By KEVIN HASKIN
TopSports.news
Musings at the mid-month:
• Much was made about the missing pieces on Kansas City’s defense when the Chiefs lost to Buffalo.
• The defense actually held up pretty well in the three-point defeat; better than a leaky offensive line.
• One question: As bad as the Chiefs secondary has looked at times, will it matter that much when starting cornerbacks return?
• Still like the Chiefs to advance as AFC West champs but isn’t that a given anymore?
• In a season when the division supposedly could be the best in football, rivals have disappointed.
• The Broncos are unwatchable. But can they get on some kind of roll by December when they first play the Chiefs?
• Happy for San Diego to see the Padres advance to the National League championship series.
• Especially after the Chargers moved to Los Angeles to play before hostile crowds the entire season.
• Didn’t count on the road to a Big 12 football breakthrough running through TCU for both KU and K-State.
• Of course, none of us saw the rise of the Jayhawks, who will become bowl eligible.
• That requires one more victory. They’ll get it.
• Jalon Daniels means a lot to that team but not quite everything.
•KU wins at Oklahoma with Daniels and could have won with Jason Bean playing quarterback had the defense played a lick.
• Kenny Logan needed more help in Norman. Dude hovers, covers and smothers.
• What K-State did to heal during an off week and find offensive rhythm will determine if it beats TCU on Saturday.
• If so, the Wildcats gain the outright distinction as the team to beat in the balanced Big 12.
• What has impressed me most about Adrian Martinez didn’t result in a big play, though his late burst to seal the win at Oklahoma showed me a lot.
• No, the moment that sticks in my mind came after a postgame TV interview.
• After finishing his remarks, Martinez stuck around and shook the hand of the sideline reporter.
• Martinez seems quite polished and professional. Credit him and his family.
• Probably the only reason I saw that handshake was that the game was carried on Plus, Now, Unchosen for real TV … whatever we call the Big 12 streaming channel.
• An inexperienced camera operator might have panned away from the interviewer a little slower than usual.
• The K-State defense is sturdy. I just don’t know how much any defense can be expected to withstand college football’s timing rules as games drag on.
• No interceptions thrown by Martinez at the halfway mark of the season is impressive.
• Will he try to fire into more tight windows? He might have to win with a so-so group of receivers.
• Offensively, look to Oklahoma’s Dillon Gabriel as proof of the value a quarterback provides a football team.
• Can Texas at least win a road game before analysts prop up the Longhorns as a potential playoff qualifier? Of their two defeats (two, mind you), one was at Texas Tech.
• Oklahoma State might not be a bad choice as a home dog against Texas on Saturday.
• I really thought KU would cover last week and quite possibly beat Oklahoma.
• I really need to get off my betting app.
• Being up on the year is directly attributable to riding KU.
• No team in the Big 12 is getting through the league undefeated in conference play. An 8-1 finisher might surprise me.
• Sounds as if KU didn’t provide a great video/audio experience for those who could not attend Late Night.
• Ages ago, before every basketball game aired, and even before everyone had color television sets, viewers could watch special productions of games between KU and K-State.
• While I’m reminiscing about “back in the day,” I suppose I should wear Chuck Taylor high-tops, sing cigar or cigarette jingles, and cook with lard.
• Nonetheless, a bonafide telecast of Late Night would have been nice.
• The unveiling of the latest national championship banner demanded it.
• When KU is the reigning national basketball champ but not favored to win the Big 12, I like how Bill Self can spin that as motivation.
• Count me among those eager to see an overhaul to modernize KU’s Memorial Stadium.
• Also, don’t underestimate the significance of the new indoor football practice facility at K-State.
• Never bad to replace metal buildings with limestone and mortar.
• Or, in KU’s case, add some new limestone, mortar and amenities to a historic structure.
• Coolest thing I’ve seen so far this football season — in person, on television, streamed, recorded or highlighted — happened in Silver Lake.
• The tribute the community pulled off for C.J. Hamilton, the state’s all-time winningest high school coach, made me understand again the value and influence a great coach can have.
• Many Silver Lake players and students have gone on to great things. The structure C.J. provided is a common thread each of them share.
