In this Hearings newsletter:

1. KU’s opportunity in the new Big 12 😯

2. One stat about KU’s running game 🏃‍♂️

3. A Hearing on the cell service at Memorial Stadium 🏟️

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EVERYTHING IN THIS NEWSLETTER IS BASED UPON WHAT I AM HEARING FROM PEOPLE I TRUST. PLEASE DO NOT MISTAKE THIS FOR FACT OR FOR ACTUAL JOURNALISM, WHICH HAS VERIFICATION STANDARDS THAT I HAVE NOT ADHERED TO. I DO NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT.

One Take: The Big 12’s Power Vacuum

Note: this is an overreaction.

I keep going back to Travis Goff’s letter imploring KU fans to support the football team. There was a sense of urgency behind the message, pushing the idea that there’s a new chance for the football program to “reach unchartered heights.” I think it’s more than lip service.

There’s going to be a power vacuum in the Big 12 with Texas and Oklahoma leaving. The new four conference schools — UCF, BYU, Houston, and Cincinnati — haven’t beaten an original Big 12 team in seven tries this season.

I can’t even believe I’m saying this, but Kansas has a real opportunity to end up as one of the top football programs in the new Big 12.

Assuming a certain level of competence and stability (which isn’t guaranteed), the Jayhawks will have their best chance for league dominance since the Big Eight formed in 1957.

Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and Arizona State are coming. Kansas State has been a model for consistent success. Iowa State, TCU, Oklahoma State, and Baylor have all had legitimately great moments. But none have played the part of Big 12 bully. The door is open KU to move firmly into the top tier of football programs.

And a 51-22 win vs. UCF shows what KU is capable of.

ICYMI: KU Hoops Roster Hearings 👀

VIP subscribers got an update for what I’ve been Hearing on the KU Hoops roster so far this season. I think it’s safe to say the early word on Johnny Furphy, Elmarko Jackson, and Hunter Dickinson had subscribers FIRED up 😁

Paid subscribers can read the update here. If you’re interested in upgrading, hit the button below.

One Stat: The Running Jayhawks 🏃‍♂️

Kansas is running the football at the sixth-highest rate in college football. While all the talk has been about the quarterback, the Jayhawks have run on 63% of their plays this season.

Only Air Force, Navy, Army, West Virginia, and Liberty run at a higher rate. But here’s where KU stands out: The Jayhawks are ninth in the country in yards per rush attempt (5.9). West Virginia, their only Power-Five competitor, ranks 91st.

So yeah, everyone knows it’s coming. And they still can’t stop it.

Bonus Stat: We gave away a total of 52 seats as a KUHearings community to Jayhawks fans wanting to go to the KU-UCF game. Thank you so much to all who donated. It was a truly special effort.

One Hearing: Cell Service in Memorial Stadium

One of the most frequent complaints for KU fans attending games has been the lack of any cell service or WiFi. It appears cell reception improved for a lot of fans in attendance on Saturday.

I’ve Heard some of the cellular providers have recently worked to improve their speeds during games. I believe Lawrence Police, Fire, and Medical have been pushing hard on the providers to increase their coverage on game days.

Also, I can now cross “cellular service scoops” off my bucket list 🤣. We can do it all at KUHearings!

Mike’s Quick Links

• I’m a huge fan of the Original KU Newsletter, Streak Talk. While mosts posts are free, they also donate all subscription revenue if you want to sign up. Here’s their latest Annual Late Night Vibes Report.

• KU’s Kwamie Lassiter got his first NFL catch on Sunday. Bengals coach Zac Taylor had high praise for the Jayhawk, giving him the game ball in the locker room after the game.

• KU is once again toward the top of the ‘Did We Really Get Beat That Bad’ rankings for the UCF win.

• Bill Self was not happy with his team’s effort at Late Night 🤣.