Kansas Jayhawks 2010 College Football Predictions – BCS Odds 2011: Kansas surprised last year, but in a bad way, by finishing dead last in the Big 12 North with a 1-7 conference record. The precipitous decline, as well as some off the field issues, led to Head Coach Mark Mangino, the same man who led the Jayhawks to a 12-1 record and Orange Bowl win in 2007, being let go by the University. Former Nebraska great Turner Gill was hired to take Mangino's place. 2010 College Football Predictions at BetUS.com are not looking for Gill to create a big turnaround this season, though, as Kansas is presently listed at +500 odds to win the North.
T
urner Gill, who put together a 20-30 record at Buffalo, has been given the charge of keeping Kansas football on the map. While his work guiding the Bulls to an unlikely MAC title in 2008 was impressive, Gill is still a somewhat unknown commodity as a coach. He will need at least three or four years at Kansas before anyone knows if he is the equal of Mangino.
This year's Kansas squad, which brings back 13 starters and 39 lettermen from last season, does not have the kind of talent to win the North, yet alone the conference; however, it does have enough to be competitive week in and week out. The offense gets leading rusher Toben Opurum back (554 yards, nine touchdowns) as well as quality wideouts in Johnathan Wilson and Bradley McDougald. Sophomore Kale Pick is the favorite to win the job at quarterback and he will be working behind an offensive line that returns the entire two deep.
The Jayhawks defense, which allowed 383 yards and 28.4 points per game last year, loses leading tackler Darrell Stuckey, but the unit should improve upon those numbers. Linebackers Drew Dudley and Chris Harris, who combined for 172 tackles and four sacks a season ago, return to lead the front seven. Also back is senior defensive end Jake Laptad, who had 49 tackles and 6.5 sacks in a solid junior campaign.
Kansas draws two tough non-conference outings in Georgia Tech and Southern Miss, but its conference schedule breaks favorably in that there are only three road games (Baylor, Iowa State, Nebraska). The Jayhawks also avoid Texas and Oklahoma altogether while hosting Kansas State, Texas A&M, Colorado, Oklahoma State, and Missouri (Kansas City).
2010 College Football Predictions: 5-7 Overall, 3-5 Conference, Fifth Place Big 12 North
BetUS.com Kansas Jayhawks 2010 College Football Predictions – BCS Odds 2011:
Odds to Win the Big 12 North +500 (four of six)
Odds to Win the Big 12 Championship +1500 (nine of 12)
BCS Odds 2011 (National Championship) +20000
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