This is always a big game for people in Kansas and Missouri. It’s usually just for bragging rights, though. This year it’s for a shot at the Big 12 title and eventually, hopefully, the national title. But it’s always been a big deal, ever since John Brown hacked a few pro-slavery settlers to death and William Quantrill rode across the border to burn Lawrence to the ground. The administrators of the two schools want us to call it something less violent, like the Border Showdown. But fuck that - it’s always been called the war.
Missouri’s only loss came at Oklahoma. Kansas only dipped into Big XII South territory once, with a close win over Texas A&M. For either team, a win would be a chance to move on to next week and prove that they can, in fact, get past Stoops and his big-money Sooners, the presumptive South representative in the Big 12 title game. For two coaches who have spent almost their entire careers on the hot seat, it’s heady stuff indeed.
It’s also the battle of the magically delicious QBs, as both Chase Daniel and Todd Reesing are under 6 feet tall.
The game, which was supposed to be played in Lawrence, in the ancient Memorial Stadium, has been moved to massive Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, almost smack dab between the two schools. KC has always been something of a neutral zone for partisans of the two schools, and the stands should be full of people who have waited a lifetime for a game this big.
The recruiting bonanza that both schools will reap from this game is huge. In a typically power-deficient North division, these two programs could be setting themselves up for big battles for big stakes for the next decade.
Regardless of which team is left standing after this Saturday, this is an exciting leap forward for two teams that have used the scraps other schools throw away to build winning programs. Can they continue to win with the college football equivalent of the Bad News Bears? Watch the top of the standings carefully in the next few weeks for the answer.
Obviously, there is no point in actually watching the video here. But the song is there, so let’s hear it.
What I love about this song is the juxtaposition between Harold and the Blue Notes. The backup singers are steady and on-point throughout the whole song, gently reminding Harold’s woman that she should know better than to question his fidelity (so a man comes home a little late at night with no explanation, then gets defensive when confronted, so what?). Harold’s voice gets more and more raw throughout the performance, until he’s basically begging the nameless paramour to just give him a break, already. All the while his own personal greek chorus pleads the heart of his case in the background.
Awesome stuff.
Top of my list for next week are The Pixies, with the wonderful Kim Deal doing her thang, or Smokey Robinson and the Miracles - that most reciprocal of relationships in which the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
The short-lived and much-mourned website SECpoon.com had more to say about this issue than I ever could, so I’ll just make one observation and then forge ahead.
There are ‘Cocks, Bammers, and an old ball coach. What else can a conference ask for?
Here are your SEC Porn Name All-Stars:
Offense
Casey Dick - QB - Arkansas
Billy Tapp - QB - Ole Miss
Dylan Dickey - QB - Tennessee
Joe Cox - QB - Georgia
Orlando Gunn - RB - LSU
Taurus Young - RB - Mississippi State
Ryan Rearden - RB - Georgia
Jacob Vane - FB - Alabama
Sean Penix - WR - Arkansas
Luster Lewis - WR - Auburn
Lance Long - WR - Mississippi State
Ian Harding - WR - LSU
Dickie Lyons, Jr. - WR - Kentucky
Rod Coleman - WR - Arkansas
Foxy Foxworth - TE - South Carolina
Tim Fugger - TE - Vanderbilt
Keith Zinger - TE - LSU
DeMarcus Love - OL - Arkansas
Ben Harden - OL - Georgia
Zipp Duncan - OL - Kentucky
T-Bob Hebert - OL - LSU
Ryan Broadhead - OL - South Carolina
King Dunlap - OL - Auburn
Jim Tartt - OL - Florida
Defense
Jazzmen Guy - DL - Mississippi State
Steve Stone - DL - Vanderbilt
Pep Levingston - DL - LSU
Brandon Fanney - DL - Alabama
Kikko Logan - DL - Vanderbilt
Wesley Woodyard - LB - Kentucky
Dakota Walker - LB - South Carolina
Rico McCoy - LB - Tennessee
Courtney Harden - LB - Auburn
Trey Trip - LB - Ole Miss
Ryan Powers - LB - Arkansas
Ramon Broadway - DB - Arkansas
Corey Reamer - DB - Alabama
Mike Hunt - DB - Mississippi State
Bram Cannon - DB - Tennessee
Rowdy Francis - DB - Georgia
Aairon Savage - DB - Auburn
Special Teams
Orion Hall - P - Tennessee
Tyler Steelman - K - Arkansas
Logan Love - KR - Tennessee
Vince Vance - LS - Georgia
The only thing left at this point is Independents, so let’s cross our fingers that the few and the… awful… have some decent names for us.
The headline of this post is an admission. Yes, I realize that Kansas is not really ready for prime time, not yet. The Jayhawks are #3 in the BCS, and that accomplishment is real and should not be diminished. But either of the teams tabbed 1/2 could beat Kansas, as could several teams ranked below.
But anyone expecting Kansas fans to feel bad about going 10-0 without facing Texas or Oklahoma in conference obviously has no grasp of the historical magnitude of this season of unexpected success. The current start has not been equaled by any Kansas team in over a century. We’re talking pre-helmet days, and coaches who remembered the Civil War clearly. If KU handles business when Iowa State visits Lawrence next week, it will be the best start ever on Mount Oread. Ever.
So don’t talk to Kansas fans about not playing the Longhorns or Sooners - we don’t want to hear it. This time last year, we couldn’t beat Baylor on the road, but 2007 has brought us an unblemished road record in tough environs - K State, Colorado, Texas A&M. Why we even survived OSU despite Boone Pickens blabbering through the entire third quarter of the televised game on Saturday. A team nobody thought much of has never wilted under the pressure of televised games or mounting expectations. This is a magical team for natives of the Sunflower State.
If Kansas is not for real, we will know - either when the Jayhawks face Missouri in Arrowhead Stadium in two weeks, or thereafter if/when they play in the Big 12 Championship game. Then all those fans of the status quo can smile smugly into their beers and say “I told you so”. But for now - stick it.
Confession time - I’ve never been a very big fan of heavy metal vocals. They too often sound strained and screechy to me. But Heart is another story entirely. Ann Wilson has a big voice, and it never sounds like she’s forcing out a high note. It’s just full and natural, and it always hits me in a vital spot. You know what I’m talkin’ about, fellas.
Since I’m using YouTube to illustrate my choices, I often have little to pick from. In this case, I had fuzzy late-70’s video where Ann is singing completely without backup, or pouffy 80’s videos with way too much synth in them.
I finally settled on this nice clip, in which Nancy is still mostly just shredding, but adds her voice at strategic moments to sweeten an already impressive note. I imagine hearing it live, the whole place would vibrate like a tuning fork. Amazing stuff.
We’ll probably go back to the soul arena next week, but until then, rock on, and be excellent to each other.
Ah, good times. I’ve been writing for Chicago Sports Weekly for several months now, but I started during baseball season, so I didn’t have a chance to dig into college basketball until now. Today, my expose about the Chicago State Cougars, and their surprising decision to leave the Mid-Continent (now Summit) League and go independent for this season, has been posted on the website.
I always root for teams like this. Whether it was a short-sighted athletic department or just good old money woes that drove the Cougars into the frigid waters of independenthood, the coach and the kids deserve our respect. And I, for one, will be keeping an eye on their progress this season.
I’ve never experienced college football vertigo before. It’s actually kind of disquieting. To see my team, which I have suffered with during most of my adult life, is in the top five of every poll, sitting right behind the likes of Ohio State, LSU, and Oklahoma. I thought I’d feel giddy, but I’m actually a little dizzy and scared.
Don’t get me wrong - putting the hurt on Nebraska for a change was sweet - but there’s still so much season left, with a trap game looming in Stillwater next weekend, and our longtime nemesis Missouri at the end of the road. Now that there’s something to play for, it’s all very nerve-wracking.
Of course, this version of Nebraska is like New Coke. A snazzy new flavor demanded by no one, and generally considered to be inferior to the classic red and white label. You’d think that would take some of the pleasure out of beating them, but when you’ve been on the receiving end of the beatings for 36 of the past 38, you sop it up like gravy, let me tell you. And slapping around a former Raiders coach pleases Kansans pretty well, also.
Sadly, I didn’t get to watch the game. It was not deemed interesting enough to be shown on the East Coast, so I had to settle for catching highlights on the big screen television at the bowling alley. Yep, went bowling with my family during the game. Maybe there’s something metaphorical there - bowling for a BCS bowl.
Everyone was spectacular, though my dad called and complained bitterly about Aqib Talib getting roasted by Maurice Purify for some long plays that led to Nebraska’s 39 points. Hopefully Mangino and his cast of goats turned heroes will figure out how to disguise that weakness in succeeding contests.
Remaining games: @Oklahoma State, Iowa State at home, Missouri at neutral Arrowhead Stadium in KC.
It may be a little bit unfair to characterize John Oates as a backup singer, but to my way of thinking, he was definitely the wing man in the Hall & Oates partnership. The fact that Darryl Hall gave him equal billing in the act is a testament to his appreciation for Oates’ steady musicianship.
But let’s be honest - Darryl was the face man. He had the better voice, and the frontman looks and charisma, and those qualities made him the leader. Oates happily put the Philly-soul oooohs and aaaaahs in there, and sometimes sang near-duets, as in “She’s Gone” and other classics. But mostly, he was a complementary voice.
I had requests for some sweet Hall & Oates tunes when I announced this post last week, including nolachick’s wish to hear the ultra-smooth “Sara Smiles”, but I wanted something that really showed what Oates brought to the table during the duo’s heyday. So, in honor of Halloween, here’s “Maneater”.
See - classic wingman there. Hall is a pretty boy, and he’s used to dealing with rough trade. He’s almost cocky. But Oates has his back, shouting “Watch Out!” and “She’s a man-EATER!” when Hall starts to drop his guard.
Oates, for your dedicated service as the Defensive Coordinator of the group, we salute you.
(sharp-eyed viewers will also notice smirking Saturday Night Live bandleader G.E. Smith adding his voice to the mix)
I’ll tell you the suggestions for next week, but I haven’t decided which to use yet. I’ve had suggestions for Heart, The Pixies, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, and a few others, and I think I’ve discovered a gem of an example from Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes.
