By KEVIN HASKIN
TopSports.news
Musings at the mid-week:
K-State just played its worst game in the Chris Klieman era.
I watched a few performances under Bill Snyder that could be deemed poor, but the loss to Arizona State reminded me of teams coached by Stan Parrish, Ellis Rainsberger and Doug Weaver.
A few other K-State coaches probably belong on that inglorious list, which brings us to this PSA: Ron Prince has not resurfaced since allegations of player abuse led to his 2019 dismissal at Howard.
Avery Johnson is going to go through a lean stretch as a first-year starter. The nature of the game is to undergo growing pains, especially at quarterback.
However, it seems coaching and play-calling could be contributing to Johnson’s dropoff.
But then K-State was horrible in all three phases last weekend as the Wildcats took themselves out of Big 12 title contention with a home defeat to Arizona State.
What’s that? They still could reach the Big 12’s big show in the Big D?
It would take a mighty rebirth for K-State to win its last two games. The Cats cannot even hike the ball assuredly.
Throwing this in: the last K-State receivers to crack the program’s all-time top 10 were Phillip Brooks and Malik Knowles in 2018 (pre-Klieman).
The lack of an all-conference-caliber receiver is a perpetual issue for K-State, and one that should not exist with a quarterback as promising as Johnson.
I sympathize with Klieman for whatever he is going through personally. I believe, still, that he’s a great fit for K-State.
However, in this era when fans legally assist with financial compensation for players and when big bucks for a few players can lead to locker room resentment, scrutiny has somehow intensified.
Careful what you wish for in heated moments.
KU suddenly looks like a Big 12 frontrunner in football, along with its Saturday opponent, Colorado.
Too many fourth-quarter funks clearly removed the Jayhawks from the title picture. Just rebounding to get a bowl bid would be astounding considering their difficult late-season schedule.
Back-to-back wins over ranked opponents is a first-time achievement KU hopes to parlay into a trifecta by beating Team Prime.
Credit the Jayhawks with a complete effort removing BYU from the unbeaten ranks, disappointing a noisy Provo crowd and dropping the Cougars in the playoff rankings.
Quite the level of poise from Jalon Daniels, something no one could write in October. Also, Devin Neal continues to prove why he is the KU record-holder for rushing yardage.
And yes, I also think Lance Leipold is still a good fit for KU.
Now comes my standard admonition not to worry excessively about November basketball results.
K-State needs work in all aspects after its disappointing home defeat against LSU. And, on a night when that crowd already had a buzz going after the women’s team thumped Creighton.
It takes time to reload, even in this era of roster turnover.
However, it’s not as hard for a veteran player who left the program (Cam Carter) to torch his former team.
Experience is not a bad thing and shouldn’t be lost in all the excitement of scouring the portal.
Detractors will comment about potential weaknesses KU might need to work on, but Bill Self takes better notes than the detractors.
And, has a couple of big wins over Michigan State and North Carolina already to impress members of the selection committee who place excessive weight on November results.
Happy for Zeke Mayo and the contribution the hometown transfer is making. Impressive.
Well, the Chiefs cannot rely on divine innovation – or its synonym, Mahomes Magic – in the decisive moments of every game.
The KC quarterback again looks pedestrian at times. Josh Allen and the Buffalo atmosphere proved too formidable.
Umm, probably a good idea to spy Allen on a key fourth down in the fourth quarter. Of course, that defender might have been another KC tackler he shed.
A rematch is likely but first, credit the Chargers and Broncos for turning the AFC West into a potential three-bid division.
KC rivals are playing catch-up, though Black Friday should be safe when the Chiefs greet the Raiders, a franchise challenging the Cowboys as the worst to regain ancient form.
Craig Schurig was always a class act around me and I wish him well following his dismissal as Washburn football coach.
A change is in order, and because it is, Washburn needs to conduct a thorough search for Schurig’s successor.
The indoor practice facility was built to upgrade the Ichabods and could entice a strong list of candidates. Don’t settle.
The glass booth (penalty box?) Washburn constructed on the floor of Lee Arena is nice, though odd.
Seems like it has some obstructed views and creates some obstructed views, but if the beer’s cold and the seats cushy, donors will be happy.
Noise is rarely a factor at WU home games, so I wonder if it’s prudent to enclose devoted fans who stroke the largest checks.
Pretty eye-popping to score seven touchdowns in a game, a feat recorded Friday by Hayden’s Jensen Schrickel against Perry-Lecompton.
The Wildcats’ diverse weapons keep them sailing in Class 3A and a showdown Friday with Wellsville.
Meanwhile, Rossville onside-kicked its way to a massive rally over Jackson Heights to remain alive in 1A. Gotta love the final prep football playoff push.
