Three Thoughts Ahead of KU's Bowl Game

1. This game is a test for KU's coaching staff. 

Let's start with the obvious. KU's coaches are good. But I'm still interested to see what a month of extra preparation looks like with the staff.

They're playing against a well-coached Arkansas team that's physical and can run the ball. KU's defense has struggled against the run all season. I doubt KU is suddenly a juggernaut up front. The defense just needs to not LOSE the game for the Jayhawks.

Offensively, let's see how creative Andy Kotelnicki can be. It should be a high-scoring game, and the OC has done a good job of making it easy on KU players most of this year. He has to know Arkansas will be studied up on his offense. It seemed that defenses caught up to KU’s schemes a bit later this season. Good coaches should adjust.

1. KU may have already won

National Coach of The Year Sonny Dykes was Cal's coach when I used to cover the team for the San Francisco Chronicle. He once told me the most important part of going to a bowl game was the extra practice that comes with it. He suggested it gave teams a significant head start for next season.

KU hasn't had that in YEARS! Imagine a coaching staff with EXTRA practice time. The opportunity is program-changing. This game can’t really set KU back, but it definitely can help propel it forward.

1. The Dog Days are Over

This game feels like a proper exorcism of the last decade+ of Kansas football demons. Think about all of the sh*t KU has been through since 2009. I was putting together a list of bad moments AFTER the Mark Mangino firing. Here's a short few, in no particular order.

• Sheahon Zenger "I set out to find the best, and I came back with Charlie Weis"

• Charlie Weis calling the team a "pile of crap"

• KU running a fake punt out of its endzone.

• Multiple sets of stadium renovation renderings and Memorial never changing.

• There was the game KU allowed 604 rushing yards to Georgia Tech.

• There was the game KU gave up an NCAA record 427 yards on the ground to Samaje Perine.

• There was the game where Montell Cozart fumbled a snap when he meant to spike the ball. The QB essentially took a knee and KU lost to South Dakota St.

• Not winning a single game in 2015.

• Turner Gill opening a press conference on a positive note, saying, "We lead the conference in punting."

• Keeping Carter Stanley as QB2, not QB1.

• Not paying David Beaty and self-reporting an NCAA violation.

Knowing those days are behind us means we get to enjoy this game THAT much more . Rock chalk, everyone.