Tag Archives: Mark Mangino

Football Feedings 2014 Week 02: Super Stuffed Biscuits And Gravy

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It’s Farmageddon week and there’s no better way to kick off the second week of college football than with some early morning vittles.  So this week we went with some biscuits and sausage gravy, but with a twist.  We will make a meal and STUFF it in the biscuit before we cook it.  It’s the only real way celebrate Kansas State and Iowa State’s farm bred rivalry.  Let’s do this. Continue reading Football Feedings 2014 Week 02: Super Stuffed Biscuits And Gravy

Pick It And Stick It: Morning Farm Time

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I grew up in Kansas, but I’m no farmer.  Shocking right?  Well not really, but I have grown to love the rivalry that started all Great Plains rivalries.  Yup, I’m talking about Farmageddon.  It’s yearly tradition where Kansas State takes on Iowa State.  It’s also very early in the year.  It’s like getting up at the crack of dawn for the college football year’s day.  There’s other games, too so let’s get started. Continue reading Pick It And Stick It: Morning Farm Time

Kansas Football Preview 2014: Hey, There’s Hype To Live Up To

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Hey it’s another year of football for Kansas State and it’s a weird time to be a fan.  Usually Kansas State comes in underpicked, underestimated, and just generally dumped on.  Welp this year is different.  The Wildcats ended the year strong with an even stronger win over Michigan in the bowl game.  Now all of the sudden the pundits and spineless sports media are picking Kansas State to finish well.

It’s a weird feeling.  If any fan, and team, watches and plays better with a chip on their shoulder, it’s Kansas State.  So now it’s time to act like we’ve been there.  Yes, we have, but that added extra juice of being the underdog is gone.  What’s a K-Stater to do?  I guess the best thing is to do what got you to this point.

For us fans, that means cheering loud and staying proud.  Pretty easy.  For the football team, that means Jake Waters tossing bombs to Tyler Lockett.  That’s pretty easy, too, actually.  It helps that there’s this sexy stats the pundits refer to that each returning Wildcat quarterback leads the team to 11 wins (minus the early Snyder teams).  So Jake Waters has that going for him.

You know what else he has going for him?  Collin Klein.  No no, he’s not playing for the team again, he’s COACHING them.  While you can’t teach those kind of running instincts, Collin Klein can at least give direction.  And that’s exactly what he’s doing with Jake Waters.  Dark horse Heisman right there.  I expect Jake Waters to do great, great things this year.  More so than Tyler Lockett, although he’s right up there.

The offense sort of has questions elsewhere.  There’s a decent group of wide receivers coming back, even though Daniel Sams took off after losing the quarterback job.  The running back situation will be a committee until someone shows up.  I hope its fast.  There’s a polarized set of experience on the offense line and I hope they gel fast too.

I’m not sure what’s up on defense.  Ryan Mueller is the man on the defense line (and former St. Thomas Aquinas alum, like me).  That’s about all I know.  There’s a couple of JUCO transfers that will help out immediately and we’ll have to see what the team looks like when they take the field today.  Chances are, they will be fundamentally sound but not the biggest and fasted.  Just like the last couple of years.

So speaking of games, how do I see the Wildcats this year?  After last year’s fist game turd, I expect them to punch the ball in quicker and grow a bigger lead in the first half against Stephen F. Austin and then let up on the peddle a bit.  They won’t be vanilla the whole game.  Not with what’s coming up next.

Right after that, it’s a brutal stretch.  Farmageddon is next, then Auburn.  Iowa State will be better on the offensive side of the ball  now that they got Mark Mangino as the offensive coordinator.  And it’s on the road.  Even though it wasn’t close last year, it will be this year.  Kansas State will win.

Auburn is the big tomato.  At least it’s in Manhattan.  I get the feel from Tigers fans that they are scared about this one.  They should be.  But for some reason, all of the hype surrounding Kansas State this year has at least alerted them to the danger that is the Wildcats.  Which means the team will be ready.  Will Kansas State be ready? Yes.  Will they lose?  Unfortunately, yes.

So what does the rest of the schedule look like?  Let’s run it down.  They come back down to Earth and beat up UTEP.  Texas Tech is in Manhattan so that’s a Wildcat victory.  That Oklahoma game is a toss up because they are getting overrated too.  I’m going with a loss there.  They will beat Texas and Oklahoma State in Manhattan.  They will beat TCU and West Virginia on the road.  They will roll Kansas.

So that leaves Baylor.  On the road.  Hey guess what?  I’m going to the game!  New stadium.  Last game of the year.  Will it be for the Big 12 title?  I sure hope so.   My guess is that it will have huge implications on the Big 12 title.  That’s good enough for me.  Because I just don’t think Kansas State can keep up with Baylor.

Which means I’m pretty much going chalk this year.  Weak, isn’t it?  That’s what happens when the hype matches where I actually think the team will be, which is about 3rd in the conference with 3 losses.  Now what bowl game that will be,  I don’t know.  I hope it’s close to Austin so I can finally see the Wildcats in a bowl.  But until then, I’ll keep cheering loud and staying proud.  Go Wildcats!

Purple Yeti Roar 100: BCS, Farewell

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Hey!  We’ve hit 100!  What better time to talk about the BCS and the BCS National Championship!  Oh we’ve got plenty to talk about as well, including a quasi-special announcement.  Watch me talk about Kansas State, Jake Waters, Michigan, Holiday Bowl, Oregon, Texas, Mack Brown, Iowa State, Kansas, Mark Mangino, Florida, Auburn, Jamies Winston, and ESPN. Continue reading Purple Yeti Roar 100: BCS, Farewell

Purple Yeti Roar 63: Bo Knows Fishing

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Okay the week is starting, we have a new NCAA basketball champion, and some more diamond like exercises are happening or something.  Great, now on to college football.  The big news of the week was Auburn’s allegations from ESPN, and Bo Jackson’s prompt fishing response.  There some good drama there.  Let’s play that out while we also play out news from Disney, Kendall Sanders, Texas, Texas A&M, Mark Mangino, Youngstown State, American Athletic Conference, The Big East, Paul Rhoads, Gene Chizik, and Iowa State. Continue reading Purple Yeti Roar 63: Bo Knows Fishing

Purple Yeti Roar 58: March Into Spring Practice

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Yeah I keep talking about it Spring practice and that’s about it.  Another light week.  Buckle up as I talk about Kansas, Mark Mangino, Youngstown State, Tulane, Texas Tech, Kliff Klingsbury, Boise State, Florida State, and Texas. Continue reading Purple Yeti Roar 58: March Into Spring Practice

Dart Board Predictions 2012: Just Make Sure You Don’t Touch Anybody

Yup it’s time I wing them again.  I don’t like making things ultra official and professional (note the website) and I will follow that same lack of format for another Pick It and Stick It Special.  It’s Dart Board Predictions time!  I don’t keep track so if you want to hit me up on the Twitterz (twitter.com/kccgd) or email ([email protected]) and let me know just how smart or dumb I am.  So with that out of the way, let’s sharpen up the darts and start tossing.  Get out of the way.

  • I for some reason kept picking Joe Paterno and Bobby Bowden to kick the bucket on the field.  I was wrong on both shots (but there’s a chance with Bobby still).  This year I will predict that NO ONE will die on the field.  Practice field doesn’t count.  I know about the sickle cell.
  • After capping off the offseason with a newly announced college football playoffs, college presidents will realize the folly of their way and go back the BCS system.  The robots will be replaced by committee members.
  • Brent Musburger starts to fade as he delves into dementia not unlike Keith Jackson 10 years ago.  The only difference, he will still shill and sound super excited.
  • Hey I picked a Big 12 Champion, so who will that champion play?  Pretty easy, it’s BCS bowl bound for Oklahoma against Virginia Tech because Frank Beamer.
  • So that means that the Hokies will win the ACC again and I’m not sure anyone will really care.
  • With the WAC shutting down, you’ll see other lower tier conferences going away.  I’m looking at you Sun Belt.
  • Charlie Weiss will get so frustrated at Kansas, that his front butt will lash out and strike a player.  Unlike his almost twin in old head coach Mark Mangino, no one will seem to care about it.  Poor blowhard Weiss.
  • The Big East will be renamed to The Big after they finish this year announcing new members Hawaii and Japan.
  • Texas A&M and Missouri do okay in the SEC this year.  After they get done cleaning up the table when the big boys are done.
  • Mike Leech trades his sword in for a bow and arrow and starts pegging apples at Washington State.  This somehow inspires Wazzu to double their wins to 2.
  • USC will walk into the Pac 12 as the favorite and will more than likely walk out the winner.  Oregon lost so much except those tasty uniforms.
  • But Matt Barkley will not win the Heisman Trophy.  The consolation?  The next contestant on The Bachelor.
  • Who will win the Heisman?  It’s a quarterback sport anymore so I think it will be someone from the that position.  I see Geno Smith nailing with Collin Klein coming in second.  Such a homer pick.
  • Speaking of Kansas State, Bill Snyder will live through the year and see a bowl win finally.  Maybe in the Beef O’Bradys Bowl.
  • Craig James will spew out some nonsense and get accepted to the Green Party’s ticket for president alongside Rosanne Barr.
  • I really do think this may be Michigan’s year for a Big 10 title. Unfortunately as soon as they step on that stage, they will instantly be overhyped and lose out in the Rose Bowl.
  • About 100 more players will be suspended due to mysterious ‘team rules’ epidemic going around.
  • I will not win Pick It and Stick It again this year.  I’m hedging my bet right now and will be saying ‘Called It!’ in December.
  • USC will face LSU and win in the BCS National Championship Game.  Only because USC did me so well in EA Sports NCAA College Football and LSU just doesn’t have it, much to the chagrin of everything SEC.
  • Finally, super predictor Phil Steele will rip off most of my predictions from this column and discredit everything else he did in 2012.

Crib Sheet: Here We Go Again On Our Own, Maybe

Once we thought we were safe, but anybody who knew their history and knew about the psyche of Missouri understood it was not over.  And with that, Missouri last night gave chancellor Brady Deaton the power to pursue other conferences.  They could be like Oklahoma and stay or they could be like Texas A&M and go.  Time will tell.  Although, they were first on the block last year so I’m pretty sure they are out the door.  Nevermind the fact that Tier 1 and Tier 2 rights are officially equal in the Big 12, provided everyone commits to the league.  Yup, so expect some announcements early next week about conference affiliation so they don’t bother with the actual games being played on the field.  In the meantime, check out this week’s Crib Sheet:

Continue reading Crib Sheet: Here We Go Again On Our Own, Maybe

Crib Sheet: Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself

So the deed is finally done.  Texas A&M and the SEC made it official.  Now last week, we found out that the Big 12 was staying together.  We also found out that Dan Beebe resigned, at the request of Oklahoma and some others.  Connected sports guy Chuck Neinas was setup as the interim Big 12 Commissioner.  What else?  The 1st and 2nd tier television rights are on the table.  That’s fine for Texas because the LHN is 3rd tier, noinch!  The athletic directors all met and were saying they are committed to keeping the Big 12 alive.  Although, it seems Missouri’s foot is still out of the door.  Worse yet, the reason Oklahoma wanted the Big 12 to stay alive was because they couldn’t swing a deal with the Pac 12.  So is it safe?  I guess it is for now.  I’ll be certain of it when somebody actually joins the conference instead of leaves it.  Until then, here’s another installment of the Crib Sheet: Continue reading Crib Sheet: Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself

Crib Sheet: Deep in the Heat of Texas

Welp I’m finally settled down here as the KCCGD Express is powered down and unpacked.  You know, people were saying that the heat is bad down here but I don’t mind it so much.  It’s not July yet, but mid 90s in late April/early May is a new thing for me.  And I love it.  People were meant to wear less clothes.  Now on to this week’s Crib Sheet:

Continue reading Crib Sheet: Deep in the Heat of Texas

Sunflower Showdown Didn’t Slow Down the Wildcats

This is another Monday where I get to talk about a game I saw on Thursday night.  Last time was in Manhattan and this time it was in Lawrence.  Things could not have turned around on a hard 180 degree twist for the Kansas State Wildcats.  For the Kansas Jayhawks, unfortunately, things remained the same.  I didn’t get a chance to take in the Lawrence like I did Manhattan, but the town and the game was great none the less.  For a quick road trip in and out of Memorial Stadium, I can say that the memories will last a long time.

Continue reading Sunflower Showdown Didn’t Slow Down the Wildcats

Crib Sheet: Working Hard to Play this Weekend

We are knee-deep in some serious day job related stuff but fortunately we build the Crib Sheet piece by piece, day by day.  Here ya go:

  • Much of the details of last week’s agreement between the Big 12 and outgoing schools Nebraska and Colorado came out.  Dan Beebe talked about why Nebraska has to pay $9 million and Colorado has to pay $6 million.  Also, don’t look for expansion anytime soon.   They haven’t decided on how to divvy out the cash, but chances are it will be the same formula used for the revenue sharing in general.
  • Irish eyes will be smiling when Notre Dame will play Navy in Ireland 2012.  We’re not sure where they will play but more than likely there’s a good chance they’ll all go out together after the game and get drunk.
  • In preparation for last week’s game against Boise State, Oregon State coaches had their practice field painted blue.  That’s some great thinking there.  It’s almost like using loud speakers to emulate crowd noise except messier.
  • Communication issues have tormented Turner Gill and the Kansas Jayhawks.  His solution?  Yanking cell phones from players the day before the game and then giving it back in the locker room after the game.  How will the players wake up in the morning or talk to their mothers?  I guess that’s what computers are for.  We wonder how many more losses it will take for Gill to yank computer privileges too.
  • The NCAA leaped to action regarding the issue of sports agents and collegiate players by writing a letter.  A letter.  They asked for cooperation.  Nothing else.  Just another reason the NCAA needs to upgrayedd or just disband.  These guys are getting real irrelevant.
  • The Playoff PAC, the special interest group formed to blow away the BCS and instill a college football playoff, will file a complaint with the IRS regarding the tax status of the Fiesta, Sugar, and Orange Bowl.  They used a load of lawyers and one accountant to pick apart the tax returns and public documents of the BCS bowls and found that some loans and director salaries were just too much.  Whether the IRS will remove the tax status, we won’t know.  But we do know that the Playoff PAC is digging into every crook and cranny to blow away the BCS.
  • Meanwhile, the PAC 10 is thinking about having their title game in Las Vegas.  Okay that’s a little crazy as there is no team in the Pac 10 from Nevada.  It is centrally located, but they need to have it in California.
  • Texas is signing up another (somewhat) tough opponent in Maryland  for the 2017 and 2018 season.  Will this be the game on the Longhorns Network?
  • Because of past troubles, USC will be barred from playing the Pac 10 Championship Game in 2012, if they are good enough to get there.  Bide your time Trojan fans.  Once Lane Kiffin blows up your program and you rebuild, you’ll be able to enjoy the fruits of the title game.
  • It seems Landry Jones of Oklahoma will have a higher calling after he is done calling plays.  Jones says he’s 98% sure that he wants to become a pastor after football.  Just goes to show you all walks of life come to play football.  We wonder how many Hail Marys he’s tossed compared how many he’s recited.
  • He’s just hanging with Tim Brewster.  He’s not going for the head coaching job.  That’s what Minnesota is saying after Mark Mangino was spotted on the sidelines of a game, supporting his buddy.  Minnesota should’ve gotten right out in front of this.  There is no way no one would not recognize Mark Mangino hanging out on the sidelines.  The nose bleeder seats would’ve been able to see him.
  • Apparently along with the no cell phone rule for players, Turner Gill’s Kansas Jayhawks can’t be with the ladies after 10 pm.  That’s a harsh rule.  It’s on any night.  Do mothers count?  Like as in visit and talk to.  Keep your mind out of the gutters, people.
  • Nick Saban said his Alabama team should be set to face Michigan in the Jerry Jones Super Mega Cowboys Stadium Dome in 2012.  It sounds like more college games will be played there than pro games.  It’s good for Dallas we suppose.
  • Looks like Kansas backup, and former starter, Kale Pick will be out a couple of weeks with a leg injury.  Not sure if he will ever see a snap again.
  • Bill Snyder 2.0 is starting to look alot like the first version.  The Wildcats snagged a top ranked junior college quarterback Justin Tuggle from Blinn, much like another former one by the name of Michael Bishop.  This looks to be the next year.
  • The NHL’s Stanley Cup showed up at the Notre Dame game last week.  It will be awhile before the Fighting Irish will see another title of any kind down in South Bend.
  • Strange things are afoot for Missouri.  First off, cornerback Munir Prince left the team due to the transient quadriplegia he suffered in the preseason.  If he plays anymore it could get permanent.  Next up, senior safety Jasper Simmons has been suspended indefinitely from the team.  He had knee surgery after the Illinois game.  Are they just trying to drop a scholarship or something?  At any rate, some very unusual things are going down in Columbia.

Big 12 , er 11, er 10 Predictions for 2010

Man what a crazy roller coaster of an offseason for the Big 12. Who would’ve thought a year ago that the Big 12 would be rocked to its very knees and survive probably one of most weirdest advances in college football history.  It was like a whacked out game of Axis & Allies.  Welp Germany didn’t win and neither did the Big 10.  So here we are going into what is the last season we will ever see for this 12 conference league.  Who will come out on top?  Roll dice to find out (er read below).

Continue reading Big 12 , er 11, er 10 Predictions for 2010

Crib Sheet: Spring Fever

It’s been a real quiet week.  Hey, the weather’s finally coming around and everyone’s outside doing stuff.  What are we doing at the KCCGD headquarters?  Nothing.  Absolutely nothing.  We’ve been recovering since SXSW and it’s not time yet to do some cleaning.  So we’ve been lounging and laying around soaking up some non conditioned air.  We had just enough energy to pump out another Crib Sheet.  So check it out while we take a nap:

  • Oklahoma State’s Pistol Pete is your new ESPN Radio Mascot Champion.  After taking over the college bracket, Pete beat up Benny the Bull from the Chicago Bulls and the pro side.  Congrats Pete!  Be sure to check up on our review of this guy here.
  • The Kansas Jayhawks have a new deal with IMG that includes a new video board for the stadium.  Hopefully, the screen size will be big enough to fit highlights of former head coach Mark Mangino.
  • Texas A&M students have a shot to play with the big boys on campus this week.  They can catch a touchdown, tackle a runner, and do other things with the football players in the ‘Pigskin Palooza’.  Head coach Tommy Tubberville says this is all in good fun, but we’re thinking he’s secretly looking for more players.  Hey, the military can produce some major athletes, just not general ones.
  • The Little Caesars Bowl continues onward with the re-up of the MAC and the Big Ten.  But it gets a little different after that.  The top MAC team will face the 8th place team in the Big Ten, if that team is eligible.  If not, a Sun Belt Conference team will take its place.  Or, the MAC and Sun Belt will play in the Little Caesars Bowl.
  • Bill Snyder 2.0 came back stronger.  They have the technology to do so.  They will need again apparently.  The Kansas State head coach tore both his MCL and ACL during spring practice.  He even coached the rest of practice after the incident.  This old guy is tough.  Let’s hope he gets a robot leg.

Crib Sheet: Passing the Time by Dodging Balls

The Crib Sheet returns!  We’re in the first lull of the year as Spring Practice is right around the corner.  The second lull is the summer, of course.  We here at the KCCGD find many things to pass the time.  Dodgeball for instance.  It’s not exactly football, but it is alot of fun.  We think that colleges should catch on to this trend and officially support dodgeball in their athletic programs.  It can work.  We all just have to will.  DUCK!  Here comes the Crib Sheet: