Phil Steele was on 610 this morning, 7-6, at 11am

[Guscat]

Did anyone catch the Phil Steele interview?  It shed some light on the disparity of his evaluation of the talent of teams in the Big 12 North, and where he predicts them to finish.  If I were to summarize, it would be:
1.  The return of Bill Snyder was a "huge" element in his evaluation of Wildcat prospects. 
2.  K-State has some tough teams to play, but the ones they are competitive with are at home.  He said that KSU only has three Big 12 true road games.
3.  The level of talent at K-State is underappreciated, and Steele likes the way Snyder leavens younger players with JUCO transfers.  By the time the team gets to conference play, they play as a team with more consistency and maturity.
4.  ku is more talented and athletic than KSU, but they have very tough road games, and their South schedule is most unkind.  Steele did not give ku much chance of winning their OU and Texas games, and thought going to Lubbock for the Texas Tech game (Tech is 47-10 in the last 10 years at home) was a very low probability win.  ku has 5 Big 12 road games (if you include the Mizzou game at Camarohead Stadium).
5.  Oklahoma State could be 11-0 when they play OU at the end of the season ( ! ).  Their defense has improved that much, and thought Zac Robinson (who Snyder attempted to get him to commit to K-State) was an awesome quarterback. 
6.  I didn't track too well on this, but he thought Snyder would try to use the running game against teams geared towards defending the spread, and who have emphasized talent in the defensive backfield.  That would mean KSU will have to have a good O-line.  Don't know if that's true.
7.  Steele also said that Colorado and Nebraska would emphasize the run game.  I found it interesting that his 1 pick for the North would use the run game to win, as would the 2 picks (KSU and Colorado).

An intersting interview to be sure, but the guy sure knew his stuff.

Go 'Cats!

[sonofdaxjones]

I understand it was another session where Phil didn't win many friends in Tardville.

Can anyone recap??

[catzacker]

Only heard the KSU and forward information.  Don't think he really mentioned anything new or earth shattering:

1 - Likes KSU's schedule alot. 
2 - Thinks Bill does a good job with plug and play using the soft non-con as a way to get players adapted
3 - Had no idea who our QB will be (Petro thought that Carson had the #2 job wrapped up but that whoever the QB was going to be it was going to come from Daniel Thomas or Grant McNeck).
4 - KSU is wildcard in North, could be good, could be bad.
5 - Likes CU because they'll be able to run the ball and play some defense and has talent.
6 - Said that if you just went on QB, RB, WR alone that ku would be the favorite, but he looks at schedule, OL, DL, defense in general and special teams, that's why he likes NU.  Pointed out that ku is ahead of KSU in his talent rankings but behind in conference finish because of the schedule.

[BMWJhawk]

1.  ku's defense will be much better than Steele thinks.  ku just signed a Juco All-American at LB who had offers to Tennessee and Oklahoma, among others.  Along with that, I've heard that guys like Quinton Woods, Prinz Kande, and Kevin Young have been tearing it up in summer workouts.  D-end was a weakness on the team last season, but the ku coaches have done a great job addressing that position.  ku has a ton of talent at d-tackle with Johnson, Blakesley, Greene, Parish, Stevens, and Dorsey.   

2.  Another area that was a problem for ku's defense last year was the secondary.  ku's going with more of a 4-2-5 defense next year to fight the spread.  Darrell Stuckey's a 1st-team All Big 12 type of player, and then you've got guys like Justin Thornton, Daymond Patterson, Phillip Strozier, Lubbock Smith, etc, who have all been developing nicely.  Thornton will play in the NFL, and Patterson could be the next star cornerback at ku when all is said and done.  He's Charles Gordon with more speed and quickness. 

3.  As far as the schedule goes, the only other decent team in the North plays ku at home (Nebraska).  CU, KSU, ISU, and MU are all going to suck next year.  K-State and Iowa State will both be beyond pathetic.  Mizzou loses their entire team.  Colorado loses their best WR and DT from last year and brings in nothing to replace their crap talent at QB.  Hawkins is gone after next season.  

4.  ku's beatdown of K-State will be even worse than it was last season.  52-21 will look respectable compared to the absolute skull f*cking that ku will unleash on K-State.  Mangino would love nothing more than to make Old Balls regret coming out of retirement, and you can bet that he won't hold back like he did for Prince last season.  ku could have hung up 70+ on K-State last year, but Mangino had too much class to rub it in.  Next year, Old Balls won't be so lucky.  

[KCcat28]

4.  ku's beatdown of K-State will be even worse than it was last season.  52-21 will look respectable compared to the absolute skull f*cking that ku will unleash on K-State.  Mangino would love nothing more than to make Old Balls regret coming out of retirement, and you can bet that he won't hold back like he did for Prince last season.  ku could have hung up 70+ on K-State last year, but Mangino had too much class to rub it in.  Next year, Old Balls won't be so lucky.  

Great analysis as always bentard.

[steve dave]

My favorite thing about Phil Steele?  His uncanny accuracy. 

[Wildcat Dynasty]

Mangino and class...

[The1BigWillie]

5.   and thought Zac Robinson (who Snyder attempted to get him to commit to K-State) was an awesome quarterback. 

NewsFLASH. The little sumbitch was committed to us for months before bailing out on us after "I'm a man I'm 40." paid his parents.  &@#%ing bullcrap.  Little dicknose pulled a &@#%ing fast one on Snyder.  &@#% Zac Robinson.

[BMWJhawk]

5.   and thought Zac Robinson (who Snyder attempted to get him to commit to K-State) was an awesome quarterback. 

NewsFLASH. The little sumbitch was committed to us for months before bailing out on us after "I'm a man I'm 40." paid his parents.  fracking bullcrap.  Little dicknose pulled a fracking fast one on Snyder.  frack Zac Robinson.

Sounds exactly like what K-State did with Josh Freeman. 

[sonofdaxjones]

Thanks for the comments on what Phil Steele said.

[Jethopper]

I wish we could get a uk fan talking basketball and a Husker fan talking about Nub football in the same thread.  I think this thread has that kind of potential.

[PowercatPat]

1.  ku's defense will be much better than Steele thinks.  ku just signed a Juco All-American at LB who had offers to Tennessee and Oklahoma, among others.  Along with that, I've heard that guys like Quinton Woods, Prinz Kande, and Kevin Young have been tearing it up in summer workouts.  D-end was a weakness on the team last season, but the ku coaches have done a great job addressing that position.  ku has a ton of talent at d-tackle with Johnson, Blakesley, Greene, Parish, Stevens, and Dorsey.   

We kept hearing this crap last year with Crawford and look how that turned out.

[BMWJhawk]

Crawford didn't have offers to Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Auburn coming out of Juco.  Aside from that, we're talking about two different people.  Each situation is independent. 

[Tom Jones II]

BMW is right on the Mark there.  What is Mangino's record vs. Snyder, oh wait 4-13.  Even when we were down in Snyder's last two years he managed to beat you guys.  Tell you what, come on over and we'll let you shine our Big 12 North trophies since that is your team's goal this year.  For a small price you can look at our Big 12 championsip trophy.  You guys are funny over there in the east.  You have one good season and a few 7-5's and maybe an 8-4 and now you are a contender.  If you come to the game this year come by and we'll show you what a real tailgate is by the way:  ku's tailgate:  sportscoats, wine, veggie burgers, penny loafers, and chess.  KSU's tailgates:  EMAW clothing, natty light, beef, and washers.  

The Ghost of Tom Jomes

"It's not unusual to be loved by anyone"

[steve dave]

Welcome back Tom and goodbye again Tom.  Why do you keep doing that 

[Jethopper]

Crawford didn't have offers to Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Auburn coming out of Juco.  Aside from that, we're talking about two different people.  Each situation is independent. 

You are dumb.  Shut up.

[feralchat]

Frack Steele, 610 should get b-tard on. Tearing it up in summer drills, indeed.

[85catbacker]

1.   ku just signed a Juco All-American at LB who had offers to Tennessee and Oklahoma, among others.  Along with that, I've heard that guys like Quinton Woods, Prinz Kande, and Kevin Young have been tearing it up in summer workouts.

If all the practice "stars" and all-american transfers had torn it up in games like we heard they were doing on the practice field, KSU would have had like a bazillion national championships.  Pinning your hopes on guys who have yet to prove they can play at the D-1 level is a recipe for disappointment

[BMWJhawk]

The denial on this board is staggering.  Wouldn't have expected anything less, though.  12-1 BCS Orange Bowl and 52-21 in back-to-back seasons and you're still unable to accept reality.




 

[catzacker]

what do ku fans get more upset about:  Phil Steele's accurate predictions or the "that just happened" sign at 84-75?

[Jethopper]

Crawford didn't have offers to Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Auburn coming out of Juco.  Aside from that, we're talking about two different people.  Each situation is independent. 

Auburn recruited him! LOLZ at you thinking this is a compliment.  Elite talent goes to Georgia and Bama.. War Eagle GMAFB  

[sonofdaxjones]

Steele really has Tardville  

I think Tardville U will score a lot of points, but nothing, and I mean nothing has convinced me that they have any coaching horsepower on the defensive side of the ball.  I looked at Bowen trying to run their defense last year and he looked every bit as lost as Tim Tibesar at times.

Bill Young . . . not walking through that door over in Tardville.


Year over year 2007 to 2008 . . . ku dropped 77 positions in total defense,  78 positions in scoring defense.   A couple of good players moving on DOES NOT cause a plummet of nearly 80 positions in the total defense and scoring defense ranks.   That's caused by playing a much tougher schedule, and losing a good defensive coordinator.  

[Jethopper]

Steele really has Tardville  

I think Tardville U will score a lot of points, but nothing, and I mean nothing has convinced me that they have any coaching horsepower on the defensive side of the ball.  I looked at Bowen trying to run their defense last year and he looked every bit as lost as Tim Tibesar at times.

Bill Young . . . not walking through that door over in Tardville.


Year over year 2007 to 2008 . . . ku dropped 77 positions in total defense,  78 positions in scoring defense.   A couple of good players moving on DOES NOT cause a plummet of nearly 80 positions in the total defense and scoring defense ranks.   That's caused by playing a much tougher schedule, and losing a good average defensive coordinator.  

[BMWJhawk]

Steele really has Tardville  

I think Tardville U will score a lot of points, but nothing, and I mean nothing has convinced me that they have any coaching horsepower on the defensive side of the ball.  I looked at Bowen trying to run their defense last year and he looked every bit as lost as Tim Tibesar at times.

Bill Young . . . not walking through that door over in Tardville.


Year over year 2007 to 2008 . . . ku dropped 77 positions in total defense,  78 positions in scoring defense.   A couple of good players moving on DOES NOT cause a plummet of nearly 80 positions in the total defense and scoring defense ranks.   That's caused by playing a much tougher schedule, and losing a good defensive coordinator.  

You're in such full blown denial when it comes to ku.  Aqib Talib and James McClinton were the reason for the dropoff in '08, along with a tougher schedule.  Bill Young leaving was pretty much irrelevant.  

[Legore]

1.  ku's defense will be much better than Steele thinks.  ku just signed a Juco All-American at LB who had offers to Tennessee and Oklahoma, among others.  Along with that, I've heard that guys like Quinton Woods, Prinz Kande, and Kevin Young have been tearing it up in summer workouts.  D-end was a weakness on the team last season, but the ku coaches have done a great job addressing that position.  ku has a ton of talent at d-tackle with Johnson, Blakesley, Greene, Parish, Stevens, and Dorsey.   

So basically you'r relying on a bunch of true freshman and late arriving juco kids to make your defense better?   Kind of like how Bubba Brown was the answer to KSU's RB problems last year.  You think you would have figured out by now in football if you're going to get better or surprise someone it almost always comes from guys already on the roster improving rather then from some hot shot newcomer who is "tearing it up in summer workouts".    

[sonofdaxjones]

Two players don't account for a plummet of nearly 80 positions in defensive rankings, it's not denial, it's cold hard reality.

ku finished the regular season ranked 94th in total defense, and only improved a couple of spots because of the bowl game against a bad Minnesota team . . . that's a plummet of nearly 90 spots from ku's end of regular season rankings from the previous year (and the one really good offense that ku played in 2007 tore ku to shreds).  

You are living in some sort of alternate reality if you want any of us to believe that 2 players made that kind of difference . . . Bowen, until further notice is not a good defensive coordinator.

[catzacker]

so, like, ku loses two players (with a tough schedule) and that caused 8-5?  what happens this year since they they lost all 3 LB's and 3 interior OL?  That's like 6 players or something (with the same tough schedule).  for f*ck sake, let us know when you plan on replacing mcclinton and talib so we can mark ku down for 12 wins. 

[BMWJhawk]

1.  ku's defense will be much better than Steele thinks.  ku just signed a Juco All-American at LB who had offers to Tennessee and Oklahoma, among others.  Along with that, I've heard that guys like Quinton Woods, Prinz Kande, and Kevin Young have been tearing it up in summer workouts.  D-end was a weakness on the team last season, but the ku coaches have done a great job addressing that position.  ku has a ton of talent at d-tackle with Johnson, Blakesley, Greene, Parish, Stevens, and Dorsey.   

So basically you'r relying on a bunch of true freshman and late arriving juco kids to make your defense better?   Kind of like how Bubba Brown was the answer to KSU's RB problems last year.  You think you would have figured out by now in football if you're going to get better or surprise someone it almost always comes from guys already on the roster improving rather then from some hot shot newcomer who is "tearing it up in summer workouts".    

Not at all.  The defensive line will be improved with the addition of a few talented d-ends, though.  Quinton Woods, the 6'6 4-star d-end who signed with Michigan out of high school is the real deal.  Max Onyegbule has really been improving and adding muscle this off-season and should be a force next year as well.  Jake Laptad had 7 sacks last season and will be a true junior next year.  Kevin Young graduated at semester and will compete for immediate playing time next year... he'd be doing the same at Nebraska if it wasn't for a last-second change of heart.  

The secondary returns everyone from last year (Stuckey, Thornton, Strozier, Patterson, Smith) and will be much improved.  Word out of summer practices is that Prinz Kande will play right away, though.  He's a 4-star prospect who started for his high school program all four years.  Basically, ku's going to have a lot more athletes that will see the field next season, and a lot more quality depth in areas that were weaknesses last year.  As a K-State fan, I'm sure that's not what you want to hear, given the 52-21 beatdown that occurred even with ku's issues on defense.  With as explosive as ku's offense will be next year, having a defense that can shut people down could put ku in a position to win its first Big 12 title.  Regardless, the ku/K-State game won't be close...  

[BMWJhawk]

Two players don't account for a plummet of nearly 80 positions in defensive rankings, it's not denial, it's cold hard reality.

ku finished the regular season ranked 94th in total defense, and only improved a couple of spots because of the bowl game against a bad Minnesota team . . . that's a plummet of nearly 90 spots from ku's end of regular season rankings from the previous year (and the one really good offense that ku played in 2007 tore ku to shreds).  

You are living in some sort of alternate reality if you want any of us to believe that 2 players made that kind of difference . . . Bowen, until further notice is not a good defensive coordinator.

Like I said... Aqib Talib, James McClinton, and a tougher schedule.  Deal with it.



 

[sonofdaxjones]

Okay . . . well we're all supposed to believe that Clint "Cheat and get a promotion" Bowen has suddenly become a good defensive coordinator.

Check . . . got it.
 
ku will once again play prolific offenses in ou and Texas, until further notice Tech just reloads on offense, I doubt at the end of the season mu will suck on offense.

McClinton, Talib and Bill Young . . . still not walking through that door.

The one good offense that ku played in 2007 with those 2 guys, scored 36 points, had 29 first downs, and 519 yards of total offense . . . but hey, losing those 2 guys was HUGE for 2008 . .  HUGE.