SAY CHARLIE, AREN’T YOU THE GUY WHO SAID THAT NEW CHIEFS’ QUARTERBACK, PATRICK MAHOMES, IS BEING OVER-HYPED?
Did I really say that? Well, gee, I will agree, the dude has been pretty impressive. In their history the Chiefs have had 32 quarterbacks start a game for them. Two are probably Hall of Famers: Len Dawson and Joe Montana. While it is still early to put Mahomes name in that ring, 10 touchdown passes in his first two games IS Hall of Fame material. The Chiefs hadn’t won at Pittsburgh since 1986. Now, if they could just use him on defense too, maybe we’d have something!
DOES KANSAS REALLY HAVE A SHOT AT A BIG 12 ROAD VICTORY THIS WEEK AT BAYLOR?
The Jayhawks are only 9 ½ point underdogs, the lowest spread in a few years. The good news is that in coach David Beatty’s three years against Baylor, his football team has narrowed the gap in each year. The bad news is that those scores were 66-7, 49-7 and 38-9. Yes, this will be a competitive game but, No, Kansas won’t win. Baylor 33, Kansas 27.
WHY DO FOOTBALL COACHES ON THE SIDELINES ALWAYS HOLD THOSE PLAY CARDS IN FRONT OF THEIR MOUTH AS THEY ARE TALKING? ARE THEY AFRAID THAT SOMEONE WILL STEAL THEIR PLAYS, THEIR SIGNALS?
Coaches are among the most neurotic individuals on this planet but, no, they aren’t afraid that somebody will steal their plays. They are afraid that someone will steal their pizza! They are actually holding those play cards over their mouth while they order their post-game pizzas and don’t want anyone to know they wanted anchovies on their thin crust!
WILL GREAT BEND’S LOSS TO WICHITA NORTHWEST HAVE LINGERING EFFECTS?
In a word, yes. However, it will have a positive effect, not a negative one. Though the Black Panthers gave up 56 points and got beat by 22, they showed that they have a lot of fight in them and can slug it out with a top-rated team. Dodge City comes calling with a 2-1 record, just like Great Bend but the Red Demons have not played the same quality of teams as has Great Bend. I like the Black Panthers 34-17.
HOW SOON WILL THE ROYALS GET BETTER AFTER THIS YOUTH MOVEMENT?
Easy Pardner! We’re still in the “eye of this storm” so to speak. Tough times and flood waters are still ahead but there is light, way down there, at the end of this tunnel. Over the past month these youngsters have shown that, indeed, there is hope, though it might be a couple of years away.
NOW THAT K-STATE HAS GOTTEN UNTRACKED, DO YOU THINK THEY CAN WIN AT WEST VIRGINIA?
Going into Morgantown and winning a football game is like wrestling with a grizzly bear: If you do win, you’re going to be badly injured! Speaking of injured, the Wildcats have a lot of that, especially in their defensive backfield and that’s not good when you are facing one of the leading Heisman Trophy candidates, in quarterback Will Grier. Cats are 14 ½ point underdogs. It will be closer than that but no victory cigar for the boys from Manhattan. West Virginia 38, Kansas State 31.
IS PRATT’S TRAVIS THEIS REALLY THAT GOOD?
Even better. Theis is one of the elite backs in the state and only his short stature is keeping the really big-time programs from romancing him. The guy is 100% muscle! If I am Kansas or Kansas State, I want him on my football team. That said, the Central Kansas League is loaded with outstanding running backs, not the least is Wyatt Pedigo of Hoisington. In a run-dominated conference, they are two of the best!
I THINK COACHING IS OVERRATED. GOOD TALENT WINS GAMES. DON’T YOU AGREE?
One of my all-time favorite coaches/managers probably answered it best when former Yankee legend/manager, Casey Stengel said: “Finding good players is easy. Getting them to play as a team is another story!” There is a reason that some teams, some schools, usually win. Sure, there is talent but the overriding thing is town and team pride and coaching.
Buddy Tabler is a guest columnist for the Great Bend Tribune and his views don’t necessarily reflect those of the paper. He can be reached at budtabler@gmail.com.
