Kansas Football Picked To Finish Fourth In North By Big 12 Media
July 19, 2007
LAWRENCE, Kan. –
Kansas football has been projected to finish fourth in the Big 12 North division according to the Big 12 Media Preseason Poll which was released on Thursday.
The projection matches Kansas’ highest preseason Big 12 listing as the Jayhawks were also picked fourth in 1996, 2000 and 2006. The prediction of fourth last season was accurate as Kansas posted a 3-5 conference mark en route to finishing behind Nebraska, Missouri and Kansas State. KU finished fifth in both 1996 and 2000.
KU has finished the season as high as fourth in the North division in 1999, 2003 and 2006. The Jayhawks were picked fifth, sixth, and fourth respectively in those years.
“I am more focused on where we will stand in December, rather than the month of July,” said KU head football coach Mark Mangino.
Kansas returns 33 lettermen from last year’s 6-6 team, including 16 starters. Among the returnees are several players who received All-Big 12 recognition a year ago in cornerback Aqib Talib (first team), RB Brandon McAnderson (second team), DT James McClinton (honorable mention), and LB Mike Rivera (honorable mention).
Missouri is the media’s pick to claim the North this season as the Tigers received 138 total points, including 16 of the 24 first-place votes. Nebraska picked up the other eight first-place votes and had 128 points. Kansas State is listed third with 88 points, followed by Kansas (63), Colorado (58) and Iowa State (31).
In the South, Texas with 135 points and 16 first-place votes, is listed as the favorite with Oklahoma second with 126 points and seven first-place votes. Texas A&M received the other first place vote and is third in the poll with 82 points. Oklahoma State (81), Texas Tech (56), and Baylor (24) round out the South division.
The winners of the North and South divisions will square off in the 2007 Dr Pepper Big 12 Championship Dec. 1, at San Antonio’s Alamodome. The game will be telecast nationally by ABC at 7 p.m. CT.
Big 12 teams will be in San Antonio Monday-Wednesday for the annual Big 12 Football Media Day with Kansas participating on Monday along with Oklahoma, Nebraska and Baylor. KU players who will be at the media day include Talib, McAnderon and wide receiver Marcus Henry.
2007 Big 12 Preseason Football Poll (Media Vote)
North
1. Missouri (16) 136
2. Nebraska (8) 128
3. Kansas State 88
4. KANSAS 63
5. Colorado 58
6. Iowa State 31
South
1. Texas (16) 135
2. Oklahoma (7) 126
3. Texas A&M (1) 82
4. Oklahoma State 81
5. Texas Tech 56
6. Baylor 24
First-place votes in parentheses
