stay with his teammates on that road trip; the team hotel was segregated. But really, the Cyclones were lucky the Gophers would even play them. Several other teams refused to play Iowa State because the team was integrated.

Trice hurt his shoulder on the second play of the game but refused to come out. He also insisted he was fine after the trampling incident, but since he couldn't even stand, he was taken out of the game and directly to the hospital. (I suppose, given all the other difficulties Trice faced, he was fortunate to find a hospital that would examine him.)

On the trip back to Ames, Trice began fading.

Was it murder? Was it a racially motivated attack gone too far? Was it just a severe misfortune? So much time has passed it's impossible to tell. A 2007 article in the Iowa State Daily is ambiguous on the topic. The university's alumni association at least implies that Trice's injuries were deliberately inflicted. Steven L. Jones, who has written a book on Trice, says the answer is unknowable.

Because it's unknowable, I couldn't put this moment at #1 on my list, where any deliberate, racially motivated murder would belong. But I can't leave it off, either, even though the real story here is more about Jack Trice and Iowa State than it is about the Big Ten. There comes a time after every tragic death, whether it's an accident or not, when you must forget how the lost person died and remember more how he or she lived. Jack Trice knew he was blazing a trail, and he was unafraid. If ever someone deserved to have a stadium named after him, it's Jack Trice.

Worst Moments in Big Ten Football History #10: The Death of Jack Trice, 1923 originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Big 12 Commissioner Dan Beebe Pushing for Fifth Year of Eligibility

Jeff Adams — Wed, 21 May 2008 11:35:00 EST

Filed under: Colorado Football, Kansas Football, Nebraska Football, Oklahoma Football, Oklahoma State Football, Texas Football, Big 12, Missouri Football, Texas A&M Football, Kansas State Football, Texas Tech Football, Baylor Football, Iowa State Football

The Big 12's annual meetings are currently taking place in Colorado Springs and league commissioner Dan Beebe has a lot on his plate. But one agenda item that he is pushing strongly is a fifth year of eligibility for football players. He hopes the proposed change will get some attention from the NCAA rules committee.

The proposal for a fifth year of eligibility would eliminate redshirting, instead giving college football players five years to compete on the field. Under current rules, players have a five-year window in which to complete four years of playing time. This isn't the first time this change has come up, but opponents have argued that eligibility rules need to standard across sports. Big 12 commissioner Beebe, disagrees.

Beebe, however, said he thinks football should be seen as unique because it has a high rate of redshirts and injuries.

"Injuries happen and coaches have players who could contribute, but they don't want to play someone on a limited basis and burn a redshirt year," Beebe said. "And you have kids during their redshirt year who are getting the heck beat out of them in practice every day with no hope of playing."

The rule change would certainly eliminate the need for coaches to agonize about redshirting decisions. In addition, it would seemingly end the need for athletes and schools to file medical hardships in the wake of injuries. Lastly, given that the average college football player takes around 4.7 years to graduate, the five-year eligibility window could help improve graduation rates.

Big 12 Commissioner Dan Beebe Pushing for Fifth Year of Eligibility originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 21 May 2008 11:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Iowa State's Athletic Department Remains Committed to Life Skills Position

Jeff Adams — Thu, 15 May 2008 12:12:00 EST

Filed under: Big 12, Iowa State Football

Last summer, the Iowa State athletic department approved a life skills assistant position for Baptist pastor Kevin Lykins. While the approval process wasn't always a smooth ride, the relationship recently survived the completion of an end-of-school-year assessment of Lykins' performance.

"We came forward and were forthright about here's what it is and here's what his background is," [athletic director Jamie] Pollard said. "We laid all our cards on the table, and for that, there was a lot of initial criticism.

"But we worked our way through it."

While the initial debate over the addition of Lykins included a faculty petition against the move, as well as criticism from a number of media outlets, we're just now finding out how intense the situation was.

Pollard says his house was vandalized on three occasions during the time in which school officials were considering Lykins' appointment.

He said he decided not to file a police report.

Pollard said someone ripped landscaping apart and tossed the remains into the neighbor's yard. He also said he found garbage dumped in his front yard.

"I'm assuming it was because of this issue," Pollard said. "I can't prove that, but I assume it was."

Pollard remains committed to the idea of a life skills assistant and believes that Lykins' presence has benefited the university. At the end of the day, I suppose that's all that matters.

Iowa State's Athletic Department Remains Committed to Life Skills Position originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 15 May 2008 12:12:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Iowa State Assistant Coach Arrested

Jeff Adams — Sun, 04 May 2008 22:44:00 EST

Filed under: Big 12, NCAA FB Coaching, NCAA FB Police Blotter, Iowa State Football

You know it's a long off-season in college football, when even the coaches get involved in the tomfoolery and shenanigans. But then again, why should the players have all the fun? At Iowa State, defensive graduate assistant Floyd Howard White was arrested and charged with drunken driving and criminal trespassing causing damage of over $200.

The story seems a bit confusing as White was apparently attempting to bust his car out of an impound lot.

"Court documents say White was arrested after an officer stopped to talk with him as he was walking along a gravel road near Butch's Towing impound lot. The officer noticed the steel gate blocking the entrance was lying on the ground. The documents say the officer located White's car and noticed damage to the front end. White was released without posting bond and a preliminary hearing was scheduled for May 19."

Unfortunately, the article doesn't bother to explain how White's car wound up impounded in the first place. It's also not clear why White didn't actually complete the heist by driving out of the impound lot given that he'd already driven into and through the gated entrance.

On the bright side, pictures of the incident have yet to appear on the web, and somewhere Larry Eustachy grumbles.

Iowa State Assistant Coach Arrested originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sun, 04 May 2008 22:44:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cyclones Unveil New Look to Stadium

Jeff Adams — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 23:46:00 EST

Filed under: Big 12, Iowa State Football

In 2007, with some help from their fans, Iowa State decided upon a new logo and new uniforms for their football team. On Monday the school released images of planned changes to Jack Trice Stadium which will reflect the updated look.

"Several of Iowa State's athletics facilities, including Jack Trice Stadium and Hilton Coliseum, will have a new look for the 2008-09 season. In October 2007, the Iowa State Athletics Department unveiled a new primary mark for its 18-sport intercollegiate athletics program and Cyclone faithful will begin to notice the new mark taking shape in the coming months in preparation for next season.

One of the first visual elements released by the Athletics Department includes artwork of the new-look Jack Trice Stadium and Hilton Coliseum. Fans will be able to see the new fieldwork, live and in person, when the Cyclones kickoff on Thursday, Aug. 28 against South Dakota State."

A larger version of the stadium image can be seen here and can be contrasted with the older version here. Overall, while I don't really have anything against the current logo, I have to admit that I sort of miss the previous "Cy" incarnation already. As has previously been mentioned, I'm not alone in these feelings.

via Clone Chronicles

Cyclones Unveil New Look to Stadium originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 07 Apr 2008 23:46:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Here's the Kicker, Iowa State Doesn't Have One

Jeff Adams — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 08:19:00 EST

Filed under: Big 12, General CFB Insanity, Iowa State Football

We've all heard of the lonesome kicker, but Iowa State is practicing this spring with an invisible kicker. The Cyclones are awaiting the arrival of two incoming freshman, who will battle it out for the starting kicking job come August. In the meantime, special teams practice is sort of odd according to head coach Gene Chizik.

That's a little difficult right now," coach Gene Chizik said of spring practices. "Because kicking is such a timing issue, with extra points and field goals. The kicking issues will obviously be addressed by someone who is not here right now."

"But again, it's a little bit difficult not having a kicker, knowing exactly where he'll kick it. We'll know all those things when they get here, but we're doing the best we can right now, just from a common sense perspective of what we can do without them."

I've had this happen in NCAA Football on my PlayStation, but you'd think Chizik and the Cyclones could at least find someone on the intramural soccer fields to line up at kicker for the spring. If not, they could also recruit special teamers via the classified ads a la Mike Leach at Texas Tech.

Here's the Kicker, Iowa State Doesn't Have One originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 07 Apr 2008 08:19:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cyclones Discover Weight Room, Will Actual Wins Follow?

Jeff Adams — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 07:30:00 EST

Filed under: Big 12, Iowa State Football

We've covered the notion that Big 12 coaches are hoping for a physical showing on the gridiron this spring. Part of the physicality on the field comes from hardwork off the field, often times in the weight room. Iowa State is one Big 12 team that has dedicated itself to a new off-season conditioning program. Apparently, the results are just beginning to show for the Cyclones.

· A year ago, there were two players who could power clean more than 300 pounds. Now there are 21.

· Iowa State's program used to have just one 500-pound squatter. Now, there are 13.

· The Cyclones had 11 bench presses of 315 pounds or more. They've recorded 33 this spring.

Second year Cyclones head coach - a man not known for his sense of humor - credits the changes to ISU's director of strength and conditioning Ken Sheppard.

"These are the things in my opinion that give you confidence to be a better football player," Chizik said. "Those are the things explosion-wise that help you become a better player.

"I think coach Sheppard did a great job."

It's unclear whether the off-season work will translate to on-field success, but the Cyclones need all the help they can get. Certainly becoming bigger, stronger, and faster can only aid their attempt to rise out of the Big 12 North cellar. And who knows, maybe next year they can break out the baby oil come team poster time.

Cyclones Discover Weight Room, Will Actual Wins Follow? originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Fri, 04 Apr 2008 07:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Big 12 Teams Get Physical This Spring

Jeff Adams — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Nebraska Football, Oklahoma Football, Texas Football, Big 12, Iowa State Football

Spring practice has always been a time of offensive and defensive scheme installation, fundamentals and player evaluations. But this year's spring practice also has Big 12 coaches channeling their inner Olivia Newton John. That's right, it seems everyone in the conference is getting physical.

At Texas, it has been new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp who has the Longhorns playing tougher.

"We've had the most physical practices we've ever had," [head coache Mack] Brown said. "We were more physical last spring, but this spring we've just continued. Obviously, Will's come in with some new defensive thoughts and we're working on those."

The players seem to be catching on:

"Every day, we're hitting, no matter where we are," cornerback Deon Beasley said. "Inside the bubble, outside, we're hitting. I think it's good for us to get some contact and for us to show that we're not only a fast team, but we're a physical one as well."

Nebraska's new head coach Bo Pelini also wanted the Huskers focusing on physical football.

Pelini labeled last year's defensive performance "irrelevant" and said he hasn't watched any of the tape from last year. He'll spend some time trying figure out what talent he has, and "tweaking" the scheme to the players. It will also be more physical.

"We're not gonna be out there playing tag, I promise you that," Pelini said.

It seems to be working, given his most recent post-practice comments:

"I thought the tempo was good," Pelini said. "It was physical. We made a lot of strides the first three days, especially defensively. They've got a lot to learn. But the tempo's good, the effort's good."

The same can also be said at Iowa State.

"It's getting real physical," [quarterback Austen] Arnaud said. "Not for me so much, just because I'm a quarterback. But I can see those other guys getting after it and working hard. Those pads are definitely popping out there."

And

[head coach Gene] Chizik said the team is stronger overall because of offseason work in the weight room and he hopes that translates into a more dominating presence on the field.

"Right now I'm really pleased," he said. "They're doing everything we ask them to do. They are very much trying to be a physical football team."

And finally, Oklahoma players went after one another in their first scrimmage despite a long list of guys sitting out with various injuries.

"There was some good physical hitting and we were around the football," defensive coordinator Brent Venables said.

This theme is of course be much funnier if you imagine as a sound byte montage a la John Stewart and The Daily Show, but you get the point.

Oh, and Olivia Newton John was hot, so there's always that.

Big 12 Teams Get Physical This Spring originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 01 Apr 2008 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spring at a Glance: Big 12 Quarterbacks

Jeff Adams — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 08:04:00 EST

Filed under: Nebraska Football, Oklahoma Football, Oklahoma State Football, Texas Football, Big 12, Iowa State Football

With spring practices getting underway across the Big 12, why not check in with one of the high profile positions, the quarterback?

At Iowa State second year head coach Gene Chizik has a two-man race for the starting QB job as Austen Arnaud and Phillip Bates will battle it out.

"For me, it's just learning every day," said Arnaud, who is competing with Phillip Bates for the starting job. "You can make your share of plays, but if you're turning the ball over, it doesn't really matter."

Bates played wide receiver a year ago, but is a full-time quarterback for the time-being.

At Nebraska Joe Ganz begins the spring as the clear-cut number one QB after starting the final three games of the 2007 season. This is a new spot for Ganz who had spent three years in the program as a backup.

"It's weird," Ganz said. "It's going to be different."

"Now that I've gotten to where I want to, I'm just going to have to work that much harder to not let anybody take it from me," Ganz said. "I've worked too hard to let somebody come up and take the job from me, so I really don't need any more motivation than that."

In Stillwater, Zac Robinson also has the starting job locked down. The backup spot, however, is up for grabs. Sophomore Alex Cate and redshirt freshman Brandon Weeden will vie for the job.

"It's huge for those two guys," co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Gunter Brewer said about Friday's scrimmage and the three others that will take place this spring. "They have not had any live action. They found that out today. That's why live snaps are so much better than practice snaps. It's as close as you're going to get to a game against a defense that's throwing a lot of stuff at you."

At Oklahoma, Keith Nichol would like more playing time, but is apparently comfortable backing up Sam Bradford for the foreseeable future.

"I was disappointed, I'm not going to lie. But the team did really good and Sam played well. As an overall I was happy. From a selfish, personal standpoint, I was a little disappointed I wasn't playing. But at the same time the team is playing good and we're rolling, and I was happy about that. I had mixed emotions."

But backup quarterbacks at Texas might not be as happy, as internet rumors have Sherrod Harris and G.J. Kinne allegedly considering transferring. These rumors are news, however, to Mack Brown.

"There's been rumors for 100 years about players transferring, and it's always the third or fourth quarterback," Brown said. "That's 100 percent in my 33 years coaching.

"Neither one of them has said anything about it or discussed it. In fact, both took all the snaps in today's scrimmage and did really well.

"If anybody ever wants to transfer and has not come forward to us, we'd be the first to help them and get them a release anywhere they want to go. We've never asked a player to stay. We'll always give them a release to play against us, anywhere they want. We want happy players.

"I don't read the Internet, so you all will have to bring me the rumors so I can go ask them."

Spring at a Glance: Big 12 Quarterbacks originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Fri, 28 Mar 2008 08:04:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kansas Shouldn't Look Past Iowa State

Mark Hasty — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 12:46:00 EST

Filed under: Kansas Football, Big 12, Iowa State Football

On paper, this week's Kansas/Iowa State game looks like little more than a Jayhawk tuneup for next week's KU/Mizzou slugfest. The Fightin' Manginos are 10-0, after all, while Gene Chizik's lowly Cyclones are a humble 3-8.

Go ask Bob Stoops how humble the Cyclones are. They gave his Sooners all the fight they wanted. Better still, go ask Ron Prince and Dan Hawkins if the Cyclones are any good. They'd have to say "yes," since the Clones just beat K-State and Colorado in back-to-back games.

Okay, so ISU lost to a Football Championship Subdivision team. It was Northern Iowa, currently the #1 team in the FCS. Also, that was back in September. Since the season's halfway point, the Cyclones have shown marked improvement week by week. The season's low point was a 56-3 beatdown by Texas (Gene Chizik's last employer), but then ISU hassled Mizzou for three quarters. The next week they almost got Oklahoma, 17-7.

From there, ISU ran over K-State and mounted a great comeback to overtake the Buffaloes. So if the question is whether the Clones can hang with KU long enough to make this game interesting, that question has already been answered four times and the answer is "yes." But can they pull the upset?

In a college football season where anything can happen and already has, you have to know they can. Kansas had better come into Saturday's game wide awake, or they too won't survive the brutal siege of the 2007 college football title chase.

Kansas Shouldn't Look Past Iowa State originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 15 Nov 2007 12:46:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Iowa State Unveils New Uniforms for 2008

Jeff Adams — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 21:35:00 EST

Filed under: Big 12, Iowa State Football

After heated discussions and a vote by the fans, Iowa State finally unleashed it's new uniforms on the world. First impression? USC-light. Second impression? Thank God, the blue is gone.

With the new uniforms, the Cyclones return to their roots. Unfortunately those roots remind most of a time when Iowa State was a perennial cellar dweller in the old Big 8. I'm certainly no marketing expert, but is this really the proper way to "brand" a university or it's football team?

Not only is the blue gone from the uniforms, but the Cyclone on the helmet also hit the bricks. That move did not go unnoticed by a certain sect of ISU fans that started a movement to keep the mascot on the helmets. Their biggest point?

"Cy has been on the ISU football helmets since 1995, making it the longest running helmet mark in ISU history. Keeping Cy on the helmet will capitalize on twelve years of marketing and brand recognition, instead of building a new identity we will be building on an already well-established one."

Those years also mark some of the most successful in Iowa State football history during Dan McCarney's tenure in Ames. Obviously Gene Chizik wants to make his own mark on the school, but is this really what he had in mind?

Iowa State Unveils New Uniforms for 2008 originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 26 Sep 2007 21:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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YouTubesDay: The Big 12 Probably Deserves This

Jeff Adams — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 09:00:00 EST

I'm not even sure exactly what this is, but it did make me laugh. Let's face it kicking the Big 12 when they're down is always funny.

We've got the Willie the Wildcat hitting up a rave and the Missouri Tiger strung out on smack. Herbie Husker posing in a Speedo and the Red Raider Mascot making a visit to the Jerry Springer Show. Hard times for the Big 12 indeed.

Just sit back and enjoy.

YouTubesDay: The Big 12 Probably Deserves This originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 18 Sep 2007 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chizik Makes Friends in Ames

Charles Rich — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 16:35:00 EST

Filed under: Iowa Football, Big 10, Big 12, Iowa State Football

Sure new Iowa State Head Coach Gene Chizik got off to a horrible start by losing his first two games, both at home, to Kent State of the MAC and 1-AA Northern Iowa. Many already wondering if he was much like another Texas defensive coordinator who has been a bust as a head coach -- Greg Robinson at Syracuse.

Well, Chizik made everyone in Ames, Iowa feel a little better about the hiring as Iowa State beat Iowa 15-13. The Cyclones nearly blew a 12-0 lead in the second half before Bret Culbertson nailed his 5th FG to give ISU the lead and leave 1 second left. Iowa made it scary on the return, but it finally ended with Johnson-Koulianos being brought down at the ISU 25 with no time left.

Chizik was in no danger of losing his job in just his first year. Losing two "guarantee" games to start hardly inspires any confidence by the fans and alum. Beating an in-state rival, however, does.

Chizik Makes Friends in Ames originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 15 Sep 2007 16:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Iowa State Fans Will Vote On New Helmet Design

Jeff Adams — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 21:25:00 EST

Filed under: Big 12, Iowa State Football

Iowa State will be getting new football uniforms for the 2008 season. The uniforms will mark a return to the school's more traditional cardinal and gold color scheme. While the uniform designs have already been decided upon, fans will be able to vote for the accompanying helmet.

"Asking for input from our fan base is an important part of the design process,'' ISU football coach Gene Chizik said in a news release. ``In a political year, you might compare this to a straw poll."

I don't know that any of the three designs immediately jumps out at me, but I do prefer the more traditional color scheme. The navy blue the team added a decade ago never really felt right to this former Big 8 fan. While the university took input on the helmet design from a wide variety of sources, it is clear that all three designs are also based on previous Cyclone versions.

"Making a conscious effort to review our historical roots in terms of uniform colors and brand concepts is most appropriate during the celebratory year of the school's 150th birthday," Pollard said. "This initiative ties in nicely with the sesquicentennial for Iowa State University.

Putting the vote to the fans is another nice touch and the process will be open to Cyclone fans until August 31.

(via Wizard of Odds)

Iowa State Fans Will Vote On New Helmet Design originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 20 Aug 2007 21:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Big 12 Football Preview '07: The Mediocre

Brian Grummell — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 19:00:00 EST

Ahh, the unhappy middle. It is the place that most drives sports fans insane. Everyone wants a great team, but few see those hopes achieved. For the fans of a bad team or a bad school, at least they know going in their team has limited hopes and can prepare themselves for dark days.

For others, however, it's a tortured existence. I'm talking about you, the fans of The Mediocre. These are those quality programs that have a pulse but are unlikely to pull things through like a contender would. For these teams, the season will be a success, if they can separate and make the Big 12 Championship Game.

That is, however, a tall order.

Texas A&M Aggies

Last year: 9-4 overall, 5-3 Big 12

WHY THEY'LL WIN: Because the pressure is on coach Dennis Franchione to get big wins and make a Big 12 Championship appearance or lose his job. On the field, the Aggies return one of D-I's finest ground attacks. They can go four deep at tailback and quarterback Stephen McGee's a talented runner as well. The win over Texas last year also appeared to signal that this team finally figured out how to win big games.

WHY THEY WON'T: But then again, the Aggies also lost their very next game in embarrassing fashion. California pounded them in the Holiday Bowl, 45-10.

Also, one big win does not a team make. The Aggies have yet to string together several big wins in a season, and must find a way to close games out. They blew late leads at home last year to both Nebraska and Texas Tech and very nearly lost to Missouri the same way.

The schedule is a killer with national power Miami making an appearance. In the Big 12 slate, the Aggies face all three of their recent masters: Texas, Oklahoma and Nebraska as well as Northern division favorite Missouri. If past is precedent, it will be a tall order to manage more than one win out of those five games.

PROGNOSIS: Hard to tell. I have people tell me occasionally about the disconnect between Franchione and the Aggie nation. It's not a leap to assume that unease sometimes trickles down to the team and frustrates his ability to lead the entire roster. All of which means his teams are unpredictable, prone to unexpected wins and losses.

The Aggies can manage 50% of their schedule but it's that other 50% that matters here. The win over Texas was huge, but they responded horribly the next time out - not good. Let's call this a 7-8 win season with much greater promise if some of the dark clouds of past years are put behind them.

Oklahoma State Cowboys

Last year: 7-6 overall, 3-5 Big 12

WHY THEY'LL WIN: "The Greatest Offense in College Football". Or something like that. Oklahoma State is hyping up its balanced offense which posted 200+ yards/game both on the ground and in the air last year. Most of those players are back including marquee names like receiver Adarius Bowman, quarterback Bobby Reid and tailback Dantrell Savage. Hey, don't forget about Kenneth Toston, either. The Cowboys head into 2007 feeling good about themselves after an exciting bowl win over SEC power Alabama.

WHY THEY WON'T: Like Texas A&M, this team has an exciting offense and a shaaaaaky defense. Any win will be a race to get to 30 points which is tough to do against some of the better defenses on the schedule like Georgia, Texas, Oklahoma and maybe Nebraska.

The offensive system really started humming midway through last year and this team can afford some injuries, but not too many. Sophomore receiver Artrel Woods (how many Woods' are there at Oklahoma State?!) pretty much shattered his back in a lifting accident a few weeks back and is out for the season. The penciled-in starters at defensive line combined for all of 7 or so starts last year.

PROGNOSIS: This is an improving team starting a feel-good third year under coach Mike Gundy. They've proven they can make a showing against the big boys (just one blowout loss last year) and fend off most of the middling teams in the Big 12. What's left is to either stay at that place or make a leap forward. I don't see them having a defense necessary to do that, however. Mix in the usual Texas/Oklahoma/Nebraska intimidation matrix along with a roadie against Georgia and the Cowboys should settle in at 7 to 9 wins his year.

Missouri Tigers

Last year: 8-5 overall, 4-4 Big 12

WHY THEY'LL WIN: Because everyone keeps telling them this is their year. The Tigers flashed an improved defense last year and if it can improve just a little bit more they have a shot at the Big 12 North division crown. The offense is sometimes spectacular and has an exciting leader in quarterback Chase Daniel. After a few rough years of failing to meet expectation, the Tigers are feeling good about themselves.

WHY THEY WON'T: If past is precedent, this snake-bitten program will find a way to collapse and/or disappoint. The Tigers were scorching hot in a 6-0 start last year but faded badly and lost some very winnable games. The defense is average at best, which was fine several years ago. However, this league is becoming much more offensive-minded and those who can make the occasional stop like Texas and Oklahoma keep winning.

PROGNOSIS: Big 12 media think this team is headed towards a North division title. I'm a little more skeptical. I was on the Tiger bandwagon last year and agonized over the ruin of the Tigers' finish. I know better this time around. The Tigers get to skip Texas this year and host two of the three biggies: Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas A&M. It's a favorable schedule so let's call this a 9-win season.

Kansas State Wildcats

Last year: 7-6 overall, 4-4 Big 12

WHY THEY'LL WIN: Coach Ron Prince surprised many in making the Wildcats competitive in just his first year on the job. The roster was questionable but he managed to keep this team in some games and even beat Texas.

If he can keep turning that Manhattan Kansas water into wine then they'll improve behind their 6'-6" Stay-Puff giant of a quarterback Josh Freeman. The running game is decent and they should improve against both the run and the pass with seven returning defensive starters.

WHY THEY WON'T: Talent. The roster's improving, but this walks and talks like a middle of the Big 12 team. The defense wasn't great last year, and Freeman for all the hype had a TD/INT ratio of 6 to 15. He also checked into camp out of shape and overweight which isn't a great leadership mark. Combine that with a possibly humiliating road opener against Auburn and this season could unravel fast.

PROGNOSIS: I was tempted to put this team in The Dregs, but their schedule is nice and Ron Prince seems like the kind of coach who can consistently get this team to overachieve while he slowly improves the overall talent. Playing in the less regarded Big 12 North helps. Just two conference giants are on the schedule - a pair of roadies against Texas and Nebraska. If the Wildcats play their cards right I could see another 7 or so wins.

Big 12 Football Preview '07: The Mediocre originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 09 Aug 2007 19:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Big 12 Football Preview '07: The Dregs

Brian Grummell — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 15:00:00 EST

The dregs is a perfect phrase to describe those scrappy but unfortunate teams left at the bottom of the Big 12's 2007 liquid brew. We mean well when talking about these teams, but somebody's gotta finish last and we've come up with a few nominees.

Count on these teams to either fall short of bowl eligibility or play in a less celebrated December bowl. Some pundits would consider tossing the entire Big 12 North division in here, but there's a way around that. Thus, a handful of teams that probably deserve to be mentioned here escape the strong pull of The Dregs' gravitational pull and orbit around a different celestial body: The Mediocre (published later today).

Oh, unhappy Plains State souls, let us deliver your eulogy in advance. The full and painful list in no particular order after the jump.

Texas Tech Red Raiders

Last year: 8-5 overall, 4-4 Big 12

WHY THEY'LL WIN: Because they can still outscore most of their peers. The Red Raiders will have a rare returning quarterback in talented junior Graham Harrell. Redshirt freshman receiver Michael Crabtree is getting buzz as potentially Texas Tech's best receiver yet. Tailback Shannon Woods is a first team all conference performer and will only get better assuming he gets out of coach Mike Leach's doghouse first.

This team has some fight in it, beating Texas A&M on the road 31-27 last year and Oklahoma State 30-24 in the final week to secure bowl eligibility. They also set a record for biggest bowl comeback in college football history in beating Minnesota 44-41 last year. And in the "Things That Make You Go Hmm" department, Mike Leach's Red Raiders took Texas to the brink before Colt McCoy had one of those "The Leap" moments right in front of them, falling 35-31.

WHY THEY WON'T: They're in the wrong division. The Big 12 South is particularly competitive this year as Texas, Oklahoma, Texas A&M and Oklahoma State all look to be much improved from last year. For all those gutty victories last year, turmoil rocked the Red Raiders' early season and led to strange defeats like a 12-3 loss to TCU and a 30-6 pounding at the hands of lowly Colorado. This team is bipolar until proven otherwise.

PROGNOSIS: Texas Tech probably learned a few lessons from last year's disappointments and did end things on a high note with the bowl comeback, but that won't be enough. The Red Raiders must play hungry and improved versions of Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, Texas and Oklahoma as well as North division favorite Missouri. Layups against SMU, UTEP, Rice and Northwestern State help, but that still leaves at least two must-wins against Iowa State, Colorado and a roadie with Baylor just to sneak into a lower bowl.

Iowa State Cyclones

Last year: 4-8 overall, 1-7 Big 12

WHY THEY'LL WIN: Because although they're considered the weakest link in a doughy soft Big 12 North, they're still in the Big 12 North. Wins can be had by a properly motivated and well coached team.

New head coach Gene Chizik is an unknown as a head man although he's a noted star defensive coordinator (Texas fans might quibble with last year's below average output). If the players take to him there's something about a team believing in itself that sometimes make them play above true ability.

But really I'm grasping here. The schedule has some winnable games against Kent State, Northern Iowa (scary last year!) and Toledo. The Cyclones also get to host rival Iowa and Ames is a sneaky challenging place to play.

Bonus: it's throwback uniform night against Iowa.

WHY THEY WON'T: Malaise. Longtime coach Dan McCarney dearly loved the program and was a decent coach, but he never got this program where its fans wanted it to be. A new attitude is needed but that doesn't happen overnight and new coaches tend to purge rosters in their first year. That leads to depleted depth, hard feelings and confusion. Such difficulty is exacerbated at schools like Iowa State with only modest winning tradition. There are some quality returning pieces like quarterback Bret Meyer and receiver Todd Blythe, but overall Iowa State brings back just 11 starters, amongst the lowest in the NCAA.

PROGNOSIS: No bowls for you! I'm guessing coach Gene Chizik realizes this year is already a wash and will concentrate on the off-field stuff and hope that leads to winning down the road. There are opportunities to surprise like against rival Iowa and home games against Texas and Oklahoma who may be looking past the Cyclones the way Missouri did last year. Overall this is a tough year and there's not much to be done other than make a good showing each time out. By my rough estimate, I see this being a 3-4 win season, with one or two chances at a conference win.

Baylor Bears

Last year: 4-8 overall, 3-5 Big 12

WHY THEY'LL WIN: Because they have to if coach Guy Morriss wants to 100% ensure he has a job here next year. Bucking convention, the Bears installed a Texas Tech styled offense last year. It is now year two for the scheme and a lot of last year's rough patches should be smoothed out. Two of their receivers can flat out fly in David Gettis and Thomas White.

Also, there are three decent options at quarterback; one of them is bound to stick. Middle linebacker Joe Pawalek was second team all conference as just a freshman last year. Aaaaand I think this team has some fight in it. They got waxed last year by teams with big offenses like Texas, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech, but hang tough against more conventional foes.

WHY THEY WON'T: The defense is still a sieve. Baylor allowed an average of 191 rush yards a game last year and a dismal 5 yards/carry. Three starters are back on the defensive line but that may not be a good thing. Overall the team returns just 11 starters, amongst the lowest in D-IA. Both quality corners from last year graduated, weakening the secondary a bit against an increasingly pass-happy Big 12. Finally, the running game is nothing to write home about. Last year's top rusher is gone and what remains is a complete unknown.

PROGNOSIS: This one's fairly easy. Half the schedule is manageable, the other half (TCU, Texas A&M, Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech) is murder. Phil Steele is calling this a rebuilding year but I think the Bears have some quality pieces to at least compete against the manageable part of their schedule. That still means a season without a bowl trip, but I could see another outing like last year. With a little luck, Baylor could have gone from 4-8 to 7-5, so maybe the ball bounces their way this time around.

Colorado Buffaloes

Last year: 2-10 overall, 2-6 Big 12

WHY THEY'LL WIN: Because Colorado can't stay down forever. As coach Dan Hawkins reminded everyone in the offseason, this is Division I football!

The Zen-tastic, sky-diving coach is impatient for some wins and is going to drive this team to overachieve and not drop games to I-AA foes. Cody Hawkins is expected to take over at quarterback and he could be an important piece in rebuilding the Colorado franchise. Most of the skill talent returns on offense and two well regarded transfers should spice up the defense.

For all his passing hype, Hawkins engineered a sneaky good rush attack last year as Colorado averaged 173 yards a game and 4.5 yards/carry on the ground with a dwarf named Hugh Charles in the backfield.

WHY THEY WON'T: Schedule. Besides the conference slate, Colorado must travel to Arizona State in the September heat and then turn around and host Florida State the next weekend. The Buffaloes surprised a lot of people in hanging close on the road against Georgia last year, but this back-to-back could be demoralizing. The defensive roster looks improved but is still patchwork and there's not much in the way of depth.

PROGNOSIS: The Buffaloes should improve their win total over last year and look much improved, but there are some rough spots in the schedule. If they can keep their heads on straight they could surprise and overachieve. Colorado was "in" most of their games last year but lacked enough offensive pop to close the deal several times. If the offense is improved, let's call it a six win season.

Kansas Jayhawks

Last year: 6-6 overall, 3-5 Big 12

WHY THEY'LL WIN: Because coach Mark Mangino knows how to win here. A creampuff out-of-conference slate helps, but Magino's always found a way to two or three conference wins. The Jayhawks are tough at home and get seven home games this year. Cornerback/receiver Aqib Talib is a potential All American. The defense returns eight starters, most of whom are rapidly improving juniors and sophomores. The schedule is fairly light, and they already have the benefit of playing in the Big 12 North.

WHY THEY WON'T: The offense could be pathetic this year. Quarterback Kerry Meier was adequate last year but he's still just a sophomore. Workhorse tailback Jon Cornish and his 1,500 yards are now graduated. The defense is still young.

PROGNOSIS: Kansas State should open up 4-0, although they did lose to Toledo last year. Games against Baylor, Colorado, Kansas State and Iowa State are winnable. Games against Texas A&M, Nebraska, Oklahoma State and Missouri less so. The Jayhawks should flirt with a bowl bid, but they'll be right at that edge of five or six wins.

Big 12 Football Preview '07: The Dregs originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 09 Aug 2007 15:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Big 12 Football Preview '07: The Schedule

Jeff Adams — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 07:00:00 EST

Much has been made of the cupcake scheduling employed by many ~~Division I-A~~ Football Bowl Subdivision teams for the 2007 season.In fact, we already chronicled the worst schedules in the Big 12 this season, as well as some of the seson's best games. For those who are too lazy to click, we present a bit of a refresher. We'll also take a look at the strangest non-conference pairings we could find.

Best schedule: Nebraska

The Huskers will get a chance to catch their breath in week four with a game against Ball State, but the first three weeks of the schedule are pretty brutal. Nebraska opens with Nevada who went 8-5 a year ago and lost 21-20 to Miami (FL) in the MPC Computers Bowl. The following week the Huskers travel to Wake Forest to take on the defending ACC champs at home.

The next week Nebraska will host the #1 team in the country in USC. The Huskers will be hoping for some Memorial Stadium magic as they look to avenge a 28-10 loss to the Trojans in 2006.

Nebraska's two biggest conference games are also both on the road at Missouri and at Texas. The Missouri game should decide the winner of the Big 12's North division. Now you see why the daunting schedule puts a dampener on some Husker fans' expectations for 2007.

Worst Schedule: Kansas

Kansas already ran away with the Big 12 Bill Snyder around, but FanHouse wasn't the only one to notice the paltry nature of the Jayhawk's nonconference slate. Kansas opens the season with games against Central Michigan, Southeastern Louisiana, Toledo and Florida International. And to top it off, all four nonconference games are in Lawrence. Those are some damn fine, home cooked cream puffs.

Of the group, only Central Michigan played in a bowl game last year. This year they have a new coach and a new system and are a middling MAC team at best. Southeastern Louisiana is Division I-AA and the Lions went just 2-9 a year ago. Yikes! During the Big 12 schedule the Jayhawks miss Oklahoma and Texas, play Nebraska at home and Missouri at a neutral site.

The schedule is good news, however, for Jayhawk coach Mark Mangino who is feeling the heat after some recent comments about increased expectations from his athletic director.

Best Game: Oklahoma State at Georgia, September 1

The SEC loves to talk about how strong their conference is. The Big 12 gets two early attempts to find out. In the first week of the season, Kansas State travels to Auburn and Oklahoma State heads out to meet Georgia. The more intriguing of the match ups in my opinion is the Oklahoma State Georgia game.

Oklahoma State is looking to prove they are more than just an also-ran in the Big 12's South division. We all know Boone Pickens has been busy rounding up money and improving facilities, but what's the payoff? This contest will provide the Cowboys with a national stage on which to showcase their progress.

Georgia will likely be a Top 10-15 team and always has a tough defense. What I can't wait to find out is whether it can stop the high-powered Oklahoma State offense led by Bobby Reid, Dantrell Savage and Adarius Bowman.

Weirdest Game: Baylor at Buffalo, September 22

Guy Morriss (pictured at right) has clearly brought an "Anyone, Anywhere" attitude to Waco. Even if that means taking it to the road to match up with perennial powers like ... Buffalo. Yes, fans you'll have to wait three whole weeks to watch what might be the worst college football game of the year.

Turner Gill is hoping to turn things around at Buffalo, but the Bulls aren't there yet. A year ago they finished 2-10 and the team has just 7 victories over the past five years. But perhaps a visit from Baylor can boost the Bulls' average attendance, which was just over 16,000 per game a year ago.

I can't really decide what to think about this game from a Baylor perspective. I guess it must just be really tough to find opponents that look like guaranteed wins for the Bears on paper. And apparently to make it work, you actually have to go on the road. Who knew?

Big 12 Football Preview '07: The Schedule originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 09 Aug 2007 07:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Big 12 Football Preview '07: The Hot Seat

Brian Grummell — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 19:00:00 EST

Preseason discussions of "hot seats" tend to drive people nuts. I suppose we should let the season play out before summoning pink slips and the like. However, it doesn't hurt to mention whose seats are at least a little warm and toasty - and whose aren't.

Looking at the roster of Big 12 coaches, it looks like we can group them into three categories:

1)Safe
2)Holding Pattern and
3)Er, um, "Warm"?

Don't take this too literally, but visitors from other planets with a taste for college football wouldn't take too long to figure out that Oklahoma's Bob Stoops and Texas' Mack Brown are quite safe in their jobs. Both have won a national championship. Both saved the programs from some unspeakable dark days. And both are nearing a decade of service (Brown is beginning his 10th season in Austin, Stoops his 9th in Norman).

Among those in a Holding Pattern, a certain tenure pattern emerges as well. The candidates include Iowa State coach Gene Chizik (first year), Colorado coach Dan Hawkins (2nd year), Kansas State coach Ron Prince (2nd year), Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy (3rd year) and Nebraska coach Bill Callahan (4th year). The only outlier here is Texas Tech coach Mike Leach who begins his 8th season in Lubbock this fall. His job is fairly safe, but he's also not writing his next check the way Stoops and Brown are.

That leaves "warm seats" for four Big 12 coaches. They're all beginning either their fifth, sixth or seventh year at their respective schools. Notice the trend? Can you guess who made the list? We're naming names after the jump.

1. Gary Pinkel, Missouri

It seems so long ago now that Pinkel was once a hot coaching candidate for bigger jobs like the one at the University of Washington. Dude, what happened?

Pinkel begins his seventh season in Columbia with a 37-35 record. He has one bowl win in three bowl trips, and three winning seasons in six tries.

Missouri has a long history of inexplicable collapse and defeat, so natives are restless after last year's terrible finish. Missouri soared to a 6-0 start before finishing 2-4 in the Tigers' final six games. Thing is, expectations were low last year but after being anointed the Big 12 North Division favorites at conference Media Day, the pressure is on like whoa.

What's interesting about Pinkel is that stories last year proclaimed him a changed man. He apparently was a bit of a "pucker pucker pucker" guy but finally learned to relax and his team clearly responded. Er, at least until that seventh game when things went all Michigan State-level weird. Whether it means a mid-season Hawaiian vacation or a few trips to Tom Petty concerts for some firsthand or secondary smoke, coach probably needs to find ways to take it down a notch and let his team win games.

2. Dennis Franchione, Texas A&M

The Aggies' coach would easily top this list but for one thing: he's almost too expensive to fire. It also helps to have ended the 2006 regular season with a stirring defeat of Texas, the program's first big victory in the Franchione era. Of course, symbolic of A&M fans' frustration, the Aggies were crushed the very next game 45-10 in the Holiday Bowl by their cultural opposites: the Cal bears.

Overall in four full seasons in College Station, Franchione owns a 25-23 record. His two bowl appearances have both been flops, losing 38-7 to Tennesssee along with the Cal loss. He is 1-9 combined against Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas. And he lost 77-0 to Oklahoma in 2003.

Did I mention there's a YouTube video out there somewhere (difficult to find at the moment) of former quarterback Reggie McNeal rolling his eyes during an offensive huddle as Franchione was instructing the players on what their next play should be?

Did I mention the man most responsible for his hiring and the hiring of the school's Athletic Director - former school president Dr. Robert Gates - is gone and in public service now with the White House?

With allies falling and just enough wins to maintain some prestige within the program, it pays to have a fat buyout. I actually think "Coach Fran" is a quality coach, but he's never fit in with the Aggie culture and his rumored paranoia and severity outdoes even their own deep rooted angst towards outsiders in general and the University of Texas in particular.

That said, Franchione appears to have narrowed the gap with other conference powers. Unlike the ridiculous beatings the Aggies took in 2003 (48-12 loss to Nebraska, 77-0 to Oklahoma and 46-15 to Texas), last year was downright palatable. Oklahoma and Nebraska escaped with a pair of one point victories (17-16 and 28-27), and for once the Aggies finished against Texas. They knocked Colt McCoy out of the game late and scored the game-winner with less than two minutes to go capping a stirring late drive with Stephen McGee's touchdown run.

Last year was proof the gap has closed, but close won't cut it this year as antsy fans want more real wins. We shall see ...

3. Guy Morriss, Baylor

Morriss is the first of two "we like him but he's not winning" type coaches on this list.

The higher-ups at Baylor know what a difficult situation the Bears' coaching job is. But they also know it's very unlikely they can invest in multiple losing seasons and hope someone like Morriss eventually turns into a Frank Beamer. So, the pressure's on.

Entering his fifth year in Waco, Morriss owns a 15-31 record. They came close to a winning effort in 2005, but finished at 5-6. That season included a 16-13 overtime loss to Texas A&M, an eight point defeat to Nebraska and the memorable coulda-woulda-should 37-30 double overtime loss to Oklahoma.

The Bears haven't been the same since, dropping 11 of their last 16 games including a pair of shutout losses. The Bears' transition to a scattershot offense similar to Texas Tech's last year may buy Morriss some time, but newspapers are starting to write him off after several seasons of positive press.

4. Mark Mangino, Kansas

Like Morriss, Mangino is a "we like him but he's not winning" coach. The portly coach owns a 25-35 record heading into his sixth season with the Jayhawks.

To Mangino's credit, he has taken Kansas to two bowl games and recorded one bowl win. He's also never had worse than four wins since his inaugural stinker where Kansas went just 2-10. Mangino is considered an offensive guru and has posted some good numbers, twice nearing 30 points a game in his five years. I guess what I'm getting at is that he's done a decent if uninspiring job. Sitting safely at the back of this list seems fair.

Plus, at the end of the day Kansas is a basketball school. They'd like their football team to have a winning record and post bowl wins, but so long as players are staying out of trouble and football keeps paying the bills, the head coach can get a little slack.

Big 12 Football Preview '07: The Hot Seat originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 08 Aug 2007 19:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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