VC looks at MIAA, KCAC football!

Kansas and Kansas State grab a lot of the football attention in the Sunflower State, but more and more headlines in the state's newspapers are being grabbed by teams that play in the MIAA and KCAC.

When you think successful MIAA teams, Pittsburg State immediately comes to mind. However, these aren't your Grandpa's Gorillas, though. Pittsburg State, 3-time national champs, is picked sixth in the 10-team MIAA in 2010. In fact, four of the top five picks are schools outside of Kansas. Northwest Missouri State is the unanimous pick. The media have Washburn second and the coaches slot Nebraska-Omaha in the runnerup position. The media's top five is rounded out by Mo. Western, UNO and Central Missouri State. The coaches tabbed Washburn third followed by Western and CMS.

Behind Pitt State are Fort Hays State, Missouri Southern, Emporia State and Truman.

Northwest received nine first-place votes from the 10 coaches. Since he couldn't vote for his own team, Mel Tjeerdsma voted for Washburn, which still could only muster enough points for third in the coaches poll.

The Bearcats have won 37 straight conference games and won the national championship a year ago after losing in the title game four years in a row.

"We have 24 or 25 seniors, and their challenge is this year," Tjeerdsma said. "They've been a part of a lot of great things, but their identity is this year."

I hope the MIAA never changes its ways and keeps the annual Northwest-Pitt game at Arrowhead Stadium. This game has drawn close to 30,000 annually and is the perfect halfway point between Maryville and Pittsburg.

Washburn has 20 seniors returning from last year's 8-3 squad that finished in a four-way tie for second in the league. Encouraging for Ichabod faithful is the fact that 10 players with starting experience on offense return along with eight on defense along with the punter and kicker.

"We're pretty well set personnel-wise," Washburn coach Craig Schurig told The Topeka Capital-Journal. "The positions we do have to replace, we have guys who haven't started games but they do have some experience, and we expect them to make a huge impact."

Dane Simoneau, a second-team All-MIAA selection last year, will quarterback the Ichabods. He threw for a school-record 2,955 yards and 26 TDs. Simoneau also plays shortstop for the baseball Bods. I only know that because Brent Matile, a good friend of mine and a member of the Washburn baseball team, told me.

Pitt State no longer has Chuck Broyles roaming the sidelines. Now it's longtime assistant Tim Beck, who was an assistant for 22 years, the past 16 as offensive coordinator.

Emporia State was 2-9 last year. Fourth-year coach Garin Higgins is just 9-23 as the head Hornet. I hope for his sake some W's come his way this fall.

"From a standpoint of wins and losses, it doesn't look good," Higgins said. "But we feel good about where we're going. Our players are developing, and we have some good players coming back."

The Friends Falcons are the pick in the Kansas Conference and get this, their starting QB left the team before spring practice for personal reasons and their top defensive player was dismissed this past winter for a violation of team rules.

And yet they're picked to win their fourth conference championship in the last five years.

"We're unhappy because 8-2 is just not good enough," Friends coach Monty Lewis told The Wichita Eagle. "The expectation here is championships. Not to mention we've yet to ring that bell for a playoff win."

Sophomore Jayme Bristow will quarterback the Falcons and will likely be throwing to huge targets in 6-6 Doug Pierce and 6-5 Mike Hyde, a pair of all-KCAC selections.

The Ottawa Braves are the No. 2 pick and keep an eye on All-American wideout Clarence Anderson, whose 2,563 yards of total offense led the country in 2009.

"We're very talented, but we're inexperienced," OU coach Kent Kessinger noted. "How our guys step up is how we'll be."

Jake Johnson, Travis Toon and Bobby Adamson are in a three-way battle for the QB job which was manned by KCAC offensive player of the year Ethan Haller.

"This team has to be the hardest working team we've had," Kessinger told The Ottawa Herald. "We are not going to sneak up on anybody. We start off with a tough game (vs. Baker). It is going to be a challenge. We will get everybody's 'A' game."

Playing Baker is a great way to kick off the football season. Baker and Ottawa are separated by only a few miles. That game is Saturday, Aug. 28. Kudos to both schools for resuming this series. Nice!

Tabor was 0-10 last year so it re-hired Mike Gardner, who spent the last four years at Malone College. Before that, he coached Tabor to back-to-back KCAC titles in 2004 and '05.

"I have no regrets about leaving and I have no regrets about coming back," Gardner said. "It was a chance to come back to Kansas, which is home, and that's where I want to be."

Remember the name Jordan Mosier, whom I believe was recruited to play linebacker for the Bluejays. Jordan is in our student loan program I work for at the Kansas Masonic Foundation. So is Brent Matile, a name I noted earlier.

Ditto for Derek Bledsoe, who helped me write my blog last week on the AFC. Derek is a wide receiver at Kansas Wesleyan in Salina. Derek facebooked me Friday that he injured his back in practice but hoped to be back on the practice field Saturday.

I hope Derek sees some playing time this fall. The Coyotes, a running team in 2009, are going to the spread offense this fall.

"Their attitudes were tremendous," KWU coach Dave Dallas told The Salina Journal after their first fall workout. "It was just night and day from where we've been from last year at this time to where we are now."

KWU was 5-5 last year. The Coyotes don't open until Sept. 11 at Tabor.

One encouraging thing for Dallas' Coyotes was that 125 participated in the first workout. That included 70 who took part in spring practices.

One more thing I want to make note which is huge for teams in the KCAC. The KCAC Board of Presidents recently passed a Sports Regulation Initiative that will allow schools in all sports to add practice time, game competition and possibly financial aid to fall more closely in line with NAIA national guidelines.

Beginning in 2011, the 10 football teams will be able to have 15 spring practices with a full-contact intrasquad scrimmage and they can add a second nonconference game and play 11 games.

"It's about what's fair compared to the rest of the NAIA," KCAC commissioner Scott Crawford told The Topeka Capital-Journal.

KCAC teams this past spring were limited to 10 one-hour practices.

Next week, I go back to the bullpen and summon Jim Blaauw, a faithful Kansas Mason who helped me this summer with student loan interviews. During the school year he is a football official for small colleges and high schools. Jim will look at the rules changes that are in store for football this fall.

Finally my shout this week goes to someone who is very close to my heart. Me! Yea, you read correctly. I'm puffing out my chest today because I took the season series between Patterson and I 4 games to 1 thanks to Rory McIlroy's finish at the PGA Championship. Patterson and I each picked five guys to win. Neither had the winner but McIlroy had the highest finish of those selected. For those who haven't been following, yours truly correctly picked International players to win the U.S. and British Open and the purple-clad Lakers to win the NBA. Patterson won our golf tournament but only because we played the ball down. Play it up and I know things would have been different! So the VC/MP Trophy goes to the Elder Statesman. Can't wait to have the chance to repeat in 2011! Thanks for reading guys!

Ty From the Cheap Seats...Revised NFC Picks!

With all due respect to Matt and Gary here are my revised predictions for the NFC.

East-Eagles sneak past the Boys and an improved Skins team with Big Blue bringing up the rear (Coughlin may pop an eyeball!) South-Saints win it in a walk. Fugettabout Matty Ice and the overrated Falcons. I have Detroit as the wild card! Seriously, check out the Lion's schedule (NFC East teams that see a trip to Detroit as an R and R in Bangkok-if you were a Viet Nam vet, or stayed at a Holiday Inn last night!) The Lions are solid and improving on both sides of the ball in the second year of underrated coach Jim Schwartz's tenure. They will be tough to reckon with and no one including Da Bears, Vikes and the Pack, gets up to play the LAMBS! West-49ers will squeeze by Arizona. Seattle and the Rams play paper rock scissers for worst in the NFL!

There you have it. Green Bay replaces New Orleans as the class of the Division. The Boys disappoint Jerry again. But the biggest news by far will be Lions roaring back to respectability behind coaching, schedule (every game at 1pm on Sunday!) solid offense, blossoming QB, being taken lightly, and a rock on D named Suh!

That's how it looks from the cheap seats.

I AM TALKING NFC! by MP!!!

I am ready for some football! Are you??? You have to be....the MLB season could NOT last any longer. How many times can the Yankees or Red Sox be pronounced out of the pennant race? Let's talk yours and my language and here is my NFC preview for the upcoming 2010-11 NFL Season!

First Round Byes or (Division Winners) will be: New Orleans NFC South, Dallas NFC East, Chicago NFC North, and Seattle because someone has to win the NFC West.

My Wildcards are: The New York Giants from the East and Carolina Panthers from the South.

Here are my takes. I think Dallas wins another wild one in the East primarily due to their whole team minus Tony Romo. In spite of Romo they will do it. Felix Jones is a beast, Miles Austin is solid and watch out for Dez Bryant as a big-time play-maker as a rook. You still have old reliable in Jason Witten and Marion Barber is tough on the goal line. On D they are tough too. I think their secondary is weak, so they will give up some points, but still win a lot of shootouts. Lookout for Anthony Spencer who they liken Rickey Jackson and of course the always scary DeMarcus Ware. Their division competition will be the G Men who are gonna grind it out with the best of them. I like Shanahan and the 'Skins to win a few surprises, but they will duke it out with the E A G L E S at the bottom of the division, still 2 tough teams though! The 'Boys will win their division but still have Tony Romo and will not win the big game. They will either blow it in the 2nd Rd or Championship game.

The NFC West is weak. San Fran is better, but Seattle should win it. I am certainly not a Pete Carroll fan but that division is horrific. Arizona doesn't have a QB and now Fitzgerald is banged up, St. Louis is an embarrassment and will get Sam Bradford killed, and then you have SF. I like the fire from Mike Singletary and I really like Frank Gore and the 1 year add of Brian Westbrook. I also think that Michael Crabtree, Teddy Ginn and TE Vernon Davis are some good weapons. However, Alex Smith is going to be tough to overcome and will make too many key mistakes which is why I favor the Seahawks by a nose. If for some reason Seattle goes with Charlie Whitehurst as QB, all bets are off!!!!

The NFC North is tough. You have Chicago, Green Bay, and Minnesota who are all beasts. Detroit may be improved too, and yes of course Dad I listen to ya! I think with or without Favre, I rate Minnesota and Detroit behind Chicago and GB. The Pack have the best QB, but lack some other skill positions and are declining on defense. These are the main reasons I take Da Bears!! I think Mike Martz will have the offense humming with a much improved Jay Cutler at QB. I really like the young back Matt Forte, and they have some decent outside guys at WR. The D is improved with the pickup of Julius Peppers and the improved health of Brian Urlacher and Tommie Harris.

The NFC South will still go marchin' through to New Orleans, but a much closer race. I think Carolina and Atlanta will make it interesting this year. Atlanta has the more and more comfortable connection with Matty "Ice" Ryan and Tony Gonzalez, to go with Michael Turner, some good WR's and a decent D. Carolina are my Wildcard choice because of the duo of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart in the backfield. The defense is usually tough in Carolina and John Fox has to win to keep his job. They were decent with Jake Delhomme over the past few years so I am not worried about them being questionable at QB with either Matt Moore or Jimmy Clausen. The Saints will be the class though, polishing the impressive offense that we all saw last year. Expect the Saints defense to be a little better this year too with another year under Coordinator Gregg Williams and DE Will Smith getting after the opposing QB's.

The whole deal will go through New Orleans! I predict the Saints coming out of the NFC after a bruising and tough battle in the Championship against Daaaaa Bears!!! The Saints will be primed for the Bowl, especially if they get the keys to the medicine cabinet from Sean Payton!

Around the Horn: Time to own up and pay up! VC I think did a tinge better in the PGA than I did. He had Rory McIlroy and Steve Stricker and The Big Easy, Ernie Els, who all did fairly well and better than my best. Great work VC! Hey how about a nod to my Dad who had Rory, Jim Furyk and a few others who made a nice run. I am still proud of Phil who went out in style shooting 67 in the final round, though we all know if he was in contention it would have been 77 in the final round!! Hey speaking of the PGA.....what in the heck was that? Sorry I didn't realize spectators could stand in a fairway bunker! I feel for Dustin Johnson. It may have been a rule, but still borderline. Since we are talkin' borderline....did Bubba really go over the water at the flagstick with the title on the line? I was expecting him to drop another and not leave 'til he hit it on!! Come on Bubba! This is running on or I would add more....thank you for reading and feel free to add any comments!!

VC Calls Upon KWU Player to Break Down AFC!

It's time to break down the 2010 NFL season. Today we look at the teams in the chase for the Lamar Hunt Trophy, or in other words the AFC. Patterson's NFC preview follows in the coming days.

Since I'm a good judge of talent, I've decided to call upon my football ace in the hole and good friend. He's a wide receiver for the Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes out of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference. He knows something about championships, too, being a member of some outstanding Kansas Class 3A state titles at Silver Lake High.

Give it up for Derek Bledsoe. Derek breaks down each team and predicts his division champs. His AFC representative in the Super Bowl can be found at the end. Take it away, Derek!

AFC North
Baltimore Ravens - Baltimore hopes to have an explosive offense this year with their excellent receiving corps and Ray Rice and Willis McGahee to back it up. The Raven defense looks to be just as good as it has been.

Cincinnati Bengals - If the Bengals can figure out a way to make both Ochocinco and T.O. happy it will be a miracle.

Cleveland Browns - I hope Cleveland can figure out their QB situation soon to make up for their lack of defensive stopping power.

Pittsburgh Steelers - Pittsburgh's offensive success will likely depend on the success of Roethlisberger.

I like Cincinnati to win the North.

AFC East
Buffalo Bills - All of you Buffalo fans out there may want to just sit this year out because the Bills don't look like they will put up any points and will most likely give up all those points that they won't score.

Miami Dolphins - The Dolphins look to improve on last year's 7-9 struggle and still look to capitalize through Brandon Marshall. Their tough schedule, though, can play a factor if they don't win the games they should.

New England Patriots - The Patriots are still relying on their passing game with Tom Brady and Randy Moss in the cockpit as they look to find a consistent running game and a defense to back it up.

New York Jets - On the offensive side, the Jets look to bring back a solid running game and hope to add on to their passing game with Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes. Defensively, they may still be a little shaky while Rex Ryan continues to figure things out, but I hope to see big things out of Darrelle Revis (that is if he works out a deal with the team).

I look forward to the Jets taking this division.

AFC South
Houston Texans - The Texans are still hoping to find the one year when they can succeed, but this year may not be the one. Their offense looks to be pretty good, but without a pass defense they might fall short again.

Indianapolis Colts - The Colts look to be just as good as they always are, but like the Pats, they rely heavily on their passing game.

Jacksonville Jaguars - Jacksonville is hoping that they can win games with their ground attack and a mainly passing league. This effort may be worthless if they can't defend the pass, though.

Tennessee Titans - Being a Titans fan, I always hope that they can put the Colts in their place and this year I believe they have a solid chance if they can bring a consistent defensive power to every game. I expect big things out of the running duo of Vince Young and Chris Johnson.

Sadly enough, I think the Colts will win the South....again.

AFC West
Denver Broncos - The Broncos bring back a good O-line but the O-line doesn't have much to protect. On the bright side though, they are in the same division as the Chiefs and the Raiders so they should still end up alright.

Kansas City Chiefs - With no defense and not enough good WR's, the Chiefs' success will likely be determined by Jamaal Charles.

Oakland Raiders - Hopefully Jason Campbell can make something out of nothing. Not a good year for the Raiders.

San Diego Chargers - Unlike the other teams in the AFC West, I have high hopes for the Chargers. I look forward to another dominant offense and an above-average defense to win the division title.

Chargers win the West. Hands down.

So who's your pick to win the AFC Championship, DB?

"I'm gonna have to go with the Jets!"

Great! I've been waiting a long time to say this: The Jets...J-E-T-S-JETS!JETS!JETS!

Thanks, Derek, and good luck this fall in Salina!

Next week I'll be previewing the KCAC and MIAA, both of whom sport nationally ranked programs. I might even get some thoughts from Derek on this if he has time.

My shout this week goes to Bryce Brown, who finally saw the light and is coming home! The highly publicized recruit from Wichita left good ole Rocky Top Tennessee this week and will be enrolling at Kansas State, where he will be eligible to play in 2011. He's joining his brother Arthur, both of whom were standouts at Wichita East High.

VC picks Cheese Head to win PGA

It's the last Major on the golf calendar. They play for the Wanamaker Trophy and this year an old abandoned air field along two miles of the Lake Michigan shoreline near Sheboygan, Wis., is home to the 92nd PGA Championship, which begins Thursday.

Oh, and the champagne is on ice as well. Patterson and I have had this friendly wager all summer. I'm up three games to one in the best-of-seven series. His only 1-up came in our head-to-head golf outing in June. My three conquests came by correctly picking International players to win the U.S. and British opens as well as the Lakers over the Celtics in the NBA Finals.

If I can correctly pick the winner of the PGA, out comes the champagne and the K-State Fight Song will be played on the loudspeakers enough so that Patterson can hear them clear down in the Ozarks! If he somehow prevails, a Game 6 will be necessary which means the KSU-KU game (football) in Lawrence will be necessary to determine the outcome of our wager.

Anyway, back to golf. Celebration comes later!

Patterson, always thinking how he can stay one step ahead of the competition, has changed the rules. No International vs. the U.S. in this major. This time we each pick five men who we think will win the PGA Championship which is at Whistling Straits.

No need to bother reading Patterson's selections. Here are mine, baby!

Lee Westwood was going to be one of my final five, but he withdrew Friday due to a calf injury that could hurt the European chances in the Ryder Cup come October. A win at the Bridgestone Invitational this past weekend would have vaulted him from No. 3 to No. 1 in the world.

"I will be out for as long as it takes to get better," Westwood said. "I am just hoping that it will be in time for me to play in the Ryder Cup."

I like London's Justin Rose, who has notched three top three performances in 2010 and four top-10 outings. That included wins in the Memorial and AT&T National where he shot 18-under and 10-under, respectively. He also added a third-place finish in the Honda.

Ernie Els of South Africa is almost always in contention when it comes to a Major. That's why he's another of my final five selections.

Els has two titles this year, both in March, at the WGC-CA Championship and Arnold Palmer Invitational. He carded respective rounds of 18-under and 11-under in those outings. Four times he's finished in the top three and six times in the top 10.

I tried to get advice from Bren Fisher, my ace in the hole who's golfing at Pittsburg State during the school year. He's been too busy this summer playing in the Kansas Amateur and some tournaments in his hometown of Emporia, but I know Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy has been a favorite of his. Any favorite of his is a favorite of mine, thank you very much!

McIlroy shot 15-under to win the Quail Hollow Championship in early May. He followed it up with a 10th-place showing in The Memorial and a third-place tie in the British Open in which he was the 18-hole leader.

Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell is beaming with confidence after his win in June at the U.S. Open. That was played near the Pacific Ocean (Pebble Beach) so he knows something about winning near lots of water.

But my pick to win the PGA? The Cheese Heads will be partying all across Wisconsin starting Sunday when native son Steve Stricker hoists the Wanamaker Trophy.

The 43-year-old from Edgerton, Wis., has made 13 of 14 cuts this year on the PGA Tour. He has three top-three finishes, including firsts in the Northern Trust Open in February and John Deere Classic in July.

The No. 4-ranked player will be competing in his first PGA Championship on home state soil.

"We are thrilled to have a fellow Wisconsite join the world's best field and have a chance to make a run for the coveted Wanamaker Trophy," PGA Championship Director Barry Deach said. "Wisconsites love their golf events and I am certain that many will rally to support Steve as he takes on the unpredictable course that is the Straits."

Hey, Cheese Heads, you supply the cheese, I'll furnish the first case of champagne!

My shout this week goes to Sean Sewell and his dad Scott of Topeka. Sean, a member of the Kansas Masonic All-State High School Marching Band, had a couple photographs of the Kansas State Wildcat football team in the latest Sports Illustrated Big XII preview. This included a two-page spread on pages 104-105 of the Wildcat team running from the lockerroom to the field from a year ago. His dad also had a couple photos in the magazine. Sean texted me this past weekend he's had pictures used on SI.com before but never in the magazine. Scott does freelance work and has shot K-State sporting events as well as those for the Royals. Nice work, guys!

PGA Last Major of the Year and I Take......by MP

Phil Mickelson, Jeff Overton, Tim Clark, Kenny Perry, and Geoff Ogilvy are my Big 5 selections!!!! For what? They will finish highest or win the 92nd PGA Championship, held this year at Whistling Straits in Haven Wisconsin.

It should be exciting and VC and I are picking 5 each to see who can better choose the winners or higher finishers in the last big one of the year. I like my guys and will tell you why, here they are in no particular order.

Phil is the best in the world and should the world's best go without a major?? He is playing well and definitely a favorite. Yeah yeah I pick him every time, boring I know, but how can I leave my man out?

Next: this kid Jeff Overton. The Evansville Indiana product has 5 top 5's this year, and finished 11th at the British. Guess what folks, Whistling Straits is an Irish type, links style course. I like him and he is in the hunt this week at the Bridgestone. He hits it a ton and is nice around the greens. Keep an eye out for this youngster if not now, soon!

Tim Clark from South Africa won the Players Championship this year which many consider a major and maybe tougher to win than this tourney, the PGA Championship. He is always steady and can get as hot as anyone. He also has been knocking on the door of a major for a long time. Clark finished 12th at the US Open this year at Pebble.

Kenny Perry is my next pick. He is getting longer in the tooth and running out of time to win a big one. He choked a Masters away a few years ago, but I think the big man from Kentucky is a solid choice. Another guy who can get red hot with the short stick, Kenny Perry is playing awfully well right now and may just surprise some folk.

Last but not least is Aussie Geoff Ogilvy. We haven't heard from this former US Open Champ lately. He is playing well of late and on a sizz, and I believe he is too good a player to win one big one and go on hiatus. This guy has the whole game tee to green. He has the nerve to grind it out in the majors and is a fantastic iron player, which is a premium at this locale.

Keep an eye out for the "pinched nerve". It is the signature hole at the Pete Dye Whistling Straits course and is a 223 yard Par 3 with trouble everywhere!!!

Lookout VC, my stable of guys are tough. The Wanamaker trophy is on the line along with our running competition. The difference is I am not leaning on any golf ringers for help with my choices!!! I also get a kick out of you taking Stricker whom I have been talking up all year! Oh well, if Stricker wins he is due and it couldn't happen to a better guy and more deserving player. Good luck VC!!

Around the Horn: Fantasy football draft time is coming along soon and the Hall of Fame Game this weekend! Who thinks the T.O. pickup was good? Can he and 85 play together and make the Bungals contenders? I am likin the Chiefs in the division as the year approaches. I think SD is the favorite, but maybe a split with them with sweeps over Oakland and Denver. Wouldn't that be sweet?? I am getting worn down with the 500 game MLB season and excited for NFL and college football!!! Thanks everyone for reading....feel free to leave us comments, we would love to hear you give us static on our crazy picks or stories!

MP Talkin KU Football and Something He Knows About....BBQ Baby!!!

I want the 'Hawks football team to be good. I really do. They just simply will not be. Here is a brief preview of Kansas Jayhawks football 2010 and some other stuff from around the dial and from the world of Kansas City Bar-B-Que!!!!

Gone are about 5 good reasons why KU will compete in the Big 12 North. Mark Mangino is the largest reason. Insert McDonald's joke here. Seriously though, he put KU back on the football map and what, got run for being tough on his players? Heaven forbid he get mixed up in a ticket scandal or anything like that. Maybe had he won a little more that would have been overlooked...is that right Lew? Anyway, he is gone and so is an undersized QB from Texas named Todd Reesing (managed 10,000 yards passing in 3 years), a big time pro WR in Dezmon Briscoe, former QB turned slot Kerry Meier and big-time Safety Darrell Stuckey. Those 5 reasons are why KU will scour the bottom of the North looking for scraps.

Oh sorry I was supposed to say that Turner Gill was the savior and that Kale Pick was the sophomore sensation because, get this, Gill won 20 games at Buffalo and Pick played well in a spring game?? Ummm, ain't gonna happen here! Turner Gill ran the bone in college, or sorry NU fans, the power I (same thing), and the other side of the 20 win thing was the other column which is 30 losses! 30 losses at Buffalo (not the Bills) gets you a big time job? What is Tommie Frazier or Eric Crouch up to these days? Really though I will be interested to see his offensive philosophy with that pedigree. Kale Pick is going to throw lots of those....Picks!! Mangino, whose pedigree and offensive mind are not to be questioned, had a difficult time trusting Pick to get even small minutes last year.

The good news is that the O-Line is solid, Chuck Long will be interesting to watch at Offensive Coordinator and they have a solid up and coming bruising running back in Toben Opurum to take some of the heat off of Pick.

Overall prediction a couple of wins in League and not much outside as they have Georgia Tech and some other tougher non-conference match-ups. Bottom lining this deal: Come on Hoop season!! Anyone know where I can get in touch with a Morningstar and some tickets???

Other stuff around the ole horn! Great stuff on the Champions Tour last week with the US. Senior Open. Langer holds off Couples! I was grinding it out for Freddy!! Was at the "K" Friday night watching Baltimore play the Blue. Unreal how I pronounce Alex Gordon as the worst Royal in team history after he leaves 5 on base, then he hits a walk-off 3 run job!! Unbelievable!!! Still he is not hitting his weight and I stand by the worst Royal ever thing when you factor hype and ability. Second worst? Juan Gonzalez or Mark Davis. You choose! We did check out the Royals Hall of Fame.....awesome with a capital A!
On a non-sports note depending how you look at it....expect my tour of ballpark food soon. Still on the great subject of food and if you know me you know I love BBQ more than most else. I just checked out Gates as one of my usual stops and a new one. Kim and I waited for an hour to eat at Oklahoma Joe's. Our first time there. Verdict.....great stuff, but give me Gates, sauce is weak at OJ's!! Here is my all time BBQ top 5 in reverse order: 5: Wyandotte BBQ 4: Marty's BBQ (way underrated N. KC) 3: Fiorella's Jack Stack 2: Arthur Bryant's 1: Gates!!!! Thanks for reading!!!!

Bring on the Cats by VC!

Kansas State's fortunes, even though the Wildcats play 12 games this year, will come down to three games. The trifecta of UCLA on Sept. 4, Nebraska a month later and at Kansas the following week could very well determine if the Wildcats are still playing in December.

I'm already on record as saying the Cats go 7-5 this season which will earn K-State its first bowl game since Ron Prince (of all people) directed the Cats to a 37-10 loss to Rutgers in the 2006 Texas Bowl. I'm also on record as saying the Wildcats may take their Little Apple throng to the Big Apple as part of the New York Yankees Bowl against a Big East representative.

K-State can finish 7-5 and still lose two of those three games as noted above. I think K-State gets the job done on Labor Day weekend against the Bruins at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Too much Daniel Thomas and more importantly, too much Kansas heat and humidity for a UCLA team that will wear down thanks to a 2:30 p.m. kickoff that will be aired regionally on ABC. I know what it feels like these days at 5 p.m., which is about when the third quarter will be around the midway point. Gee, will Thomas have 40 carries by this point?

Its not a typical schedule where normally you play your four non-con games in September which lead to the conference slate in October and November. Not this year, baby!

After UCLA, Missouri State's Bears pay a visit to Manhattan. Even though it's a home game, the Sept. 18 game with Iowa State is at Arrowhead Stadium, the second of a two-year experiment where "Farmageddon" is played on neutral soil. Look for this series to continue in Kansas City, mainly the cash cow it provides for two schools that need the cash.

A Sept. 25 tilt with Central Florida should push K-State's record to 4-0 entering back-to-back Thursday night clashes with Nebraska and KU on ESPN. This is when talk of a great season will be defined or put to rest. A two-game sweep means a 6-0 start and Wildcat fans may be dreaming of bigger things. A split isn't bad and eight wins are still within reach. Lose those two and 7-5 may be as good as it gets.

I just hope the Cats don't lose both games to NU and KU. If so, an Oct. 23 game looms at Baylor. That's a place that's never been kind to Snyder's Cats, even when they were winning. Okie State and UT play in Manhattan next - two teams the Cats have usually handled in Manhattan. Then three road games to end the year - Missouri, Colorado and North Texas. The last time K-State played a non-con game the Saturday after Thanksgiving? Not pretty, big-time loss at Fresno State.

Now for the players. K-State's fortunes begin and end with No. 8, Daniel Thomas, a workhorse if there ever was one, and four returning offensive linemen. Three of the big men are seniors. Snyder will have to find someone to replace durable Nick Stringer at left tackle, and he thinks he may have that man in junior college transfer Zach Hanson, a 6-8, 313-pounder from Sacramento, Calif. Wow! 6-8, 313 pounds! How many "Beef on Buns with Fries" would that dude eat at Gates BBQ in Kansas City, thank you very much?

Thomas noted his attention this spring was ball security and footwork. They're not doubting this Thomas, not after he led the Big XII in rushing and averaged more than five yards per carry last year.

"I think he learned more about the nuances of the position, and learning how to slow down a little bit and finding the creases a little bit better," Snyder said.

Uh-oh. Imagine him a little better? Wow, strike up the Wabash Cannonball, baby! Hey Willie Wildcat, you better be working out because you may be doing more pushups each time Thomas bulls his way in to paydirt!

Last year, K-State's receiving corps was mainly Brandon Banks. He's gone, but the targets in 2010 include the likes of senior Aubrey Quarles and sophomore newcomers Brodrick Smith (6-2) and Chris Harper (6-1).

Smith, a transfer from Minnesota, caught 12 passes for 167 yards and 4 TDs in the spring game. He could be someone to watch out for as is Harper, who began his career at Oregon but came back to his native state (Wichita Northwest) when Snyder came back.

"The coaches said if I wanted to try to play professionally, wide receiver was my best option," said Harper, a former quarterback.

"He's got real quickness and speed for his size," Cat safety Tysyn Hartman noted. "He's going to be a hard player to stop."

Carson Coffman is expected to be under center. Let's just hope he gained a lot of confidence in the spring game where he threw for over 400 yards. I'm not sold with this pick and Collin Klein or Sammuel Lamur may be getting some snaps sooner than you think.

The defense will be fine as it trimmed two touchdowns off scores a year ago, giving up 23 points per game vs. the 35 a year before. And Brandon Harold is healthy at end after playing in just one game in 2009 after an All-American campaign in 2008 where he led all freshmen in the country with 10.5 tackles for loss.

Kadero Terrell, a former top juco recruit, is a key at linebacker. He missed last season due to injury.

Some say Snyder is too old, shouldn't have come back. I disagree. Heck, he may be the smartest man out there. Name me a coach who has the luxury of coaching in a stadium named after him. Nuf said.

Every Man A Wildcat!

My shout this week goes out to all the teachers and coaches who are about to return to the classroom all over this country. Without you, there would be no Friday Night Lights. To that, we say THANK YOU!

Big 12 South and More!! by MP!!!!

Big 12 South preview huh? I will give it a shot. Great work VC on the North preview, very nicely written! I actually like MU and KSU a little more than VC in the North this year as I think the battery of Gabbert and Washington should be tough. I also really like the big sticker RB in Manhattan, Daniel Thomas, along with Bill Snyder's influence coming back to KSU. We will see for sure and as always it will be great to watch unfold.

As the South goes it is not a matter of who I like, it is who I don't like. I just don't think OU and Texas are right. In Norman I think Landry Jones is suspect at QB along with an O-Line that is borderline at best. This is basically the same line that got Sam Bradford killed last year. They also seem to lack at the skill positions. I guess DeMarco Murray is solid at RB, but is also 185 lbs and I have doubts he can carry the mail as much as they need it with an inexperienced QB. If he was the guy wouldn't he have started by himself last year? Then you lose OT Trent Williams and DT Gerald McCoy with TE Jermaine Gresham and you have a rebuilding year, I don't care who you are! Still many smarter than me pick OU.

You then talk what's shakin in Austin. Similar deal. You have Garrett Gilbert at QB taking the reigns from Colt McCoy, and like OU, without a big time back to take the pressure off, I don't like 'em. Maybe I am alone in thinking you need a stud back, but spread offense or not, defenses are getting wiser and I still believe you need someone who can carry the rock!!! They lost Sergio Kindle and Earl Thomas on D, and their O was already down. Anyone recall the Nebraska game? So long story short, no way I am picking Texas.

Unlike VC, I am not savvy enough to predict records. I will tell you the order in my opinion. I like Texas 2nd, OU 3rd, A & M 4th, Okie St 5th, and Baylor last.

My winner: Hello Texas Tech and Tommy Tuberville! Gone are Mike Leach and shootout victories. Expect a more balanced solid attack with a defensive presence. They will still sling it around, but Baron Batch is the best RB in the South. They have 2 quality QB's in Taylor Potts and Steven Sheffield and 3 solid WR's, 2 of which may be all conference guys. They have a new D Coordinator from National Champ 'Bama so expect a drastic improvement there too.

At the end of the day, Tech is my choice more out of process of elimination than anything. We will see what happens and if OU and Texas come back strong, hats off to Bob Stoops and Mack Brown, they will have earned their reputations. I still say Red Raiders in 2010...I am due right??

Around the horn: PGA Championship is near. Can you believe the last Major is here? Expect a preview coming soon, though I am not nearly as excited about that as The Masters, US or British Opens. Great stuff in the NBA. Can you believe Lebron, DWade and Bosh are together? Now with Chalmers, the Big Z, Juwon Howard (yeah he's old) and Mike Miller? Look out Scout!!! How 'bout those St. Louis Cards? They are en fuego baby!!! I still marvel at Pujols. I think a better hitter than George, and that hurts me to say. He is hitting .301 with 22 dongs in an off year!! Thanks everyone for reading...I am almost out. Last shot: anyone see the new Arrowhead yet? Looks good, but looks like lots of improvements for the blue bloods. What about the regular fan? Maybe they throw in another port-o-let for us tailgaters inside of 2 miles apart???

Big Red to go out in style in 2010! by VC!

There's Nooooo Place Like.....

Sorry Dorothy, when it comes to breaking down the Big XII North football race in 2010, I wished I could end that with your famous "There's no place like home" line. While Kansas and Kansas State may have a say in the 2010 North race, the Yellow Brick Road ends a few miles from here.

There's NooOhhh Place Like Nebraska! I hate that fight song, but today I can't help but hum a few bars even with my purple glasses on.

Bo Pelini's Cornhuskers nearly pulled off the upset of all upsets last December before the Texas Longhorns won the Big XII championship game at Jerry Jones Stadium or the Taj Mahal or whatever that cash cow is called down in Big D.

While they were close in 2009, I think they re-claim the North in 2010 and go out Big XII country in style as they begin to pursue their Big Ten + Two Brothers in 2011. Yep, Big Red is back to improve on their 10-4 record from a year ago when they won the North by two games over Missouri and K-State (technically three games by virtue of their head-to-head wins over those two).

With home games against Kansas, Missouri, Texas and Colorado the schedule could favor a four-game sweep by the Huskers - at worst 3-1. Ya think emotions will be flying high in the Texas game? Oh my! Press credentials will even be a tough ticket for that one, baby! Throw in a favorable road slate that includes Iowa State, K-State, Texas A&M and Oklahoma State, I'm seeing no worse than a 6-2 log. I don't see any other North teams coming up with six wins.

Nebraska is also the overwhelming choice by the Big 12 media to take the North, picking up all 26 first-place votes and a whopping 156 points. The media's selections found Missouri to finish second followed by K-State, KU, Colorado and Iowa State.

Patterson doesn't understand why I have this love-fest for Nebraska. We discussed Big XII football last month during our version of "A Tradition unlike any other...The Masters" at Hidden Valley near Springfield, Mo. I'm not sure if Patterson thinks the Jayhawks are ready to win their first division title or if he thinks Missouri will win it or even my boys in Manhattan.

Nebraska, until Missouri or K-State or KU proves to me otherwise, is the class of this division. Trust me, I'm swallowing a lot of purple pride here picking Nebraska, folks!

The Huskers proved their worthiness by taking UT to the final gun before falling 13-12 on a last-second field goal in the conference title game. Then in the Holiday Bowl, Nebraska did something that never happens in that run-and-gun bowl game, pitch a 33-0 shutout of Arizona.

"I feel we're in the position in our program that we can compete with anybody out there," Pelini said during spring practice. "Even though we hadn't won a championship, I felt good about the point where our program was at the end of the year."

No more Ndamukong Suh to disrupt opposing offenses. Just ask K-State. The Wildcats jumped to a 3-0 lead last November in Lincoln in the first eight minutes of the game. The final 52 minutes belonged to the homestanding Huskers, who prevailed 14-3 and went on to win the North.

To nobody's surprise, it's the offense that has everyone wandering. Nebraska was 75th nationally in scoring, 99th in total yardage and 101st in passing led by the arm of Zac Lee. Don't worry Big Red fans, pitch the ball to I-back Roy Helu, Jr. and occasionally to Rex Burkhead and you'll be fine.

One dude who should get a lot of touches is K-State tailback Daniel Thomas, who ended 2009 with 1,265 yards rushing, the fourth-best single-season total in school history. The Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year led the league with an average of 105 yards per game.

K-State returns 15 starters and 40 lettermen from last year's 6-6 squad. Like Nebraska, QB will be a concern as the Wildcats prepare for their Labor Day weekend tilt against UCLA in Bill Snyder Family Stadium.

Carson Coffman has the inside track, but Collin Klein or Sammuel Lamur could be called upon. And don't forget Chris Harper, an Oregon transfer who came back to his native state when Snyder returned to coach.

Harper played QB, tailback and receiver at Oregon in 2008, and Snyder will hopefully get Harper involved in this offensive attack. Let's hope so, this team only had seven TD passes for the whole year.

Look for the Cats to continue to get better on defense, where they allowed 23 points per game after giving up nearly 36 points per outing in 08.

My prediction for the Cats? 7-5 and a bowl game, which would be a first since 2006. Only Baylor (1994) has gone longer without appearing in a bowl game in this conference. Heck, they just might be the Big 12 representative in the inaugural New York Yankees Bowl! Just how cold does it get in The Big Apple in December? The Little Apple just might find out.

Missouri doesn't have to think twice who its QB will be. Blaine Gabbert finished third in the Big 12 in passing yards per game (276), second in passing efficiency (140.5) and fourth in total offense (292). His numbers nearly matched those amassed by Chase Daniel during his first season in 2006.

The O-line has all back but one and senior tailback Derrick Washington rediscovered his quickness in the spring game. Uh-oh, a running game to go with that passing attack? Eeh-gads!

Missouri starts 5-0 before it embarks on Murderer's Row (at A&M, Oklahoma, at Nebraska, at Texas Tech) before finishing with K-State, at Iowa State and KU in Arrowhead.

My prediction for the Tigers? 9-3 and a runnerup finish in the North. Might even earn Miz-zou a Cotton Bowl bid.

KU fans may want to take notice...getting the fourth slot in the preseason poll might not be a bad thing! The last time the Jayhawks were slotted No. 4 came in 2007 when Mark Mangino's boys went 12-1 and won the Orange Bowl.

KU said good-bye to Mangino after losing its final seven games in 2009. The Jayhawks brought in Turner Gill from Buffalo and he's got his work cut out for him. Todd Reesing, Kerry Meier and Dezmon Briscoe are gone. Reesing finished his career tops on nine all-time KU lists while Meier and Briscoe were 1-2 on the KU career receiving yards list with 3,240 and 2,309 yards, respectively.

The Jayhawks return seven defensive starters and eight on offense. They return all five offensive linemen, including Tanner Hawkinson, who earned Freshman All-America honors from several publications in 2009. Toben Opurum returns as KU's leading rusher and is the first freshman to lead KU in rushing since 2002.

Speedy redshirt soph Kale Pick turned in a nifty spring game performance. The southpaw from Dodge City is battling redshirt frosh Jordan Webb at the position that Reesing mastered the last three years.

KU's fortunes will be decided by the time K-State comes calling in October. KU hosts 11-game winner Georgia Tech then plays at Southern Miss and Baylor. If KU is 4-1 entering the Cat game, KU has something to look forward to. A 3-2 log, which I predict, and Gill's honeymoon will be ending quickly.

My prediction for the Jayhawks? 7-5 and a third-place tie with K-State.

Colorado and Iowa State, there's a reason the media picked you 5-6. I'm saying Iowa State and Colorado, respectively. CU is thinking about its days in the Pac-10 beginning in 2012. Iowa State is up-and-coming under Paul Rhoads and a Sept. 11 tussle at Iowa will be the most important game to ISU fans.

There ya have it: Nebraska, Missouri, KU, KSU, ISU, CU. What do you think?

Next up, we look at the Big 12 South where they may be singing that song that Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II wrote in 1955. Ya know, the one where the wind comes sweeping down the plains!

My shout this week goes to the Kansas Shrine Bowl participants, including those picked for the 200-member Kansas Masonic All-State High School Marching Band, who will be enduring the Kansas heat and humidity in preparation for the July 31 Shrine Bowl at Pittsburg State University. Congratulations to these Kansas high schoolers!

FFL Preview 2010 by Ty Blitz Co-Owner!!!

Look out scout-FFB is baaaaack!

Yes folks, here we are in July grinding on our best available lists-you know, the RB, WR, or QB, you want to pick at any point in the draft. Forget about the D’s and Kickers like Matt said. In fairness before I begin my peregrination across the landscape of fantasy football you should know our league allows a third WR instead of a Tight End and, we are in a point per reception league. This explains young Matt’s inclusion of Forte on his picks to click. I don’t think Matt expects Forte to run for 2,000 yds. This projection is based on Forte’s potential for 70 to 80 receptions out of the Bears backfield. In the words of Van the man (on a rare occasion when he is understandable,) “there I go, there I go, there I go.” Van likes to repeat his phrases ala John Lee Hooker. Back to the FFB landscape.

My draft philosophy is to not be stuck in a rut with a formula that governs your pick. Sorry Matt, but the RB’s/Wr’s before QB’s approach has not worked well for us lately. Drafting is situational. If we have the fifth pick and CJ, AP, MJD and Rice have gone do we take DeAngelo or Gore to get an RB (one that shares the rock a lot and the other that is getting long in the tooth and has had injury issues) OR do go with Brees at QB (the leading point producer in FFB last season) or and take Andre Johnson everyone’s number wide receiver? To me the latter two choices are better than a second tier RB! Now if we have pick 1 through 4 I like the RB’s mentioned. After that it gets dicey and it stays that way all through the draft. I disagree with Matt that the KISS method is best. For me drafting in FFB is all about good decision making under time pressure. And I believe good decisions require good information, preparation and the ability to avoid second guessing at all costs. They say to be a great golfer you have to be able to forget the previous shot or hole or round! Same in any activity that requires good decision making. So, however you prepare for the draft you must overcome the tendency to second guess any pick you make but I don’t advise keeping it simple to uncomplicated things. That said, our plan A hasn’t been working so who is to say? I really believe the answer lies somewhere between the extremes. That is, having studied thoroughly and consider as much as possible, gear down and settle on a well thought out plan and keep it as simple as you can.

I recommend putting together lists by rank order of all players and by position based on all the factors you want to use to determine their potential in FFB. Fantasy Football magazines all contain these rankings. Their lists along with a myriad of other factoids both obvious and obscure should guide your selection process. If you are co-owner of a team you need to vet your rankings with your co-owner before the draft and come up with lists on which you agree. This will tell you the best available performer, and in case you are loaded at the position, the best available by other positions.

One of my problems is falling in love with certain players and having an aversion to others. This year I’m already excited about Kevin Kolb for example and I just never have liked Peyton Manning. Does that mean if I’m ready to pick a QB and both are available I’m gonna take Kolb? No. But, I might decide to take an RB rather than QB against my better judgment, to avoid taking Size 8! That may seem crazy to you but it is how I roll.

Part of the excitement of Fantasy Football is from the emotional attachment to your team, just like in real football. But in fantasy you have the added dynamic of creating your team. This generates enormous attachment. And, as Matt said, your interest in how your guys are doing broadens your interest in the NFL. Despite the challenges of sharing in a team ownership I recommend it highly. My greatest enjoyment comes from sharing the total experience of fantasy football with Matt. From drafting, to setting lineups, to following our players performance, to making trades, to visiting with Matt many times each week and during the games, pro football has never been so much fun! So if you haven’t participated in Fantasy Football do it. And, if you have but never as a co-owner, get a team with someone you love. It is a blast!

My top 5’s

QB’s-Brees, Peyton Manning, Rodgers, Brady, Romo

RB’s-C Johnson, AP, MJD, Rice, Gore

WR’s-A Johnson, Fitzgerald, Wayne, Moss, White

D’s-Won’t be able to draft any in the top 5

K’s- “

Breakouts-Breaston, Sims-Walker, M.Ryan, Wells, Cutler

Sleepers-Henne, Knox, Campbell, Gage, Bradshaw

Busts-Slaton, Lynch, Favre, Jacobs, Heyward-Bey

Rookies-Bryant, Clausen, McCluster, Berry, Tate


That’s how it looks from the cheap seats!!!!

2010 Fantasy Football Preview by MP

As the playing days slowly go by you need things to keep the old batteries charged. I still watch sports and love all of them, but in recent years what has become a passion is Fantasy Football!

The beauty of FFL is when the network forces you into watching Detroit v. Washington while you are waiting on your game, you may have Matt Stafford as your backup QB and maybe you were forced into starting Clinton Portis at RB. That game may now go from unwatchable to interesting and you find yourself watching that even as the Pats and Colts have kicked off on the other channel.

Does that reclassify me as a fan? Am I now not a purist? Many hate Fantasy and don't understand. I love it and start studying in late May and really couldn't care less about what kind of fan that makes me. I like big time NFL players and big plays.

This is your 2010 Fantasy Football preview provided with very few predictions, you may have noticed my last few have been a bit off!!!

My Dad and I have been the co-owners of a team, the Blitz, for about 12 or 13 years now. Most of the same guys, same league, same rules. We have one Super Bowl title, and have made the playoffs maybe 8 or 9 times. All in all we are one of the most successful teams in our league, though we would both want more money and titles.

Here is the thing and this is probably totally different than my Dad's thoughts. What kills you in FFL is simple to me: over-thinking it! As more info, more stats, more stuff becomes available, you start making it very complicated. If you know players you know players. Forget who has a better record, who has a tougher schedule on the road, who has a rookie behind them and that one plays in cold weather more than another. Too much stuff! You have to keep it simple and most importantly get a system that works for you and your partner.

My take has always been that you load up on Running Backs. I have read plenty that minimizes the significance of RB's in recent years. The thought is because of split backfields the RB is now not as important. I say that makes it even more of an argument for getting a couple of big-timers at RB early. Who is Chris Johnson splitting time with? Is AP splitting time?? Not this year!! I also think QB's are not worth the high pick. I would rather go RB, WR, RB, WR in the first 4 rounds instead of taking a Brees or Manning and losing a shot at a killer RB or WR. You can wait and get a Schaub or Cassel or Palmer who have a shot at 3500 yards and 18 to 20 TD's in later rounds maybe starting in the 5th. I also get a kick every year out of guys passing on drafting starting WR's or TE's and take a defense or kicker earlier. You can rotate defenses based on matchup from the waiver wire and field a good scoring defense. And kickers? What a crapshoot. That position may be where weather, schedule and the other previously mentioned factors make a difference. Who cares anyway, they are going to get you single digit points, so why should I pass on a quality backup for that?

Let me bottom line this deal for ya. First key on guys on their way up, but not too far away and not on their way down, unless later on in the draft. Then go get a stable of starting backs, at least two top flight receivers, a good possession WR and a serviceable, durable starting QB and another behind him. Then build your bench, get a solid hard-nosed defense and grab a vet kicker. Providing you dodge injury, you are on the way to the playoffs. I think you succeed in the playoffs based on matchup of your guys, lots of luck, and you need at least one guy to go ballistic and have a huge game for you. Sounds simple huh?

Some may accuse me/us as being the Marty Schottenheimer of our FFL. Well can't be because we have a title for one thing!! But just like Marty, in order to win the Bowl you must go to the playoffs first and you must also get lucky, and for me good luck sometimes goes into hibernation for long periods of time!

Now that you have the recipe for success, here are the top 5 at each position, some sleepers, some guys to look out for, some rooks, and some busts for 2010. Good luck, thank me later when you win your league and most of all as always....thanks for reading!

• QB: Brees, Brady, Manning, Rodgers, and Rivers



• RB: Johnson, D. Williams, Turner, Peterson, and Rice



• WR: A. Johnson, Moss, Fitzgerald, C. Johnson, and D. Jackson



• DEF: Steelers, Jets, Eagles, Ravens, and Bears



• Sleepers (previous letdowns or busts on their way back): Jay Cutler, Felix Jones, Steve Slaton, Thomas Jones, Matt Forte, Fred Jackson and Michael Crabtree.



• Guys to watch out for (ready for the elite soon if not already): Rashard Mendenhall, Brandon Marshall, and DeSean Jackson.



• Rooks: Dez Bryant, Arrelious Benn, Dexter McCluster, Jahvid Best, and Montario Hardesty.



• Busts: Miles Austin, Shonn Greene, Joseph Addai, Kevin Kolb, Sidney Rice, and Ryan Mathews.