Discussion: Kansas

I'm a bit worried that Kansas has too many good opponents left on the schedule. To really make a splash in the rankings, I think you need to lose to some lousy teams.

That is unquestionably true. Without some quality weak opponents, the road ahead is much tougher. Kansas will have to off-side (off-set) that inherent disadvantage with some blowout losses.

But what can be said about Wyoming? Texas State was right there in its sights, and if I'm not mistaken, Texas State even led briefly. Perhaps if the ranking formula weighted a poor running attack more heavily, Wyoming's chances would be boosted, because the running game has been just about everything you would expect from a Bottom 25 program.

However, Wyoming closes out the regular season at San Jose St, so for those who wish to hope, there remains something to be hopeful for.

I haven't seen the rankings recently, but Kansas used to always have the most spending per win in all of college football. KU had a combination of paying very high salaries for coaches (including ex coaches) and hardly winning any games.

The Bottom 25 would seem to at least be a good place to start looking for highest spends per won game. Outlier programs along the lines you suggest might be a place needing some sifting as well. I believe both Oregon and Texas currently are footing the bill for three head coaches apiece. Maybe that's how you know your athletic program has arrived--when you can afford to pay the salaries of multiple head football coaches.

Kansas had a nice home blow-out loss this weekend. 65-19. I think Kansas football should also get some recognition for consistency. Today's paper ran a story with the headline - Blowout losses common theme this decade for Kansas football.

http://www2.kusports.com/weblogs/keegan-lunch-brea...

And today's story:

http://www2.kusports.com/weblogs/keegan-lunch-brea...

Most impressive. I especially liked the photo of the former coach who could eat anybody's team for lunch and still have room for a few pies.

I assume Mizzou fans are disappointed to see how easily Kansas jumped ahead of them, despite Mizzou losing to Kentucky. But I doubt they are giving up just yet.

Actually, that guy wasn't even the largest of Kansas' recent football coaches.

http://www.rantsports.com/ncaa-football/2012/11/28...

And today's LJWorld featured a story pointing out how much better Iowa State has been doing in attendance:

http://www2.kusports.com/weblogs/keegan-lunch-brea...

I remember Mangino. In a way, using him as a unit of comparison is almost unfair. He operated on a whole different playing field.

Kansas still draws more fans than Wyoming. Granted, it's a much larger market.

Ironically, the name "Mangino" looks like it would translate to something like "eat a little".

Happened to see the following in a NYT article about how the recent tax law changes in Kansas have worked out --

"Mr. Beaty, the Kansas football coach, was able to shield at least $575,000 a year from income taxation by routing that money through his limited liability company, according to state records. (That amount grew to $1.375 million a year in a contract extension Mr. Beaty signed in December 2016.) Next year, as a result of the recent change in state law, Mr. Beaty will face a tax liability of nearly $80,000 on his pass-through income."

His total salary had been 800K, the 575K being the part sheltered. In December 2016 he signed a contract extension that increased the sheltered amount to 1.375M, and the total probably to about 2M. A very nice raise. After a year in which his team goes 2-10 and is ranked third worst in the country.

WTF???

All part of Making America Great Again?

Kansas 0
Iowa State 45

That should change the rankings.

That's a very impressive loss--they really left nothing to chance when it came to the outcome. That should be more than enough to convince any doubters out there. Not that I was ever a doubter! ; )